SASSY Magazine Dec16 & Jan17

DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017

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Spread

Cheer throughout the Year

How to Have a

(relatively) Stress-Free Holiday Season

Are You Just Tired or Could it be Your Thyroid?

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DECEMBER & JANUARY

/ contents

EVERY MONTH 4 From The Publisher 5 Contributors & Testimonials SASS FACTORY: STUFF WE LOVE 6 Sassy Time SASSY Recipe 8 Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball Book Review 26 How To Be Alive: A Guide To The Kind Of Happiness That Helps The World By Colin Bevan

Reviewed By: Kim Cashman

LIFE 10 Classic Christmas Traditions To Keep

By: Andrew Skipper

12 Let The Lights Of The Season Burn Bright Not Burn You Out

By: Christina Clark

14 What IKEA Reveals About Your Home & Marriage

By: Kathryn Streeter

18 How To Have A (Relatively) Stress-Free Holiday Season

By: Alyssa Chirco

HEALTH 16 Take Your Fitness To A Higher Level This Winter

By: Sue LeBreton

20 Are You Just Tired Or Could It Be Your Thyroid?

By: Sue LeBreton

BALANCE 24 Spread The Cheer Throughout The Year

By: Pam Molnar

WORK 28 Simple Ways To Boost Education & Keep Learning Everyday

By: Allison Boelcke Smith

SCENE AND BE SEEN 30 2016 Glitz & Sass Holiday Fashion Show

ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHY:

Amy J Studios MAKEUP:

Bethza Professional Makeup Studio Outfit:

White House Black Market

Featuring our 2016 SASSY Magazine’s “Woman to Watch!”

Fan Favorite!

redgina Hill

Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Bethel College

SASSY

from the publisher President & Publisher: Sue Heinrich

Sue@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

C

an you believe it’s December already? It’s true what they say that the older one gets, the faster time flies. But I am blaming it on the weather. The fall has been so mild that it just doesn’t feel like it could be this close to winter. And yet, Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas isn’t far away.

I always enjoyed this time of year. The leaves are finally down and raked. I don’t mind the usual snow and cold weather at the beginning of winter. It’s refreshing, cleansing in a way as it gets rid of the pollen in the air and covers the barren landscape with a lovely white blanket. Of course, we haven’t seen that yet, but it will come; it always does. I have been seeing cars on the road with trees tied to the tops. Christmas carols have replaced political campaigns on the radio and the shopping madness officially begun with Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Holiday light displays are popping up on houses everywhere. Of course, the decorations have been in stores since before Halloween, but that’s another story. The holidays have arrived!

The other thing that is hard for me to believe is that it has been almost a year since I bought the magazines. This is the final issue of the year and it has certainly been a memorable one. The learning curve has been steep at times and I have learned some difficult lessons but we have had successes as well. The Glitz & Sass Holiday Fashion Show last month was a lot of fun and went very well. Many thanks are due to everyone who attended and helped out. (There are pictures in this issue in Scene and Be Seen.) I have a great team and we are looking forward to bigger and better things in 2017.

In this issue of SASSY you will find some stories for the season including one about classic Christmas traditions and two others about reducing the stress of the holiday season and not letting it burn you out. Continuing with the health idea, there is an article about thyroid issues. And, to help you with your New Year’s resolutions, there is a story about rock climbing for fitness and one about spreading the cheer throughout the year. I hope you enjoy the magazine!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very happy holiday season.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanza, I hope you have an enjoyable holiday with family and friends. Since this is a combined December/January issue, let me also wish you a happy and healthy New Year.

MANAGING Editor: Jessica Haviland

Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

AD COORDINATOR & INSIDE SALES MANAGER Amanda Oiler Amanda@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud

Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

EVENT COORDINATOR Denise M. Longley

denise@michianafamilymagazine.com

MEDICAL EDITOR: Dr. Jesse Hsieh Distribution Manager: Chad Haviland

SASSY Magazine is a division of Michiana Family Publishing, LLC established in 2006. All rights reserved.

We would love to hear from you! Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com The FAMILY Magazines P.O. Box 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 269.228.8295 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaSassy.com Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication.

Read SASSY Magazine online each month!

Go to www.MichianaSassy.com and flip the pages, cover-to-cover the organic and green way!

DECEMBER 2016 Volume 6: Number 10

LOOK WHO’s TALKING

follow us on Twitter, and become our fan on Facebook. @MichianaSassy www.facebook.com/Sassy-Magazine pinterest.com/MichianaSassy/ instagram.com/michianasassymag

DECEMBER & JANUARY

/ contributors

Meagan Church

ANDREW SKIPPER

ALLISON BOELCKE

Christina L. Clark

is a writer and mother of three kids. Her current projects include DefiningMotherhood, and Unexpectant where she explores the realities of modern motherhood for her book project.

Andrew Skipper is an interior decorator and lifestyle expert who believes that life should be celebrated every day. His company, Andrew Skipper Everyday, focuses on helping people elevate the everyday tasks they perform and objects they live with. He is the lifestyle expert for NBC affiliate WNDU TV in South Bend, IN, giving decorating and entertaining tips. He is also the official lifestyle expert for Elkhart County, IN, working with the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

is a digital marketing specialist for Indiana University South Bend, and a freelance writer who loves to focus on topics of career and personal finance geared toward working women and mothers. She resides in South Bend with her husband and toddler daughter. During any free time she can manage, she is a foodie whose goal is to actually make more recipes on her Pinterest boards.

Christina L. Clark is brunch lover and puppy snuggler. She studies Communication at IUSB, works as a licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist, and loves to write whenever given the chance!

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On the cover Hoosier Harley-Davidson

Meet the cover photographer and stylist!

Spread

Cheer throughout the YeAr

Bethza Seminario is the Co-Founder, Creative Director, Licensed Esthetician and Head Makeup Artist of Bethza Professional Makeup Artist Studio located in Elkhart and has her own cosmetic company, Nethyel Pro Beauty. She worked as a freelance makeup artist in Chicago and Indianapolis. Her specialization in editorial, commercial and high fashion makeup inspired her to bring that style to her community. www.bethza.com (574) 226-5261

“When I find some downtime in my busy

holidAY seAson

schedule, I like to grab

Are You Just Tired or Could it be Your Thyroid?

rapher. She grew up working in her father's studio and then decided to start her own. Her style is clean, modern and with a flair for fashion. She shoots a variety of sessions in her new Granger studio as well as on location. www.amyjstudios.com amy_reinert@yahoo.com 574-903-6383.

testimonials

how to hAve A

(relatively) stress-Free

Amy Reinert is Michiana's Premier HS Senior, Teen and Fashion Photog-

READER

SASSY Magazine!”

– Amy N. “I always grab a few extra copies of this magazine and pass it around during my morning meetings at work to my employees.”

– Roxanne S. “Awesome magazine and terrific people working there!”

– Erica M.

Thank you!

SASSY | DECEMEBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017

5

SASSY

DECEMBER & JANUARY

December 7th:

December 23rd:

January 1st:

January 27th:

December 16th:

Goshen Theater

January 14th:

Downtown St. Joseph, MI

Pearl Harbor Day Mishawaka Winterfest, 5:00 P.M., Merrifield Park A Christmas Carol, 7:30 P.M., The Acting Ensemble At Studio 217-South Bend December 21st:

It’s A Wonderful Life, 8:00 P.M.,

December 25:

Happy New Year!

5th Annual Chili Tour, 5:00 P.M.,

Cross-Country Ski Lesson, 10:00 A.M., St. Patrick’s

Christmas Day!

County Park – South Bend

December 31st:

January 16th:

New Year’s Eve

Winter Solstice

December 22nd:

A Christmas Story, 2:00 P.M.,

The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres-Nappanee

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Swan Lake, 7:30 P.M.,

Morris Performing Arts Center – South Bend

Downtown St. Joseph, MI

Golden Dragon Acrobats, 7:00 P.M.,

Morris Performing Arts Center – South Bend

Chocolate Peppermint Stick

Resolutions

cocktail

Every year we start off strong with our New Year’s resolutions! But, after a couple of months (if we even last that long!) we start to forget what we even agreed to do!

Below are five New Year’s resolutions that the majority of people make that always get broken. Avoid breaking these resolutions by altering it a bit!

Ingredients: - 1 ½ Ounce White Crème de Cacao - 1 Ounce Cream - 1 Ounce Peppermint Schnapps Directions: Shake all ingredients together well with ice. Strain ingredients into chilled martini glasses and garnish with a small peppermint candy cane.

1. Lose Weight & Get Fit: Instead of deciding how many pounds you need to lose or how many days at the gym you will go, focus on improving your health my eliminating bad eating habits or increasing healthy ones that you already do!

2. Travel To New Places: Ah, traveling and going on vacation is always a dream come true, right? Instead of making a promise to yourself to travel more, start planning your vacation time and get help through a travel agent! One small vacation a year is a win in everyone’s book!

3. Spend More Time With Family: Ok, this probably should happen more often than not! But, life gets in the way and we slowly forget about our loved ones mid-year! Say no to after work activities every once in a while and pick up your phone and call your sister, mom and dad!

2nd Annual St. Joe Winter Beer Fest, Noon,

January 29th:

January 19th:

Top 5 New Year’s

January 28th:

Recipe Found At www.mixthatdrink.com

Winter Sweaters

4. Be Less Stressed: Yeah….this always seems to fail after week one!

Start taking some yoga classes and learn how to destress! You get a little “me” time in and you get to re-center yourself!

5. Get Out Of Debt & Save Money: Even if it’s $20 a week, save that money! Don’t set yourself up for failure and deprive yourself from having your weekly Starbucks just so you can save every last penny! Be realistic with your savings! Enjoy life, but still save as much or as little as you can!

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DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017 | SASSY

Black & White Cardigan

Oversized Grey Cardigan

Winter Green Sweater

(www.abaday.com)

(www.macys.com)

(www.revolvechic.com)

C E L E B R AT E T H E M O M E N T BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

CHRISTMAS DAY BUFFET

Meet Santa and his elves in the festive Morris Inn. You’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and entertainment for the whole family. Don’t forget your camera!

Celebrate the season at Morris Inn. Enjoy food and merriment as we roll out an expansive buffet of appetizers, entrees, side dishes and sweet treats.

December 3rd, 10th and 17th in the Morris Inn Private Dining Space 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Sunday, December 25th in the Morris Inn Private Dining Space 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

$24.95 Adults // $10.95 Children 3-12 years // 2 and under free

(Prices do not include tax and administrative fee.)

(Prices do not include tax and administrative fee.)

Make your reservation by calling: 800.280.7256

$39.95 Adults // $10.95 Children 5-12 years // 4 and under free

Register online at MorrisInnEvents.com

AFTERNOON TEA IN SORIN’S Featuring Rishi Tea

Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday November 26th through April 15th // Three Seatings Daily – 2:30, 2:45, 3:00 pm Reservations strongly recommended by calling 574.631.2020

MORRIS INN GIFT CARDS Morris Inn gift cards can be used for dining at Sorin’s, Rohr’s, Wind Family Fireside Terrace and for lodging. Purchase a $100 gift card and receive a complimentary $25 bonus card.

HOLIDAY CHOIRS Select weekdays in December. Enjoy your favorite carols as local choirs perform in the lobby.

130 MORRIS INN

//

NOTRE DAME, IN 46556

//

574.631.2000

//

MORRISINNHOLIDAYS.COM

SASSY

recipe Ingredients: - 1 (8 Ounce) Package Softened Cream Cheese - ½ Cup Softened Butter - ¾ Cup Confectioners’ Sugar - 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

Chocolate Chip Cheese

Ball

- ¼ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract - ¾ Cup Miniature Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips - ¾ Cup Finely Chopped Pecans

Directions: 1. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in confectioners’ sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.

Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for two hours.

2. Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. Wrap with plastic and chill in the refrigerator for one hour.

3. Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans before serving.

Recipe found at www.allrecipes.com.

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DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017 | SASSY

We want all people to experience more of life's precious moments with healthy hearts and minds.

So until there's a world free of heart disease and stroke, we'll be working to make a healthier, longer life possible for everyone.

her love is why.

Everyone has a reason to live a heathier, longer life. What is yours?

©2016, American Heart Association. Also known as the Heart Fund. MWA

To celebrate and share your “why” • Visit lifeiswhy.org • Use #LifeisWhy on Twitter and tag @AHAIndiana

SASSY

life

Classic Christmas Traditions By: Andrew Skipper

to Keep

Haul out the holly! It’s that time of year when everyone is brimming with good cheer. Christmas should be a time when we relax with loved ones and enjoy traditions that go back centuries. If you’re the type of person who loves carolers singing and sleigh bells jingling, you’re going to enjoy this list of classic Christmas traditions that will make your home warm, cozy and jolly!

Hearth Matters

If you have a fireplace, now is the time to gather around it! One of the best places to decorate is the mantel. Whether you choose to adorn your mantel with a simple evergreen garland or go all out with glittery swags and bows, be sure to treat this area as a focal point.

Even if your house doesn’t have a hearth, create the same effect by clustering groups of pillar candles on the coffee and dining tables.

There’s something about coming in out of the cold and cozying up near candlelight that makes this time of year feel special.

Christmas Cookies

Nothing says “Christmas” like an assortment of freshly baked cookies. Cookie baking brings you together with friends and family, setting the stage for lasting memories.

Setting out a tray of cookies during the winter holidays is also an ideal way to make your home feel cozy and welcoming. Classics like gingerbread men and sugar cookies of festive shapes look great. Don’t forget to make some for Santa!

Go Natural

There is nothing like a real Christmas tree. The fragrant needles give off a lovely scent that helps add to the festive atmosphere. The unmistakable look of fresh garland and wreaths also transport you back to holiday traditions of years past.

If you’re not able to get a real tree, consider purchasing evergreenscented candles to give off that holiday aroma.

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DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017 | SASSY

Welcome Wreath

Be sure your home is holiday ready by hanging a beautiful wreath on the front door. This tradition lets guests know that you’re in the holiday spirit and they are welcome to come in and join you!

Deck the Halls

Take a tip from traditional Christmas films and be sure to hang a bit of holly and mistletoe in a prominent location. If you plan to entertain, why not snap photos of guests kissing under the mistletoe and share the snaps on social media with a special hashtag created just for your party.

Edible Arrangements

A long standing Christmas tradition is to decorate with certain food. Creating a gingerbread house is a great way to bring the family together and enjoy some tasty treats too! While candy canes are a popular choice for holiday decor, people in Victorian times also used dried oranges, pomegranates, cloves and cinnamon sticks to adorn their trees and tabletops. Not only do these items conjure up images of Christmas past, they also fill the house with a spicy citrus scent.

String Garland

This is a fun tradition to do with kids or your partner. Turn on a classic Christmas film and make your own garlands to hang.

String popcorn and cranberry garlands to hang outdoors for the birds to eat or create paper snowflake garlands to hang inside.

Nutty Nutcrackers

Any traditional holiday home is not complete without a bowl of nuts on the coffee table and a nutcracker beside it. A beautiful display in its own right, it’s also fun to crack chestnuts while sipping on something warm like mulled wine or hot chocolate.

Snuggle Up

Keep plenty of soft blankets and throws out so that everyone can have their own to snuggle up in on a cold winter night. The small gesture of offering guests a luxurious throw to wrap around their shoulders or lay over their lap will set you apart as a thoughtful hostess.

Light It Up

Even if you’re not the type to go all out with Christmas lights, try to do a little something outdoors. With the long dark winter nights and dim mornings, having even just one shrub or tree decorated with lights can make your home festive and beautiful. You may even simply hang some icicle lights around the front porch to create a warm welcome.

Warm Wishes

Display holiday cards that you receive from friends. Set them out on a tray in the entryway or tuck pretty ones into the frames of mirrors. It’s a great way to remember the many wonderful friends and family who thought enough to send a card. 

SASSY | DECEMEBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017

11

SASSY

D

life

Let The Lights of the Season Burn Bright By: Christina Clark

ecember is the month that Christmas songs take over our shopping experience and put us in the mood for peppermint mochas, baking cookies and decking the halls with all the trimmings.

Christmas isn’t the only holiday that keeps us, or our neighbors, busy though. December also incudes Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanzaa and our ever favorite (and almost universal) New Year's Eve. Whichever holiday that you’re personally involved in (or the multiple ones!), make sure that you’ve taken care of yourself. We all know someone who runs themselves ragged trying to make everything perfect this time of year—and if you don’t, congratulations: it’s you! You go, Glen Coco!

Between shopping to get gifts for friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, teachers…the list goes on…to making sure you’re making it to every event you have organized or been invited to (while looking startlingly fabulous), you’re going to need a moment. Here’s a few reminders to avoid becoming The Grinch, and to shake off the “bah-humbugs” that can mire the festive

Be Present!

Make sure that you’re not just participating in the holiday; be present in it. Take time to stop trying to manufacture the feeling or perfect the production and presentation of the events. Take a deep breath, have a sip of mulled wine, disregard the calories in your favorite cookie and eat one and enjoy your family and friends.

“Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind,” Kris Kringle reminds us as we rewatch Miracle on 34th Street.

The commercialized pressure of the perfect Christmas gathering is just that: it presents the perfect picture, not the

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DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017 | SASSY

real one. There’s going to be things that go wrong: the turkey won’t be timed perfectly and the mashed potatoes may end up being a little on the cool side by the time the turkey is done.

People will still happily eat those, don’t worry. (If they’re complaining—direct them to the microwave).

The thing to remember is that you cared enough to make the spread, or that you brought your famous cookies, or that you stopped off and got that bottle of cheap wine to share with your cousins. Or maybe it’s just that you were able to show up! That alone can be hard if you’re working, traveling or homebound.

Be Kind!

The lake-effected weather is about to take a turn and remind us that we really are all in this together. Blankets and jackets will be coming out of their places in storage, if they haven’t already made their season debuts.

Being polite and conscious of those around us who are also stressed out can uplift ourselves and elevate the overall mood of a tense situation. A little kindness, even a smile, can change someone’s day.

Try to plan ahead a few minutes, few days, or even a week or two to help minimize the last minute rushing around. They’re going to run out of Turbo Man at some point, and what really matters in the end is being there, not “this year’s” toy.

You are important, and no matter how small you feel sometimes or how hard achieving goals (or even if they’ve changed as life has gone on). Clarence was a wise angel, when he told George Bailey that “no man [or woman!] is a failure who has friends.”

Being able to enjoy yourself is important too, and don’t disregard taking care of yourself by trying to keep up with the Joneses. Clark W. Griswold still made the holidays work, and nearly everything went wrong there. 

“A little kindness, even a smile, can change someone’s day.”

Be Cheerful!

Having a positive attitude helps quite a bit this time of year, as well as remembering why we are running around stressing out: We’re trying to provide or contribute to a great holiday experience for our families. If there is something that helps remind you or gives you a feeling of love and joy, focus on that in times of strain.

This time of year, the stress and strain, not to mention the inclusivity that is craved (or the familial rifts that are highlighted) make depression and anxiety run amok. You can’t “holiday cheer” yourself out of these feelings all of the time, unfortunately, and don’t be afraid to speak to a loved one about what you’re going through. Seeking a therapist or medical treatment isn’t a sign of weakness or that you have failed at being “holiday ready,” so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

SASSY | DECEMEBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017

13

SASSY

life

What IKEA Reveals About Your

Home & Marriage

Y

ou enter IKEA holding hands. You both have high expectations: you’re convinced IKEA will help bring beauty and order to your home. But what you may not be aware of is that this very place could prove to be the ultimate home-wrecker.

If you’re not worried, perhaps you should be.

Home is bigger than the stuff; it’s a projection of the relationship within.

At its deepest level, building a home is enough work without the chaos of the infamous IKEA. But after moving 23 times in 24 years of marriage, there’s always been an IKEA wherever we’ve lived.

We’ve made many legendary shopping trips to help transform a house into a home.

Home is a big idea. And even with IKEA exhibiting the conditions for a perfect storm, we’ve kept going back. Perhaps inviting the ruthless testing of our marriage gives me a sick thrill. How are we really doing? Let’s find out by spending Saturday at IKEA! IKEA functions as a merciless blunt tool to test the core of your home: your relationship with the man you love. IKEA isn’t to be blamed. It merely serves as the agitator in bringing your hidden issues to light. Failure to appreciate this in advance could leave you rattled as a couple because furnishing your home—which is the foundational reason you’re at IKEA to begin with—is an extension of you.

In order to not fall victim, communicate that though you do like to nest as much as the average woman this doesn’t let him off the hook. You absolutely need his involvement. A furnished home is a public expression of both of you,

By: Kathryn Streeter blended. With two identities under one roof, home represents a merger.

Sometimes this merger sings in harmony. We married young and broke and received Victorian hand-me-downs from various relatives. We welcomed these furnishings with open arms until children, spit-up and exploding diapers came along. Then we traded upholstery for leather.

Leather cleans up well and we were unified in the abrupt stylistic change.

We both immediately agreed to reconsider IKEA's Mydig dinnerware. Though lovely, it bounced around when cutting a steak. We exchanged it for Vardera.

It’s not always seamless. Sometimes when I see the color red, my husband sees pink-red and that item is nixed. Sometimes what I see as jazzy and dramatic he sees as busy. He doesn’t want pink, busy furnishings waiting for him when he arrives home. You’ve probably guessed that IKEAS’s textile showroom is especially difficult for us.

This is why I will not shop at IKEA without my husband. I value my husband’s presence to channel his interior decorator. After all these years, I’ve found that he does have an opinion and can easily point out what he'd rather have in our home when given choices.

This matters because home tells a story. Its plot centers on who you are inside as a couple. As a team, your home displays what you value. As you build your home, you are building a story about yourselves. It’s a sanctuary where safety, security and belonging are foundational. It’s deeply revealing, reflecting what you and the man you love care about most.

At one point, we hosted a sometimesrowdy reading group that met once a month. Many times wine glasses broke.

It was more important that we carried on with our reading group than worrying about broken wine glasses. Evidence of good times, I’d tell myself late Saturday nights. On the surface, IKEA helped us keep the wine glasses a-coming.

Underneath, our sense of home was expanding because ultimately we care about our friends, not our glassware.

Our answer was a robust supply of wine glasses from IKEA. Your man is pushing the IKEA cart, growing heavier by the minute. But more than his physical presence, you need him engaging mentally and emotionally.

Unless he hates it, you want him to affirm your preference. If you’re wallowing in indecision, he should show leadership by making the decision. He dare not say, either is fine with me. You want him to man up, name a winner and take you out of your misery.

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And when he flat-out disagrees, he’d better tell you. Kindly. Gently. It’s in your best interest, too. Eventually, if he’s not keen on something it will come out.

Instead of avoiding the discomfort in real time at IKEA, he’d better be prepared to address it. Deftly maneuvering disagreements on the spot will encourage you to respond in kind.

Whatever happens during your visit to IKEA, go out for dinner that night. Over a bottle of wine, you’ll be able to toast your survival and decompress. Hopefully there will be laughter and good conversation about how you fared that day in order to be ready for next time.

Home-building isn’t for wimps and IKEA has demanded the very soul-searching you may have needed.

Don’t be ungrateful. With your arms around your love, say it. Thanks, IKEA.  SASSY | DECEMEBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017

15

health

SASSY

Take Your Fitness to a

This Winter

By: Sue LeBreton

I

f the thought of exercising outdoors in winter chills you to the bone or your usual routine has you simply going through the motions, try something new and adventurous like rock climbing. Winter is a great time to check out an indoor climbing gym and thanks to the increasing popularity of the sport, there are usually facilities in urban areas.

Most facilities offer a drop-in option where they will teach you the basics of safety and before you know it you'll be scaling the wall like Spiderman. Ok, if you have a fear of heights like many, you may be clinging to wall that first time out but once you "fall" a time or two and see that you can trust the harness system and your partner on the ground to keep you safe, you will see the fun and sense of accomplishment that this sport offers. It is empowering to face your fears.

The physical benefits of rock climbing are many. "In a nutshell, rock climbing offers a full-body, calorie-burning workout; it's one of the most calorie-burning activities you can choose. Climbing uses almost every muscle in the body while challenging

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DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017 | SASSY

your brain to problem solve and coordinate movements. It also incorporates balance and flexibility, making it a great complete workout," says Alli Rainey, Professional Climber, Climbing Coach and Certified Personal Trainer.

Do not let worry about the dangers of climbing stop you from trying the sport. "Climbing can be risky and dangerous, just like driving a car," Rainey says. "The modern equipment is extremely safe if used properly, and the controlled environment of the indoor climbing gym tends to be closely regulated for safety."

“Rock climbing offers a full-body, calorieburning workout...�

Think you need to have Hulk-like strength to climb? Think again.

You do not need much upper body strength to begin, but if you continue, the sport will help you develop muscles in that area. Of course you will need to develop your upper body strength if you hope to become an elite level climber. But for mere mortals, there are great benefits along the way. One particular benefit climbing offers is increased hand and finger strength, two areas that naturally decline as we age.

Your age need not be a barrier. As long as

you have no health issues, check out the wall. Rainey's father-in-law started climbing at age 63 and at 72 he still enjoys climbing with her and her husband when he visits. "It can help your self-confidence as you grasp what your amazing human body is capable of. It's never too late to start," says Rainey.

When we learn something new our brain forms new connections. Try climbing together as a family to benefit both body and mind. Even after the novelty passes, climbing is similar to solving a puzzle as you plot your route. Successful and safe climbing requires two people communicating frequently and working together, making it an ideal way to bond with your spouse, friends or children.

Those tweens and teens may only grunt at home but on the wall they must communicate with you to ensure a safe and efficient climb. "Partners work together to come up with solutions to difficult sequences of climbing moves," says Rainey.

So use the colder weather as a motivator to take your fitness to a higher level by checking out one of the local climbing walls or gyms. Rainey suggests you enter with a beginner's mind, free of expectations and a positive attitude.

“Have a willingness to learn and to fail and try again. That's part of the fun and the challenge. I fall every day I climb and I love it because I try to work out how to do the moves without falling." She says she made it only three feet off the ground her first day.

Step into a harness and test yourself on a local wall. Your brain and body will be happy you did. 

“Enter with a beginner's mind, free of expectations and a positive attitude.”

BLACK FRIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE

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WWW.BETHZASTUDIO.COM SASSY | DECEMEBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017

17

SASSY

life

How to Have a

By: Alyssa Chirco

(Relatively) Stress-Free Holiday Season

A

s joyous as the holiday season is intended to be, the family obligations and celebrations that accompany this festive time of year can be a source of stress for today’s parents. From questioning our parenting choices at family gatherings to serving holiday dinners right in the middle of naptime, relatives – even those with the best of intentions – tend to complicate our already hectic holidays.

Wondering how to enjoy spending time with your nearest and dearest this holiday season, while also meeting the needs of your immediate family? Remember these simple rules for keeping your holidays (relatively) stress-free.

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DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017 | SASSY

When making holiday plans, encourage relatives to recognize that disrupted nap schedules, bedtime delays and pre-mealtime meltdowns are no laughing matter. Be flexible when you can, but also realize that trying to placate extended family members at the expense of your own children can spell disaster.

Put Your Own Family First.

If you normally fly cross-country to see your parents at Christmas but have a newborn this year, ask your family to visit you instead. If driving around town to three different holiday dinners leads to a cranky, sleep-deprived toddler, opt to stay home and celebrate by yourselves for a change. Kids are little for only a short time, and you will soon have the flexibility to accommodate the wishes of your extended family once again.

Be Smart About Your Schedule. Making holiday plans that appease all sides of the family can be difficult, especially if your family is a large one. When trying to come up with a schedule that makes sense, consider the following options:

 Play hostess. Invite all of your relatives to celebrate under your roof. Have the meal catered or plan a potluck if you prefer not to do all the cooking.  Alternate holidays. If there isn’t enough time in the day to spend with both sides of your family, try alternating holidays. Visit one side of the family one year, and the other side the next. Or consistently spend Thanksgiving with one side, and Christmas with the other.  Ignore the calendar. Who says Thanksgiving has to be celebrated on a Thursday, or Christmas presents opened only on Christmas Day? Celebrate with some of your family on the actual holiday, and plan a second celebration with other relatives at a time that is convenient for you.

Own Your Choices. Criticism of our parenting choices (whether real or perceived) is one of the biggest sources of holiday stress for parents of growing children. Instead of feeling hurt or offended by such comments, have confidence in your choices and remember your reasons for making them.

Embrace Imperfection. The holiday season is never going

Master the art of smiling politely and ignoring any unsolicited advice you receive. If you feel the need to respond, the phrase “This is what works for our family” will often suffice.

But when you learn to let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace the imperfection that surrounds you, you start to realize that sometimes it’s that very lack of perfection that makes the holidays – and your relatives – worth celebrating. 

to be entirely stress-free, especially when family is involved. No matter how well you plan or how calm you remain, some aspect of your holiday will inevitably go awry. Siblings will argue. In-laws will criticize. Kids will have meltdowns.

Set an Example. Tensions run high during the busy holiday

season, and long-standing family dynamics can further complicate any disagreements that arise. Instead of letting ancient family squabbles ruin your holiday, avoid contentious topics and focus on the happy memories you all share.

Most importantly, keep in mind that your kids are watching how you behave at family gatherings. Set an example you would be proud for them to follow.

Feel the Love. A positive attitude has to begin with you.

Instead of thinking about how your family drives you crazy, reflect on the little things they do that prove how much they love you.

You will be happier and enjoy the holidays more when you realize that most relatives genuinely mean well and want what is best for you and your children – even if their words or actions seem to imply otherwise.

“some aspect of your holiday will inevitably go awry.”

Gift cards and jump passes can only be redeemed at park where purchased. Holiday offer only available at participating parks. Terms and conditions apply, offer may vary. Promotion cannot be combined with other offers. May include taxes. FREE 30-minute Jump Pass is valid 12/26/2016-6/30/2016. Only 1 pair of SkySocks per $30 Gift Card purchase. Promotional offer only valid through December 31, 2016 while supplies last.

SASSY | DECEMEBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017

19

SASSY

health

Are You Just Tired or Could it be Your

By: Sue LeBreton

Thyroid?

H ave you been feeling as if you have lost your zip? Is your energy level not what it used to be? There can be a multitude of reasons to excuse that lingering fatigue: a busy life, a new baby or increasing age to name a few. However, if the level of fatigue you are experiencing is a change to your normal state of health, discuss it with your doctor. You may have a thyroid condition and both states; hypothyroidism (thyroid is producing insufficient hormone) and hyperthyroidism (thyroid is producing too much hormone) can cause fatigue.

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck. Despite its small size this gland exerts a powerful influence on your body, influencing all aspects of wellbeing, growth and metabolism. It affects the functioning of organs such as your heart, liver, brain, kidneys and skin.

If you suspect you have a thyroid condition see your doctor but be prepared for a potentially long road to diagnosis. Symptoms can be vague and initial Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) blood tests may place you in the huge, normal range despite your symptoms and a valid condition. This can be intimidating and many of us have been taught not to question medical authority.

“

If you suspect you have a thyroid condition see your doctor but be prepared for a potentially long road to diagnosis.�

Geri Rybacki, Executive Director & Co-founder of the Coalition for Better Thyroid Care, a patient-oriented organization, says this situation is common. "Something that comes up frequently is the difference between test results that are normal versus optimal and the shortcomings of over-reliance on tests, especially the TSH and underreliance on symptoms and family history. Hearing other patients' stories reinforces the fact that doctors can have many points of view about how to manage thyroid issues. The best doctors will work with patients to find the medication or approach that safely and effectively resolves symptoms. That awareness has given some of our members the courage to ask more questions, to expect results and sometimes, to seek a second opinion or to switch doctors."

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Scientists do not know the reason why women are more likely to be affected by thyroid disease. So you must be vigilant and monitor your body for even subtle changes and learn the symptoms of thyroid malfunction.

There is a condition called post-partum thyroiditis that affects women after pregnancy. It can be particularly tricky to diagnose because the symptoms of fatigue, mood swings and anxiety can all be easily explained as life with a new baby.

Some Symptoms of

Hypothyroidism: • • • • • •

Fatigue Forgetfulness or brain fog Feeling cold Dry skin and eyes Depression Weight gain

Some Symptoms of

Hyperthyroidism: • • • • •

Irritability Racing Heart Fatigue Difficulty sleeping Weight loss

Post-partum thyroiditis usually begins with the hyper phase in the first few months after delivery and switches to the hypo phase. Even if women do not require medication during this sometimes-transient condition, they should be monitored closely by a doctor. Others experience more severe symptoms and require medication in the hypo phase. For some women the condition clears up but for many it is the start of a lifelong condition.

Thyroid issues can strike at any age. Heidi Baxter began suffering symptoms of hyperthyroidism in her early 40s. "I experienced unexplained weight loss and heart palpitations, especially at rest. I lost 30 pounds in a month. I felt like I was going to faint if I tried to climb stairs or walk more than a block." She was diagnosed with Graves disease which made her thyroid overactive (hyper). Eventually her thyroid burned itself out and Baxter's condition swung to the underactive state (hypo). Today, Baxter works closely with her physician to monitor her condition.

"It's an ongoing battle. I have blood tests every three months as my organ rallies to function and my doctor adapts my dosage as required."

“

Untreated, a thyroid condition can lead to serious health issues.”

A malfunctioning thyroid is much more serious than a few pounds gained or lost.

Untreated, a thyroid condition can lead to serious health issues. According to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada, "Most people are unaware that cardiac disease, lupus, reproductive difficulties, diabetes, arthritis and many other health issues are associated with a poor functioning thyroid gland. Research has shown that early thyroid assessment can, in many cases, reduce the incidence or severity of these high profile diseases."

Remember, you are the expert on your body. Rybacki encourages women who suspect their thyroid is malfunctioning to trust their intuition. "It is not normal to feel rotten at any age. Educate yourself, especially about the varied symptoms and conditions that can accompany thyroid issues. Be familiar with the tests that can be helpful. Get copies of all your lab results and keep them in a home file. You will likely refer to them again and again as you learn more."

If you are in your child bearing years, address any thyroid issues because an untreated thyroid condition can reduce your chances of becoming pregnant, maintaining a pregnancy or can damage the unborn baby. Although you may not want to discuss your health issues with others, if you are told that you have a thyroid condition, please share this information with relatives. Thyroid conditions have a strong familial component. Shared knowledge can help loved ones seek early and regular assessment. ď Ś

Extra Bold Bold Medium

Books

The Complete Thyroid Book by Kenneth Ain and Sara Rosenthal The Thyroid Solution: a Mind Body Program for Beating Depression and Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Health by Ridha Arem Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?

When My Lab Tests Are Normal by Datis Kharrazian

Resources:

The Coalition for Better Thyroid Care Great Barrington MA www.betterthyroidcare.org Thyroid Foundation of Canada www.thyroid.ca

University Park Mall

6501 N. Grape Rd. In the Village - Next to Flat Top Grill and the Loft (574) 272-3689 M-F 8a-10p | S 8a-9p | Su 10a-8p

American Thyroid Association www.thyroid.org

SASSY | DECEMEBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017

23

SASSY

balance

Spread the

Cheer

By: Pam Molnar

throughout the Year

January is always a letdown. Just a few weeks ago, we were more joyful people. We gave more of ourselves, reconnected with family and friends, and exchanged gifts with the people who are a part of our lives. After weeks of celebrating, we are back to our pre-November life of rushing from thing to thing with our heads down and blinders on. While we easily blame the shorter days and colder weather for our winter blues, it is really so much more.

Blowing through like the winter wind, the holiday spirit is gone as quickly as it appeared. Every January, as we pack up our holiday decorations, we store away that wonderful feeling of peace and goodwill to save for next year. It’s as if we think that kindness towards our fellowman looks as out of place as a Christmas tree in March. Instead of packing away your holiday spirit in storage, encourage your family to carry it in their hearts and share it with others throughout the year.

Practice random acts of kindness – The best thing about the holiday spirit is the kindness people show to strangers. Do something nice for someone else and watch how it comes back to you. Simple things like holding the door open for the person behind you or letting someone ahead of you in line is enough to make a stranger’s day. Teach your children to return a loose cart to where it belongs or pick up trash left by a litterbug. By helping someone load their groceries in the car or bringing a neighbor’s trash cans in, your children will see your example and start to practice it in their own way.

Be charitable – People are most generous during the holiday season. They don’t want to imagine someone without a holiday feast, warm gloves or presents under their tree. Sadly, people are hungry all year long and food pantries need your donations well after the holidays are over. Continue to collect items during the year by holding food drives at your church, school or children’s activities.

Proceeds from a child’s lemonade stand or garage sale can go to programs at senior centers or animal shelters.

Praise often – Everyone loves to hear a compliment. It validates their choices and makes the receiver instantly happy. Tell people how you love their bracelet or how cute their new hairstyle looks. If you noticed someone has lost weight, let them know that their hard work has paid off. Encourage your child to share someone’s excitement when they get an A on the test or make the winning goal.

Kind words are especially heartwarming when you least expect them.

Bake cookies or prepare meals – Home cooked meals and baked goods

“Grow your relationships beyond the exchange of a yearly Christmas card.”

are a special treat during the hustle and bustle of the year. As our neighbors get busy with everyday life, they may not have the time to cook or bake. If you are cooking for your own family, make a double batch. Set aside time once a month to try a new recipe and share it with others. Your thoughtful act may encourage your neighbors to pay it forward.

Give gifts for no reason - How many times do we see something in the store and think about a friend who it would be perfect for? Most of the time, we don’t pick it up because the next gift giving occasion is months away. It doesn’t have to be about the day, nor does it need to be expensive. If you see the perfect gift, pick it up and give it to your friend now. People love to know you are thinking of them.

Stay connected with friends and family – How often do we say, “We should pick a date and get together,” but never find the time to do it? This year, make good on that promise and set up a date. Reconnecting with old friends and extended family is not only for holiday time. Set up those play dates, host a party in the spring or go on a picnic in the summer. Grow your relationships beyond the exchange of a yearly Christmas card.

Talk about the ways your family kept the holiday spirit alive each night at dinner time and create a positive habit for yourself and your family. The magic of the holiday spirit becomes a way of life when you share it each day.

It’s a shame to bury it in a box full of ornaments and lights. 

SASSY

book review

How To Be Alive: A Guide to the Kind of Happiness That Helps the World

By Colin Beavan Reviewed By: Kim Cashman Reference Services Supervisor Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library

How to Be Alive is an inspiring book for those who are looking to make positive changes in the world and in their lives. The changes concern our personal relationship with the world: what we buy, eat and wear; whether our work is meaningful to us and good for the world; and how we relate to our neighbors and communities. Because the author, Colin Beavan, believes that we make our own lives better as we seek to improve our world and our communities, he describes his book as being about “each-other help” rather than a self-help.

Beavan explains that many of us look at the world around us and are overwhelmed by the problems we see. Often, we believe that the problems are too big for us to solve, and that our actions are too small to matter. In addition, we believe that living a life that is better for the world means sacrificing our own happiness. Therefore, we focus on what he calls “standard life approaches” to make ourselves happy, following career paths that other people think we should follow and seeking rewards that others tell us we should want. However, these standard life approaches seldom make us happy. They often involve seeking things we are supposed to want, such as material success and fame, but do not fundamentally make our lives, or the world around us, better. According to Beavan, we make a difference by seeking that which makes us truly happy and provides meaning in our lives, while ignoring societal pressure. While helping others, we help ourselves---and no great sacrifice is needed.

Basing his recommendations on scientific studies that examine where people find meaning in their lives, Beavan proposes a process called “life questing,” during which questers work toward living in alignment with their values and spending time on things they are passionate about. He suggests starting small by taking action related to an issue the quester cares deeply about: buying healthy local food at a farmers market and cooking with friends, or making new connections through buying and learning about fair trade coffee, for example. The small steps, he argues, both help us become happier and help make the world around us better because we are relating to the world in a way that reflects our values. They provide us with the tools and motivation to make larger steps if we wish to. Our life questing efforts, he explains, tend to snowball in a positive way.

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DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017 | SASSY

Something for

Everyone...

SASSY

work

Simple Ways to Boost Education & Keep Learning Everyday Without Going Back to School By: Allison Boelcke Smith

Your education doesn’t have to stop just because you’re no longer working towards a degree. Often working professionals are so focused on honing the skills they need to perform their jobs, and learning for the sake of learning gets pushed by the wayside. However, you end up missing out on the personal fulfillment and increased creativity that comes from learning new things on a regular basis.

Expand your knowledge and become a constant learner by incorporating these simple ways to boost your education without ever stepping foot into a classroom: 1. Do a Crossword Puzzle

3. Look Up New Words

You may think of doing a crossword puzzle as taking a mental break, but it's actually an activity that can keep you sharp. Crossword puzzles require you to think creatively, be strategic and brainstorm facts and spellings. Plus, you get to learn new information while you're at it.

Whenever you're reading/listening and come across a word you don't know, commit to taking just a few minutes to looking up the definition. It's one of the quickest and easiest way to squeeze in a bit of quick learning into your days.

You'll have an expanded vocabulary, and be able to get more out of the reading/listening since you’ll more fully understand the context.

2. Read Other Subjects Do you find yourself stuck in a rut with the type of informational articles or nonfiction books you read? Instead of only reading about work-related subjects or other areas of personal interest you've already explored, read about random subjects you've never looked into. It will put you back into the mindset of a student, and learning about a subject just because.

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DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017 | SASSY

4. Ask Lots of Questions Instead of being intimidated by people you view as more knowledgeable than yourself, engage them in conversation.

Ask questions about their areas of expertise, even if it's far outside the realm of what you think is relevant to you professionally or personally. Experts are all around you: your company's IT

professionals, the electrician that makes a house call, the produce worker at the grocery store, etc.

5. Switch Up Your Screening Believe it or not, you can actually sneak learning into your leisure time in a fun and effortless manner. Think about what genres of TV shows and movies you're drawn to, and every so often, try to pick something in a completely different category to broaden your horizons.

Pick a documentary instead of a fantasy film, or a historical drama instead of a sitcom. The more types of content you’re exposed to, the better position you’re in to be innovative.

6. Try Something New It's likely you have a routine that is comfortable and keeps you efficient and

productive. Unfortunately, sticking too closely to a routine can prevent you from exposing yourself to new things that keep your brain active. Schedule in time in your calendar to do something new, whether it's checking out a new museum exhibit, visiting a farm or listening to live music.

Keeping your brain guessing can help you think more outside the box.

7. Get Creative The act of learning isn't just analytical and fact-based. Using your own two hands to physically make something (anything from making a birthday card to constructing a shelf ), stimulates the creative side of your brain. With creative projects, there are no black and white "right or wrong" answers, so you're honing your ability to think of unique solutions.

8. Subscribe to Newsletters There is so much free content available from a vast amount of sources. No matter what topics you want to learn about, you can likely have it delivered to your inbox on a regular basis. Take advantage of the education that experts want to offer you, and subscribe to newsletters that will help your professional or personal development. You're saving yourself the time of hunting down the information yourself - just think of reading them as your adult homework.

FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU ARE....

WE ARE JUDEE’S. 1205 E. University, Granger, IN 574-217-8445 Judees@Judees.com www.judees.com MONDAY-SATURDAY

10 AM – 7 PM

Visit us to find that

PERFECT GIFT

this holiday season!!

102 S. Main St., Middlebury, IN 46540 574-825-7725 mycinnamonstick@gmail.com Monday - Friday 10am-5:30pm Saturday 10am-4pm

You don’t have to sacrifice your love of learning because you’re working in the “real world” now. Knowledge doesn’t

The Cinnamon Stick is located in the small town of Middlebury. The building is 150 years old with brick walls, wood floors and lots of character and old charm. Some brands include Andria Lieu, Brighton, Toms and MANY MORE! We provide excellent customer service and free gift wrap.

A great place to shop for Christmas gifts, hostess gifts as well as apparel for Holiday parties!

have to be gained within the four walls of a classroom. Make it a priority to incorporate learning into your life, and you can enjoy the personal and professional benefits.  SASSY | DECEMEBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017

29

Scene Be Scene

Please send us some of your favorite photos from your organization’s or charity’s best events and fundraisers. They just may make the next issue of SASSY Magazine! We prefer snapshots of people that are full of life and enjoying the moment, so please send them our way: Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com.

It was Ladies Night Out at the 2016

Speaker: Kerri Spencer Bella's

Judee's

Photographs: Amy J Studio

About 200 women got together for a ladies night out on November 9th at the Morris Inn on the campus of Notre Dame. The occasion was SASSY Magazine’s 2016 Glitz & Sass Holiday Fashion Show featuring fabulous fashions from four fantastic boutiques: Bella’s Boutique, The Cinnamon Stick, Judee’s Boutique and Stephenson’s of Elkhart. Kerri Spencer was our amazing, energetic emcee for the evening, keeping everyone entertained.

The event honored the 2016 class of Women to Watch, introducing each one in attendance on stage and presenting each one with flowers and a special swag bag. Voting opened the following day on Facebook to select the “Fan Favorite” among the Women to Watch to be the cover model for this issue. See the beautiful Redgina Hill, this year’s Fan Favorite, on the cover.

Cinnamon stick

Touchstone

Speaker: Dr. Simpson

Glitz & Sass Team

Making a guest appearance that night was Mrs. Indiana 2016, Zarah Skelton. Zarah told everyone about Victoria’s Voice Foundation, an organization aimed at reducing drug experimentation, addiction and overdose death. Zarah was introduced by Julie Dilorenzo, Executive State Director, Mrs. Indiana America Pageant and a past Mrs. Indiana herself.

SASSY Magazine is a Proud Local Sponsor of Go Red for Women! As a result, a portion of the Glitz & Sass proceeds went to the American Heart Association. SASSY t-shirts were sold at the event with all of the profits going to the Heart Association. They are also being sold at times at a kiosk at University Park Mall in December and will also be going on sale online. Dr. Joyce Simpson, MD – President of The Medical Foundation and Vice Chair of the 2017 Go Red for Women Campaign spoke about the importance of women’s heart health and had everyone put on their red dress pin.

Throughout the evening, fabulous door prizes was given away to attendees. There was plenty of food and special drinks to go around as well as fun shopping at the booths outside the ballroom. Everyone left with a goody-bag and great memories. Many thanks are due to our sponsors. In addition to the four boutiques, our sponsors included Amy J Studio, Beyond Zen, Charter Gym, Michiana Eye Center, Shannon Petty at Touchstone Crystal, The Morris Inn at Notre Dame and U93.

Plan to join us next year for Glitz & Sass!

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233 Florence Ave. | Granger, IN 46530