








The New Year always brings the same clichés and sayings, especially when it comes to healthy living.
We now are past the holiday season, which involves binging on treats, having delicious dinners and enjoying a seasonal cocktail (or two). Of course, this leads to feeling a little sluggish once January rolls around.
I don’t know about you all, but I’m tired of setting these lofty health-related goals only for me to be over my resolutions by February.
But what if we didn’t have to fall into the same exercise/strict eating plans for January? What if there were other ways to feel good and still maintain a non-restrictive lifestyle?
Of course, being in good health is important, which is why our friends at Little Elm Medical Weight Loss gave us the low down on what they offer in terms of healthy living.
From weight loss to IV therapy to healthy skin and hair solutions, owners Daisy and Frank Zuniga, along with their entire staff, can create a tailored plan for anyone to look and feel their best.
Mental health is just as important, too, especially if you are running a local business. While a business owner may know the ins and outs of their product, using social media marketing might be an endeavor that keeps them up at night.
Enter The Social Hive, which helps small business owners promote their companies through the power of social media. Creative director Kristine Barrera gives owners peace of mind by taking the complexities of social media campaigning off their hands, giving them time to focus on their customers.
I can’t wait to welcome all that 2025 brings, and I hope you’re looking forward to a fresh start, as well. Wishing you all a healthy, happy and successful new year! We are rooting for you.
ALEXIS JACKSON, PUBLISHER
@LAKESIDECITYLIFESTYLE
January 2025
PUBLISHER
Alexis Jackson | alexis.jackson@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Gabrielle Bailey | gabrielle.bailey@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Shannon Spake | shannon.spake@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Jason Laumer | jason.laumer@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Savanna Romano
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
The Elm is nothing short of exceptional From the carefully crafted nautical decor to the
and
and recharge
T H E E L M H O T E L
Turbo at The Elm
Enjoy breathtaking, fourth floor views of Lewisville Lake while you sip on a cocktail Don’t miss out on our signature pizzathere’s something for everyone!
on its top-notch service From pristine, clean rooms to room service, and easy check in and check out, you won’t have to lift a finger during your stay!
With 360 views of the lake, you’re sure to catch an exceptional sunset while at The Elm! Whether you’re just enjoying a cocktail on the patio or looking out your window, you’ll find a neat view no matter where you are Relax and Unwind
1: Superintendent Mike Lamb and principal Michelle Gentry give an update from Little Elm ISD. 2: Lakeside City Lifestyle celebrates its official ribbon cutting at G.O.A.T's Sports Arena. 3: Hounds Town Little Elm officially is open for busines. 4: The Goddard School in Oak Point celebrates its grand opening. 5: Little Elm residents enjoy fresh breakfast at the city's Farmers Market. 6: Members of the North Texas Blacksmith Association show off their skills in Cross Roads. 7: Students in Aubrey take a tour of the city's waste management and water systems.
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The Barnes Group revolutionizes how businesses manage their most valuable asset – their people. Specializing in providing payroll, HR and staffing services, the Barnes Group gives clients that extra support needed in their operations. Their tailored solutions fit just about every business need, giving company leaders more of an opportunity to empower their teams and take their organization to new heights.
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Fresh, new menu items will be arriving at Tender Smokehouse just in time for the start of 2025. Delicious new sides will be added to accompany fresh brisket, pulled pork and any other entree. Visit www.tendersmokehousebbq.com to check out menu and catering options.
Congratulations to Robert Goodwin, General Manager of Huffines Subaru Corinth, on celebrating 20 incredible years with Huffines! Robert embodies the qualities that define the team—respect, integrity, selfless service, and excellence. His dedication has been a cornerstone of Huffines’ success, and the team is so grateful for his two decades of commitment and passion.
Congratulations to Keep Little Elm Beautiful for winning the Keep Texas Beautiful Governor's Achievement Award in June!
ARTICLE BY SHANNON SPAKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA ROMANO
In a world where so many feel like a number in the healthcare system, Little Elm Medical Weight Loss offers something entirely different, where personalized care and proven expertise create lasting transformations.
At the heart of this clinic are Daisy Zuniga and her husband, Frank Zuniga, both living examples of the power of investing in one’s health and wellness.
Daisy, who has been in the industry since 2008, exudes vitality and passion for what she does.
“I’m a 62-year-old woman who decided to invest in my health, and it shows on the outside,” she said. “I am told all the time how young and vibrant I look, and I am. I feel great.”
For Daisy, this isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling strong, energized and ready to help others achieve the same overall wellness.
Little Elm Medical Weight Loss offers a full suite of treatments, including the increasingly popular Semaglutide weight loss programs, IV drip therapy with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and essential boosters, anti-aging therapies, clean private-label supplements and advanced skincare solutions.
But what truly sets this clinic apart is the personal touch Daisy and Frank provide their clients.
“I’m grateful to be able to offer this personal level of care to each and every one of our clients,” Daisy explained. “Frank and I understand firsthand the challenges of prioritizing your health in a busy world, and we are here to help you every step of the way. After all, health and time are the two things you can never buy back.”
Aside from Daisy and Frank, Little Elm Medical Weight Loss employs a team that includes a certified medical director, multiple certified medical assistants and a professional esthetician/
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injector. Depending on a person’s needs, each staff member is trained to work individually with clients to tailor a healthcare plan that helps them feel their best.
While weight loss is one of the most sought-after treatments, nutrition and beauty plans are also available for customers who are transforming themselves, inside and out.
One of the products Little Elm Medical Weight Loss offers is EvoBio, a cutting-edge line of cellular products for hair restoration, skin rejuvenation and body-focused treatments like orthobiologics, neurobiologics and sexual health.
For Daisy, the message is clear: a person’s health is the best investment they can make.
“Everyone is looking for a quick fix, and they want it cheap,” she said. “I’m from Cuba, and we have a saying: ‘Anything you get on the cheap will, in the long run, will be very expensive.’ That’s why we focus on quality care and proven solutions in our clinics.”
This philosophy is deeply rooted in her own life. Daisy and Frank are not just business owners—they are clients who live by the clinic’s principles. Their stories are proof that taking care of yourself pays off, both in how you feel and how others see you.
Seeing her clients commit to their future of improved health is the most rewarding aspect for Daisy. To see someone who has struggled with their weight and to put themselves first in their own lives, then witness the life-affirming transformation that takes place when they stick with it, is an incredible feeling.
“You are a priority, and it has to start now,” Daisy emphasized. “The longer we wait, the unhealthier we get physically, which affects us mentally. Once our health is gone, you can’t buy it back. So invest in it now, wisely. Let us help you find your path.”
Of course, there are those clients who want to drop a few pounds to feel better in their swimsuits, but then there are those who struggle with mobility due to their weight. When the most naturally mundane activities, like standing up to walk or bending over to put on shoes is a real challenge, this limited mobility is a thief of joy. Not only does it restrict access to those things people used to enjoy doing, it discourages activity.
Once the commitment is made and someone begins to shed weight and improve their quality of life, everyone in their world wins. Little Elm Medical Weight Loss strives to help make all those goals attainable with weekly monitoring, building a network for success and counseling through the difficult times. Daisy, Frank and their team work with each client to ensure they are receiving the most from their benefits with the clinic.
Visit Little Elm Medical Weight Loss to discover personalized care, expert guidance, and a community dedicated to helping each person thrive. As Daisy says, “The highest respect you can give yourself is health.”
Appointments can be scheduled by visiting www. littleelmmedicalweightloss.com or by calling 469-515-7577.
“ONCE OUR HEALTH IS GONE, YOU CAN’T BUY IT BACK. SO INVEST IN IT NOW.”
ARTICLE BY GABRIELLE BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE SOCIAL HIVE
The Social Hive takes on all the complexities of running professional social media pages, giving business owners peace of mind
Most small business owners wear multiple hats to not only get their companies off the ground, but to grow.
From knowing their product inside and out to customer service to sales, it can be difficult for owners to focus on branding, advertising and social media endeavors, adding extra stress and anxiety to running a successful business.
This is where The Social Hive comes in to help.
The Social Hive is a social media management agency catering to small businesses, offering services such as social media management, brand kits, logo design, content creation, video editing, professional photography, business collateral and content strategy.
The Social Hive was founded by Todd Barnes and is run by Kristine Barrera, who works in a one-on-one environment with clients to promote their businesses and help with organic growth.
“Our main focus is social media management,” Kristine said. “For organizations that don't really have a social media presence, or they maybe don't have time to do it themselves, that's where we like to come in and help them out.”
Media marketing and social media has become a full-time position in almost every industry. Bigger corporations can afford to hire a person to take care of branding and strategy, but many small businesses need help with the basics to get the word out about what they offer.
Kristine said that she and her team cover all aspects of social media branding, including media campaigns, content creation (such as videos), editing and professional photography.
“Every business has different needs and we want to meet them where they are,” Kristine said. “We assess what their current strategy is, where they are on social media and what their overall goals are. Then we build a strategy from there.”
According to a study just conducted by Small Biz Silver Lining, a company that provides a variety of tools for entrepreneurs, 75% of small business owners are concerned about their mental health, and 56% have actually been diagnosed with anxiety, depression or stress-related problems by a doctor or mental health professional.
While most entrepreneurs aren’t afraid of the hard work that comes with heading a business, more than 50% said providing solutions for all of their business issues or road blocks by themselves causes mental stress, according to Small Biz Solver Lining’s study.
By taking social media and marketing off of the business owners’ plates, Kristine and her team give these owners peace of mind so they can focus on the sales and relationship aspect of their company and know they are not alone in trying to spread information about their products and services.
“EVERY BUSINESS HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS AND WE WANT
TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE. WE ASSESS WHAT THEIR CURRENT STRATEGY IS, WHERE THEY ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHAT THEIR OVERALL GOALS ARE. THEN WE BUILD A STRATEGY FROM THERE.”
“It's really about just building a brand for the organization, because if they could be all over the place,” Kristine explained. “They might not have uniformity across their platforms. And we give them a cohesive, uniform brand, then we push that out to different platforms.”
These days, social media has become essential for many businesses to bring in traffic, which is why owners reach out to Kristine. By helping local entrepreneurs build an online presence, Kristine says they will have a significantly larger reach in both numbers and geography.
“[About] 4.9 billion people used social media in 2023, 90% of social media users follow at least one brand on social media and 76% of social media users have purchased something they saw advertised on social media,” Kristine said. “It's a really powerful tool, and I think if you utilize it well, it can drastically transform your business.”
Rodeo Celina, the first Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeo in Collin County, used The Social Hive’s services to promote its annual rodeo event in May. By running its social media accounts and posting a couple of advertisements on Facebook, Kristine said the rodeo sold out the same day the ads were placed.
She added that all her clients, no matter their industry, should maintain one simple rule to have quality engagement on their social media platforms.
“Authenticity is so important,” she said. “You can make the coolest graphics and put them out there
[or] the coolest videos with the coolest effects. But I found that most people respond best when they show when they see real people.”
The Social Hive can offer one-time services or can continuously run a client’s social media accounts. By keeping a strong presence on social media, especially Facebook, Kristine says business owners have peace of mind knowing that experts are keeping track of those channels.
“It's package dependent on what the [client’s] specific needs are, but [we have] an ongoing social media service,” she said. “We create the content, we create the captions, and we send it out to the platforms of your choosing.”
Business owners and entrepreneurs interested in growing their company’s social media presence and brand can visit www.thesocialhive.net or call The Social Hive at 469-731-8127 for a consultation with Kristine and her team.
ARTICLE BY SYBIL VELARDE
Vegetable juice is a great addition to your diet especially if you want to lose weight, gain energy, and feel great. Sometimes life gets too busy and you don’t have the time to cook healthy meals. Fall in love with leafy greens, fresh fruit, nut milks, and chia seeds all combined to make a quick, easy, and delicious contribution to your day.
Veggies And Blenders Bring The Health We Need
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 beet
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1-2 inches of ginger
• 1 lemon
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 fresh or frozen banana
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup fresh mint and/or 1-3 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 1 cup ice if using fresh fruit
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups cucumber
• 1 cup Granny Smith apples
• 1 cup celery
• 1 handful baby spinach
• 1/3 cup fresh pineapple (for a sweet smoothie or zest and juice of a small lime for tart smoothie)
• 1 sprig parsley
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries
• 1 scoop organic whey protein powder
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax meal
• 1 scoop green superfood powder
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 lemon
• 1 green apple
• 1 cucumber
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1/3 cup celery
• 1/2 cup cucumber
• 1/2 cup kale
• 2/3 cup Granny Smith apples
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup coconut water
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cups strawberries
• 1 cup chopped mango
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups water
• 1 avocado, peeled
• 1 cup chopped mango
• 1 banana
DIRECTIONS:
First, blend the spinach and almond milk in a blender until smooth. Then add the berries and mango and blend again until smooth.
DIRECTIONS: Place spinach and water in the blender and blend until smooth. Then add avocado, mango, and banana and blend again until smooth.
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups kale, stems removed
• 1 cup water
• 2 oranges peeled
• 1 cup chopped pineapple
• 1 cup chopped mango
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds (soak in water for 10 minutes)
DIRECTIONS:
Blend kale, chia water, and oranges until smooth. Add pineapple, mango and blend again.
The beginning of the year is packed with inspiration and motivation to get back on track after a sweet-filled holiday season. It can feel extreme, and it also can be depleting to cut oneself off from everything indulgent after weeks of eating favorite sweet and savory recipes. For sugar lovers who believe going cold-turkey feels intimidating or overwhelming, nutrition-packed desserts are a great way to stick to healthy food goals without the guilt.
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
This recipe is a classic favorite. If you cut the bars into 16 pieces, they are around 270 calories each. They are very filling, packed with healthy goodies and taste, oh so delicious. If you can’t finish them yourself (it makes a lot!), bring samples along to your next workout class to share the love. Your accountability group will be asking you for the recipe! These come in handy for a quick breakfast on-the-go or an afternoon snack. You’ll want to taste these out of the oven once they cool a bit... simply scrumptious.
Combine:
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
• 2 cups oats
• 2/3 cup of your choice of chopped nuts
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2/3 cup raisins
• Optional: chocolate chips as desired
• Optional: add additional seeds or nuts on hand such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Notes: Boil quinoa at a 2:1 water to rice ratio. For estimating, 1/3 cup of uncooked quinoa yields 1 cup cooked quinoa.
Add this mixture slowly to combine:
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until when the edges get golden brown. Bake in a 9x13-inch glass dish. After they cool, slice and enjoy. Keep them covered to maintain freshness.
Danger ahead: this snack is amazing. It’s the easiest of the bunch and also satisfies a sweet tooth craving. This can be whipped together in just 5 minutes and makes just a small amount. Feel free to take creative liberty here with your amounts, but if you make it to this recipe, they are around 90 calories per bite.
1. Cut a banana into 8-10 small slices, around 1/2 inch each.
2. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter (or your choice of nut butter) on each banana slice.
3. Drizzle a small amount of melted chocolate chips or caramel over each bite.
4. Freeze for 15-20 minutes and enjoy!
Pro tip: A dash of sea salt flakes on top of these can be *chef’s kiss.*
These are great to keep on hand in the freezer all weeklong. Once they set, add them to a closed container to keep the bananas from browning.
Late night snack cravings are real! When finding yourself rooting through the cabinets for a sweet fix, these protein cookie dough bites are a great way to curb temptation. This recipe yields around 20 small bites, which can be cut into small squares or rolled into dough balls. Each bite is around 105 calories. If you find the dough is a little too dry, add a dash of milk as needed.
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (or alternate nut or sunflower butter)
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Chocolate chips as desired
Pro tip: Use mini chocolate chips and for a dash of savory add sea salt flakes on top. Once combined, store the bites in the refrigerator in a covered container to keep them moist.
HEAR FROM NASM-CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER ABOUT ESTABLISHING THE BEST HABITS
ARTICLE BY KRISTIN BURNELL
The new year is a classic kickoff to start fresh and build many resolutions that we all hope stick around. How many times do your resolutions fall through each year? It can be challenging to build new habits and switch up routines if you’re looking for a change. That’s why we rounded up the best advice to establishing habits and making them stay for good. We spoke with Danielle Johnston, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-certified personal trainer and aspiring kinesiologist, who broke down her top tips to maintaining healthy habits this new year.
Think 1-3 things maximum and then give yourself at least a month or two to apply the change. If you like to eat and cook, maybe try a new recipe or browse a cookbook in the library or bookstore for inspiration. If you like fashion, maybe try cleaning out a section of your closet (i.e. tops, bottoms, shoes, etc) to make way for 1 new piece. If you like being outdoors, maybe you try adding in just a 5 minute walk down the road.
If you miss a day or make a mistake with whatever resolution you’re working on, take that next opportunity to try again. Danielle uses the goal to eat healthier as an example. Health can be interpreted in many different ways but if you can take the small first step of looking at ingredients, that alone can make a world’s difference in the recipe you use so maybe you don’t even have to alter or substitute it. Or if your goal is to snack less but one day you snack more, don’t wave the flag and sabotage your efforts. Take a minute to breathe through the moment and then move on, enjoying the ebb and flow of health instead of going all in or nothing. Starting small allows you to adjust everyday habits that will, with time, transition to lifestyle changes.
Danielle says to create 1 health resolution, 1 personal resolution, and 1 professional resolution as it is the best format to better yourself in multiple realms instead of just physical health. Too often, we get caught up in this “New Year New Me” mindset and create a list of things you want to change or start doing. But as they get lost in the busy to-do list of life and we forget,
“The new year is a classic kickoff to start fresh and build many resolutions that we all hope stick around.”
we can also feel like a failure and revert to “I’ll try again tomorrow or next year.” But what if you don’t have to start over, just keep going.
Whether you keep a notebook of your habit building, or keep track on your phone, it is important to acknowledge the personal progress made. This will also help you see the future that you want to build as you make more desirable changes in your life. If you want to track how you feel after working out, it will serve as a reflection on the progress made through what has been written down. This will encourage you to continue pushing for your goals!
Wellness isn’t just about taking care of ourselves; it’s also about taking care of our surroundings and caring for our communities Preparing your home for winter can help you prevent costly repairs, create a safer environment and conserve water.
Simple steps like:
Insulating exposed pipes & exterior faucets
Checking for and fixing leaks
Draining outdoor hoses
Turning off your irrigation system
Knowing where to locate your shutoff valve
help to protect your home from winter damage while conserving our precious water resources
Take action this season winterize your home, conserve water, and support a healthy, sustainable community
JANUARY 2025
JANUARY 4TH
Polar Plunge
701 W. Eldorado Parkway | Little Elm | 1:00 PM
Start the new year with a cold plunge at Little Elm Beach. Tickets for the event are $30 and include a t-shirt, hot chocolate and access to The Cove at The Lakefront for an after party. Awards will be given out for best costume, youngest plunger and oldest plunger. Visit www.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets.
JANUARY 10TH
Justin Till Country Concert
Nack Theater | 8:00 PM
Come and enjoy the soulful tunes of Justin Till as he takes the stage and serenades the crowd with his country hits, including his new single, “Lovin’ Me.” Tickets can be purchased at the Nack Theater or online.
JANUARY 11TH
303 Main St., Little Elm | 3:00 PM
The Unicorn Jumpers Double Dutch Squad is hosting a jumprope showcase featuring impressive stunts and routines in conjunction with the Mayor of Little Elm’s 4th Annual PreK-8th Grade Math Challenge, making it a celebration of both athletic and academic excellence. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.buy.stripe. com/28oaIx8Xp9QI8usdQS
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JANUARY 15TH
Karaoke at Lowbrows Saloon
200 S Washington St. | Pilot Point | 7:00 PM
This Western eclectic bar will host karaoke for all. For the seasoned singer or for the person who enjoys a good singalong, enjoy a drink, some delicious food and get ready to have a fun night with fellow karaoke enthusiasts. This is a free-admission event.
JANUARY 22ND
Brass Tap Cross Roads | 7:00 PM
Music knowledge will be put to the test during Music Bingo at Brass Tap. Play in teams or play single to and see what prizes can be won. A live DJ will play crowd favorites during this interactive experience. 11450 US Hwy. 380, Ste. 160, Cross Roads
JANUARY 25TH
Farmers Market at The Lawn
125 Main St. | Little Elm | 10:00 AM
Head to The Lawn and check out local vendors and business owners for Little Elm’s farmers market. Fresh produce, homemade goods and artisan crafts will be available for purchase among dozens of stalls. This event is free admission.