Resilience and Things We Cannot Change
adapted by
JoAnn Thiry
When in grief, we need to remind ourselves that humans are resilient. We are “hardwired” to survive the upheaval and anguish of grief, to accept what we cannot change and go on. We each have a strength within us that will evolve into resilience if we nurture and cultivate within ourselves.
In his book, Five Things We Cannot Change, David Richo speaks directly to the struggles experienced by many as they grieve. “There are 5 unavoidable facts of life built right into the very nature of things, over which we are powerless,” he states: l
Everything changes and ends.
l
Things do not always go according to plan
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Pain is a part of life.
l
Life is not always fair
l
People are not loyal and loving all of the time.
When we avoid the reality of these basic truths, we get stuck in disappointment, sorrow, and fear. After a death it is normal to feel those very things: “It’s not fair that my husband died within months of our planned retirement together!”, “Why did it have to be my mother that died? It’s too painful living without her.” Whether death is sudden or follows a long terminal disease, the truth of the 5 unavoidable facts becomes glaringly apparent to one who is grieving. Everything has changed and there are many painful endings that are neither fair nor planned. Bereavement is not for the faint of heart! The important piece is not to get stuck in the sorrow.
Hos-Pice (467-7423)
You can nurture your resilience by staying connected with others; set goals for yourself, small ones at first and larger ones as times goes on; find ways to be involved, volunteering in the community or participating in your church, keep things in perspective, keep a hopeful outlook, take care of yourself, exercise even if it is simply a walk in the morning or the evening. Bereavement is a time of transformation. If we can remember the 5 unavoidable facts of life, if we can get in touch with our own resilience and use it to acknowledge our fear but continue moving forward, our journey of grief will be a journey into a future of hope. The reality we lived in with our loved one is changed. We don’t ever forget the one we love. Eventually the memories that cause us pain because of our loss of will turn to joy and gratitude because we had our loved one in our life.
www.treasurevalleyhospice.com
From “The Five People You Meet In Heaven” by Mitch Albom
“There are no random acts. We are all connected. You can no more separate one life from another than you can separate a breeze from the wind. It is because the human spirit knows, deep down, that all lives intersect. That death doesn’t just take someone, it misses someone else, and in the small distance between being taken and being missed, lives are changed. There is a balance to it all. One withers, another grows. Birth and death are part of a whole. Lost love is still love. Life has to end. Love does not. Memory becomes your partner. You nurture it. You hold it. Love never ends”
Facebook.com/TreasureValleyHospice
2014 is here! And all I can say is… Yay!
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love new beginnings and new opportunities, and although every day and every minute can be thought of as new opportunity, the New Year rings it in loud and clear. This year marks six years in business for this local storybook. Six years of work, creativity, local talent, and millions of words. And 95% of those words, photos, pieces of art, and local talents were positive, heart-centered, and set with the intention to bring business to our advertising clients and to spread the word of the importance of shopping local. And I have every intention to keep that positive trend alive. This issue is so green! It includes our first ever “Going Green” section. I must say, I love it! I love representing the coolest of cool people who are creating their dreams with their businesses and making sure that Mother Earth is taken care of too. Of course, as you read every word of this local story book, please take the next step and tell the businesses that you read about them and that you decided to shop with them or support them because of your awareness of them through The Urban Liaison. We need our advertisers to know that you are taking the “Buy Local” oath to heart! Thank you all for picking up this beautiful, powerful, and heart-centered lifestyle magazine, or as I love to call it, our valley’s local storybook, and for supporting the local movement. Blessing,
Publisher
Cheryl Richard FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS, contact CherylR@TheUrbanLiaison.com (208) 880-0152.
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contents
The Urban Liaison Winter 2014
All rights to publication of articles in this issue are reserved. Please call or write for permission to print any articles. Contributions — letters, manuscripts, photos, artwork — are welcomed with the understanding that the editor cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. Articles, letters, photos and artwork will be edited and published at the discretion of the editor.
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20 2014 Fashion Trends
35 Homestead Natural Foods 37 Evergreen Homes 38 Color Me Green
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Shangri-La Tearoom WestVet Veterinary Specialists
Winter Issue 2014
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Official UL Computer Geek!
designers KIM HAZ DESIGN Kim Hasenoehrl • (208) 461-8796
Call Deborah Today!
URBANstaff
www.kimhazdesign.com
Open DoorStudio Powerful Design Amazing Results
Patricia Marmor • (208) 921-1051 www.opendoorstudio.biz
writers Jessica McAnally
Rebecca Maxwell
Christy Hovey
Nathaniel Walsh
Aryonna Richards
Elise Pehrson
editor Elise Pehrson is an award-winning writer, profes-
sional editor, and published author. She has loved writing for as long as she can remember and finished writing her first novel at the age of eleven. She is currently getting a B.A. degree in English literature with a minor in Japanese studies. Her interests include reading, writing, and spending time with those she loves.
cover story Saint Alphonsus Nampa CEO, Karl Keeler, and Saint Alphonsus Health System CEO, Sally Jeffcoat, celebrate the opening of new Maternity and Heart Centers, conveniently located at the I-84 & Garrity exit in Nampa.
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Recent NNU grad earns TV’s top award
First-year news producer Anna Daly wins Regional Emmy Standing ten inches tall, a winged, golden angel holds an atom above her head. Embracing this statuette is Anna Daly, Northwest Nazarene University graduate and recipient of the 2013 Regional Emmy for the best morning news. To applause and stage lights, this television producer accepted her first Emmy, only a year after graduating. As producer of KTVB’s “Today’s Morning News,” not only one but three of Daly’s shows were nominated for the award that stands for excellence in the television industry. Her productions were compared to other morning news shows in Alaska, Idaho, Mont., Ore. and Wash., before being selected to receive the Regional Emmy. While ecstatic for the prize, Anna knows this award is just a step along her career as a news show producer— an Emmy is a good place to start. Born and raised in Boise, Anna graduated from Northwest Nazarene University in 2012 with a degree in communication. Through connections at the university, she started as an intern with KTVB helping produce the evening news the summer of her junior year. She continued through her senior year and was offered a job at the station after graduation.
“It’s not a glamorous job,” says Daly, “I go to work at 11:30 p.m. and work through the night writing and scripting the next morning’s news, but it’s worth it. I love story telling and as the producer I get to write and be creative every day.” Her morning news colleague, news anchor Doug Petcash says of Daly, “She is definitely a key player in the continued success of ‘Today’s Morning News.’ Plus, she’s a joy to work with. She always works hard, has a great attitude and has become a solid journalist that I trust.” Anna’s career is just starting. “I love what I do; I keep our region informed.” She hopes to continue doing just that. The path of a producer often starts with the morning news and then, if things go well, to the daytime or primetime shows. Apparently, things are going well, and Anna recently accepted a promotion. She is now the producer for KTVB’s “News at 6.” “We’re happy for Anna’s success and that she got promoted to a different newscast, but we certainly miss her,” says Petcash. For Daly, good things are ahead and behind her.
Learn more about NNU’s art and design programs online at nnu.edu/artists.
NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY’S FIRST ART CLASSES WERE TAUGHT IN 1919 BY VALORA BLISS, PROFESSOR OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE & ART. From the beginning of the school’s history, painting and drawing were considered as essential to the curriculum as were cooking and sewing. Then, in 1942, Arnold Finkbeiner joined the faculty and began developing a department specifically dedicated to the arts. This is a recurring theme in the University’s history—professors passionate about education affecting transformation in the life of the school and its students. Today the department has grown to include several major areas of study: graphic design, studio art and art education. Students have the opportunity to experience everything from letterpress and screenprinting to high-end web and interactive design. Completely new curriculum and accomplished, talented faculty make NNU’s graphic design major a premier
program among CCCU schools. New classes added just this year include Advanced Typography and Integrated Media Campaigns. The effect of this growth is not stopping at the classroom level. NNU’s program advancements are making an impression on the design world. Students are graduating and getting phenomenal jobs working for brands such as the Seattle Seahawks, Disney, ABC, Brooks Running and Carhartt, as well as a variety of top design studios and agencies. Graduates from NNU’s graphic design program are being recognized at regional portfolio reviews and in publications such as British Vogue, and are preferred by multiple design studios over graduates from larger state universities and private competitor programs. From a small program come talented and well-trained artists who are making a big impact.
NNU ART & DESIGN BY THE NUMBERS
9 10 85 90 140
the number of studios art students have at their disposal, such as a photographic darkroom and Macintosh laboratory
the number of students in an average class in the NNU department of art and design
the total number of projects that design students have the opportunity to complete during their four years at NNU the percentage of graduates from the design program who have gone on to careers in graphic design over the last five years the number of hours of hands-on experience that all design students gain through internship opportunities
URBANhealth
I
f you’re like most people, it’s the same scenario every year. The best intentions of resisting the holiday temptations are now a foggy memory. Often clouded by a month full of countless parties where over indulgence is the norm. But fear not! The New Year is here and as the calendar turns our resolve comes rushing back! It’s the opportunity for redemption that we embrace every year. However, the drive to make this year different can quickly fade if our goals are too generalized. Instead of falling back into the same rut by spring, take to dig a little deeper and develop a game plan for year long success. Outlined below are 9 tips to guide you towards looking and feeling your best in 2014… and years beyond! written by Jason Wanlass
"Jason is the most dedicated trainer you could ask for and truly cares about each and every one of his clients" - Kaija Capps
This is the Year to GET SMART with your FITNESS GOALS! Tip #1 - Begin with SMART Goals Setting:
January rolls around and everybody wants to get into shape and shed some pounds. But to have successful year, saying “I want to lose weight” is not enough. Goals need to be focused, and realistic. A common acronym for goal setting is SMART, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reward Based, and with a Timeframe. “I want to lose 20 pounds by June 1st and then I will get myself that new swimsuit.” This is a great example of a SMART goal. Not only does it cover each component, but it is realistic as well. Since the recommended range for permanent weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week, a goal of losing 20 pounds in 5 months is honest and very achievable.
Tip #2 - Take Action:
French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said it best, “A Goal without a plan is just a wish.” In other words, action needs to be taken! Include five steps with each corresponding goal for the coming year. Your steps should be conducive and relate directly to your goals. Here’s how it looks using our same weight loss example: SMART Goal: Lose 20 pounds by June 1st Action Step #1 Get a gym membership in January
Jason’s Experience & Credentials: • M.S. Exercise Science & Health Promotion, California University • B.S. Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah • National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer • 18 Years of experience in the health and fitness industry
Champion Fitness Training 1535 W Franklin Rd. Suite A Meridian, ID 83642 208-407-3160 www.championfit.net
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Action Step #2 Do 45-60 minutes of cardio on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays Action Step #3
Do strength training on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Action Step #4
Eat 4 to 6 small healthy meals/snacks per day
Action Step #5
Drink 10 to 12 cups of water every day
Tip #3 - Give Your Workouts a Greater Purpose:
Maintaining focus for an entire year can be challenging, especially if we’re working out just for the sake of working out. Giving your workouts a greater purpose and training for activities outside of the gym can help you stay on track. It’s easy to skip a workout if you lack a specific purpose,
but if a ½ marathon is lurking around the corner, odds are you’ll stay consistent. Besides, most of us have recreational activities we enjoy like running, cycling, basketball or snowboarding. Focusing workouts towards improving your recreational skills can help keep you focused and consistent year in and year out.
Tip #4 - Reevaluate Your Goals:
Goals need to be reevaluated on a regular basis for life long success. Once you accomplish a goal, establish a new one in its place. For example, let’s say you successfully ran a 5k in March. The next step could be running a 10k in June or another 5k with the goal of a faster time. Take time every 2 to 3 months to monitor your progress and determine if you need to modify any existing goals or add a new one. And remember to always strive for improvement!
Tip #5 - Focus on What You CAN Eat:
Too many times when changes are made in our diet, we dwell on what we can’t eat. Try reversing your mindset and focusing on what you can eat. Great examples would include, eating good carbs like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and eating lean meats like fish and poultry. Also, cut out the pop and drink at least 10 to 12 cups of water everyday. For more nutrition information, check out The Harvard School of Public Health. They have a great website for nutritional information and how to make changes for a healthy lifestyle. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/
Tip #6 - Have a reliable workout partner: A solid workout partner can be great for motivation and consistency. There is an accountability factor that goes with the partnership and a tendency to work a little harder when someone is there to push you. Just remember to choose your partner wisely! It is critical that you pick someone that is a motivator, not an enabler! This might require going out of your comfort zone a little, but it will lead to greater success overall.
So whether you’re just starting an exercise program or you’re a weekend warrior wanting to step your game up in 2014, personal training can be great and rewarding option to consider.
Body Calm is a small, friendly neighborhood studio where everyone and anyone is welcome. The teachers are experienced and love what they do and are dedicated to sharing it with their students. This great fitness, yoga, and massage studio is continually adding new classes to their schedule. Knowing that doing the same work out over and over is not for everyone, their schedule features many different yoga styles from Restorative to Power Vinyasa to Yin Yoga, and also features Zumba, Cardio-weights classes, and Pilates. Beginners Basics Yoga Classes also frequently appear on the schedule for new students; although, beginners are welcome in any of the classes. With Body Calm’s small class size, there is plenty of personal attention to go around. Your first class is free to try, so why not try it at least once? The staff members are fun and approachable, and it often feels more like home than a place to work out, so you may find yourself coming back for more.
Written by
Body Calm’s experienced and caring creator, Liz, completed her massage training with the Green Mountain Institute for Integrative Therapy in Southern Portugal in 2007. After six years of living and working as a chef/massage therapist between Portugal and Alaska, she decided, with her husband and two mischievous mutts, to put down some roots—lo and behold, Idaho was the place!
Rebecca Maxwell
1565 E. Leighfield Drive, Suite 175 • Meridian 208.914.0910 • bodycalmstudio.com
In 2013 she realized her goal and attended Frog Lotus Yoga International in Andalusia, Spain to become a Yoga Alliance Certified Vinyasa/Hatha Yoga Teacher. The next step was only natural: to create a peaceful, welcoming space in the local community to share the healing gifts of yoga and massage. Liz hopes that Body Calm can give people a little sanctuary to quiet their minds, be in tune with their bodies, and leave the studio feeling amazing.
Family Owned & Operated for 36 years! Largest Independent Health Food Store Ser�ing the Treasure Valley Providing you with a wide, qualit� selection of:
L i k e u s o n Fa c e b o o k
www.worldofnutritionnampa.com
• Supplements • Health & Beauty Aids • Bulk Herbs & Teas • Groceries • Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies • Pet Food
and much, much more!
World of Nutrition
20% OFF Entire Purchase 314 Caldwell Blvd Nampa 208- 467-7 505 Mon-Sat 10-6 (Closed Sunday)
Excludes - sale items, pet food and supplies, bulk herbs, organic meat and Birkenstock. Not valid on previous purchases. Expires 4/26/14
Winter Issue 2014
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URBANhealth
protect Yourself with the
flu vaccine
The leaves have turned and many have fallen from the trees, heaters have come on and day light savings time is over. All these things tell us that winter will be here soon, and it is the start of a busy season for us in the medical profession. The cold and flu season has arrived.
t
here are many things that can be done to stay healthy and avoid illnesses during this time: eating a healthy diet; getting exercise; washing your hands; and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth are just a few. Staying away from those who are sick can be difficult, simply going to work and school, shopping and to church, will put you in contact with those who are sick. Many illnesses I see this time of year are mild like a cold or the stomach flu. The majority of these conditions resolve without significant consequences. Other illnesses are more severe, like influenza. Influenza is a serious respiratory illness that results in the death of thousands of individuals each year. Often, those most affected by this illness are infants, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Sometimes even those that are young and healthy can have serious complications from influenza. It is therefore interesting to me that so many will forego the most safe and effective way to prevent this illness, getting your annual flu vaccine.
Written by
Steven Dahlke, MD Pediatrician
There is an adequate supply of flu vaccine this year. You see signs everywhere that say “flu shots available.” There are a variety of flu vaccines to meet everyone’s needs. One is not even a shot, but only a spray of a small amount of mist into each nostril. Allergic to eggs? There is one for you too. With such a selection of vaccines, truly almost any one can be vaccinated. Children’s vaccines are available through your district health department, sometimes through school, or I would recommend, through your child’s physician. Evidence suggests that the more consistent you are about getting the flu shot each year, the better protected you become. A study done by the Center for Disease Control shows that a flu vaccine decreases the risk of flu-related hospitalization in adults by 70%. A similar study also completed by the CDC states that 90% of children who died from the flu (105 in 2012/2013 season) were not vaccinated. Those younger than six months old cannot get the flu shot and a few others with serious illnesses cannot be immunized. Protection for these vulnerable populations comes from those around them being faithful in receiving their flu vaccines. Please help protect our vulnerable population and yourself by getting your flu shot today.
For more information, visit SaltzerMed.com 14
| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Visit us online SaltzerMed.com (208) 463-3000
‘Expect More from Medicine’
Neurofeedback Success ,, in the Treasure
a
Valley!
“I’m learning instead of getting in trouble at school!” (9 year old boy diagnosed with ADHD)
"It's just easier to be his mom!"
Lynda Smith, LPC, LPT
(Mother of a young client with distractibility, hyperness, and sensory issues)
“My grades went up because I can focus better!” (12 year old girl diagnosed with ADD)
"I don't have to fight my brain so much!" (Woman with anger, depression and anxiety)
,,
"I'm sleeping through the night, and feeling calmer each week!" (Man with 10 years of multiple symptoms after a prescription drug reaction)
N
eurofeedback is becoming increasingly known as a safe and effective alternative therapy for a wide range of symptoms and conditions. But what the heck is it? “Claire,” a professor and neurofeedback client gives us an inside look at her own experience:
How would you describe the neurofeedback process?
I knew that I needed help with anxiety and depression, but drugs would take away one symptom, and then give me others. I knew I needed something else; something that was different than talk therapy, and that could maybe change my physiology. I read an article about neurofeedback, and thought it might be what I was looking for.
You wear little sensors on your head that monitor your brainwaves, through a little EEG amplifier, and a computer. When your brain is meeting the “conditions” set up for it (based on your own symptoms and brain map), you are “rewarded” by sound or moving images. This gently teaches your brain to produce more efficient patterns and processes. It can feel “foreign” at first, but you have to kind of let go and be open to “learning” and experiencing something new at the same time. I sometimes found it frustrating because I didn’t know what it was asking my brain to do, but over time, that learning process ended up being helpful.
What have you experienced from the neurofeedback?
Do you have advice for other people considering neurofeedback?
What made you think that neurofeedback could help you?
My physiology DID change. I’ve largely overcome many of my most dire symptoms: constant crying, a deep sense of desperation, and anxiety. I feel “smarter” and more efficient, and thinking is less hard. I have experienced increases in creativity, assertiveness, and my overall tolerance, and I also enjoy my work, more. I generally just feel better.
Neurofeedback Can Help with:
• Focus and Attention • Learning Disorders • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) • Mood Disorders • Anger • Stress and Anxiety • Sleep Disorders • Peak Performance Interested in trying neurofeedback? Give us a call! 209.939.3999 or email us at lsmith@stateofmindcounseling.com
Lynda Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy. She is also trained in QEEG (Quantitative Electroencephalography) and Neurofeedback and Certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Check out our website @ www. stateofmindcounseling.com for more information on neurofeedback!
STATE OF MIND COUNSELING
I would say stick with it, and be aware of subtleties. Sometimes the changes are quick, and sometimes they take time. A “new normal” is possible with neurofeedback; I still have a very busy and stressful life, but I no longer crawl through it, and am not overwhelmed by it. I came for and experienced emotional relief, but surprisingly I found a cognitive relief and awakening. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Mention this ad and get a FREE 15 minute consultation
Winter Issue 2014
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URBANhealth
Addus Home HealthCare: Written By
Jessica McAnally
Remaining Happy, Healthy and at Home
T
he independence and comfort that comes from living at home is very important to a person’s overall health. When medical issues or age become a factor in choosing where to live, retirement homes and assisted living facilities have their place, but the security of remaining in a patient’s customary surroundings help to keep them at ease. Addus Home HealthCare has provided services that allow clients to remain in their homes, offering a full array of healthcare services including nursing, personal care aides, and rehabilitation. When a client first comes to Addus, a nurse visits them to access their needs. Aides are available for two to 24 hours a day, depending on the attention a patient may require. After the initial meeting, a care plan is written which may cover anything from helping with showers to meal plans. Personal care aides then assist with daily activities, and will even accompany clients to their physical therapy sessions, often consisting of swimming.
"Personal care aides are
the heart of what sets care aides are the heart Addus apart from other Personal of what sets Addus apart from home care services. They home care services." other help clients with varying levels
of needs such as shopping for groceries, assisting with personal hygiene, reminding them to take medications, and taking them to their doctor’s visits. Personal care aides are often the eyes and ears for the client’s physician. Since they are the ones that see the patient on a day-to-day basis, they are the ones who are first to notice any changes in health. This is essential in identifying any problems as early as possible, so that clients can stay healthy and comfortable in their homes.
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Eva Buerman at the 101st Birthday Party her Addus personal care aides threw
| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Addus services 28 Idaho counties, even providing options for rural areas such as Duck Valley and New Meadows. Carol Foster, Agency Director of Addus HealthCare in their Boise location, tells the story of one woman, who has benefited from Addus’ personal care aide services. Eva Buerman, age 101, is still active and healthy, caring for her rose garden and telling stories. Having the ability to stay in her own home with the assistance of a personal care aide has allowed her to remain happy and healthy. “I came to visit her one day, and she insisted I sit down and have a cup of coffee with her,” Foster said. “She is so alert and full of great stories.” The wellness of their clients is central to Addus’ philosophy. Their mission statement says, “It is the primary mission of Addus Home Care to improve the health and well-being of our consumers through the provision of quality, cost-effective healthcare services.” Addus believes that their clients have earned the right to be cared for in this manner, and are committed to keeping their promise of putting the welfare of their patients first. Addus HealthCare’s Boise office can be reached by calling 208-342-1222, and more information about the company can be found at the Addus website, www.Addus.com. They would love to answer any questions regarding their services and are available to take new clients.
How would you like to do your part in advancing medicine? Volunteer for clinical research at ACR!
Qualified participants receive study-related medication and exams at no charge. Compensation between $50 and $1000 may be provided.
CURRENT UPCOMING STUDIES
For more information or to see if you qualify, call ADVANCED CLINICAL RESEARCH at 866.704.5163 (toll free) or 208.377.8653 ext. 102, 104 or 121 or visit us online at www.acr-research.com www.facebook.com/ACRIdaho
•
SMOKING CESSATION
•
HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS (AGES 6-80) VACCINE TRIALS
•
CELIAC DISEASE
•
DIABETES, TYPE 2
•
CAT ALLERGY
•
GOUT
•
OPIOID INDUCED CONSTIPATION
•
ASTHMA
•
OSTEOARTHRITIS/RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
•
DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS
Winter Issue 2014
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URBANhealth
Age in Place
Successfully Written by Victoria
Savage RN, "Nurse Savage On Your Side"
W
hat does it really mean? Is it the same for everyone? The answer is no! It’s not the same for everyone, but the elements that make up successful aging are the same for everyone. Are you in your fifties and sixties and hoping that your next twenty to thirty years will go well? Do you hope that you’ll continue to have a vital, engaged, and vibrant long life? It seems all of us want to live a long time, but none of us want to get old.
Victoria Savage RN
“Nurse Savage” on your side. Owner of Care for Living, LLC.
(208) 473-8254 www.care-forliving.com victorias@care-forliving.com
Many of us see this part of our future as something we have no control over and are just hoping it goes okay and that nothing seriously wrong occurs. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We can absolutely direct and map out what our next twenty to thirty years will look like and design the aging future we would rather have instead of one we are just hoping for. With the healthcare system in such flux and chaos, and with the number of Baby Boomers coming of age, taking control and exercising options to create the future you’d prefer to live in is more important than ever.
Would you be interested in knowing how much control you have over how this plays out? Register now for the FREE informational call, “Set the stage and then turn the page.” This power-packed call will help you understand how to step into a power-driven future full of vitality, engagement, and optimal health. To register for this free informational call, go to: www. care-forliving.com and click on the ‘Age Empowerment’ tab and register for the call date that works best for you. It’s never too late to make your future better. Call (208) 473-8254 Today! Winter Issue 2014
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URBANglam
Your Most Wearable trends for 2014 It’s a New Year and I know some of you lovely ladies have been trying to find your inner fashionista by stepping up your style this season. But this year you don’t have to make the transition alone because I’m making shopping easy with a few of the most popular and wearable trends listed in my easy-to-use style guide. Because I’m answering the most important question--how can I wear it? The one answer you will not find in any runway review is the focus behind outlining my most wearable trends!
The Trend: Black and White Prints
How can I wear it? Keep it monochromatic or add a bold pop of color—think statement necklaces, belts, bags or shoes in a fun and flirty color. Some of the most popular black and white color pairings include cobalt blue, fiery orange and envy producing emerald green.
be rictly uty t s t ’ ldn Bea shou p a few Mae’s e l y u t t our s set! Pick e bank a e for y g n h t lo ti lac Upda or your c breaking y go-to p . Right m ut ish df save als witho Nampa nail pol f Beauty n o i t ro f nti Esse Boutique eyeliner New Yea ect set o f n m e r Avo hing fro with th g the pe ckaged in t a d in every obsesse n featur e that’s p . c m o ’ i n ag I t now ce Collec nd fragra smetic b o 6-Pie e, color a quilted c r y a d c skin a han
Written by
Aryonna Richard
The Trend: Shades of Orange
How can I wear it? While it’s more challenging to pull off a head-to-toe version of this citrus hue, orange tops and accessories go with almost anything. I usually avoid black and orange, because it can be too jack-o-lantern, but every fashion trend is meant to be broken. This year be daring and wear orange!
The Trend: Cropped Jackets
How can I wear it? This wearable stable is perfect for the office or a night out, pair a cropped jacket with a dress, pants or skirt of the fitted or flared variety. Just keep your body shape in mind by making every portion of the outfit is proportional. Balance bulkier jackets with a more fitted skirt and vice versa.
The Trend: Floral Prints
How can I wear it? If you’re in a style rut why not seek a little inspiration from nature? Go simple in a feminine dress or mix in leather by trying a jacket or over-the-knee boots for a flirty girl meets edgy vibe that’s on trend for 2014.
www.YourAvon.com/mae To Start AVON visit StartAvon.com and use code “maeadams”
Winter Issue 2014
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Fashion Designer Subspace 1 of the Year:
People's Choice of the Year: Levi John Dorcheus Custom Couture Costume
Musician Natalie 2 of the Year: Staley
Hair Stylist Sara 3 of the Year: Murray
Accessories Designer Chime Runners 4 of the Year: Jewelry
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Photographer Hope Shots 5 of the Year: Photography Make Up Artist Christl 6 of the Year: Colven
Performance Artist Ophidia 7 of the Year: Studio
Visual Artist not Jordan pICTURED of the Year: Schwartz
2
3 6
1
7
Raw Awards Winner
Accessories Designer of the Year!
Get your color fix.
Imagine your world awash with color - rich, gorgeous shades that’ll make you look twice. I’m talking sheer mineral makeup that glides on and stays on. And fearless looks that are ready to wear anywhere. Ask me about ideas that’ll awaken your inner makeup artist!
Meg Moore
Independent Sales Director MaryKay.com/MegMoore (208) 866-2797
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February 19th • The Capitol Rotunda Over 100 businesses will be showcasing their Idaho Products and Services!
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343-2582 or visit www.buyidaho.org
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Winter Issue 2014
| 23
Special offer!
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
A
URBANheart & soul
sk Coach Roxy:
How To Accomplish Your New Year’s Resolutions It’s officially 2014 and I can’t think of anything more trendy then writing New Year’s Resolutions. All of us have every intention of accomplishing the goals we set out to achieve but by the time summer rolls around how many of us are still working towards those illusive resolutions? I sat down with Life Coach Roxy Feller to get the scoop on how to start accomplishing those personal goals most of us just talk about achieving. Written by Aryonna Richard.
ARYONNA: It’s a New Year and I know our readers want to make changes in their lives but don’t know where to start--why do you think this is?
ARYONNA:How do people learn to move past these selfsabotaging behaviors in order to change their life?
ROXY: Because sometimes starting is the hardest
because of someone’s lack of belief in oneself or low self worth. By changing your “belief system” about yourself it will ultimately change the results you’re getting in life. The only way to change your belief system is to start changing your way of thinking. I always start my clients out with self-affirmations because I know that if a person’s thoughts change-then their belief system has to change. Once that begins to happen self-sabotaging behaviors become less and less evident in a person’s life. A couple examples of self-affirmations are “I trust myself” and “I do not need the approval of others.”
thing to do. Fear of failure can set in before a person even gets a chance to get started. It's been my experience that people tend to look for outside sources or friends for approval when they are wanting to make changes. The problem with this is most of time, when we are wanting to make those changes, the advice we are seeking tends to be from friends and family members that have results in their life that we don’t even want. I encourage my clients to get advice and help from someone who has already accomplished what is it that their looking to do. It’s important to be mindful of where you are getting your advice and who you are getting it from when attempting to make changes in your life.
ARYONNA:What kind of self-sabotaging behaviors keep people from accomplishing their New Year Resolutions? ROXY: When someone decides to make a change
in their life they tend to think they will get “Quantum Results” or almost instant results in a short period of time--because we live in an instant gratification world. When something doesn’t happen instantly we tend to give up on “it” and start beating ourselves up because “it” didn’t happen for us. Which is a selfsabotaging way of thinking. Success from anything comes from doing simple disciplines over a consistent amount of time. Success is not achieved “overnight” and we need to remind ourselves of this.
ROXY:Self-Sabotaging behaviors usually happen
ARYONNA:If you could suggest one simple daily discipline our readers could use towards changing their life what would you suggest? ROXY: Practice Daily Affirmations and Beware of
Your Negative Self-Talk. Pay close attention...do you talk down to yourself every day or are you kind to yourself?
For more information on Life Coaching contact Roxy Feller by phone at (208) 713-2949, by email at roxy0202@msn.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roxylifecoach or by visiting http://askcoachroxy.tumblr.com. Stay connected with Roxy’s coaching tips through her virtual services in the form of updates on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr! Winter Issue 2014
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Learning to Written By Mary
e v o L Again
Pritchard, PhD, HHC
2013
was the best-worst year of my life. The worst because I had a rude awakening and realized I was living someone else’s life, got a divorce, moved, and broke my heel for the second time in a year. The best because through all of those struggles I emerged a much stronger, happier woman.
So what might this look like?
1 2
Limiting the number of meetings you book yourself for each day.
With my limited mobility (on crutches for over 4 months), I had plenty of time for self-reflection. And I realized something that shocked me. My entire life I have been a people pleaser, but I never fully understood why. I thought perhaps I learned it from my mother, who is also a peoplepleaser. I thought maybe it was a product of my gender – female as nourisher, nurturer, protector. But then I realized I wasn’t those being things to myself. And then it hit me.
3 4 5
Eating regularly. I’m shooting for 5 well-balanced meals a day.
I’m a people pleaser because deep down I think I am inherently flawed, broken, need fixing. And I do things for others rather than myself because I want their love and approval. This led to another realization. I have high self-esteem, but that is not the same as self-regard, self-love, self-respect, or self-acceptance.
6 7
Unplugging at least one hour before bed, ideally at 6 or 7 pm.
8
Taking at least one complete day off every week.
But here’s the thing: if I can’t give those things to myself, how can I expect or accept them from others? I can’t. Not truly. Because somewhere inside me is a little girl that thinks she’s not worth it in and of herself. That she has to do more, give more, be more, to get the love and appreciation she so desires. Hogwash! She – I, you – doesn’t need to do anything to be worthy of love and respect. But she – and I – need to learn to love ourselves first. Thus, on the heels of a divorce, I began the long road to healing my heart and my relationship with myself. So how do you heal your heart? Much of this involves re-learning how to take care of myself. “[Self-care is] Choosing to make sure that you get what you need on all levels – physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally – every day.” – Christine Arylo It’s a great thought, but how many of us actually strive to take care of ourselves every single day? How many of us willing make the time to care for ourselves? I mean, isn’t that selfish? No. It’s survival because the more you take care of you, the more energy you’ll have to take care of those around you.
URBANheart & soul
Spending a few minutes each morning journaling and meditating rather than checking email at 5:30 in the morning while still lying in bed.
Reaching out to friends when you need to talk instead of bottling it up inside. Making time to do the things you love each day and not letting your endless to do list get in the way.
Listening to your body. When it’s hurting, stop doing what’s making it hurt and figure out what it needs to feel better.
I’d love it if you’d join me on this self-care/ selflove journey and I’d be happy to brainstorm with you if you need a few ideas of your own. Until next time, take care of you. No one else will. Mary E. Pritchard, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Boise State University as well as a Holistic Health Counselor specializing in serving women, virtually and in-person, at www.EmBodyHeartandMind.com and www.AwakeningtheGoddessWithin.net. Her holistic health practice is dedicated to empowering women in healing their hormonal health naturally and reclaiming their Feminine Power. Mary’s own awakening led to the creation of the Awakening the Goddess Within community and she just completed her book, Awakening Your Inner Goddess: How to Recharge, Reignite, and Refocus to Transform Your Life. She has two more underway Hungry? It’s Your Hormones: Why Diets Fail and What to Do about It and Honoring Your Inner Goddess: Filling Your Plate to Fuel Your Desires.
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Shangri-La MUSINGS FROM
ON SACRED COMMERCE
Written By Toni
Hodge
A
s 2013 comes to a close and 2014 is beginning, I find myself counting my many blessings and taking note of lessons learned. I remember as a young woman seeing the movie “Lost Horizons,” and being captivated by the idea of a place where everyone works for the common good, aging slows down, and life is harmonious—ShangriLa. Later, I wondered if this could work as a business model—Sacred Commerce. Isn’t it about the what, the how, and the why of commerce? Sacred Commerce is about providing inspired services, honest and transparent communication, and expression of gratitude for the richness and joy in our lives. As business owners, it is important to remember both our connectedness to others and our planet as well as to revel in our individual selves, enjoy being alive, choosing to love our lives, and to adore our perfect and imperfect selves. Accept the world as it is, knowing that each conscious action changes it ever so slightly. Be generous and grateful every day and know that however small the gestures might be, they count. I still hear my grandmother’s voice: “Toni, you never know when your kindness may be the only kindness a person gets in a day, so be nice.” Lastly, experience being provided for through the sacredness of the giveand-take of commerce. In sacred commerce, we look to the “why;” we want to be a part of what is right in the world and make a difference. I want people to feel what
I feel when I sit with an excellent pot of tea and nourishing food: nothing short of exquisite bliss— the right “what” livelihood. Do we offer a quality product and does it truly make life better? For us, this is using organic, healing products to the best of our ability. The “how” is putting them together and presenting them in ways that nourish mind, body, and soul—whether it be in our custom tea blends, food, or the environment in which people partake in the ritual of service, creative food expression, art, music, or simple inspiring conversation. When we are honest in communication, it does not mean coat it in cotton candy, but to communicate in a straightforward way, being honest and doing our best to make situations have a positive outcome even when discipline is required. The more inspired we become to provide a loving environment for all, the easier it becomes.
HOURS:
Mon-Thurs 11am – 8pm Fri- Sat 11am – 9pm 1800 W. Overland Rd., Boise 208-424-0273
www.shangri-latearoomandcafe.com
Tea Tasting at Shangri-La Tearoom every 1st and 3rd Saturday morning 10am to 11am Reservations 208-424-0273
Look for Divine Lotus Tea at these locations: Boise Co-op | Goldy’s Corner Huckleberry’s inside Rosaur’s Café De Parie | District Coffee Pizzelchicks | Whole Foods Red Feather
Harmony comes from everyone working towards the common good. Business owners have their hand on the pulse of commerce. This is where change will come from. Shangri-La Tearoom and Divine Lotus Tea accepts the world as it is, full well knowing that we are making ever so subtle changes in the lives of our employees, patrons, and the community at large. We are full of gratitude for the ongoing support and the opportunity to serve. An ancient Sufi Saying describes this best: “Abundance can be had by consciously receiving what has already been given.” Artwork by the January/February artist of the month, Nicolette Fretwell.
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THE HEART OF NAMPA
In an emergency, Saint Alphonsus is only a few beats away
It’s long been the Mission of Saint Alphonsus to provide healing and hope by delivering essential healthcare services close to home. When it comes to matters of the heart, seconds count, and it’s critical to have emergency heart care close by. The sooner you can get proper medical treatment the better chance you have to survive. The new Saint Alphonsus Heart Center in Nampa is a state-of-the-art medical center located right off I-84 & Garrity exit for extremely quick and easy access. Not only does Saint Alphonsus offer the highest caliber of heart care, but the medical expertise spans the range of essential services – from treating heart attack patients in the Emergency Department and Surgical Cath Lab to overnight recovery with cardiac specialists in the Heart Center. At Saint Alphonsus, your heart is always in the right place.
HEART CENTER HIGHLIGHTS: • Emergency Department – ready to care for chest pain and other heart attack symptoms 24 hours a day • State-of-the-Art Surgical Catheterization Lab enables Cardiologists to visualize and precisely treat blocked arteries • Overnight Recovery Suites allow close monitoring of heart patients • Board Certified Cardiologists & Cardiac Nurses • Saint Alphonsus Cardiologists provide ongoing heart care follow-up in Nampa and 13 other clinics throughout the region • New cardiology patient appointments within 24 hours
4402 E. Flamingo Avenue I I-84 & Garrity Exit I (208) 367-BEAT
OH BABY, BABY
Expect to be babied at Nampa’s Birkeland Maternity Center
MATERNITY CENTER HIGHLIGHTS: • Level II Neonatal ICU • Comfortable Birthing Suites • Jetted Tubs • Massage • Catered In-Room Celebration Meal • Comfortable Accomodations for Loved Ones • Prenatal Yoga and Birthing Classes • Board Certified Obstetrics, Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Neonatology Physicians and Nurses
At the new Saint Alphonsus Birkeland Maternity Center in Nampa, we know how important it is to have a safe and pampered birthing experience. Having Canyon County’s only state-of-the-art Neonatal ICU and board certified physicians and nurses ensures all newborns who need special attention are in the hands of true experts. This Neonatal ICU also gives parents the ability to be close by and provide the regular loving support system these newborns need to aid in their healing. Bringing this caliber of care to expectant moms and newborns in Nampa and the surrounding area is one way Saint Alphonsus can help our local communities grow and thrive. With advanced care also comes unparalled comfort for moms. Private rooms with home-like comforts, massages, catered meals and more allow moms to be pampered with many unexpected delights. If you’re expecting, you’ll have peace of mind in a truly peaceful setting at Saint Alphonsus.
4402 E. Flamingo Avenue I I-84 & Garrity Exit I (208) 367-DOCS
WestVet Veterin When Your Pet Needs
D
o you know that treating advanced and difficult illnesses in pets is similar to the way that humans are cared for? Just as you would first see a general practitioner for an ailment or injury, then you might be referred to a Dermatologist, Oncologist, Radiologist, etc. for medically advanced care, your pet may need to follow the same course of action. Your veterinarian can refer your pet to a veterinary specialist when advanced veterinary care is required. Pet owners take note: As Idaho’s only 24-hour animal emergency and specialty center, WestVet wants you to know that specialty care is available for your pet — right here in the Treasure Valley. Conveniently located in Garden City and with thirty years of service under their belt, WestVet proudly partners with your family veterinarian to provide state-of-the-art veterinary specialized care at the highest level available in veterinary medicine.
Here is how it typically works: If a general practice veterinarian has a difficult case, or a pet is not responding to treatment, they can refer your pet to WestVet for ophthalmology, rehabilitation, surgery, oncology, internal medicine, CT/MRI scans, and much more. Additionally, chemotherapy, numerous surgical procedures, blood infusions, and multiple life-preserving treatments are performed at WestVet daily. With its cutting edge diagnostic laboratory, specialists not only view and diagnose WestVet patients, board-certified pathologists can also review samples from all over the region. Their input helps determine if your pet has cancer, diabetes, blood disorders, leukemia, and other life-threatening diseases. The availability of an on-site lab also ensures a timely diagnosis that is critical to administering the care that your pet needs before it’s too late. As you walk into the WestVet Animal Hospital, playful pictures of a variety of animals decorate the walls. You’ll find the lobby is warm and welcoming. (The photos are of staff members' pets and were taken by WestVet’s own Emergency Veterinarian and professional photographer Dr. Curtis Brandt). Friendly client care specialists greet you and you might even momentarily forget that you are in an animal emergency written by
Christy Hovey
hospital. You may notice an ambulance is stationed outside the facility. Previously used for human medicine, this ambulance has been retrofitted for animal transport from your veterinarian’s office to WestVet. Your pet will be safely transported and receive hands-on care by veterinary technicians while en route to WestVet. In addition to its team of veterinary specialists, the hospital offers aroundthe-clock emergency care. WestVet is open all day, every day of the year. This enables pet owners with an emergency to bring their pet at any time (no referral is necessary). The WestVet specialty team includes two emergency and critical care specialists along with four emergency veterinarians. Other specialists remain “on call” during weekends and evening hours should an injured or sick pet require additional care. Moving through the hospital, you’ll find the treatment area is abuzz with activity. In the physiotherapy and rehabilitation rooms you might see a dog receiving acupuncture to relieve pain, or a laser treatment to facilitate mobility. Technicians might be working with dogs immersed in a hydrotherapy tank walking with purposeful intention, or a technician will be leading a pup walking on a treadmill ramp; technicians periodically adjust the level of impact that your pet can handle to ensure maximum recovery success. WestVet offers a myriad of hands-on, alternative therapies similar to human medicine. Diagnostic tools such as ultrasounds, MRI’s, and CT scans are performed daily. Pets may be suffering with obstructed breathing, they may have eaten a non-food item, or their organs might not be functioning properly; these ailments can all can be diagnosed at WestVet. Staff members at WestVet include the only Veterinary Radiologist in the state, Dr. Andrew Gendler. His collaboration with surgeons and other specialists provides a critical tool in the diagnostic and treatment process. With the use of digital radiographs - another term for X-rays, he can provide a prompt diagnosis from any location with an internet connection. WestVet offers empathy and compassion toward both pets and owners throughout the entire treatment process. WestVet staff members understand that pets are an extension of their owners and are an irreplaceable part of an owner’s life and family. Their objective is to utilize the highest-level equipment, training, and knowledge of their
Dr. Jeff Brourman, Surgeon and WestVet Owner and Chief of Staff, working with Idaho Black Bear Rescue .
ary Specialists Advanced Care specialists to offer the best treatment options for pets visiting the hospital. While there are numerous success stories, staff members also understand the difficult and painful process of letting a pet go. A special room painted in soothing colors and decorated with larger than life animal prints was designed within the facility to create an atmosphere of love and peace when pet owners must say goodbye to their pet. An important component of WestVet’s business is their partnership with area veterinarians. Specialists do not retain referred clients. Once treatment is complete, pets return to the care of their family veterinarian. WestVet works in conjunction with the quality care your pet is already receiving with your family vet; it is an extension of that care for those times when your pet requires advanced treatments. A list of area vets, organized by zip code, is provided for any client who does not have a family veterinarian to enable them to choose someone close to home or work. General care procedures, such as spays/neuters, well-check exams, and vaccinations are not performed at WestVet. In addition, WestVet specialists offer free monthly continuing education seminars to area veterinarians and technicians to enable them to meet state licensure standards. WestVet is currently in the process of developing an online platform that will enable referring vets to access patient records and follow treatments and recovery closely. Treasure Valley animal organizations including the Idaho Humane Society and Zoo Boise recognize the superior care offered at WestVet as they have collaborated with specialists at to ensure all animals receive the care that they need. Caregivers of animals large and small recognize that the advanced equipment and expertise that WestVet offers is above and beyond what they may have access to, enabling them to provide the highest level of veterinary care and treatments. WestVet recently collaborated with Idaho Black Bear Rehab to provide a mother black bear a CT scan at the hospital. Many different species of domestic animals are treated at WestVet such as birds, amphibians, and even guinea pigs. Past clients include a beautiful swan with a broken leg; you can read that story as well as other tales of hope and healing on WestVet offers empathy WestVet.net. Tinks, a Boise pet and national celebrity, is also featured there. Tinks was saved when Dr. Victoria Ochoa and compassion toward diagnosed him with the life-threatening blood disease IMHA both pets and owners and quickly ordered life saving treatment. You’ll also find throughout the entire tips and tricks to manage your cat from the nationally recat behaviorist Dr. Hazel Carney, who understands treatment process. nowned cats like no other!
"
WestVet staff members understand that pets are an extension of their owners and are an irreplaceable part of an owner’s life and family."
The message that WestVet wants to convey is simple. Veterinary specialty care is available here in the Treasure Valley and can be utilized to save, prolong, or improve your pet’s quality of life. At WestVet your pet will receive the highest quality of veterinary care available in the industry. With cutting edge diagnostic tools, treatments, and therapy options, WestVet should be your first choice for specialty veterinary care. WestVet stresses that, “We hope you don’t need us, but if you do, we’re here to help.”
5019 N. Sawyer Ave. Garden City
208.375.1600 www.WestVet.net We offer emergency veterinary care to pet owners in the Treasure Valley 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In addition, our team of veterinary specialists partner with area general practice veterinarians to offer advanced care and provide state-of-the-art veterinary medicine to your pets. Winter Issue 2014
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URBANdiversion
Written by
Chris Holton
GRINDSOLE
J
ohnny Lane in Caldwell, Ryan Green in Nampa, and Don Martinez from Caldwell make up a band that have become popular in the area as well as over the web as of late; they began playing together in January 2010, and formed the band Goathead. They needed a bass player, so they picked up Dan Longstreet from Middleton in May of 2010. They started by playing several shows and parties that summer and soon changed their name to Grindsole because the name they truly desired for their band, Goathead, was already taken. They recorded their first CD, entitled "Ready To Live," in 2011, completing it that April. However, much to their dismay, their drummer was sent to jail in June of 2011, but the show needed to go on. The band had some good shows scheduled that they couldn’t bear to cancel, so they turned to Dan's son, David Longstreet, a very talented young drummer. They were able to keep their great shows— such as opening for HURT and TRAPT at the Knitting Factory in Boise—and in the meantime, they were able to get into some great events such as headlining Rock The Block in Caldwell, an annual benefit concert for Idaho Diabetes Youth Programs in June. On top of that, they are honored to be a part of many events each year, including Rock The Mountain, which is every summer in July, with 2014 being RTM's 17th year.
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Photo by Max Chavez, Ontario Photo.
In 2013, the creative juices were flowing for these four guys; they were beginning to form quite a list of electric songs but were evolving their music into acoustic melodies at the same time. With so many songs being constantly created, they are now able to play an incredibly long set for any event or concert. Now they are excited to hit the studio to begin the whole process over again for their second record, "Fire and Ice." This record has five electric songs and four acoustic songs; it has become very popular amongst music lovers of all ages. Their CD release show was a big hit when they shared the Knitting Factory stage with No Resolve, Pause For The Cause, and Deadly Sinz, where they nearly sold out of copies. It is exciting to think what the next year will bring for the men of Grindsole. Be sure to catch every detail and attend some shows by liking their Facebook page or finding them at www.Reverbnation.com. Stay tuned for more recording and video updates. Contact their manager Chris Holton for any booking inquiries: 861-2847.
Homestead Natural Foods
Naturally Grown and Naturally Delicious Written By
Jessica McAnally
P
eople are becoming more and more aware of the impact that artificial hormones and chemicals have on their food. The desire to eat healthier, organic, and naturally grown foods is becoming more mainstream. Homestead Natural is an agricultural co-operative consisting of family owned and operated farms who believe that good food starts with sustainable farming methods, and that the beef, chicken, and pigs that they raise were made to be fed on open pastures instead of feed lots. The foundation of Homestead Natural’s superior tasting meat products is the quality that comes from letting the livestock live in an open natural setting, using breeds that are well suited to fattening on a grass based diet. This means that animals are free of hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. All of the cattle, chickens, and swine are carefully managed, from pitchfork to plate. The end product is delicious food that tastes better and is better for you. Humans have been told for years about the importance of a balanced diet. It stands to reason that the food we eat should be fed a balanced diet as well. Homestead Natural believes that an animal’s diet is properly balanced when they are
consuming natural forages, without any grain products. Their beef is free of antibiotics, hormones, and stimulants, and has not come into contact with any herbicide or pesticide residue from eating grains. Homestead Natural’s beef has been both grass fed and finished. A little known fact about natural beef is that it is actually better for you than it’s feedlot counterpart. Homestead Natural beef is rich in CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), which, according to research, may be one of the most potent cancer fighting substances in the human diet. It also contains a proper balance of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids. Beef with less Omega-6 reduces the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer and immune disorders such as arthritis and asthma, while more Omega-3 reduces the risk of mental disorders, heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. Even when receiving supplements, grain-fed feed has half the vitamin E of grass-fed beef, which is a powerful anti-oxidant and has been linked with a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Grass-fed beef is also naturally lower in fat and contains about 30% less calories than conventional beef. There are plenty of naysayers who claim to dislike the “gamey” taste of grass-fed beef, but the secret lies primarily in the cooking method. Natural beef takes about one-third the cook time as feedlot fed beef would take, and adding more salt brings out the true flavor without an over-salted taste.
To learn more about Homestead Natural Foods, visit their website at www.homesteadnatural.com. Their products are available for sale through their website and can be found at both the Boise Co-Op, Whole Foods, Boise Farmer’s Market in Boise, Cliff’s Country Market in Caldwell, Down to Earth Health Foods in Star, and Brown Box Organics. Winter Issue 2014
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The Right Home for Idaho It’s been said, “that it’s not easy being green” but for Chris Laraway, architect and owner of Evergreen Homes in Star, it is not merely easy, it is the only way he knows how to operate. Written by Nathaniel Walsh
f
rom reclaiming and repurposing materials to systematically recycling refuse, environmental conscientiousness and old-fashioned conservationism are philosophies that undergird all of Laraway’s practices from start to finish. As a person who grew up in Boise and graduated from the University of Idaho, Laraway finds it imperative to incorporate sustainable and locally minded practices into his work in order to do service to the state and community that he loves. I immediately got the sense of pride in craft and community walking into their office located just off of Star Rd. and HWY 44. Emma, their grayfaced dog, greeted me as I walked through the door before Chris gave me a warm welcome and a firm handshake. Adorning the walls of the office are maps of the Gem State and the Treasure Valley and photos of some of the incredible homes they have built in our equally incredible community. The pride for their work is palpable in Chris’ and interior designer Kristin Montgomery’s voices when you get them talking about their projects and their home, the Gem state. “We want to build homes suited for Idaho,” Montgomery says, “not something that distinctly belongs in Tuscany.” Their connection to this state and their role as stewards of it are a large part of why they operate with sustainability in mind. However, they maintain a solid common sense approach to building.
}
“It’s a better effort for the planet
itself and it seems like such a waste to throw things away. We try to be more conscientious in both directions--for costs and for the planet. If it’s better for the environment and it’s better for everyone involved, why wouldn’t you do it?”
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
“It’s a better effort for the planet itself and it seems like such a waste to throw things away. We try to be more conscientious in both directions--for costs and for the planet. If it’s better for the environment and it’s better for everyone involved, why wouldn’t you do it?”
Laraway’s concern for the environment, however, is not merely borne from his inherent duty to Mother Earth and our community. Instead, Laraway is a student of architecture and much of his sustainable sensibilities are products of his astute attention to state of the art innovations in the industry and the trend of building codes. “We are always doing our research and being that we are an architect and interior designer we have to continue our education whereas average builders are not required to. We are always looking into new products and how they will positively and negatively effect your house,” says Laraway. But while building on the cutting edge, Laraway still highly values time tested methods and procedures and is wary of industry fads that might not be in the best interest of the homeowner in the long run. “We aren’t quick to jump on any bandwagons,” Laraway says, noting the bamboo flooring craze and how it is not suitable for the aridity and temperature volatility in Idaho. His Green philosophy is much more grounded in genuine beliefs in building the right way rather than taking advantage of a marketing gimmick.
While good for the community and our environment, building sustainable homes also saves the consumer on future costs in the long term and keeps projects on budget in the present. In fact a 2% initial investment into green design can save the homeowner 20% in the lifetime of the house. In the more immediate sense, Laraway’s approach also lowers operating costs. For instance, by reusing neoprene used to set concrete foundations at the beginning of the building process to later seal seams in walls, Laraway is saving the consumer both on material costs and in future energy expenditures. Moreover, he is the only builder in the Treasure Valley that is doing that right now. By pre-sorting construction debris instead of lumping it all together as most contractors will do at the end of a project, Laraway saves on disposal costs. If any materials can be reused for later projects, Laraway makes sure that they get moved to the next site instead of scrapping it and buying all new materials. By installing 90% efficient furnaces, low-e windows and energy efficient lighting in all of his homes, Laraway cuts the homeowners energy bills drastically. However, Evergreen Homes does not bring a proscribed recipe to build uniformly green homes. Instead Laraway and Montgomery focus on the homeowner as an individual to customize what green means to him or her using their Green Matrix System.
“Nobody can afford everything green but there are certain things that customers feel they must have in their house. There are different levels of what you can do for every element of your home to make it more green. We want to focus on what green means to the individual clients and then go from there.”
evergreen
While Laraway focuses on the frames and foundations, Kristin Montgomery, a certified interior designer and University of Idaho graduate, ensures that the inside of the house promotes harmony and wellbeing with the same sustainable mindset that Chris does. By using low VOC paints and materials and bringing in natural elements found in Idaho into the building process. This also means using local artisans for wood and metal work, buying UV blocking Low-e windows from Andersen Windows from local suppliers here in town, and decorative tile and stone from other local companies. Montgomery is quick to pull out a few examples of her passion for locally sourced products. One is a semi- translucent solid surface made from pieces of reused glass that, when under-lit, produces a beautiful glowing effect. Another locally produced example was a smooth shower floor composed of basalt stones, interspersed with red rocks. The latter was collected by the homeowner while on vacation in Hawaii who asked to have it made into this product that Laraway worked with a local vendor to create. These custom additions are not only good for the environment they also offer a distinct ‘personal’ feel to the house that is absent from projects of most conventional builders. After a consultation with Laraway and Montgomery, it is easy to see the benefits of building your dream home, remodeling your current house or adding a new room with this local architect and designer of Evergreen Homes. The best place to get a feel for Evergreen Home’s work is at their office, located at 11200 W. Hercules Dr in Star. There you can speak with Chris and Kristin, see photos of their completed projects and get a hands on experience for some of the custom accents and adornments that can go in your beautiful new home. Or you can go to their website at EverGreenIdaho.com.
BUILD go
design
green
Winter Issue 2014
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Color Me Green
C
olor Me Green Salon was started with not only a need to provide a safe environment for clients and stylists to do what they love, but also with the idea that there had to be a better alternative for everyone to get what they want how they want it. Could you imagine a salon and spa that cares just as much about “what’s not in our products” as what’s in them? There are many reasons that Color Me Green Salon and Spa cares about your health, our health, and takes care of our environment as well. They do it all with the customers’ best interests in mind and truly care about everyone and everything in the environment. After several years of working in a conventional salon, Rachele Wilson, owner and stylist, became very ill. She went to see many specialists and was finally diagnosed with ammonia poisoning. She was told a few words that hit her where it hurt the most. She was told that she’d never be able to do hair again; she couldn’t bear the idea and knew that there must be a safer way. She started on a path of recovery that took about two years and resulted in sensitivity to the products used in her profession. This prompted her to begin searching for ammonia-free products. Research, trial and error, and general knowledge about practically every ingredient in salon and spa products culminated in the launch of her own salon in the heart of downtown Kuna.
Located in a quaint 1930s remodeled farmhouse, Color Me Green Salon and Spa provides an environment that is non-toxic and creates healthy bodies and phenomenal hair. Their unique products are all non-toxic, ammonia-free, and carcinogen-free. This makes it ideal for anyone suffering from allergies, sensitivities of any kind, or medical issues that could be aggravated by exposure to harsh chemicals. Color Me Green Salon is a full service salon and spa with a staff filled with friendly and knowledgeable employees that offer hair cuts, hair coloring, manicures, pedicures, facials, full body waxing, and permanent organic makeup and tattoos. And that’s just the beginning! The environment is extremely important, and this salon believes no different. Not only do they have a strong friendship with care for customers, this salon also has a strong commitment to Earth. Continuing in this commitment to the environment, the salon also recycles plastics, paper, and even hair. On top of this, they also carry many organic products including shampoos, conditioners, styling products, organic skin care, organic mineral makeup, nail polish, and accessories.
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.COLORMEGREENSALON.NET OR FIND US ON FACEBOOK
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Wholistic Beauty Boutique is passionate about the well being and future of the next seven generations. We have natural products and services to help you and your relations. We always reduce, reuse, and recycle—we even ride a motorcycle!
Boise Ranch Rub
Facials, organic skincare, massage, classes, and energy healing—we’ve been doing this for twenty years, and oh what a feeling!
Wood or gas… Meat or vegetables… Lunch or dinner… There’s never a reason to put something bland in your mouth! With Boise Ranch Rubs you’re just a couple of shakes from amazing flavor…
We are all about YOU and YOUR family and we love our community, so come say “hi” and show some unity.
All-Natural Ingredients No Preservatives Gluten-Free No MSG
Noon - 5pm Mon – Fri or by appointment
www.BoiseRanchRubs.com BBQ Rubs and Seasonings 208.391.7676
208.841.9062
www.wholisticbeautyboutique.com
Written by
Rebecca Maxwell
going green with renewable energy
Free Estimates! Call 208-577-6537 renewableenergynwllc.com www.facebook.com/renwllc
F
or four years now, Renewable Energy NW LLC has been an Idaho-based company that sells and installs solar thermal systems. Solar thermal systems are a type of environmental-friendly technology that takes energy from the sun and converts it into heat, or thermal, form for use in homes and businesses. These solar thermal systems are typically used in buildings to heat hot water and run space heaters. Up to now, owner Carl Simpson’s innovative company has installed about 370 panels with half of them being for residential properties and the other half for commercial properties. Ultimately, these solar thermal systems from Simpson go a long way to increase sustainable living. Having a solar thermal system installed also helps to reduce sticker shock for energy use. One of Simpson’s systems can reduce energy consumption by an incredible fifty percent! The advantage of having a solar thermal system for heat is that they have a short payback time frame compared to other ways of heating water in homes like electricity or natural gas. So far, Simpson says that he hasn’t met any resistance when it comes to installing his systems. All of Homeowners Associations he comes across are accommodating since he makes the systems attractive, and they can be installed on the ground or mounted on a wall or roof. Besides homes, Simpson has installed his solar thermal systems on commercial properties. Some of his favorites to install include dairy farms in southern Idaho. He even installed a system at a car wash in Fruitland. Although Simpson is based here in Idaho, he does install all over the Pacific Northwest. The reason that Simpson is passionate about Renewable Energy NW LLC and renewable energy sources is because they help both home and business owners, plus they are good for the environment. Simpson says that his motivation for starting this company was because there are so few solar thermal systems installed in the United States overall. Simply put, he wanted to help people in Idaho so that they can save money and do what is better for the environment. Winter Issue 2014 Winter Issue 2014
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Canyon County Habitat for Humanity ReStore Raising Funds for Affordable Housing Written By Jessica
McAnally
T
he adage “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle� has been used regularly for years and many people try to live by this standard to the best of their ability. However, there are not very many efficient ways to recycle a bathroom sink that is being discarded during a remodel, and what can someone do with an order of non-returnable custom-sized windows that ended up not fitting? The answer, unfortunately, has often been to attempt reselling the items or taking them to the landfill. The good news is that there is now an alternative solution that not only allows items to be reused but helps a worthy cause as well. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the green, eco-friendly solution to providing a new home for building materials, large appliances, and other fixtures that are no longer in use. Instead of throwing away things that are still in good condition, donating them to the ReStore gives items the opportunity for further use and allows Habitat for Humanity to fund their efforts in Canyon County. It is important to look at the Habitat for Humanity organization as a whole to fully appreciate the significance of the ReStore. It is a substantial part of their mission to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope around the world. Local affiliate programs, such as the one in Canyon County, help those in need by providing a means to home ownership, a goal that is often unattainable for impoverished families. The key to this program is in the interest free mortgages offered directly through Habitat for Humanity. Homes are built almost entirely by volunteers. Licensed electricians and plumbers are brought in so that the house will be up to code and pass inspections. Funds are raised to build these homes through the ReStore, donations, fundraising events, and grants. The ReStore’s whole purpose is to raise money for affordable housing.
The family application and selection process, fully delineated on the Canyon County Habitat for Humanity website, requires that a family member must be currently employed or on permanent disability and have lived and/or worked in Canyon County for a minimum of one year. Also, applicants must be currently living in inadequate housing and be able to repay an interest-free loan. If approved, 500 hours of “sweat equity” must be given through volunteer work, which helps perpetuate the program. Marcia Davis has been a part of the Canyon County Habitat for Humanity program since 2004, starting as a volunteer. Her prior experience in real estate and homebuilding gave her an advantage, as she spent her time helping the Habitat for Humanity mission move forward. In 2007, she was elected by the board of directors to be the Executive Director. The Canyon County ReStore opened in May of 2009 in Caldwell, after Davis heard of the success with the program in other areas around the state and country. “I’ve always been a supporter of recycling, and it made me sad to see the other side—it is unsettling that oftentimes perfectly useable items would be sent to the dump,” Davis said. It was this idea that brought the ReStore to life. The ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used building materials, furniture, home accessories, and appliances to the public at affordable prices at just a fraction of what their retail prices might be. “We want to give back, and this is a great way we can share with the community while funding our programs,” said Davis. After operating in Caldwell for four years, the ReStore outgrew its location. They were able to move to a larger location in downtown Nampa, into the building formerly known as Lloyd’s Lumber. After transporting their inventory to their new store throughout the month of May, they held a grand opening in June of 2013. The change of scenery has done a lot to boost the awareness of the program in Canyon County, and the support that has been given by other local businesses has been substantial. The welcoming atmosphere of downtown Nampa has added a sense of community to Habitat’s program.
Wally Placido came to work for the ReStore on October first of 2013 as Retail Manager. His former experience working in home improvement and his desire to be a part of an organization that gives back to the community led him to Habitat for Humanity. “I was looking for a company with a conscience, and I’m glad that I found it,” said Placido. The ReStore, as Placido describes, is “a full service home improvement store with an ever changing inventory.” The products include everything from light fixtures to cabinetry, toilets to flooring, and furniture to appliances. Items are all in a variety of shapes and sizes and nearly everything finds an almost immediate home. The constant change is reason enough to visit the store regularly, since it is impossible to know exactly what you will find. The new Nampa location also holds the main offices for the Canyon County Habitat for Humanity affiliate and is also the volunteer center. “I feel good about working here because we are truly helping people. We’re not only providing homes, but home ownership,” said Davis. “It’s wonderful to know that we’re making a difference and helping to break the cycle of poverty.” More information about the Canyon County Habitat for Humanity ReStore can be found online at www. canyonhabitat.org. They can also be reached by phone at 208-463-0864. The public is welcome to come and shop, donate, or volunteer at the store, located at 1404 1st Street South in downtown Nampa, in the old Lloyd’s Lumber building. ReStore is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:00am to 6:00pm.
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410 S. Oregon | Ontario, OR | Downtown Ontario | 541.823.0013 Monday - Saturday: 9am-6pm | Sunday: Closed | Visit us at www.AshleyFurnitureHomeStore.com HomeStores are independently owned and operated. Š2013 Ashley HomeStores, Ltd.
Brand and Create Your Companies Image and Tell your Unique Story
208.880.0152 www.theurbanliaison.com
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
We Open Doors To Dreams! NMLS #2024
www.firstmortgageco.com
It’s not about files...It’s about families. Nampa Office (208)
475-5300
3050 12th Ave Road NMLS #36159
Ramona Tripon 208-861-4577
Dennis Harvey 208-409-5626
Chad Campbell Leah Marchbanks Marc Mitchell 208-250-9957 208-484-5969 208-409-1186
NMLS #36134
NMLS #102356
Iva Deobald 208-867-5907
Nichole Thueson 208-284-2506
Carol Schultz 208-412-6228
Eileen Zink 208-870-2343
John Spiker 208-794-2333
Sydney Wamer 208-724-5416
Bob Beisly 208-284-2507
NMLS #103966
NMLS #1034358
NMLS #763367
NMLS #103922
NMLS #46322
NMLS #956216
NMLS #102157
NMLS #518386
NMLS #273959
Leon Baker 208-989-2174
NMLS #103620
NMLS #103195
Carolyn Summerton
208-250-1333 NMLS #182501
Justin A. Tripon Scott Wudarcki 208-250-8186 208-869-0132 NMLS #804410
NMLS#161812
Meridian Office (208)
854-8400
2845 E. Overland Rd Suite 160 NMLS #36390
Heidi Bateman 208-353-1246 NMLS 487414
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Trinity Mission Health & Rehab of Midland
Having a Planned Surgery? Let us assist you in your recovery
Professional Companion Over 20 Years Experience Non-Medical Private Care Transportation Licensed Cosmetologist Meal Prep (Nutritious from Scratch Food) Providing Assistance with: Bathing & Dressing Medication Reminders Other Daily Activities
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•Private Rehab Suites •Transportation •Experienced Team of Nurses & CNA’s
46 N. Midland Blvd. Nampa, ID 83651
(208)466-7803 44
| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Winter Issue 2014
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DININGguide //////////////////////////////////////////
Reminiscent of “Sittin’ on the dock of the bay, watching our cares drift away,” the Southern & Island Fusion Diner offers fine soul foods made from scratch. Owner Shanaz has a Samoan heritage and a Mississippi upbringing, and she and her husband have over 40 years of restaurant experience. The diner offers such delectables as seafood gumbo, red beans & rice, Louisiana hot links, okra, Andouille sausage, local catfish and seasonal crawfish. Other unique dishes are the Jammin’ Korean Pork Tacos, Fried Mac-n-Cheese Balls and Ain’t Yo Mama’s Hash. Come dine in or take out some of this fabulous soul food. They’re open for brunch, lunch, and dinner and even offer patio dining.
520 S. Main St. Ste. 96 Meridian Marketplace Center (Across from Meridian Speedway) (208) 922-6433 | shanazhkc.com
//////////////////////////////////////////
With its stadium-style seating and 55’ HD wide screen, Big Al’s is not only a restaurant, but an experience! A must-stop for sports fans, Big Al’s provides all the game day food and drinks you could want including the Big Al’s Famous (and famously HUGE!) Nachos, signature ½ lb. burgers, specialty pizzas, and 36 ice cold beers on tap. Big Al’s has a 7000 SQFT arcade with nearly 200 player positions and 42 upscale bowling lanes, including 12 VIP lanes in the oh-so-plush Slider Alley. For a more intimate setting just for adults, head up to the exclusive 21+ SkyBox Lounge & CaddyShack featuring its own full bar, pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, classic arcade games, and a Full-Swing golf simulator! Come for the food… but plan on staying several more hours for all the fun!
Big Al’s Meridian| ILoveBigAls.com (208) 780-6118 | 1900 N. Eagle Road | Meridian
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Café de Coco The nostalgic Nampa Building creates the perfect setting for Café’ de Coco. Catch up with friends and relax to the music of Ella Fitzgerald while Café de Coco’s attentive staff spoils you rotten. Offering “best in the world” sandwiches, a selection of savory homemade quiche, delicious soups, and salads make for tough choices. Skip dessert? Not happening. Mouthwatering cinnamon rolls, chocolate cherry fudge cake, huckleberry scones with Devonshire cream and lemon curd, and strawberry-topped cheesecake make for happy patrons. On your way out, peruse gift shop jewelry, scarves, and keepsakes from one of Nampa’s favorite cafes.
(208) 465-6428 117 13th Avenue S. | Nampa | cafedecoconampa.com
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Rice just opened near Eagle Road and State Street and serves up Korean, Chinese and Japanese dishes with flair. They feature Northwest Double R Ranch beef and a jumbo selection of seafood as well as vegetarian and gluten free menu items. Average price for meals is $12.99. They also do catering for any size party and food delivery, including lunch boxes, is available within a five-mile radius. Boba smoothies and Thai teas are always available, along with a full bar with beer on tap, wine and sake. Food and Handcrafted-Cocktail Happy Hour is 4 to 7 daily, and on Thursday nights happy hour runs to closing time and features live jazz music on their covered patio, and hard alcohol is “buy one get one free” from 6 to 9. Rice is very nice!
228 E Plaza Street, Ste Q | Eagle (208) 939-2595 | riceeagle.com
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URBANfoodies
Horsewood Catering It’s more than the great taste
Written by
Chef Aaron Horsewood
Elise Pehrson
A
aron Horsewood, founder of Horsewood Catering and Personal Chef Services, isn’t a newcomer to the world of culinary arts. Being a fourth-generation chef, he has the skill set and fire backed behind him that is vital to possess in the cooking field. But before we dig into the salty details of what makes him such a credible chef—such as, working on “The Iron Chef,” being a personal chef to Stevie Nicks, and more—let’s take a step back and hear what he has to say about the process that made him who he is today. At the age of thirty-nine, Aaron Horsewood has a resume that many chefs dream of. He is an Italiantrained chef that has trained under remarkable chefs like Beau Macmillan, who was his mentor on “The Iron Chef,” Ray Dilulo at the Grove Hotel, chef Lauren Long at the Red Lion Hotel, and his grandmother, Maria Horsewood. He has loved cooking for as long as he can remember and was even the personal chef for Stevie Nicks, if that even begins to describe his extreme amount of talent and expertise. He worked under Beau Macmillan in Scottsdale, Arizona for nine years, soaking up everything he could. Because of this, Mr. Horsewood believes that his catering and chef service is truly set apart by its unique innovation and design, and of course, because he and his team truly love food and making food that their customers will love in return. “If you cook with love, people will taste it.” These are the words that Mr. Horsewood’s grandmother spoke to him when he was a young child, and they have stuck with him ever since. He watched his parents, and his parents’ parents, cook with such love and passion that it became an art form, and so much more than cooking. His goal has become a very noble one of making sure he gives his customers all the bang for their buck that he can. His cooking is exquisite with an elegant appearance and phenomenal taste. You will not be disappointed when you sink your teeth into his creations—they taste so exotic with the feel of an at-home kitchen. Mr. Horsewood describes his food as “wacky street food that’s somewhere between fine-dining and a food truck.” You get the expertise, influence, and presentation of five-star cookery with the love and individuality of a food bus. He wants to create food that anyone and everyone can enjoy.
Horsewood Catering's famous do-it-yourself smore bar
What sets him apart from other caterers? Absolutely everything is made from scratch and with extreme amounts of care. Mr. Horsewood cannot stress enough how much he cares for his food and the people he feeds. “We are truly in love with food and people; that’s what we really care about,” says Horsewood. With this much experience, determination, and care, this catering company is a cut above the rest. And if you still need persuading, one of the biggest determining factors for choosing this service is the extremely low price of services. For only fifteen to thirty dollars, you can get Horsewood Catering Services’ top-notch cuisine and are sure to please any crowd for any event. You can contact Horsewood Catering and Personal Chef Services from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday at (208) 602-7110. From dinner parties to weddings, Horsewood Catering and Personal Chef Services can fulfill all your event’s cooking needs. Winter Issue 2014
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URBANexpert
What do you really
WANT?
M
aking a New Year’s Resolution is a common practice that many of us set for ourselves. According to the University of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45% of Americans make a New Year’s resolution; yet only 8% are successful in achieving their resolutions. New Year’s resolutions are a way of purging the old, thinking about what we want to have in our lives that we do not yet have and inspiring us to make the
{
If instead of making a resolution to lose ten pounds, you make a resolution to feel healthy, vibrant, sexy, and have more energy, you no longer focus on the ten pounds, but instead focus on what changes you want to make about how you want to feel. When you know how you want to feel on a regular basis, you are more connected to the actions you need to take to get that feeling. First, know how you want to feel in life; realize those deep desires that make you feel alive. Second, ask what you really want—what experiences or accomplishments you want to make, who you want to be, and what success really means to you. Third, now you can write down the goals and actions that will get you the feelings you want that will lead to deciding what you really want. Fourth, go deeper and dream bigger, and then write down the big dreams and long-term goals.
}
"A coach helps you to discover your dreams; understand your strengths, gaps, and impact on others; and guides you through the steps in your learning plan." -Daniel Goleman , Primal Leadership
change. Whether it is losing weight, paying debt, spending more time with family, or just enjoying life more, we all have things we would like to change rather than live the way we currently are living. So why do so many fail at making the changes to live a better life? I believe it is because we do not know what we really want and why we want it. It is easy to think “I would like to lose ten pounds,” but why do you want to lose ten pounds? It is easy to think “I would like to get organized,” but why do you want to get organized? The ‘why’ is really the question that should be answered before you set any goals or resolutions. This answer will depend on each individual and what they truly desire out of life. written by Erin
Cross
Fifth, keep the list visible and visualize having all these things in your life daily. What would your life look like, feel like, and what would you be doing? If I were looking at your life through a video camera, how would I know that you have achieved what you really wanted? And finally, if you are not sure where to start or how to implement your goals, get a coach. Remember, every single day is a day to make a choice for change. Don’t wait for another year to pass to get what you really want. Commit, go through the steps, and then go do it.
To your success!
Erin Cross is the owner and lead coach for Imagine, Dream, Act Coaching (I.D.A. Coaching) and works with organizational teams and leaders to significantly enhance teamwork, communication, and productivity. She also works with individuals and groups to awaken their inner fire and live with purpose, passion, and abundance. Erin is a speaker, a Certified Advanced Transformational Coach, Certified in Hypnosis, and the author of the soon to be released book and online group coaching program, “Ignite Your Life And Shine”. She can be contacted for speaking engagements, corporate training and coaching, or for a free discovery session for group or individual coaching programs. To sign up for our newsletter or view current schedule of workshops, retreats, and new programs, please call
208-412-1165 or visit www.idacoaching.com 50
| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
URBANexpert
Give
written by
Christy Hovey
a chance!
How to effectively use Twitter to build your online community
T
witter has been a big part of my life lately. If you would have asked me a year ago what I thought about Twitter I would have adamantly responded, "I hate Twitter." And I did. In fact, I remember speaking at an event and someone specifically asked me if I found any value in Twitter and I had to honestly answer, "Not yet." My love of Facebook clouded my objectivity towards Twitter. I believed I couldn't have a separate but equal relationship with Facebook and Twitter because Facebook was where I had primarily found most of my business success. I was dead wrong. After that fateful speech when I recognized that I had not truly researched Twitter enough to find its value, I decided I would do my due diligence. I read tons of blogs on Twitter, I set a Google alert for Twitter marketing trends, and I listened to my marketing mentors explain how they used Twitter to effectively reach their audience. I often publicly speak on the topic of shifting your thoughts to impact your world, so I am always willing to admit when I have a thinking error. I quickly changed my thoughts about Twitter. I began to dedicate fifteen minutes a day to Twitter. Twitter is a totally different animal than Facebook and so this can cause confusion to a new user. You can't possibly keep up with all of the total strangers who you will start following. Twitter’s stream is constantly updating and completely hit-and-miss unless you set it up properly. The key to keeping up with an individual or a business that you are following is to put them in a list. Lists can be public or private, and you can organize all of your followers and all of the people that you follow in a list. I have lists consisting of close friends, fellow writers, marketing gurus, and even a list of my favorite Treasure Valley restaurants. When I want to get updates on what is trending in marketing, I quickly look at tweets from the people in my marketing list. If I want to see if there are any specials happening at my favorite watering holes, I can see those tweets in a matter of seconds. Similar to Facebook, you can also set an alert to notify you when someone you are interested in posts a new Tweet. This can be helpful or annoying, depending on how many alerts you have set. Finding people or topics that you are interested in is easy. Just use the hashtag (#) to search for tweets that match what you are looking for. For instance, I like #entrepreneurs #marketingtips #foodies #writers, etc. You can block spammers who send you stupid Direct Messages (or DM's) by clicking on the User Actions tab and clicking block user. Although Twitter may differentiate itself from Facebook in that total strangers can see your posts, it actually opens up unlimited opportunity to randomly connect with anyone in the world. I just had a conversation via Twitter with an author from Israel who I didn’t know beforehand. I also had a follower send me a link to a classic car for sale he found for me on eBay after I posted a picture of a hot rod I loved but was wondering what year it was built. I have also converted followers into clients by just being friendly and offering free advice on Twitter. It's important to weed out the uber-annoying Tweeps out of your stream who just follow people and then un-follow them the next day; they do this just to increase their followers and they think nobody will notice. I love the free tools that tell you who follows you on Twitter and if they then turn right around and un-follow you. You can then return the favor. Visit Manageflitter.com and Justunfollow.com to Urban Liaison readers accomplish this for free. Whether you’re an individual looking to make new online friends, an author trying to build your platform, or a small business owner trying to attract new customers - you should be on Twitter. It may seem unproductive and confusing at first, but once you start learning the ropes you will soon find out all of the benefits Twitter has to offer.
Follow me @ChristyHovey
Christy Hovey is a recipient of the Idaho Business Review’s Women of the Year 2014 award. She is an active member of the Idaho writing community as is the Treasure Valley liaison for National Novel Writing Month. Her company, My Social Media Ghost, teaches individuals and small businesses how to effectively build their social media platform to reach their target audience.
If you are a small business owner and would like a free phone consultation, call Christy at: 208.284.8553 or email her at ChristyHovey@gmail.com
can access helpful Twitter tips at: MySocialMediaGhost.com/ TwitterTips
FINANCIAL FOCUS Financial Resolutions for the New Year About 45% of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions, according to a survey from the University of Scranton. But the same survey shows that only 8% of us actually keep our resolutions. Perhaps this low success rate isn’t such a tragedy when our resolutions involve things like losing a little weight or learning a foreign language. But when we make financial resolutions — resolutions that, if achieved, could significantly help us in our pursuit of our important long-term goals — it’s clearly worthwhile to make every effort to follow through.
So, what sorts of financial resolutions might you consider? Here are a few possibilities: • Boost your contributions to your retirement plans. Each year, try to put in a little more to your IRA and your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plans. These tax-advantaged accounts are good options for your retirement savings strategy. • Reduce your debts. It’s not always easy to reduce your debts, but make it a goal to finish 2014 with a smaller debt load than you had going into the new year. The lower your monthly debt payments, the more money you’ll have to invest for retirement, college for your children (or grandchildren) and other important objectives. • Build your emergency fund. Work on building an “emergency fund” containing six to 12 months’ worth of living expenses, with the money held in a liquid account that offers a high degree of preservation of principal. Without such a fund, you might be forced to dip into your long-term investments to pay
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
for emergencies, such as a new furnace, a major car repair, and so on. You might not be able to finish creating your emergency fund in one year, but contribute as much as you can afford. • Plan for your protection needs. If you don’t already have the proper amounts of life and disability insurance in place, put it on your “To Do” list for 2014. Also, if you haven’t taken steps to protect yourself from the considerable costs of long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay, consult with your financial professional, who can suggest the appropriate protection or investment vehicles. You may never need such care, but that’s a chance you may not want to take — and the longer you wait, the more expensive your protection options may become. • Don’t overreact to market volatility. Too many people head to the investment “sidelines” during
market downturns. But if you’re not invested, then you miss any potential market gains— and the biggest gains are often realized at the early stages of the rally. • Focus on the long term. You can probably check your investment balance online, which means you can do it every day, or even several times a day — but should you? If you’re following a strategy that’s appropriate for your needs, goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, you’re already doing what you should be doing in the long run. So there’s no need to stress yourself over the short-term movements that show up in your investment statements. Do whatever you can to turn these New Year’s resolutions into realities. Your efforts could pay off well beyond 2014. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
See Edward Jones Ad Page 57
URBANbusiness
W
e believe you will succeed when you establish your brand in a thriving social marketplace. The Local Impact Zone creates dynamic results for businesses by casting a large net into the great sea of social media and turning digital contacts into real and profitable local relationships. The LIZ Social Marketplace is the most innovative, unique, and effective marketing tool for business today and is absolutely free! Establish your brand and grow sales socially, successfully, and profitably in the Local Impact Zone. Written By Brett
Local Impact Zone Mission Statement
To provide a dynamic local Social Marketplace that empowers business owners and professionals to grow and build success and significance. To create unified communities of individuals that give, serve, and care for one another proactively.
Local Impact Zone Vision Statement
Our vision is to successfully establish the LIZ Social Marketplace in over 1000 communities in America by 2018. We will employ and empower a team of serving individuals that carry out our mission and prosper themselves through prospering others. It is a New Year and I hope you are very excited for 2014. This could shape up to be your best year ever with some strategic planning, resolute determination, and laser focus. I want to share with you an outline for creating the Vision and Mission for you and your company in hopes that your 2014 plan will be dynamic, life-changing, and your best year ever!
Labit
Vision & Mission Statement 7 Key Factors in Strategic Planning:
• Vision • Mission • Values & Culture • Areas of Focus • Goals • Action Plans • Time Blocking
What is a Mission Statement? Reason for existing: • Defines the organization and its contribution to its audience. • Answers three questions about why an organization exists: • WHAT it does
What is a Vision Statement? Where we are going:
• WHO it does it for
• Defines the highest possible future state of the company. What the company is professing to achieve over time.
• Shorter in term than a Vision Statement. More current to three years.
• Guidance and inspiration for what the team wants to achieve in the next five to ten years. • It is the “true north” for a company and a guide that ultimately encourages the shortest distance to achievement. • Employees need to not only memorize it but also incorporate it into their very existence and purpose for being with the company.
• HOW it does what it does
• Employees should be able to recite it eloquently with passion and purpose.
Additional Benefits:
• These statements can create a strong culture through a unified sense of purpose. • Promote ‘big picture’ thinking and keep the team off of small thinking. • Attract and retain the right people to see the Vision and Mission through.
Join us Each Monday at 8am for our Meridian Liz Power Breakfast 8-9am at Meridian Chic-Fil-A
Taylor Law Offices, P.L.L.C
Follow us on Facebook! www.facebook.com / localimpactzone Winter Issue 2014
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URBANexpert
Use Your Words!
Discover Hidden Power in Your Resolutions What was your First Word? You won't remember saying it, but no doubt your parents were very excited with whatever it was, and likely recorded it in your baby book. That first word was a milestone in your development.
A
s toddlers, moms implore us to "Use your words" instead of whine. Scores of spelling bees, comprehension exams and essay tests later, our vocabulary expands to an average of 15,000 words by the time we're adults. Guess what? We only use about a tenth of those words regularly -- and there are 750,000 words in the English language. Learning languages is one of the most important life skills we ever develop. Using it appropriately is even more vital. Words have immense power. They can create or destroy. The old saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" has to be one of the biggest lies ever told. The rhyme may have good intentions, to help children not let unsolicited opinions of others hurt their feelings - but in reality, the phrase does us all a disservice. Whether spoken by us or to us, words CAN hurt us - unless we learn to use them well. As you write your New Year's Resolutions -- or any goal or affirmation -- give consideration to the words you use when composing them. There is hidden power in words that can either accelerate or stall your progress. That hidden power is tied to the emotions that words elicit when read, spoken or heard. For example, how do you feel with these words: death, dying, pain, anger, sickness, disgust, filth, fear, hate? Research theories suggest there is a measurable decrease in energy levels in association with such words. Conversely, consider these words: joy, happiness, peace, comfort, health, clean, clear, hope, love. Do you feel your energy level rise with positive expressions? The feelings that words emote affect your efforts. So, how can you use your words to benefit your life?
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| The Urban Liaison Magazine - Treasure Valley
Five Tips for Powerful Statements
1
Say what you WANT ("not" what you don't want). Any time you have a negative word or a not in your statement, you'll create a knot in the energy. Be clear about your desires.
2
Flip it. There is usually an alternate way to say the same thing. Do you want to "get out of debt" or "be financially free" ? Technically, the statements have the same meaning, but emotionally, the impact is entirely different.
3
Test the tense. If you say you will be doing something in 2014, you always "will be" doing it in the future. Bring your statements into the here and now. Say, "I am ..." in present tense.
4
Give it life. Using descriptive words that fill the senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) will enliven the statement and empower your vision for receiving it.
5
It's great to be grateful! Expressing gratitude is the fastest way to raise your energy and put you on the path to receiving your request. Being thankful for what you have attracts more of it to you.
Writing a strong affirmation doesn't have to be hard. Rather, "creating a powerful statement is simple" when you "Make a Choice" to use your words with care. This is true when you speak anytime, anywhere.
Christy Stansell has a double major from USC, 14 years experience in television, 8 years in sales, two sessions working in the Idaho Senate, and she's a wife and mother. Christy founded Make A Choice To Have A Voice to raise awareness of Verbal, Mental and Emotional Abuse. Her campaign has evolved to offer personal coaching and professional speaking services customizable for any audience. She is certified as a Dream Builder Coach through the Mary Morrissey Life Mastery Institute in Los Angeles. Christy's purpose is to help people Discover, Define, Design and Decide for the life of their Dreams.
Want to create a life you'd love living? Learn how to choose YOUR WORDS with care "FIND YOUR VOICE" BOOTCAMP Use this code or mention UL for a
FREE
30-minute session
New session starting soon! (208) 230-3036 • christy_stansell@yahoo.com www.MakeAChoiceToHaveAVoice.com www.facebook.com/makeachoicetohaveavoice
HAPPY NEW YEAR
from
THe Meridian Chamber
MERIDIANchamber
W
hat a year 2013 was for the Meridian Chamber. It was a time of innovation and growth, as we work to deliver genuine value to our members. Looking ahead, 2014 is set to be an exciting and event-filled year.
Starting in January, we have some amazing speakers for our lunches, which are on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month. We kicked off the year with The Village at Meridian sponsoring our lunch and the new Director of the Department of Labor, Ken Edmonds as our guest speaker. Be sure to check our events calendar at www.meridianchamber.org for details of this and future lunch presentations. First Friday was held January 10 at Sheridan Academy, one of our local businesses that moved to Meridian in 2013. We meet every “first Friday” of the month to learn about a different Chamber member and to network. The third Wednesday of every month brings us an opportunity to learn from some of our local businesses as they share their areas of expertise. On January 15th Clifton Larson Allen presented “Protecting Your Business… Ten Action Steps for Your Business Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Success." Check our Events Calendar each month for more valuable lunch and learn opportunities. Everyone always looks forward to our monthly Business After Hours event. AAA of Idaho started off 2014 with a party at their office on January 16th. Everyone learned more about AAA and enjoyed some great networking. Other events you won’t want to miss are: March 25th and September 23rd are our Economic Excellence Breakfasts. May 16th is the Annual Golf Tournament at Spur Wing. June 19th is the Pancake Feed (during Meridian Dairy Days). And November 6th is the date for our Annual Banquet. Other great things happening at the Meridian Chamber include an office remodel to create more useable space and more efficient workflows. We had a large conference room that we seldom used and have turned it into two offices. We’re also adding some color to the walls and rearranging things a bit. We promise to have an open house when we’re done and invite you by to see the changes.
Mark Your
Calendar Meridian Chamber Lunch:
First and third Tuesdays of the month through June.
Business After Hours:
The second or third Thursday of the month.
First Friday:
Join us at 7:30 a.m. the first Friday of the month for coffee and networking.
Lunch and Learn: Third Wednesday of each month.
Breanne Peterson, who has been with us since the middle of 2013 as our Administrative Assistant, has assumed a new role at the Chamber. Having developed a great rapport and working relationship with our members, she is now our Membership Development Manager. If you are not a Chamber member and would like more information you can email Breanne at Breanne@meridianchamber.org. The Meridian Chamber of Commerce continues to work to help Meridian business grow and prosper, so that our City can do the same. We invite businesses of all sizes to join us and take advantage of the many benefits of membership. We can be reached through our website or by calling us at 208-888-2817.
Visit our website at
www.meridianchamber.org
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The Nampa Chamber of Commerce is working hard to support local business and agriculture. During the 2014 Legislative Session, there are many issues that may be addressed. The Chamber is encouraging our legislators to consider the following:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
The Nampa Chamber of Commerce supports economic development to stimulate growth for existing businesses and to attract new businesses. This support includes exploring and using all options for providing and paying for water, wastewater, power, streets, and all other public infrastructure necessary for business growth. The Chamber also supports the use of business opportunity funds to provide incentives to new or existing companies that are growing jobs and increasing investment in the state of Idaho. We support continued and expanded funding for business growth and expansion funds that tie business tax incentives to proven economic growth.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
The Nampa Chamber of Commerce encourages our Legislature to pursue primacy taking control and administering environmental regulations and permitting through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality rather than the federal offices of EPA Region 10 located in Seattle. The Chamber recognizes the value in protecting local agricultural and natural resources, particularly as related to water, in our community. We support a common-sense approach to balancing agricultural and business needs with environmental regulation that seeks to provide stability and predictability for our agricultural industry, businesses, and community. Furthermore, we support an Idaho-centered approach to water and environmental regulation, such that innovative solutions more particularly tailored to the uniqueness of our agricultural base, industries, and localities can be developed and supported while minimizing the regulatory burden.
EDUCATION
The Nampa Chamber of Commerce believes that a comprehensive education system is essential to our local economic development efforts. We therefore encourage our Legislature to identify solutions for funding an education system that promotes opportunities for youth and adults, including workforce education and training. We also desire to promote efficiencies and cost savings in education and encourage business to support education at all levels. We believe that the College of Western Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University play a vital role in the education of our citizens and the economic stability of Nampa. Public/private partnerships are essential to the continued strengthening of education in Idaho. We support stronger policy and increased financial emphasis on improving Idaho’s post-secondary and higher education institutions. We also support efforts to improve and align educational standards with business needs.
TRANSPORTATION
The Nampa Chamber of Commerce supports transportation infrastructure development and maintenance that relies upon policies that are efficient in generating necessary revenue and have a clear nexus to tax burden and transportation utilization. The Chamber particularly supports, in order to provide for growing business and industry in our region, the southbound extension of Highway 16 and the continued widening of Interstate 84 westbound.
LOCAL OPTION AUTHORITY
The Nampa Chamber of Commerce supports and encourages our Legislature to grant local government authorities the power to request and adopt a voterapproved local sales tax to fund local community economic development projects, particularly for needed community transportation and infrastructure projects.
BUSINESS INCOME TAX RATE
The Nampa Chamber of Commerce supports lower business and individual income tax rates to support local community economic development. Lower income tax rates will position Nampa and the state of Idaho to be more competitive in attracting business and stimulating a stronger economy.
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
The Nampa Chamber of Commerce supports the decision of the 2013 Legislature to reduce the personal property tax while ensuring sustainable revenue replacement to ensure public services are not severely impacted. The Chamber favors a tax structure that encourages small business growth, attracts new business, and that does not place an undue administrative burden on business owners.
Business & Breakfast
Thurs., March 13th Thurs., April 10th 7:30AM-8:30am • Hampton Inn & Suites, Nampa
The AG FORUM
Wed., Feb 26th • 11:30AM-1:30PM • Nampa Civic Center
LEGISLATIVE COFFEES Wed., 6:45AM-7:30am Jan. thru March, 2014 Holiday Inn Express, Nampa
Please go to nampa.com For specific date
Coffee on Us
Tues., Feb 25th Tues., March 25th Tues., April 29th 7:30AM-8:30am Nampa Chamber Office
Luncheon
Wed., March 12th Wed., April 16th 11:30am-1:00pm Nampa Civic Center
Reservations are required to attend chamber events. Dates are subject to change. Visit www.nampa.com/events for details. Nampa Chamber Luncheons and Business & Breakfast will run from September - April.
www.nampa.com
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