Paradise Valley Lifestyle February 2014

Paradise Valley february 2014

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Food issue

A Romantic Getaway at the Arizona Biltmore Tom's Thumb, A Unique One Stop Shop Modern Comfort Food With Flair

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Editor's Letter

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or the love of FOOD! I got to venture into some of the coolest restaurants in town and meet the most determined and passionate people that are seeing their restaurant dreams come true. I have come to realize that food is involved in almost every aspect of our lives. From the time I get up on a normal weekday and try to provide a healthy yet hardy meal for my kids to the special occasion where I bake for days to make a meal just right. Food is a way that I can express myself and love on my friends and family.

My favorite date night is going to dinner and a movie. After spending years with young kids and hearing the words “mac and cheese” or “chicken nuggets” associated with every dinner, I welcome the opportunity to enjoy an adult meal, let alone a whole two hours of silent bliss while watching a movie in the theatres with my hubby.

In this food issue you will see how Casey Gibbons, mom of five, conquered the dinner table. Follow her easy tutorial on how she has made diner an enjoyable place to be with family even with small kids. Also, Carrie Hudson in our Healthy Lifestyle section gives us a few kid friendly and ultra healthy recipes that even I can follow.

When milestones in our lives happen we are forced to realize how fast time flies since the last special occasion like our child’s birthday party or our last wedding anniversary. Our family has made meals a time to stop the clock if only for a moment and gather around the dinner table to discuss the happenings of the day.

biltmore arcadia

february 2014 publisher Drew Mulder | DMulder@LifestylePubs.com

editor Becca Mulder | BMulder@LifestylePubs.com

contributing writers Kathleen Blair, Carrie Hudson, Chris Schmidt, Hona Amer, Casey Gibbons, Tom Strongman

contributing photographers Mackenzie Lucht advertising sales Gail D. Staples | GStaples@LifestylePubs.com

Published monthly, subscriptions are available: 1 year for $22 or 2 years for $39.

Details at PVLifestylepubs.com.

corporate team chief executive officer | Steven Schowengerdt chief sales officer | Matthew Perry chief financial officer | DeLand Shore national editor | Lisa Cooke Harrison director of marketing | Brad Broockerd

Do you know of an exceptional young person in our community? We are looking for a “Star Student” to feature in our next issue. Email me at Bmulder@lifestylepubs. com a photo of your child and a few words about what makes him or her a star.

national art director | Carrie Julian advertising director | Mike Baugher production director | Christina Sandberg regional art director | Sara Minor

Hope to see you around town,

ad coordinator | Cyndi Vreeland national copy editor | Kendra Mathewson executive assistant | Lori Cunningham senior web developer | Lynn Owens it director | Randy Aufderheide

Becca Mulder, Editor BMulder@LifestylePubs.com

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4 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

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10500 Barkley, Suite 228 Overland Park, KS 66212 Proverbs 3:5-6 Paradise Valley Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Paradise Valley’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Paradise Valley Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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February 2014

14

Departments 8

Good Times

10

Around Town

12

Family Feature

20 Your Neighbor 22

Healthy Lifestyle

24

What's Cooking?

26

Parent's Corner

28

Driver’s Notebook

30 Lifestyle Calendar biltmore arcadia 34

Parting Thoughts

14 Modern Comfort Food with Flair

Kitchen 56 is breaking the mold.

16 The Arizona Biltmore

Get away from it all with a little romance this Valentine’s Day.

18 Inside Tom's Thumb

A unique, one-stop shop.

12

16

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Good Times

Las Noches de las Luminarias The Desert Botanical Garden came to life for 31 holiday nights with 8,000 hand-lit Luminaria bags and thousands of white twinkle lights. Guests walked the paths with cider while listening to hand bells Carolers. Photography Desert Botanical Garden

To have your event included here, email BMulder@lifestylepubs.com for details.

8 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

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Around Town FREE NATIVE TRAILS PERFORMANCES Experience the music and culture of Arizona’s original residents through Native Trails, a series of performances taking place this February through April 5 on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. The series of free festivals presents memorable musical performances and traditional dances.

Programs take place most Thursdays and Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. For more information and a complete schedule, visit ScottsdaleNativeTrails.com.

FREE STAGECOACH RIDES IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE Celebrate the Old West with free stagecoach rides through Downtown Scottsdale.

The rides are available from 1 to 4 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at the Old Town Livery located at 3802 N. Brown Ave. The rides take participants on a tour of Scottsdale’s Old Town area – where the frontier spirit lives on in shops and galleries. For more information, call 480.312.2459.

GO RED FOR WOMEN The No. 1 killer of women is heart disease.

Don’t forget to wear red on February 7 to show your support, and learn how to protect yourself or a loved one from heart disease and the hard to recognize heart attack symptoms at GoRedForWomen.org.

FIGHT ROOF RATS: CITRUS DROP-OFF PROGRAM

GREEN BUILDING LECTURE Join urban gardeners as they share the benefits and “how-to’s” of growing healthy food, herbs, edible flowers and fruit trees in our desert. Learn about our planting and harvesting seasons and how easy it is to raise chickens in the back yard. This free discussion takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 6, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. Reservations aren’t necessary, but for more information, call 480.312.3111 or visit ScottsdaleAZ. gov/GreenBuilding/Lectures.

Phoenix, Arcadia and Scottsdale residents are joining forces to remove citrus from area properties to help control the roof rat population. The Citrus Drop-off Program runs Saturdays, January 25 through March 22. Residents are encouraged to drop off all viable/edible fruit from 8 a.m. to noon; commercial drop-off will be from 8 to 10 a.m. and those wanting to pick up citrus can do so from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The program will be at the Elk’s BPOE Scottsdale Lodge parking lot, 6398 E. Oak St. For more information about this program, residents should contact the Arcadia NEIGHBORtoNEIGHBOR Campaign at 602.273.0435.

ADAPTED RECREATION SERVICES SWEETHEART BALL Grab your sweetheart and your best threads and join us at the annual Adapted Recreation Services Sweetheart Ball! The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, at the Chaparral Drinkwater Building, 8102 E. Jackrabbit Road. Admission is $10 with the event featuring a fully catered dinner and pictures. Adapted Recreation Services provides community recreation programs for people with disabilities. For more information and available programs please call 480-312-2234.

REGIONAL UNITY WALK Join Valley cities and Arizona State University for the annual Unity Walk to promote mutual respect and understanding.

The one-mile walk over the Mill Avenue Bridge begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 1, and ends at Tempe’s Art Park on Tempe Town Lake. There will be entertainment, food, inflatables and a festival. Bring your family, friends and pets. For more information, visit Tempe.gov and type “unity walk” into the search field.

10 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

FREE GUIDED NATURE TOURS AT PINNACLE PEAK Pinnacle Peak Park will be hosting a variety of activities this February. All programs are free and will be held at the park, 26802 N. 102nd Way. For more information, call 480.312.0990, or visit the park website at ScottsdaleAZ.gov/ Parks/Pinnacle. Programs include solar viewing and education, Southwest Wildlife presentations with native animals, a Valentine’s Day full moon hike, and an astronomy talk.

NOW OPEN: MCLAREN SCOTTSDALE EXOTIC CAR DEALERSHIP McLaren Scottsdale is now open for business at Scottsdale Airpark at 8355 Raintree Dr. in Scottsdale. Visit the new 10,000-squarefoot facility and browse the inventory of new and pre-owned exotic cars currently in stock.

McLaren cars are characterized by innovative F1-inspired technology like brake steering, electronically controlled suspension damping and carbon fiber chassis construction. Thanks to these advancements, the McLaren Mp412C Coupe and 12C Spider are some of the fastest and most capable vehicles on the road.

The newest model, the McLaren P1™, produces 903 horsepower and has a starting price of around $1.15 million. McLarenScottsdale.com

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WINTER PROGRESSIVE SALE Don’t let Old Man Winter choose your fashion fate! Celebrate the start of 2014 with the biggest progressive sale of the year. Visit any Valley-wide location of My Sister’s Closet and Well Suited from January 27 to February 7 and watch the deals soar from 20-70% off everything in the store. The sale includes all your favorite designer clothing, handbags, shoes, hats, fine jewelry and accessories: Jan. 27-Jan. 29 - 20% off everything in the store Jan. 30-Feb. 2 - 30% off everything in the store Feb. 3-Feb. 5 - 50% off everything in the store Feb. 6-Feb. 7 - 70% off everything in the store (Stores close at 4 p.m. on February 7 to clear out fall/winter items.)

For more info and to locate a store, visit MySistersCloset.com or ShopWellSuited.com.

Tell Us Your Story Is your student a star? Is your church working on a cool fund raiser? Is your favorite restaurant opening in a new location? Email the editor 150 words and a large photo for our Around Town pages! BMulder@lifestylepubs.com

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Family Feature

Father and Son Restaurant Duo Keeping the business all in the family at two local favorites.

Article Becca Mulder | Photography Christopher Collins

C

hris and Wally Collins are a father and son duo that can not be stopped. Together they carry on a family tradition of restaurant ownership and management that gives our community two favorite dining options: Wally’s American Pub ‘n Grill and Grassroots Kitchen and Tap. Wally, the father in this father-son combination, owns Wally’s American Pub ‘n Grill, and Chris owns Grassroots. Restaurant ownership has been in the family for generations. From the time Chris could walk, he was in his dad’s restaurant stealing treats from the cooks. You could say that the restaurant business is in their blood, but it also takes a lot of skill to pull off what this father and son team has created, and that’s great success.

Wally calls it fate when he found himself in front of Don Calendar, creator and owner of Marie Calendar’s. For the next 35 years Wally would learn from Don and work his way up to owning and operating his own franchises.

Growing up in a family restaurant, it was always Chris’ dream to run a restaurant with his dad.

“There was never a doubt in my mind that this was the business for me,” he says. After studying hotel and restaurant management at Boston University, Chris worked for Hillstone Restaurant Group for five years and tried to learn as much as possible from the best restaurateurs in the business.

In 2008 Wally and Chris finally got the chance to open the sec12 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

ond Wally’s American Pub ‘n Grill in Scottsdale and needless to say Chris was thrilled for the opportunity to work with his dad and learn the other side of the restaurant business...the side Wally refers to as “soul.”

Wally’s American Pub N Grille is our neighborhood’s version of “Cheers.” A place where everyone is family and that’s the way they like it. Wally describes it as a place like home.

“It is comfort food at its best, both fresh and hand-made just like mom used to make it, we pride ourselves on offering high quality products at reasonable neighborhood pricing.”

Chris is proud of Grassroots Kitchen and Tap, the next generation restaurant concept from the Collins family. Combining the great feel of a small, intimate, local restaurant with the attention to detail of the most notable restaurant groups in the country, they have found a balance between approachable cuisine and sophisticated dining.

The second Grassroots Kitchen & Tap just opened on 20th Street and Camelback last month.

“Our family has lived in this neighborhood for 25 years and since Town & Country has been revitalized with the opening of Whole Foods, Snooze and Chris Bianco’s Italian Restaurant, we are excited to help continue the movement,” Chris says.

For more info about Grassroots Kitchen and Tap visit GrassRootsAZ.com and for Wally’s American Pub ‘n Grille visit WallysPub.com

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February 2014 | Paradise Valley Lifestyle 13

Kitchen 56

Serving modern comfort food with flair.

Article Becca Mulder | Photography Kitchen 56

K

itchen 56 is breaking the mold. From the outside in, this restaurant is unique; it preserves a piece of local history in the reuse and redesign of a gas station building and creates a warm rapport as a trusted neighborhood bar and eatery.

The structure that is now Kitchen 56 was constructed in 1961 as a Humble/Enco full-service gas station and automotive repair shop. By 2006, the shop was vacated and boarded up, and it soon became known by neighbors as the “purple building.”

During the renovation process for Kitchen 56 in 2010, most of the original building was incorporated into the new design. Fusing old and new, the service station’s bays remain as the front façade and main dining room. The easternmost section of the building, the kitchen area, and the outdoor patio were added on to the original concrete block structure, blending seamlessly into the historic building. Maintaining as much as the original structure as possible, refurbished elements include reclaimed barn wood from a demolished barn in Northern Arizona, antique brick pavers, and an old Humble sign.

All senses are engaged in the Kitchen 56 14 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

atmosphere. The visual symmetry, warm colors, sparkling glass that frames a oneof-a-kind view of the majestic Camelback Mountain are a treat for the eyes. The pecan and oak wood fires on their grill and custom-made pizza oven enrapture the sense of smell with rich aromas. Local artists perform live music three nights per week with their own unique and cool sounds to treat the ears.

Not to mention the delicious food selections designed to delight your sense of taste.

You will find that food is broad in range but based on organic produce and antibiotic-free, vegetarian proteins. From their addictive savory sauce-soaked edamame to their house-smoked pulled pork and succulent short ribs, Kitchen 56 has focused on richly flavored comfort foods prepared with a modern flair.

Some of my personal menu favorites include their herbed tomato salad, which includes fresh tomatoes, watercress and fried garbanzo beans with a light champagne dressing. Another fresh favorite is the Caprese, which is made with fresh homemade mozzarella. The slow smoked pulled pork sandwich is something to rave about but the

Kitchen Sink Burger which includes two black angus burger patties, foutina cheese, sautéed mushrooms, onion marmalade, savory pulled pork topped with onion straws is the ultimate dinner menu item. You will also have plenty of specialty drink options to choose from out of their 56 signature cocktails and adult lemonades, including of course my personal favorite the Pink Panther.

There is something for everyone at this family friendly restaurant. For more information on events and hosting a party at Kitchen 56 visit Kitchen56.com or call 480.994.5656

Details

3433 North 56th Street Phoenix AZ 85018 Hours 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Location

Sunday through Thursday

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Arizona Biltmore A romantic getaway awaits.

Article Kathleen Blair

B

lock out some time, make reservations, call a babysitter and escape for a night or a weekend of romance with that special someone at the Arizona Biltmore. None of the many wonderful resorts in the Valley can compare to the elegance, luxury and legacy of this leading Waldorf Astoria resort.

Built in 1929 by brothers Albert, Charles and Warren McArthur, this beautiful desert jewel became Phoenix’s first resort.

Frank Lloyd Wright served as the consulting architect of this magnificently designed resort which is the only existing hotel in the world to benefit from his distinct influence.

16 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

Fun ways to participate

The Arizona Biltmore offers many things to do, whether you are traveling from afar or are a local resident. In the beautiful lobby, High Tea is served Thursday thru Sunday, a Sunday Brunch is the available at the Wright’s restaurant and a Sunday buffet in served in Frank & Albert’s.

For the exercise enthusiast there are guided hikes on the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, bike rentals, seven tennis courts, eight heated pools, a basketball court, lawn chess using life-size chess pieces, a variety of fitness classes offered at the Spa, an 18 hole putting course and two PGA golf courses.

als at the resort you can contact the concierge for suggestions to help make that special moment a memorable one. And it would be a perfect location to renew your wedding vows.

With delicious cuisine being served in all five restaurants, Chef Gordon Maybury encourages guests to enjoy.

“Valentine’s Day is an exciting time for us as it is one of the few days when there is total passion and love in the restaurant,” Maybury says. “The culinary team’s love for the art of cooking, the wait staff’s passion for service, and every guest celebrating with the one they love the most. The food is delicious, the service flawless and the couples are happy and in love.”

Stepping back in time

Another popular event is held on Sunday evenings, from 8 p.m. to midnight, when you can step back in time and participate in the Speak Easy era. Contact the hotel or tweet for the password which will give For those who just want to kick back, there are many areas for re- you access to the mystery room. Many dress up in clothes from that laxing and enjoying a beverage around fire pits as well as taking ad- time period and enjoy cocktails that were popular during that era. Story vantage of the world-class spa which offers massages, a full service has it that in the Mystery Room a bookcase swiveled open to a bar and salon, yoga, and a spa boutique offering their signature lotions, oils behind it was staircase that led to a tunnel so guests could escape beand cosmetics. Also available is a guided history tour of the prop- fore there was a raid and the bookcase was swiveled back in place. It’s a erty and shopping in one of seven boutiques with great selections beautifully designed room with much of Frank Lloyd Wright’s touches. for women, men, children, and gift, home and spa items. Plus the Be sure to try the legendary Tequila Sunrise drink that was invented Wright’s bar has beverages and listening music by local talent. at the Arizona Biltmore by Gene Sulit, one of the bartenders. Sulit experimented with many variations for a regular guest who loved TequiFor that special valentine la, before inventing this popular cocktail named appropriately because “The Arizona Biltmore has been synonymous with love for 85 it mimics a sunrise when poured into a glass. You may even experience years. Ronald and Nancy Reagan honeysomething as guests did long ago who called mooned in the cottages and Harpo Marx to complain of noise coming from the lobby and his bride were known to skip through and were astonished to learn the noise was the formal dining room after meals,” exactual an impromptu performance by Liza plains Sarah Moran, public relations and Minnelli, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Arizona Biltmore marketing manager. “This Valentine’s Day, With so much to offer, the Arizona A Waldorf Astoria Spa we invite our guests to create their own roBiltmore makes a perfect place for you 2400 East Missouri Avenue mantic memories in the timeless grace and to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year.

Phoenix, Arizona 85016 elegance of the Arizona Biltmore.”

To learn more about the romantic Valen602.955.6600 If you are thinking of adding to the tine packages please visit their website ArizonaBiltmore.com number of the endless wedding proposand Facebook page.

Details

February 2014 | Paradise Valley Lifestyle 17

Wine Selection

The ever changing, ever expanding wine selection is what sets Tom’s apart from other boutique gas stations (not entirely sure if any more exist). It’s fairly certain that if it’s good Tom’s has it, and at a lower price than anywhere else. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, just ask and they would be happy to order it for you.

(Insider tip: if you know you will drink it eventually buy a case for even deeper discounts.) For those of you who are not wine drinkers, Tom’s also has a great selection of craft beers.

Car Wash

Inside Tom’s Thumb Check things off your list at this all-in-one establishment.

Article Kathleen Blair | Photography Tom’s Thumb

I

don’t know about you, but I live in a world of lists. I list all the things to accomplish for the day and most of the time don’t get them all done. A recent discovery has dramatically increased my efficiency by helping me cross six items or more off my list in one stop: Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market. It’s a gas station, car wash, coffee bar, convenient store, gift shop, wine bar and BBQ restaurant all in one location. Once inside, you’ll find a large market stocked with a variety of choices.

Coffee Bar

The Coffee Bar serves locally roasted coffee specially blended just for them with Parisian filtered water that makes each sip delicious. They also offer fresh bakery items made inhouse by Pastry Chef Katie Sansone.

Unique Gifts

From antique items to industrial pieces, this “gas station” offers a unique shopping experience as well as unique goods such as locally made wood-framed signs, interior décor and eco-friendly eyewear.

They even carry Sicky sunglasses, the first store in Arizona to do so.

With everything from greeting cards to one-of-a-kind furniture, you’re bound to find that special something for any occasion.

18 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

It doesn’t get any better than this. The car wash has an old-fashioned feel with exceptional service. The entire crew is neat, clean, friendly and their uniforms are reminiscent of country club caddies. The quality and value merited their being voted the 2014 “Best Car Wash” by AZFoothills.com.

Stop in for a wonderful car wash or detailing service seven days a week.

Barbecue

The Barbecue and Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a wide variety of dishes, including soups, sandwiches and wraps. You may want to invite others to join you in sampling a few different entrees. That’s exactly what I did.

We started with the popular beef brisket sandwich, as brisket is a favorite of mine. It was delicious, lean and moist and I couldn’t believe the generous serving. (I now understand why both of Scottsdale finest police officers ordered them for their meal that day.) The pulled pork sandwich was flavorful, but the barbequed ribs were by far the best. In fact, Tom’s is a recent winner of the Sonoran Living BBQ Challenge.

What makes these dishes so good is that the pork, brisket and chicken entrees are rubbed with a special blend of spices and are smoked on-site nightly to perfection. But you can’t enjoy these wonderful dishes without topping them off with a wonderful barbeque sauce. In fact, they offer eight different sauces to choose from. The Low Country is a family recipe that is sweet, made with mustard, ketchup, bacon, onion and peppers. The North Carolina sauce has a vinegar apple cider base with red pepper flakes and is great on the pork. The Habanero sauce is sweet and “hot”! Use this only if you like hot sauce. The Chipotle sauce is a little sweet and smoky with a good balance of spicy and heat. The Kansas City sauce has a wonderful hickory flavor.

Whatever you are able to check of your list here, whether it be taking a meal home as a carry-out, dining in, stopping for gas or picking up a unique gift, you will have much to enjoy at this all-inone establishment that is named after the Tom’s Thumb Boulder, a rock formation in the McDowell Mountains.

Visit their website at TomsThumbFreshMarket.com for hours and daily specials.

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Your Neighbor

Robyn Barrett This working mom is making an impact on our community.

Article Becca Mulder | Photography Robyn Barrett

R

obyn Barrett is a Paradise Valley resident, business owner and mother of two who is impacting our community in many ways.

Originally a Phoenix native, Barrett has seen the landscape of the Valley’s business community f luctuate with the natural ebb and f low of the economy. As a managing member FSW Funding, an independently owned and operated factoring firm, she helps small to mid-sized business-to-business companies secure funding that may not otherwise be available. By giving them access to the capital needed to grow, she is helping to shape Arizona’s business community.

With a knack for numbers, Barrett took her grandfather’s old adage that, “the two things people cannot avoid are dying and paying taxes,” to heart 20 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

and chose a career in accounting. With a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, she embarked on what has been a 20year journey through the world of finance.

Her first official role in accounting was at Restaura, Inc. in Phoenix, a food contract management company [subsidiary of the Greyhound Corporation], where she was responsible for monthly close and analysis as well as external reporting of payroll information. Three years later, she left the company to take on larger-scale accounting pursuits at The Dial Corporation, the first of two Arizona-based public companies in her portfolio.

After six years at The Dial Corporation, Barrett ventured into the world of corporate finance at FINOVA Capital Corporation, a Phoenix-based, publicly traded commercial lender.

It was at FINOVA that Barrett was first exposed to the struggles many small and mid-sized companies experience when trying to secure funding. Over the course of five years, her talents for financial budgeting and forecasting, marketing analysis, customer relations, business development and financial negotiations were recognized with a series of promotions.

During her tenure at FINOVA, Barrett held numerous positions including: senior finance manager, senior marketing analyst, senior credit underwriter and vice president of marketing. After leaving FINOVA in 2000, she went on to serve as vice president of marketing

and business development at ZoomLot Corporation before taking her destiny into her own hands.

Barrett launched FSW Funding in 2001. With thirteen years experience factoring, she has the knowledge and know-how to help small businesses secure financing and be poised for success. In 2009 she began providing a $2,000 annual scholarship to an Arizona State University student who demonstrated a passion for entrepreneurship. This year she added an additional scholarship for the University of Southern California.

Away from the office Barrett leads her daughter’s Girl Scout troop where she is teaching the girls skills in leadership, business and building self-esteem.

“It is a lot of work but very rewarding” says Barrett. “My scouts are between 11 and 12 years old and are so eager to learn about how to help the community. We are currently working on our Silver Project and the girls have decided to create friendship boxes for underprivileged kids.

In our world of instant gratification and social media, it is nice to get the Scouts involved in community service that requires a hand on approach.”

Barrett resides in Paradise Valley with her husband, Eric Rinestone, and their two children, Sonia and Alan. Like many working moms, Robyn finds a ways to juggle it all.

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Healthy Lifestyle

Making our Kids Healthy and Happy Article Carrie Hudson | Photography Chef Silvia

I

n today’s world, it’s tough being a mom trying to get your kids and grandkids to eat REAL food, when fast food is so convenient. We have become a society that consumes food like a product, not like the life-giving source of real food that it is.

So what’s a mom to do? Get in the kitchen and start cooking from SCRATCH! Use real, wholesome ingredients that are organic and GMO-free when possible. Learn to cook in bulk so that the time you invest in the kitchen preparing healthy meals for your family can produce more than one meal. Cook enough for leftovers for another night that week when you don’t have time to cook, or freeze a meal for those nights when you need to be able to thaw something out in the fridge during the day and heat it up in the oven that night.

As a mom, I understand how addictive processed foods are, and I too struggle to get kids to want to eat “real food.” It’s all about making healthy food taste good. Here are two healthy versions of all time kid favorites, redone to promote health and nutrition, and a little something sweet for dessert. It may take time for their taste buds to readjust from fat, salt, and sugar to healthy food, but it will happen.

All recipes are from Chef Silvia, and you can find more out about this fabulous chef and her passion for healthy food at her website at ChefSilvia.com.

Mac ’n Cheese with Cashew Cream and Broccoli

Ingredients: • 1 lb. pasta (I like a mini penne so that the sauce isn’t overwhelmed with a big pasta) • 1 lb. broccoli - par-boiled so that it’s halfway done 22 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

• 1 cup frozen baby peas • 2 cups raw cashews • 2 cups water • 3 slices of sun-dried tomatoes - cut in a 1/4” dice • 1 fresh garlic clove - finely chopped • 1 pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat (optional) • 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast • 1/2 cup of panko for the crunchy topping • 7 slices of fresh tomato for garnish Instructions: • Make the cashew cream by first soaking the cashews in the water for about 20 minutes. Add nuts and water to the bowl of a food processor and puree until smooth • In the meantime, cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling/ salted water, but drain when still quite firm to the touch (you’ll cook it for about half the recommended cooking time on the package) • Place a large (at least 10”) sauté pan over medium heat, add the oil and heat until hot but not smoking • Add the garlic and pepper flakes and cook just until the garlic begins to color • Lower the heat to med/low, add the cashew cream and the nutritional yeast and stir to incorporate. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to reduce and thicken for a couple of minutes • Stir in the pasta and follow with the broccoli, peas and sundried tomatoes • Add the pasta and sauce to a baking dish

• Sprinkle liberally with panko and top with the tomato slices • Bake covered in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes; uncover and cook under the broiler for 2 minutes • Remove from the oven and serve Sweet Potato Fries with Panko, Parmesan, Garlic & Sage

These sweet potato fries are so good the potato lover in me may just become a convert, especially if they’re crispy and coated in gluten-free panko and an aromatic mix of parmesan, sage and garlic.

They’re so easy you can make them in minutes. Your kids, friends and family will adore you, and you can rest assured that you’ve given them a healthy snack or side dish.

Ingredients: (Based on 2 potatoes) Serves 2 people • 1/2 cup of gluten-free panko • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 4 or 5 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped • 1 Tablespoon olive oil • Sea salt and pepper to taste Instructions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees • Cut potatoes in half and then in 1/4-inch steak fry slices • Place in a large mixing bowl, add the oil and toss until all are well coated (add more if needed) • Season with salt and pepper and toss • Mix together the panko, parmesan, sage and garlic and place on a plate or leave on the cutting board • Dip each fry into the mixture on both sides. Press the mixture down with your hands to help it stick • Place fries in a single layer on a baking sheet that’s been lightly coated with olive oil or place a sheet of parchment paper on the tray and then layer • Bake for about 20 minutes or until cooked through

This recipe makes 2 dozen mini biscotti or 1 dozen large ones but can easily be doubled or tripled.

Ingredients: • 1 1/2 cups of almond meal • 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1 large egg • 3 oz. butter • 1 teaspoon almond extract • 1 cup slivered almonds • 1 cup dried cranberries • 1 teaspoon of orange zest (optional) Instructions: • Cream together butter and sugar • Add vanilla and egg • In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt • Add the dry to the wet ingredients and mix. If too sticky add a bit of white rice flour • Add the cranberries, nuts and orange zest • Roll into a log about 2” wide and 1” thick for the mini and 3” wide for the large –flatten the top and sides • Place on a lightly greased baking tray • Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes until golden • Remove from the oven. Cool for about 20 minutes and cut on the diagonal (about 1” wide) to make into individual biscotti • Place them back onto the baking tray (cut sides exposed) for an additional 10 minutes

Gluten-free Cranberry Almond Biscotti

I’ve experimented with making gluten-free biscotti over and over and it wasn’t until this recipe that I was satisfied with the results.

These are just the way biscotti are meant to be. Not too sweet, firm enough to dunk into your tea or coffee and not so hard that you’ll break a tooth eating one.

They’re surprisingly easy to make and can be varied by changing the extract, the nuts and the cranberries.

February 2014 | Paradise Valley Lifestyle 23

What's Cooking?

Easy-to-Make Italian Meals I

n an effort to squeeze in valuable time together, more families are zooming past the drive-thru and heading home to the table for simpler, satisfying and more wholesome dinners.

Busy schedules can make dinnertime a challenge for many families. With sports practices, dance rehearsals and after-school activities galore, many parents are doing well by just getting their little ones to the right place at the right time. These days, with so much time spent outside of the home, the time spent around the dinner table is priceless.

Bring everyone together with an Italian feast

With its savory blend of cheeses, sweet garlic and rich sauces, it’s hard to deny the delicious flavors of Italian cuisine. By combining a few simple, scrumptious elements, you’ll find it’s quite easy to bring the taste of Italy into your own home. Gather the family together with the many flavorful options available at your local grocery store, such as Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Foods, which offers prepared Italian meals boasting homemade flavor without the fuss.

Here are a few authentic Italian meal ideas to incorporate into your next weeknight routine, so you can deliver a dinner that satisfies every family member.

Serve up a salad

A crispy, crunchy salad is the perfect starter for an Italian meal and can be tossed together in a matter of minutes. For a simple take on salad, just combine fresh greens – such as chopped romaine hearts – thinly sliced red onions and croutons. To add more 24 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

flavor and texture, throw in fresh mozzarella, chopped radicchio, cherry tomatoes and pepperoncini. Don’t forget to finish with a generous splash of savory Italian dressing.

Fuss-free entrees

There’s nothing more comforting than a warm dish of flavorful pasta at the end of a long day. When such flavorful dishes can be created with the touch of a button, everyone wins. Serve up the delicious combination of vine-ripened tomatoes, sautéed onions, 100 percent semolina lasagna pasta, ground beef and premium cheeses in Michael Angelo’s Meat Lasagna. Or, try their Eggplant Parmesan, made with farm-fresh eggplant, imported olive oil, Italian spices and a blend of imported Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses.

Warm, garlic goodness

A plate of hearty, wholesome Italian food would not be complete without a side of fragrant, warm garlic bread. Heat up an easy, pre-made variety in the oven, or make your own by simply topping your favorite variety of sliced bread with butter, garlic, Parmesan cheese and oregano.

Fill your kitchen with ingredients and products that allow you to fix easy meals that bring the whole family together. They’re the perfect dinnertime solution for busy parents who want to serve a wholesome, better-for-you meal to their family, but don’t always have the time or skills to cook from scratch.

For more information and meal ideas, visit www.michaelangelos.com.

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Parent's Corner

Mealtime Satisfaction Article Casey Gibbons

I

t came on suddenly. Just ten days after my wedding, reality hit: My husband wanted to eat every day AND he thought I would be providing the food! Me. Not his mama. Not the school cafeteria. Not the fast food places. The non-cooking girl who was so busy doing other things that she never learned how to cook is supposed to provide meals. The flash of shock was soon sobered when I realized that I was hungry, too.

To add to the situation, we started having children before I truly conquered cooking so then I was dealing with not only what to make but also how to avoid chaos at the table. I had idealistic images in my mind of happy, thankful children gathered peacefully around the table while their parents shared life insights for 30 minutes. But all I saw in front of me were wriggly, talkative, complaining, fast-eating little people that made big messes and weren’t ready for meaningful conversation. This is not what I had envisioned with delicious meals and well-mannered children.

So, I decided to do what any sensible woman would do...I cried a lot then I chose to conquer this thing called mealtime. In my journey to fight hunger and attain happiness in the home, there are two chicken nuggets of insight I want to pass on for those who need them:

bread. Voila. These will carry you for five nights a week for two weeks. The other two nights a week are for pizza, dates or carryout. (And, of course, the ever-rewarding backup of “cereal night” is a lifesaver if you get in a pinch.)

Pick whatever your heart desires! Choose according to your family’s needs and time. Go online. Look at cooking books. Ask friends. Just focus on learning 10 main meals. Once you have this down, you are set. No need to think of 365 dinner plans. Just rotate 10. And when life changes and you are in another season with more time, you can add to your list. But for now, there is a set rotating plan with delicious food you made five nights a week.

What about breakfast, lunch and snacks? These are easier to figure out. You can rotate those every week. For instance, every Monday for us is oatmeal and boiled eggs for breakfast. Cream cheese/jam wraps are for lunch with carrots and ranch, chips and applesauce. And snack is a granola bar. The same goes on for the other days of the week. Breakfast, lunch and snack are the same on certain days every week while dinner rotates every two weeks.

After years of this plan, nobody has become bored and I can rest assured breakfast, lunch and dinner are covered!

1. Make a Simple Meal Plan with 10 Dinner Recipes. All you have to do is learn ten dinner meals to the best of your ability and use them over two weeks. Choose five categories and two meals for each category. For example, two meals that are American, two meals that are Italian, two meals that are Mexican, two meals that are crockpot, and two meals that are hearty soup/salad/

2. Make Mealtime a Priority. Mealtime is primetime! One of my favorite poems is by family activist Nancy Campbell that implores, “Where can you communicate while you eat? Where can you enjoy real fellowship sweet? Where can you laugh with friends who are neat? At the table…Where can your children learn to sit still? Acquire eating habits that won’t make them ill? Be taught

26 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

good manners of which some have nil? At the table…” All this and more unfolds at the table together.

Once mealtime was determined to be an integral part of my family, the manners and methods followed. If there is school, work or extra-curricular activities during dinner then we make plans for other meals such as lunch or breakfast together. At the very least, we look at the weekly calendar and find at least 3 mealtimes we are all together. It literally took our family a few years to conquer table time. But the optimistic side to that is while there isn’t perfection, we do enjoy meals now.

Yes, learning a simple meal plan and prioritizing dinner has warded off hunger and added happiness to the buffet of life in the Gibbons home. So if you crave the same in your house, just take it one bite, or rather, one night, at a time and soon you will be satisfied!

Casey celebrates family as she mothers five daughters and has a baby on the way! She and her husband, Scotty, have worked with young people from junior high to college for the past 20 years in ministry leadership. She invites you to share life with her at ReaLifeCasey.BlogSpot.com.

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Some practical things we do to bring peace around the plates are as follows: 1. Create a comfortable atmosphere with lighting, place settings, and music.

2. Wait to eat until all have joined the table then give genuine thanks for the food.

3. Have adults make their plates first then have the older kids make the younger kids’ plates.

4. Consider having a minute or two of the silent game so everyone can calm down and prepare to eat peacefully.

5. Set the first few minutes for the adults to chat and the kids to listen while they eat.

6. Train for manners but do not use meals to lecture or bring up conflict (that would make anyone sick!).

7. Ask meaningful conversation questions and have everyone listen to the answers.

8. Plan to have everyone stay at the table at least 20 minutes (although there are times I allow the toddler or baby to color or play so the rest can finish the meal).

9. Make sure the seats are comfortable for little ones. This helps cut back on the wriggles.

10. Have a dinner helper that gets up and down so mom doesn’t do all the work.

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February 2014 | Paradise Valley Lifestyle 27

Driver’s Notebook

A minor restyling gives the Jeep an upscale exterior.

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee Summit is a Plush Ride Jeep’s Grand Cherokee Summit is a Plush Ride Article and Photography Tom Strongman

J

eep is known for crafting go-anywhere, do-anything vehicles, but the 2014 Grand Cherokee Summit surprised me with a level of comfort and convenience that is equal to many top luxury sedans.

Soft leather, suede trim on the A pillars and items such as a heated steering wheel, heated front and back seats, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, panoramic sunroof and a large, 8.4-inch touchscreen display in the center of the dash are all standard on the Summit, the new top Grand Cherokee.

Polished aluminum 20-inch wheels and several tasteful bits of chrome trim complete the Summit’s visual package.

Mike Manley, Jeep brand CEO, says, “We have taken the industry’s most highly acclaimed SUV and elevated it to an even higher level.” Jeep’s goal was to make the Grand Cherokee a pleasure to drive on any and all roads, including the most demanding trails, in all weather conditions.

From my week with this Jeep, I would say that goal has been met with ease. The Summit was quiet and smooth, free from the kind of rough ride one might expect of a 28 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

vehicle that is known for its ability to conquer off-road obstacles as easily as it does a freeway on-ramp. The dark brown leather interior was both handsome and inviting.

The Grand Cherokee is available in Laredo, Limited, Overland and Summit models. Base prices start at $28,795 and range to $47,995 for two-wheel drive.

There are three engine choices: a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel, a 3.6-liter V-6 and the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that was in the test car.

While the V-8’s muscle is fun, the penalty is a fuel economy rating of 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway for four-wheel drive. The two-wheel-drive diesel, on the other hand, is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The four-wheel-drive 3.6-liter V-6 slots in between with a rating of 17 mpg city and 24 on the highway.

The transmission is an eight-speed automatic.

The diesel would be my first choice, although I have not driven one, but the extra cost is substantial. Car and Driver reports that that getting the diesel on a fourwheel-drive Summit adds $5,000 to the price. You have to drive a lot of miles for the fuel savings to justify the added cost.

Based on my experience with the Dodge Durango and a 2013 Grand Cherokee, I would pick the 3.6-liter V-6 as a good compromise between power and economy.

The Grand Cherokee has three fourwheel-drive systems, plus Quadra-Lift air suspension and a Selec-Terrain traction management system that lets the driver choose sand, mud, auto, rock and snow settings for the all-wheel drive.

The air suspension has five settings.

It can raise the vehicle 1.3 inches or 2.6 inches for added ground clearance during off-road driving. Park mode lowers the vehicle 1.6 inches, and aero mode lowers the vehicle 0.6 inches at highway speeds for better fuel economy.

Price: The base price of the test car was

$50,995. Options included the Hemi V-8, electronic limited-slip rear differential, anti-lock brakes, the 3.09 rear axle and the Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system.

The sticker price was $54,685.

Warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles, with

Point

I was impressed with the quality of the Grand Cherokee Summit’s interior. The dark brown leather was set off by wood and copper accents. The air suspension rides smoothly and gives the driver control over ground clearance for off-road driving.

Counterpoint

The thirsty Hemi is best left for those who need its towing power. The 3.6-liter V-6 is adequate for most conditions.

SPECIFICATIONS 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4X4 Engine: 5.7-liter, 360-horsepower V-8 Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Four-wheel drive Wheelbase: 114.8 inches Curb weight: 5,219 pounds Base price: $50,995 As driven: $54,685 MPG rating: 14 in the city, 20 on the highway

a 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Contact Tom Strongman at Tom@TomStrongman.com.

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Lifestyle Calendar

February Jan. 27-Feb. 2 Waste Management Phoenix Open Scottsdale

The Waste Management Phoenix Open takes place Jan. 27 through Feb. 2 at the beautiful Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale, 17020 N. Hayden Road. Find out why this tournament boasts the largest galleries in golf and has earned the nickname “The Greatest Show on Grass.” Call 602-870-0163 for details or visit WMPhoenixOpen.com.

End Celebration – dancing, entertainment and kids’ activities. For more activity details including the Hashknife Pony Express arrival and rodeo, visit ParadaDelSol.us.

Feb. 8-March 30 Arizona Renaissance Festival

Feb. 13-23 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show Scottsdale

The 59th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show runs Feb. 13-23, at WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road. Since 1955, the annual horse show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. It has grown from 50 horses to more than 2,000 horses, bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance to win.

Visit ScottsdaleShow.com for more event and ticket information.

Apache Junction

Escape to the Arizona Renaissance Festival where you can enjoy music, theater, comedy, food and drink, crafts, games and knights jousting. This Renaissance festival is one of the largest in the nation because it’s really five festivals rolled into one featuring 13 stages of live entertainment, an outdoor circus, a Medieval Arts & Crafts Fair, a Jousting Tournament, and a daylong feast. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine. No pets; free parking. For ticket info, go to RoyalFaires.com/Arizona.

Feb. 8 D-Backs Fan Fest Downtown Phoenix

The Arizona Diamondbacks fan appreciation day at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix is a free event with clinics, autograph and photo opportunities, ballpark tours and giveaways. Free admission. Head to Diamondbacks.MLB.com for more info.

Feb. 8 Parada del Sol Parade Scottsdale

Take part in a Scottsdale tradition on Saturday, Feb. 8, when the Parada del Sol Parade takes place along Scottsdale Road between Oak Street and Indian School Road. This “world’s largest horse-drawn parade” starts at 10 a.m. and features floats, horses, bands and tons of cowboy fun. More fun follows the parade in Old Town Scottsdale with the Trails 30 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

Feb. 14-21 Arizona Cocktail Week Various Locations

Valley residents and visitors from afar unite to celebrate Arizona’s cocktail culture. Nationally renowned mixologists will partner with Arizona’s homegrown talent to provide educational seminars, interactive tastings, cocktail competitions, pool parties and more.

Over 30 events will take place statewide.

Purchase an AZCW Wristband to partake in specials at bars, restaurants and lounges across the state. AZCocktailWeek.com

Feb. 15-22 Arizona Beer Week Various Locations

Get ready for over 250 craft beer events across the state. The Arizona Craft Brewing

scene is rapidly growing and the 4th annual Arizona Beer Week is poised to be the largest ever with beer tastings, festivals, beer dinners, craft beer ice cream tastings, special releases, brewery tours and much more. For more information on Arizona Craft Beer events and a map of Arizona Craft Breweries visit CraftBeerAZ.com.

Feb. 21-23 Fountain Hills Great Fair Fountain Hills

Now in its 27th year, this three-day juried art fair features nearly 500 artists and artisans from across the United States and around the globe and attracts 200,000+ visitors. Food booths, beer garden and seating areas abound throughout the venue, with great breakfast, lunch and rest stops situated at locations in the middle and at both ends of the festival area. Live musical entertainment.

Free admission. FountainHillsChamber.com

Feb. 22-23 Ceramics Studio Tour Phoenix

The annual Self-Guided 13th Annual Ceramics Studio Tour presents the work of more than 50 professional ceramic artists in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The tour offers the public a rare opportunity to view working and living spaces of participating artists and view demonstrations of wheel throwing, hand-building and glazing techniques. Participating artists have a wide range of artwork on exhibit and for sale. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. Free. For a printable tour map, go to ASUArtMuseum.ASU.edu/StudioTour.

Feb. 26 “All Things Senior” Expo & Tradeshow Scottsdale

Mark your calendar for Scottsdale Senior Services' All Things Senior Expo & Tradeshow, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. This free event will feature more than 100 exhibitors providing information about healthcare, senior housing, recreation and fitness opportunities, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, transportation and much more. Scottsdale Healthcare will provide free health screenings. For more information, visit ScottsdaleAZ.Gov/Seniors/SeniorExpo.

Feb. 27-March 3 Fiesta Cluster Dog Show Scottsdale

Experience the Southwest's greatest dog show on grass featuring thousands of dogs from all over the country. Watch top show dogs compete for top honors at the All Breed Dog Show and Agility Trial at WestWorld in Scottsdale, put on by the Superstition Kennel Club and Scottsdale Dog Fanciers Association. FiestaCluster.com

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February 2014 | Paradise Valley Lifestyle 31

Now Expanding to Include

Women’s Designer Labels, Accessories & More!

25% OFF Jewelry* *Must present ad at time of purchase. One coupon per household, per visit. Discount valid on current ticket price. Offer is not valid with any other coupons, sale promotion or negotiated markdown. No adjustments prior to purchases. Expires 2/28/14.

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32 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

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Bonner David Art Galleries (480) 941-8500 bonnerdavid.com Home Video Studio (480) 584-4883 Homeviseostudio.com

Automotive

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Fashion & Accessories DAVINCI LUXE (480) 474-4973

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Home Services Closet Masters (602) 909-7327 closetmasters.net

Maids to Order Of Maricopa County, AZ (480) 607-3330 maidstoorder.com Premier Paradise Inc (602) 320-7057 premierparadise.net

Medical Clinics & Facilities

Adam & Eve Med Spa/ Sonder Corp (602) 283-2061 adamandevemedicalaesthetics.com

Restaurants, Food & Beverage Kitchen 56 (480) 994-5656 kitchen56.com

The Cove Trattoria (480) 951-8273 thecovescottsdale.com Tom's Thumb (480) 513-8186 tomsthumbfreshmarket.com

Salons & Spas

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Specialty Shops Do Me A Favor (602) 200-0190 favorfinegifts.com

In the Pink (602) 957-7270 Inthepinkboutique.com Ritzy Rags and Shoes (480) 596-0536 ritzyragandshoes.com Scottsdale Jean Company (480) 905-9300 scottsdalejc.com The Green Goddess (602) 971-8110 greengoddess.com

February 2014 | Paradise Valley Lifestyle 33

Parting Thoughts

Lessons Learned at the Table Words Hona Amer

A

s I walk through the rows of vendors, I can’t help but breathe in the fresh smell of the farmer’s market. There are tables lined with rows and rows of vegetables in every color that you could imagine. The long stem carrots catch my attention. I imagine the stems sticking out of the ground and someone pulling them up with care. As I talk with farmer after farmer, they proudly share their process for growing the best vegetables. In their voice, I hear a passion for what they do. And as I decide between purchasing radishes, cucumbers and turnips, there is a gentle reminder that fresh food is real food. Too often, we settle for convenient food, while missing out on the nutrition that our bodies really need.

If food is fuel for our bodies, then it matters what we eat. As the vegetables are cut and prepared for a big pot of soup, I am reminded that good things don’t always happen instantaneously. It seems like it takes a lot of work to prepare one meal, but usually the best soups sit on the stove for hours. The lessons that we can learn are plentiful through the process of preparing fresh food. We can’t expect to perform at our optimum when we are always trading time in the kitchen for processed food prepared in five minutes as we zoom through a drive-thru. As we speed to our next meeting, we can forget that even the simple act of chewing our food can be beneficial to our health. In our effort to be more efficient, maybe we have lost something more than fresh food prepared for our nourishment. We need to wander back to the kitchen, where food and community go hand in hand.

In the same way we nourish our bodies, we need to nourish our minds, hearts and souls.

For some, sitting around a table sharing food has no memory attached to it. Others remember times of laughter and stories shared at a table where time grew dim and the present moment lingered.

34 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | February 2014

Maybe it’s time to make more memories sitting around a table enjoying the people we love most. Can the table be more than a place where people are always coming and going but never connecting?

Can it be a place where generations bridge the gap between the past, present and future? As food is set on the table, I want to see the smiles and hear the laughter of friends and family living in the present moment. The food isn’t the only thing that renews our strength. Conversation can be nourishing to our minds. Friends can bring joy to our hearts, and laughter can uplift our souls.

Whether it is your family, a community group or a small group from church, finding moments to share food and tell stories changes our relationship with the table. It becomes more than just a piece of furniture in our homes. It becomes a simple retreat from the worries of the day, where the combination of food and fellowship nourishes our lives. So, as we set the table for another meal, pull up a chair; there’s always room for one more.

Hona Amer is the author of the book, Smart Work U, a book that focuses on helping prospective college students achieve the most from their college experience, in the most cost effective manner.

She received her M.B.A. from Missouri State University. Hona Amer is an adjunct professor at Evangel University. She is the founder of The H Group, a creative marketing company. Her weekly inspirational message, Monday Morning Coffee with Hona, can be found at LiveOutLife.com.

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