ROC, NY April 2025 by City Lifestyle

Welcome to ROC City Lifestyle!

Dear Readers,

It is with great excitement—and a deep love for our community—that I bring this magazine to life. My “why” is simple: to provide an outlet for connection, for relaxed learning, for experiencing beauty visually and in words, in a tangible way.

Life moves fast, and our world can feel chaotic. If I felt pulled by my internal compass to unplug, slow down, and truly engage with the people and places around me, then perhaps you do too. As a lifelong Rochester resident, I chose to leave a long corporate career to invest in my city, creating a publication that reflects the rich stories, inspiring people, and vibrant culture that make the Greater Rochester area so special.

Our cover depicts the contrast in our coverage area, which stretches from the city streets of Rochester to the villages, forests and meadows of surrounding suburbs. With that in mind, Rochester-born Artist Kurt Ketchum collaged his photograph of a Rochester landmark, the Frederick Douglass/ Susan B. Anthony bridge, with elements of the natural world designing a cover that conveys the vibrance he finds in nature contrasted with the hard lines and textures of downtown.

ROC City Lifestyle is here to celebrate the journeys of those shaping our city and suburbs—entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, and everyday people making a difference. Rochester is a place steeped in history yet full of new beginnings, and this magazine reflects that spirit. In this inaugural issue, you’ll read about others who are investing in our communities, as well as the ways they are investing in themselves.

With deep gratitude I thank the magazine’s Founding Partners who are committed to the greater Rochester community and have invested in bringing the vision and mission of ROC City Lifestyle to fruition.

Whether you’ve called Rochester home for decades or are new to the area, ROC City Lifestyle is here to be your community hub—a space where inspiration, discovery, and connection come together. So grab a cozy seat, pour your favorite drink, carve out a little “you” time, and enjoy.

On behalf of myself and my partner in this endeavor, Laura Bennett, we thank you for being part of this journey. We’re so glad you’re here.

With gratitude,

April 2025

PUBLISHER

Betty Dolce | Betty.Dolce@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Laura Bennett | laura.bennett@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Mary Stone | mary.stone@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITER

Mary Stone | mary.stone@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kurt Ketchum, Mylee Dondiz

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

COO Matthew Perry

CRO Jamie Pentz

CTO Ajay Krishnan

VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson

VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

BETTY DOLCE, PUBLISHER @ROCCITYLIFESTYLE

Personal Medicine of Rochester’s physicians are dedicated to serving patients with a high standard of care and all the attention you deserve.

Benefits you can count on for an affordable membership fee.

• See a physician at each visit and never feel rushed.

• Same day or next day appointments.

• Urgent need after hours? Contact your doctor directly.

• Comprehensive annual health screenings that surpass standard checkups.

• Personalized wellness plan with the resources you need to achieve your goals.

city scene

AND BE SEEN

1: Senator Jeremy Cooney, Project Volunteer Kate Beale Maguire, Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle and Councilmember Christine Corrado cut the ribbon to bridge a dangerous gap of missing sidewalk on East Ave. Over four years, a small group of Allen Creek Elementary parents helped coordinate the project with funds totaling $750,000 from the New York State Department of Transportation. 5: Amy Olds and Olivia Brower 6: Melissa Mueller-Douglas, Cassandra Rich, Bridget Martin and Jennifer Gallo 7: Suzanne Piotrowski and Mary Whittier Girl Power Networking Event at Flight Wine Bar

business monthly

Roc Refresh Medical

Dr. Coia and Dr. Corey are board-certified emergency medicine physicians with a deep understanding of medical science and anatomy and over 10 years of medical experience each. Together, they formed Roc Refresh Medical at 1545 East Ave., Rochester. Their team offers Botox, Dysport and Jeuveau, in addition to hyaluronic acid fillers, laser skin resurfacing, tightening, photo facial services and laser hair removal.

Brian Blaustein, BlueMark Advisors

Brian Blaustein at BlueMark Advisors in Brighton focuses his practice on helping individuals, business owners and professionals connect with the best insurance and investment options available. His approach is to do a deep dive to determine what is most important to clients and then to craft a financial strategy around their needs.

Prive at the Metropolitan

A spectacular and unique space for an intimate celebration or overnight stay is downtown at 1 S. Clinton Avenue. It's a luxurious setting with amenities and stunning views. Enjoy a sleek design aesthetic and quality finishes as you view Rochester from an elevated perspective.

WE MAKE RETIREMENT WORK™

Some people view retirement as a destination. But at The Mayeu Financial Group, we see it as a new beginning. Retirement might represent a shift in lifestyle but it doesn’t mean your financial life retires. It requires a new focus and a new purpose. The Mayeu Financial Group offers our clients approaching and in retirement a distinct perspective and a unique approach. We are financial professionals, bringing a holistic, strategic vision to your retirement plan.

THESE INVESTMENT BOOKS CAN HELP YOU STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THE LATEST FINANCIAL TRENDS

ARTICLE BY SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIMON AND SCHUSTER

Investing in your future is critical yet complicated. While reaching out to qualified professionals is vital—whether you’re building your business, investing in your financial security, or planning for retirement—doing some of your own research is often helpful.

We checked out some of the top investment books that help you better understand how to invest in your future and build wealth.

1 2 BEST INVESTMENT BOOKS TO READ

ONE UP ON WALL STREET

One Up On Wall Street: How to Use What You Already Know to Make Money in the Market by Peter Lynch with John Rothchild. Peter Lynch explains average investors’ advantages over professionals and how they can use these advantages to achieve financial success.

HOW TO INVEST

How to Invest: Navigating the Brave New World of Personal Investment, part of Economist Books, by Peter Stanyer, Masood Javaid, and Stephe Satchell. A dynamic new guide to personal investment for the era of cryptocurrencies and personal trading platforms.

POWER YOUR PROFITS

Power Your Profits: How to Take Your Business from $10,000 to $10,000,000 by Susie Carder. While not a traditional book on investments, Power Your Profits helps you discover how to take your business from startup mode to the multi-million-dollar mark.

THE WEALTH DECISION

The Wealth Decision: 10 Simple Steps to Achieve Financial Freedom and Build Generational Wealth by Dominique Broadway. A roadmap for becoming a millionaire and building the foundation of generational wealth from a self-made, first-generation multimillionaire.

THE WOLF OF INVESTING

The Wolf of Investing: My Insider’s Playbook for Making a Fortune on Wall Street by Jordan Belfort. From the investment guru and author of The Wolf of Wall Street, this is a witty and clear-eyed guide for anyone who wants to play the stock market to their advantage and learn the secrets of a top Wall Street investor.

HOW TO INVEST

How to Invest: Masters on the Craft by David M. Rubenstein. This book is a master class on investing, featuring conversations with the biggest names in finance. Brought to you by the legendary cofounder of The Carlyle Group, David M. Rubenstein.

ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL

KEY SECRETS FOR A SPARKLING HOME

A SPRING KIND OF CLEAN

TIP #1 Freshen up the Kitchen

A fresh, clean kitchen impacts the entire home. To freshen up the sink, Kim says, “Run hot water while pouring in equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar through the disposal. Follow with a few drops of blue Dawn Dishwashing soap to cut away any grease buildup. Sharpen the disposal blades by running cooler water and ice through it. For a fresh smell, grind a few slices of lemon, lime or orange, removing any seeds first.”

To clean everything else in the kitchen, including counters and stainless-steel appliances, use a microfiber cloth and a solution of 2-3 drops of Dawn mixed with water.

TIP #2 Spruce up the Living Room

The living room also deserves special attention. Kim says, “Start by pulling furniture away from the walls, vacuuming and dusting behind it. Make sure you dust air vents as well. Then, pull all of the furniture cushions off to vacuum underneath and in crevices. It’s always good to rotate and fluff cushions too.”

To banish dust from your furniture, Kim suggests using a good microfiber cloth that is slightly damp instead of furniture polish, which can leave a build-up on furniture that actually attracts dust.

TIP #3 Brighten up Windows

Brighten up your whole home by intentionally focusing on the windows. “Homeowners often forget about the inside of the window,” says Kim. “They dust the blinds or the shutters, but when the blinds are pulled up, the windows often have dust or a film on them.” Kim suggests cleaning the inside of the windows on a cloudy day to reduce streaks. “A good glass cleaner with a microfiber cloth works really well. If you still have streaks, try using a little bit of rubbing alcohol.”

ARTICLE BY MARY STONE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAYEU FINANCIAL GROUP

“We thrive by creating memorable experiences for each client.”

Mayeu Financial Group team

Investing in People

Understanding the value of a dollar helped build their company and connect with their community

Brian J. Mayeu has been dedicated to investing since he was a student at St. John Fisher University, where he decided to become a financial planner. That was nearly 25 years ago. Brian remembers how those first five years were the hardest.

A high percentage of new financial advisors fail or leave the field within their first three to five years, industry surveys show. Building a client base is a longterm time investment. “I looked young; I was young,” Brian remembers. “For me, getting credentialed early was going to be the differentiator." He did it at an unrivaled pace. “I asked, ‘How do I provide a high level of service, have the intellectual capacity and the designations to prove it to really get us going?’”

Today, Pittsford-based Mayeu Financial Group has 11 employees and Brian was recognized by Forbes for the past three years as “Best in State Financial Advisor” and “Top Financial Securities Professional.”

“When we get folks who are closer to retirement, they appreciate what we do, and recognize the benefits of our processes,” Brian says. “We thrive by creating memorable experiences for each client. This has been a game changer over the years, leading to longterm relationships and building our business with client referrals.”

In 2015, Brian and his wife, Dana Mayeu, who also serves as the company’s CFO, launched a food drive, matching a turkey for food every client donated. The first year, they fed 15 families, doubling to 30 families the next year. By 2019, Dana told her husband, “We can do more.”

The couple launched The Bountiful Table Inc., a non-profit that now raises $20,000 to $30,000 a year for local food pantries, feeding thousands of families.

Brian says this was part of his dream when he started 25 years ago. “I knew there was going to be rewards in the end if I did good work, and took care of people.”

Brian John Mayeu, President and Dana Mayeu, Chief Financial Officer

INFRARED SAUNA THERAPY REDUCES INFLAMMATION AND OXIDATIVE STRESS

Skin Deep

ARTICLE BY MARY STONE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MYLEE DONDIZ, MARGARITA MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY

Spa Owner Sarah Rizzo

Infrared saunas strengthen immunity and lower inflammation

Sarah Rizzo Skin Spa & Boutique

At Sarah Rizzo Skin Spa & Boutique, saunas offer clients the greatest return on their investment because of the disease-preventing, long-term benefits and immediate results.

Long-term, sauna use is shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which reduces cardiovascular disease, cancer and even degenerative diseases such as dementia, states Dr. Melissa Young, at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine.

Oxidative stress, from environmental toxins, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, occurs when there are too many free radicals in the body and too few antioxidants to neutralize them. Over time, the imbalance leads to cell damage, inflammation and disease.

Within minutes of sitting in an infrared sauna though, blood vessels widen and blood flow increases. The body’s heart rate increases. “What’s happening mimics exercise when you think of the physiology,” Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Young explains. “There’s a benefit to that.” The physical response to an infrared sauna session is the equivalent of walking at a moderate pace, which the Cleveland Clinic describes as increasing heart rate by 50% to 60% than its rate when at rest.

Infrared saunas use infrared light, which heats the body's tissues without significantly heating the surrounding air. Traditional Finnish saunas, by contrast, heat the air using a stove or electric heater and are considerably hotter than modern infrared saunas that operate between 120°F to 140°F. Without the stifling humidity of traditional saunas, users can tolerate infrared saunas longer while heat penetrates the skin more deeply, explains Spa Owner Sarah Rizzo.

At Sarah Rizzo Skin Spa & Boutique, she says, clients in their seventies and eighties use the sauna for sore joints; some clients use the sauna post-work out for muscle recovery. Clients use it to treat seasonal affective disorder and improve sleep. Others are there for skin issues, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema.

There is a powerful effect on the immune system, Sarah points out. Because infrared heat raises the body's core temperature, it induces an artificial fever, which is the body's immune response to neutralize bacterial or viral infections. With regular use, infrared heat activates and strengthens the immune system as it increases core body temperature and activates heat shock proteins, explains Dr. Will Cole, a Pennsylvaniabased functional medicine expert. These benefits can help fight off infections like COVID-19, he states.

But people also feel an improvement in mental health, mental clarity and their immune system, she says. “You’re getting your blood flowing; you’re getting your heart rate up,” Sarah says.

“We’re not reinventing the wheel, but I think in today’s society, where people are so quick to grab a pill, let’s allow our body to heal itself from within with these modern saunas,” Sarah says. “If we focus on maintaining good health, instead of waiting for a problem to happen, we use these preventative ways to keep our bodies going strong and long.”

By investing in sauna service, she says, clients are maximizing the effectiveness of other services. In addition to infrared sauna therapy, Sarah Rizzo Skin Spa & Boutique offers facials, massage therapy, body treatments, scrubs and wraps. Massage, she says, is more effective after the sauna when muscles are loosened. Scrubs, wraps and facials too penetrate better after the sauna.

INVEST IN YOUR GREENS

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

JANIE JONES

Boost your health by adding a generous serving of fresh greens to your daily diet. While both cooked and raw vegetables offer health benefits, consuming them raw often provides the most nutrients. Raw greens are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins, helping to lower inflammation and reduce the risk of disease.

DANDELION GREENS:

Dandelion greens are a nutritious and easy addition to any meal, perfect for salads or cooked dishes. They are rich in vitamins A, C, K, chlorophyll, and fiber, making them a great choice for digestion and overall health. Their light flavor and texture enhance salads and sandwiches.

BROCCOLI:

Broccoli is often hailed as a nutritional powerhouse, packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals that support overall health. Known for being high in vitamins A, C, and K, it also contains important minerals like potassium, iron, and calcium. In addition, it’s a rich source of beta-carotene, flavonoids, and fiber. Whether raw or cooked, broccoli is an excellent choice for immune system support, making it one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables available.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS:

Brussels sprouts are a highly nutritious cruciferous vegetable, known for their vitamin C, K, and folate content, as well as carotenoids and fiber. These vegetables can be shaved, sliced, sautéed, boiled, or grilled, offering a range of flavors from mild to bitter, depending on preparation.

KALE:

Kale is loaded with essential nutrients such as vitamins C, B6, E, K, and manganese. It contains twice as much selenium as spinach and is an excellent source of calcium. Kale’s unique properties help bind to cholesterol and lower oxalate levels, which promotes calcium absorption and makes it suitable for those prone to kidney stones. Additionally, it provides eye health benefits, thanks to lutein, and its disease-fighting properties make it a great addition to salads, smoothies, and more.

ARTICHOKES:

Artichokes are not only delicious but also packed with fiber, which aids in digestion. They are a great source of plant protein, potassium, and antioxidants like polyphenols. Artichokes also provide essential nutrients, including vitamins C, K, folate, magnesium, and B vitamins.

ASPARAGUS:

Asparagus is versatile and can be enjoyed grilled, sautéed, baked, or even raw. Packed with vitamins C, E, B, K, folate, and copper, it’s a great source of fiber. It also helps lower cholesterol and provides a variety of antioxidants that aid in healing. Asparagus is a perfect side dish that complements both light and robustly flavored meals.

SPINACH:

Spinach is a popular green known for its mild flavor and impressive nutritional profile. Rich in vitamins A, C, K, as well as magnesium, potassium, and iron, spinach is great for overall health. It also provides antioxidants that support eye health and includes calcium for stronger bones. However, because spinach has a higher oxalate content, it should be consumed in moderation by those with a history of kidney stones.

FAMILY TIME is the Best Investment

These simple, yet intentional ideas can make the best memories.

EAT DINNER TOGETHER AS A FAMILY.

This meaningful time around the table is where connections happen. Let everyone share good moments from the day or something they struggled with. Create a jar of conversation starters, exchange giggles and cook up something delicious.

CREATE SURPRISES

Everyone likes to feel special – and surprised. The littlest things make the biggest impact: A backyard picnic; a sleepover in an indoor fort; an afterschool ice cream treat; a bathroom spa day.

CREATE FAMILY TRADITIONS

Build weekly or monthly traditions – movie nights with popcorn, board game marathons, a gratitude jar, evening bike rides, living room

dance parties, even a family book club to discover old favorites and new reads.

EXPRESS LOVE AND GRATITUDE

In busy seasons, it’s easy to forget to let a loved one feel appreciated and thought of. Tuck a hand-written note in a lunch box or give an unexpected hug; spend time sharing what you’re thankful for about them.

KEEP GENERATIONS LINKED

Consider Sunday meals with grandparents or weekly phone calls if distance separates. Invite them to share their childhood stories and treasured memories. Start a yearly family scrapbook filled with favorite photographs and vacation souvenirs.

ARTICLE BY KRISTY BELLEY

The drink that makes you look forward to TAX DAY

INCOME TAX cocktail

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Dry Vermouth

• ¾ oz. Sweet Vermouth

• ¾ oz. Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

• 2 Dashes Angastura Bitters

• Orange Twist

• Glass Type: Coupe

DIRECTIONS:

1. Squeeze your OJ.

2. Add everything to your shaker with ice.

3. Shake.

4. Pour into your coupe.

5. Twist your orange peel again, like you did last summer.

6. Garnish.

7. Enjoy being done with taxes.

8. And a good cocktail.

The Income Tax Cocktail likely popped up during the Prohibition party scene of the 1920s. Its exact origin story remains a bit blurry, but it was definitely a hit in speakeasies. The name? Well, it's like a cheeky nod to the idea that sipping on this cocktail might be more fun than paying actual taxes! Made with gin, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and a dash of bitters, it's like a boozy adventure for your taste buds, with hints of citrus and herbs. Despite its vintage roots, the Income Tax Cocktail still brings the party vibes, transporting you back to the roaring '20s.

Hidden Gems

By applying computer-automated design to family heirlooms, The Gem Lab on West Henrietta Road can extend the reach of customers’ most treasured family jewelry for family members across generations.

Two daughters and their mother can design matching chevron rings inlaid with a combination of family birthstones they make a memory out of choosing together. To hold a loved one close, siblings or cousins can co-design matching pendants with their grandmothers' diamonds and by doing so, carry a connection to her–and each other–on them.

In this way, family members create a uniform design together and wear it. The experience and the jewelry unites them, infusing their jewelry with layers of meaning using the stones and settings their loved ones wore. The Gem Lab’s family owners say it’s a fulfilling creative process that is a little like collaging moments, eras, personalities and styles.

Customers can spend anywhere from one hour to three or four, one-hour appointments with Amy DeLooze, the founder's granddaughter, who specializes in designing jewelry in CAD, using modern technology on pieces dating back a century or more. She’s been at the Gem Lab for 15 years and this summer expects to welcome her 13-year-old son to start learning the family business–just like his Uncle Paul did when he was 13.

ARTICLE BY MARY STONE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE GEM LAB

“It’s a creative outlet to be able to make people’s visions a reality,” Amy says. "It’s exciting to work with customers every day. You get to be in these experiences with people, but being able to grow with the times. When (Paul) started, everything was waxes and handmade, and it’s completely changed now.”

Amy’s mother Lori DeMay became vice president of The Gem Lab in 2018. She joined the company in 2000, running payroll, customer communications and buying. She and her brother, Paul Cassarino, were two of four siblings to enter the family business, which started in 1958 in the Sibley Tower downtown. Their mom Shirley handled the bookeeping for the first 40 years of the business.

“When I was 13, I wasn’t too excited about (work) because I wanted to be playing with my friends, but when I was 14 and 15 and working at the bench, learning how to make and repair jewelry, doing something with my hands was very gratifying,” Paul remembers. “Taking a raw piece of metal and turning it into a piece of jewelry was very

The Gem Lab reinvents precious family heirlooms for generations to come

Blue topaz pendant with His/Her wedding bands

appealing to me. One of the first things my father had me do was take a piece of silver and hammer it and make a pendant for my mother to wear. We still have it.”

Paul and Lori have fond memories. Paul remembers his grandmother softly putting her hands on his shoulders while he worked at the bench. When she returned later that week, the professional seamstress made him a jeweler’s smock that fit him to a T. She was measuring him when she put her hands on his shoulders (without a tape!), and he didn’t realize it until he put the jacket on. He gets choked up telling the story. Lori reassures him as he does.

“I wouldn’t think of doing this without her,” Paul says of his sister Lori. “We couldn’t do it without her,” Lori says of her daughter Amy.

The Cassarino family and the families they serve express their creativity and preserve the stones their loved ones held dear, Amy says. In multiple ways, The Gem Lab makes dearer what customers already hold dearest.

JOSEPH CASSARINO’S STORY

The Cassarino family has been restoring, repairing and designing jewelry to one degree or another since Paul and Lori’s father, Joseph, was a teenager at Benjamin Franklin High School in the 1940s.

“Dad had his own business. He would go around to the local jewelry stores and get their repairs,” Gem Lab President Paul Cassarino says. “He would have these little coin envelopes with jewelry and instructions, and he carried a leather briefcase with him that was by his side 24/7. He never let go of that briefcase. He had one trusted friend in high school. During gym class, he would hold the bag. Other than that my dad always had it.”

After school, Joseph would take his briefcase to nearby jewelry stores, dropping off the repairs he did the night before and collecting new repairs to be done.

“My father couldn’t believe when he was young in this business and putting a shingle on the wall (his gemology degree from Great Britain) that someone would walk up and hand him their most precious and many times the most valuable thing they own,” Paul says. “In the 1940s, 50s and 60s, people didn’t have cars worth tens of thousands of dollars. Only their home was worth more than the family jewels.”

Heart pendant with Grandmother’s engagement ring

Diamond wedding set 25th anniversary re-design

In the 1960s, other jewelry stores had only finished jewelry. Because Joseph refused to borrow money to run his new business, he could only afford unfinished jewelry. When customers went with stones looking for a jeweler to create a piece for them, they often only found finished products in jewelers' cases. “Because he refused to go into debt to buy gemstones, he bought just blank rings. He brought in the customers who wanted to fill those rings with Grandma’s diamonds,” Paul says. Joseph's financial limitation became a niche he filled in the community. The majority of Gem Lab's work is customization and restoration.

“The demand for jewelry increased during the 20th century as the buying power of the public increased. (Manufacturers) had to get greater and greater quantities, so the designs had to be simple in order to be mass produced. We specialize in working one-on-one with the customer making our pieces one at a time. We do not produce multiples for anything.” --Paul Cassarino, president, The Gem Lab

An inherited 19th-century filigree diamond and sapphire ring restoration

events

APRIL 1ST

City Arts Center’s Studio 678 Photo Club

The Eastman House, 900 East Ave., Rochester Student artists present their creative works at The George Eastman Museum's new Gallery Obscura space. Flower City Arts Center’s Studio 678 Photo Club, a 25-week after-school program in the Rochester City School District, is sharing photographs and texts inspired by the students’ vision of the world around them. Their show runs from March 3 through June 16.

APRIL 8TH

"Funny Girl"

Rochester Broadway Theatre League, 885 E Main St., Rochester

The Broadway revival “Funny Girl” is opens this month, featuring classic songs such as “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star” and “People.” It's a bittersweet comedy about Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreams of a life on the stage. The show runs from April 8 through April 13.

APRIL 27TH

Brighton Farmer's Market

Brighton High School, 1150 Winton Road S., Rochester

The Brighton Market's summer season starts, returning to the Brighton High School parking lot every Sunday. All farmers live less than 50 miles away, which means fewer fossil fuels are burned transporting food to consumers. Fruits and vegetables are often picked within hours of their arrival. The market is open April 27 through November 16.

realty report

ARTICLE BY MARY STONE

Atomic Habits

CONSISTENT AND EASY STEPS TO DRAMATICALLY REDUCE INDOOR TOXINS

Daily purchases and habits, long-term, have an impact on our toxic burden and our susceptibility to illness. Here are a few key lifestyle adjustments with a high return on investment.

Limit Bottled Water

A liter of bottled water includes approximately 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported in 2024.

Avoid Microwaving Plastic

Under extreme heat, plastic leaches harmful chemicals into food.

Download www.ewg.org/apps to screen products before you buy. Use your phone to scan product barcodes at the store to spot harmful ingredients before bringing them home.

Remove Shoes

Shoes drag inside millions of bacteria, including E. coli. Germs can live on floors for days or longer. Pesticides, dust containing lead and other heavy metals add to the mix.

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