Smart Living Weekly - February 11, 2015

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iving n g Sm mart L ivi ivin ng Weekly Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • Feb. 11, 2015

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Right in Our Region

Valentine’s Day Romance

By Peggy Werner

J

ust to hear someone say “Happy Valentine’s Day” quickens the pulse, warms the heart and stirs the emotions.

Love is celebrated on Feb. 14th around the world in many different ways to honor the pinnacle of happiness, when people celebrate their commitment to that someone special, with whom they trust their life and have made forever promises.

The celebration of love is most commonly shared among sweethearts, but the holiday has grown in scope and importance to include any relative or special friend for whom you have special feelings and want to express your affection.

Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

Inside: Lower Home Energy Use • Valentine’s Day Lobster Recipe • Great Tips for Skin Care How Yoga Helps • Eye-Opening Eyelid Surgery • Restaurant of the Week: Ciao Bella

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 Valentine’s Day Romance Your Home .................................................. .....11 How to Lower Energy Bills Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Love is Patient Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Recipe: Valentine’s Day Lobster

Your Style ........................................................17 What to Know About Oil-Based Skin Care Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 How’s Your Blood Sugar?

Your Health ............................................. .......... 26 Eye-Opening Eyelid Surgery Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 29 Ciao Bella Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 29

Tips ............................................................ ........ 31 Yoga’s Health Benefits Your Money .............................................. ......... 33 Decoding Tax Law & Health Benefits

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor Janine Pumilia

Managing Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Associate Editor/Special Projects Editor Karla Nagy Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writer Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executive Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2014 by Hughes Media Corp., 728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Love Local-Style

“D

id you have a lot of fun during your trip to Madison?”

“We did! It was great.”

“Did you find any good restaurants?”

“We did! We ate a fantastic place called Olive Garden. It’s a chain and there’s one in every major U.S. city!”

Does anyone really have that kind of conversation? I think not. No disrespect to Olive Garden or Applebee’s or Red Lobster or any chain restaurant – but when you visit another city, you probably seek out locally owned restaurants because they’re part of what makes that city special and unique.

Likewise, you don’t go home and tell friends about a “great little store” called Walmart that you visited during vacation.

So why is it any different here at home?

Why wouldn’t we want to seek out and support the restaurants (and shops, florists, jewelers, artists etc.) that help to make our own communities unique? When we do that, we help to keep their doors open. We also keep more dollars in our local economy, since they aren’t being funneled to an out-of-state HQ. “But for everyday needs, the chain stores are cheaper and have a bigger inventory” you might say. Certainly we all shop at chains for some items because, frankly, we don’t have much choice anymore.

But often we do have a choice. There’s a lot of talk about transforming our community, lately, and each of us is wondering how we can help. Buying local more often is one way to strengthen not only our local economy, but our community’s unique identity.

This week we’re all thinking a lot about buying flowers, jewelry and greeting cards for Valentine’s Day. It’s an excellent opportunity to “love up” our hometowns by making these purchases at locally owned stores.

And when it comes to dining out, the locally owned restaurants usually beat the chains by a mile, anyway, in my opinion.

Buy local. Enjoy V-day. And spread the local love! ❚ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Y H  G

Tech That Keeps Your Energy Bills in Check A s winter temperatures drop, the potential for higher utility bills rises, but certain steps can help you to trim costs and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

“Many homeowners just assume the winter season means their bills will go up, as systems work harder to keep their homes regulated,” says Francois Lebrasseur, marketing manager of water products for GE Appliances. “In reality, there are many steps one can take to improve energy efficiency and minimize the added expense that comes with extreme winter temperatures.”

Take time to asses some of these potential problem areas.

Lighting. New technology from GE Lighting lets you manage your lights away from home. GE Link Connected LED lights can be adjusted using a smartphone app, so, if you’re on vacation, you can turn on specific lights to give the appearance that someone is home. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 12-watt GE Link LED bulb could save you $132 over the life of the bulb, at an electricity rate of $0.11 per kWh. Water heaters. Cooler temperatures may require water heaters to work harder. In fact, heating water is the second source of energy use in the residential home, after space heating and cooling, with standard electric water heaters costing, on average, $585 annually. One energy-efficient option is the 50-gallon GE GeoSpring hybrid electric water heater, which can save the aver-

YOUR PROBLEM IS NO PROBLEM

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age household $365 every year (using 1,514 kWh per year and national average electricity rate of $0.12 per kWh). GeoSpring also features a vacation mode, which lowers the water temperature while you’re away.

Thermostat. A programmable thermostat is easy to install and automatically adjusts to pre-determined temperature settings. This allows you to drop the temperature during the day, when no one is home, but raise it before you return from work.

According to Energy Star, when used properly, a programmable thermostat can save as much as $150 a year in energy costs.

Air leaks. An airtight house is critical to managing your heat-related expenses. Seal cracks around windows and doors, and other leak-prone areas such as the basement and attic.

For more seasonal energy-efficient savings tips and products, visit geappliances.com or gelighting.com. ❚ Source: Family Features

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I  W

Love is Patient W

hether a relationship between two people is a romance, a friendship or something else, it is strengthened when each party treats the other the way he or she wants to be treated. We causally call that notion “the golden rule” and it stands the test of time because it works.

But when you think about it, our popular culture often coaches us to do just the opposite: to think about what other people can give to us, rather than what we can give to them; and to give up on those who wrong us rather than forgive them.

Perhaps the most-quoted scripture at weddings is the apostle Paul’s definition of God’s kind of love: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - I Cor. 13:4-7 (NIV) Love is patient. The word “patient” is the English translation of the Greek words makro (long) and thumeo (temper) – to be able to cope with adverse circumstances rather than to fly off the handle in anger.

A form of this word is first used in the New Testament in Matthew 18:21 in the parable of the unmerciful servant, told by Jesus. In short, the debt-laden servant asks his master “to be patient” until he can pay back his debt. The master obliges, only to see the servant show merciless brutality to those who owe him money.

This parable is part of Jesus’ response to the question “How many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins? Is seven times about right?”

Jesus answers “not seven times but 77 times.”

The reason we’re to show patience to others is that God has shown patience to us.

He has shown us mercy. To be merciful is to withhold punishment that another person rightfully deserves.

Who among us is free of sin? None of us. Yet God showed us mercy.

The least we can do is show the same mercy to one another, as God tells us to do.

It’s central to loving, and only love has the power to change things for the better.

Love never fails. – I Corinthians 13:8 ❚ 12

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Valentine’s Day Lobster Recipes W

ith Valentine’s Day right around the corner, everyone is looking for ways to wow their significant other with a special night out. For most couples, a delicious meal is the key ingredient to a perfect date, but deciding where to go and what to eat can be challenging.

On Valentine’s Day, make the night extra romantic with lobster. Lobster is always the perfect choice for a special dinner, but sometimes diners are hesitant to order such a hands-on meal when trying to impress their date.

If cracking a whole Maine lobster is too messy for a romantic evening, there are a variety of other exciting ways to satisfy a lobster craving and make the night a memorable one.

Use Lobster as an Ingredient. Looking for a romantic dish to set the mood?

Try lobster in a dip, like a creamy artichoke dip. Or, make lobster a topping for your favorite fresh fish, like tilapia. If pasta is more your style, consider adding lobster meat to your linguini.

Put a New Twist on the Tail. A lobster tail is a great way to make lobster the star of the plate, but you can do much more with a tail than just boil or grill it.

This Valentine’s Day, impress your amour with one of these elegant, but quick and easy, lobster recipes. ❚

Stuffed Maine Lobster Tails Ingredients 2 8 4 1 2 1 2 2 2

frozen Maine lobster tails oz. raw Maine shrimp Tb. butter medium onion, finely chopped Tb. finely chopped fresh parsley tsp. Old Bay seasoning Tb. fresh lemon juice cups crumbled Ritz crackers tsp. melted butter

Directions

Thaw frozen tails, either overnight in the fridge or at room temperature (do NOT microwave). Preheat oven to 425. In a large pot, add 1/4 cup of salt to 3 quarts of water and bring to a roiling boil. Add thawed lobster tails until blanched, about three minutes. Remove tails to ice water to cool. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, split the tails lengthwise down the center on the shell-side of the lobsters. Pull the edges of the split shell apart and gently lift the tail meat so that it rests on the top of the shell.

Brush each tail with a teaspoon of melted butter.

Melt 4 Tb. butter in a skillet over medium heat, add onion and shrimp and sauté until soft. Stir in the chopped parsley, seafood seasoning and lemon juice. Remove the pan from heat and let cool. Gently stir in the cracker crumbs and spoon half the stuffing into each lobster tail; gently shape and press the stuffing so that it doesn’t fall off.

Bake in oven until stuffing is crisp and golden, about 15-20 minutes.

From the Kitchen of: LobsterfromMaine.com

Fine Oils, Vinegars, & Now Spices!

Source: Family Features

Creamy Lobster Dip Ingredients 2 lbs. cooked lobster meat 3 lbs. cream cheese 1 pint heavy cream 1 ½ cups milk ⅛ cup white wine 3 Tb. Old Bay seasoning 2 tsp. French’s Worcestershire 2 tsp. chili sauce ¼ tsp. granulated garlic ¼ tsp. granulated onion Directions Heat cream. Add cream cheese & spices. Heat until smooth and combined.

Add white wine, chili sauce & Worcestershire. Add lobster meat and finish with milk. Serve with toast wedges or crackers.

From the Kitchen of: kpseafood.com

6340 E. Riverside Blvd. Loves Park, IL 328 East State Street Rockford, IL Hours: Mon–Fri 11-7p Sat 11-6p Sun 12-4p

815-904-6120 theoliveoilexperience.com

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Y S

How to Choose an Ideal Oil-Based Skin Care I n the skincare world, most people seek to banish excess oil from their faces, but a little oil is actually good for your skin.

We know that by the time makeup, dirt and excess oils have been washed away, so have all of our “good” oils, and our skin is left stripped and chapped. Keep in mind, there’s also a big difference between skin that is “dry” (lacking natural sebum) and skin that is simply “dehydrated” (lacking water content.)

Arch Apothecary offers quite a few oils by a number of brands.

Here’s how to tell them apart and determine which one is right for your particular skin type.

Juno and Juno Body, by Sunday Riley: This dry oil differs from others because it’s essential-oil free, and therefore more suited for all skin types. It contains Omega 3, 6 and 9, as well as cranberry seed oil. This one is fantastic for inflamed skin, due to its amazing dryness-preventing properties.

Isis, by Sunday Riley: This anti-aging oil is deeply moisturizing. It smooths the texture of your skin and reduces the appearance of lines. It contains rosehip and chia seed oils – great for mature skin that’s not super-inflamed. It’s a fantastic replacement for the typical night cream, especially for those worried about fine lines and wrinkles.

Artemis, by Sunday Riley: Also contains essential oils. This

one is the best for acne-prone skin. It contains lemon myrtle, black cumin and pomegranate seed oil, and is both cleansing and purifying. It keeps acne at bay by detoxifying the skin. Although it fights redness, we wouldn’t recommend this for someone with very irritated skin.

The RMS Beauty Oil: This organic oil smells fantastic. Containing turmeric, jojoba and licorice oils, it’s extremely gentle and nourishing. Both acne-prone and mature skin can benefit.

All of these oils come with a convenient eye dropper top to make application easy and precise, and each one is easily blended into your daily moisturizer, by simply adding a drop. This is a great idea for someone who would prefer to use their day cream under makeup.

Although oils might seem scary or hard to use, they are actually quite easy and chock full of benefits, no matter what your skin ailment. The hardest part is finding the one that works best for you.

Source: Arch Apothecary, with locations in Rockford, Madison and Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.

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R  O R

Valentine’s Day Continued from Cover

About 190 million cards are exchanged annually on Valentine’s Day, making it the second-most popular card-sending holiday next to Christmas. Even so, the holiday was not created by greeting card companies, as some modern cynics assert, but has its origins in ancient history.

Various legends associated with the day include a Middle Ages belief that it was the first day of mating season for birds.

In ancient Rome, Feb. 14 was a day set aside to honor Juno, the queen of Roman gods and goddesses and the goddess of women and marriage. Ancient Greeks observed February as the month of Gamilion to celebrate the marriage of Greek gods Zeus and Hera.

Many legends say Valentine’s Day is in honor of St. Valentine, but which one?

The Catholic Church has at least three saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One such saint is associated with Emperor Claudius II, who believed single men made better soldiers than those with families, so he

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outlawed marriage. A priest named Valentine opposed the decree and continued to perform marriages in secret. He was eventually found out and was put to death because of his belief in Christian marriage, but his story is just one of many about the origin of Valentine’s Day. No matter how it began, Valentine’s Day is observed in countries around the world.

In the U.S., the custom of exchanging handmade cards began around the beginning of the 18th century. The first mass-produced Valentine cards were introduced in the 1840s.

Today, in countries around the world where Valentine’s Day is observed, many traditions have either originated or given way to the commercialization of the special day with gifts and cards with images of hearts, roses, cupid and lovebirds. The most common practices call for wining and dining your sweetheart, exchanging gifts and cards, and even proposing marriage.

The Rockford area has many great retailers for romantic gifts, and plenty of opportunities for couples to do something special this Valentine’s Day. Here are a few ideas.

Sources: History.com; StValentinesDay.org

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Y H

How’s Your Blood Sugar Lately?

F

inding the right balance of diet, exercise, stress management and medication to keep blood sugar levels healthy can be tricky. And what works for one person may not work for another.

That’s why regular testing is so important. Here are some tips on keeping your blood sugar under control, and advice for testing.

Improving Blood Sugar Control • Don’t skip meals. Consistent eating habits are important for maintaining blood sugar levels. After several hours without a meal, your liver releases glucose to fuel the body, which can lead to higher glucose levels until you ingest carbohydrates.

• Keep healthy carbs in your diet. Many carbohydrate-containing foods include important fiber, vitamins and minerals. The trick is to use these healthy carbs in a balanced meal plan.

• Ask your doctor before adjusting medication. Making changes on your own can put you at risk for dangerously low blood glucose levels if done improperly.

• Get adequate rest. Too little or poor quality sleep can disrupt hormones that affect appetite and blood glucose levels.

The Importance of Testing While sticking yourself multiple times a day isn’t the most enjoyable way to spend your time, it’s a very important step to ensuring your health. Ask you doctor about how often you should test.

Self-monitoring your glucose allows you to: • Evaluate how overall treatment goals are progressing • Monitor the effects of medication on blood sugar levels • See how your blood sugar is affected by diet and exercise • Warn you of dangerously high or low blood sugar levels

Evolutions in Diabetes Testing New diabetes meters are bringing blood sugar monitoring into the modern age. Meters with wireless connections will have an app that instantly send results to your smartphone or tablet, making it easier than ever to record blood sugar levels. You can also send reports from your phone to your doctor, who can make recommendations about medications and lifestyle based on the most upto-date knowledge about how each affects your diabetes.

To find a healthcare provider at Beloit Health System, call (608) 364-2200 or visit BeloitHealthSystem.org. ❚ Source: Beloit Health System

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Eye-Opening: Eyelid Surgery Aids Vision

By Craig Schmidt

S

agging eyelids not only age a person’s face; they can impair vision, too. A functional blepharoplasty – eyelift surgery – can help to restore your ability to see clearly.

Because eyelid skin is the thinnest skin on your face, it’s the first area to show signs of aging, through bags under the eyes or wrinkled folds of skin on the upper eyelids. Heredity and sun damage accelerate these changes.

Many people have excess skin, fat and muscle removed to create a more alert, youthful appearance. However, if loose eyelid skin droops low enough, it can rest across the eyelashes, blocking vision and producing eyestrain.

Some patients complain of having to elevate the flaps of skin with their fingertips to see well enough to drive. Baggy upper or lower eyelids also interfere with wearing glasses and contact lenses. Other medical conditions that would require functional eyelid surgery include inflammation caused by bacteria and debris trapped underneath the folds of tissue, and forehead discomfort from overused muscles that strain to lift sagging eyelid skin.

Most often, blepharoplasties are performed by ophthalmologists, oculoplastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons, on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia alone or combined with a light sedative. Incisions are made in the natural folds of the eyelid, in the crease of the upper eyelid and just beneath the lashes or

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behind the lower eyelid. Tissue is removed using scalpels, surgical scissors, radiofrequency cutting devices, or sometimes, cutting lasers.

Sutures or tissue adhesives then are applied, to smooth and reconfigure areas around the eyebrows and eyelids. Incisions are virtually unnoticeable after they’ve healed.

As we age, the muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid stretches, and the eyelid falls, a condition called ptosis (toh·sis). When the edge of the eyelid falls so low that it covers part of the pupil and restricts vision, it can be corrected with surgery. Ptosis repair requires going deeper into the soft tissue of the upper eyelid and tightening the muscle to raise the position of the upper eyelid, providing a less obstructed field of view. ❚ Source: Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center

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Y F

Couples’ Ski & Snowshoe Night Feb. 11, 4:30-7 p.m. fun on the snow; 5:30 p.m.

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres; 7 p.m. dinner.

Soup buffet dinner by Five Forks; live music; door prizes & raffle, courtesy of Rocktown adventures. All levels; snow or no snow. Reservations: Rockford Park District Foundation at (815) 987-1632 or online at rocktownadventures. com. Event: Aldeen Nordic Center, 1902 Reid Farm Road, Rockford.

Brian Regan Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. One of the premier comedians in the country. With the perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, his comedy spans generations. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 9680595, coronadopac.org.

Sweetheart Skate Feb. 14, 1-3 p.m. Enjoy a fun afternoon with loved ones, friends or a sweetheart. $5 includes skate rental. Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park, (815) 969-4069, rockfordparkdistrict.org.

Candlelit Snowshoe Hike & Soup Supper Feb. 14, 5:30-8 p.m. Enjoy a romantic night exploring the park by candlelight. Liimited snowshoes available. Warm up at the bonfire with a bowl of homemade soup. Free, donations accepted. Beckman Mill, Beloit, (608) 361-1377, weltycenter.org.

Valentine’s Day Ski/Snow Shoe/Hike Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m. Trail guides, luminaries, hot chocolate, bonfire. BYO cross-country skis or rent snowshoes on site for $10. Hononegah Forest Preserve, 80 Hononegah Road, Rockton, (815) 877-6100, winnebagoforest.org.

Swanberg & Trinadora: “Through It All” Feb. 14, 7 p.m. Jannie Nelson and Ron Holm perform their annual Valentine’s concert of poetry and songs to celebrate love and commitment.

Free. JustGoods Concert Room, 201 7th St., Rockford, (815) 965-8903, justgoods.info.

Full Moon Walk Feb. 14, 7-9 p.m. Greg Keilback leads an easy hike under the full moon around ending on the prairie. $3/Friends members free. Severson Dells, Winnebago, (815) 335-2915.

RSO: Memories from Times of War Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Steven Larsen, conductor; Amy Conn, soprano. Romantic Prelude dinner available by reservation. CPAC, Rockford, rockfordsymphony.org.

Alton Brown Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour Feb. 15, 7 p.m. The Food Network star’s show, featuring a pinch of comedy, talk show antics, a multimedia lecture, live music (he sings!) and a dash of “extreme” food experimentation (ponchos are provided for those in the first few rows), and of course, puppets. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Danny Chang and his Golden Dragon Acrobats continue their 30-plus year U.S. touring schedule of this centuries-old Chinese art form. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297.

Beloit International Film Festival Feb. 20-March 1, events daily. Local residents and visitors from around the nation fill more than a dozen venues, ranging in size from 40 seats to the 700-seat Eclipse Center in Beloit for about 120 films and to meet more than 100 filmmakers from around the world. For a complete list of films, filmmakers, times and venues, visit online at beloitfilmfest.org.

Miranda Lambert Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. The CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee on her Certified Platinum tour, with Justin Moore, ACM New Artist of the Year winner and RaeLynn, Season 2 winner of “The Voice.” BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com.

44th Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show Feb. 20-22, Fri. 3-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Boats, charters, guides and lodging, fishing tackle. Seminars from some of the most experienced Illinois and Wisconsin anglers and guides. Adults $7, Weekend Pass $10, Children Under 12 Free. Indoor Sports Center (ISC), 8800 East Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, (815) 997-1744, landroproductions.com. ❚

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WDL

Restaurant of the Week

Ciao Bella Ristorante

By Paul Anthony Arco, senior staff writer

T

alia Castrogiovanni smiles when she thinks back to her first five years as owner of Ciao Bella, 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. “We have a loyal group of customers,” she says. “And we’re enticing younger customers to experience Ciao Bella. Many things have helped to draw younger customers, including adding entertainment, and offering drink specials and free appetizers in the bar Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.”

Lunch and dinner specialties include pizza, pasta, salads and seafood, including seasonal dishes of halibut and sea bass.

There’s also salmon Izzabella, grilled and topped with a light lemon cream sauce, chopped asparagus, capers, tomatoes and a side of garlic allioli linguini.

“We serve home-cooked Italian food with deep red sauces, hearty soups and homemade pastas,” Castrogiovanni says. “Our tomato sauces start here in the kitchen.”

For lunch, Ciao Bella offers a $7 sandwich and endless soup.

“Business people can get their meal within 10 minutes and still make it back to work within the hour,” says Castrogiovanni.

The restaurant’s walls are finished in aux fresco and painted in rich gold and burgundy. Tables and chairs are cinnamon oak.

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Amici Italian Grill E Upscale-Casual/Authentic Italian. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, (815) 623-7171. LD Sun-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11am-10-pm. $-$$.

Ciao Bella owner Talia Castrogiovanni, with dad Nick and brother Nikko.

Recessed, track and pendant lighting enhance the atmosphere, while soft music completes the soothing ambiance. “I wanted a place that was cozy and comfortable,” Castrogiovanni says.

Melody Roccaforte of Rockford has been going to Ciao Bella since it first opened. “They do so many things that are outstanding,” she says. “The staff is wonderful, and the bartenders are very personable. And the atmosphere is amazing. It’s like the Italian version of ‘Cheers.’ When someone walks in, they know almost everyone in the bar. They always look up and say ‘hello.’”

Ciao Bella is open Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-9 p.m. ❚

Main Street Bistro E Upscale-Casual/Fine dining. Th&Sat. 109 S. Galena, Freeport, (815) 232-2322. M-Sat 2pm-midnight. $$.

Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria E Casual. Beer/wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $$.

Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Rd., South Beloit, Ill. (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $.

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 313-0700. D Sun.-Th 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat. 10pm. $$.

Café Fromage E Casual/American. Regional foods. 431 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, (608) 312-2070. BrLD M-F 7am-6pm, SatSun 8am-5pm. $.

Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots E Takeout/delivery.

6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, (815) 877-9888. LD Sun-Th11am10:30pm, F-Sat to 11:30pm. $-$$.

Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Pearl Bistro E Casual/American. Brick oven pizza, burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, steak, seafood, signature cocktails.

6876 Spring Creek, Rockford, (815) 654-3400. LD M-Th 11am11pm, F-Sat to 12:30am, Sun to 8pm. $-$$.

Ciao Bella Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$.

Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$.

Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant E Casual. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227-4979. Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$.

Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza E Casual/Italian. Pick-up/ delivery. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, Ill. (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 9am-11p.m; F-Sat to midnight. $.

JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E UpscaleCasual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat 2:30pm; D M-Th 5-9:30pm, F-Sat 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Sisters Thai Café E Casual/Thai-Laotian. Authentic cuisine.

In Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 2294545. L M-Sat 11am-2:30pm; D Sun-Th 5-9pm, Sat 10pm. $.

Tavern on Clark E Casual/American. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$.

This Is It Eatery E Casual/American. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat 10pm. $.

Vito’s Ristorante E Casual/Authentic Italian. 1620 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford, (815) 312-5080. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$. ❚

In the Spotlight Joey C’ Cucina & Cocktails

O

wner Joey Canova and head chef Bernie Harding, former owner of Cafe Greco, have crafted a creative, yet familiar menu for this cozy restaurant at 2583 N. Mulford Road, in Rockford – a favored hangout for many mature diners.

Harding has combined many of his own favorites, such as his famous salad dressing and Sicilian steak, with some of Canova’s own Italian family recipes.

Dishes such as the Lemon Pepper Grouper and Steak Sicilian are staples here, along with an assortment of sandwiches, salads, fresh seafood and pastas.

Daily specials include tacos on Tuesday, Sicilian night on Wednesday, all-youcan-eat fish fry on Fridays and slowroasted prime rib on Saturday.

Joey C’ Cucina & Cocktails welcomes private events and is open Sun.Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sat. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. ❚

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T  I

Yoga’s Health Benefits Y

oga isn’t just about holding poses and meditating; its practice helps with a host of physical issues, from fitness and weight management to pain relief and recovery from illness or injury.

“Yoga looks easy, but it builds muscle strength along with balance and flexibility,” says Pat Leitzen Fye, founder of Your Core Being, 107 W. Main St., Freeport. “It settles your mind and calms your body, so it helps to relieve stress and release muscle tension.”

Here are some of its benefits.

• Improved respiratory and cardiovascular function: “Yoga requires paying attention to your breathing and being aware of your body and its components,” says Leitzen Fye. “Most of us don’t actually breathe properly, and deep breathing is fundamental in yoga.”

• Increased muscle strength: “The postures assumed during yoga are designed to stretch and flex specific muscle groups, many that we don’t use,” explains Leitzen Fye. “Holding those poses builds those muscles.”

• Muscle pain and headache relief: “Certain poses help with certain ailments, because of the targeted muscles,” says Leitzen Fye. “Many times, unreleased tension is the cause, and yoga promotes relaxation and body awareness.”

• Recovery from injury: Again, this is achieved through targeting specific muscle groups and areas of the body. Also, relaxation and stress release are known to help to promote faster healing.

• Better mental focus and reduced stress: “Relaxation in yoga comes from focus,” says Leitzen Fye. “It’s about being in the moment, forgetting the past or the future.

Yoga has a huge impact on stress reduction, which often causes us to lose focus during our daily lives.” ❚ Source: Your Core Being

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Decoding Your Taxes, Health Care Law Y

ou don’t need to be an expert on taxes or the new health care law to get it right. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in partnership with industry-leading companies, is offering free tax software that will do the hard work for you.

It’s called Free File, available at IRS.gov/ freefile. Learn more at freefile.irs.gov.

If you earned $60,000 or less - and 70 percent of us do - you are eligible for Free File’s brand-name software. If you made more than $60,000, you still have a free option in Free File Fillable Forms. This is the electronic version of IRS paper forms.

It’s pretty basic, so this program is best for people comfortable doing their own taxes.

Free File’s software programs will help you to find the tax benefits you are due, pick the right tax forms, and do the math for you. This year, Free File also helps you complete information on your return that is related to the Affordable Care Act. When it comes to the health care law, almost everyone will need to do something new when filing a tax return

this year. For each month in 2014, you and everyone on your return will need to do one of the following: • • •

Report healthcare coverage Claim an exemption from coverage Make a shared responsibility payment with your tax return

Most people will simply have to check a box to indicate they maintained health care coverage for the entire year.

Free File software will ask all the right questions; you supply the answers. More than 43 million people have used Free File since it started in 2003. Getting started is easy: Gather your tax-related documents.

Collect the tax materials needed to do your taxes. Here’s what you'll need: • A copy of last year’s tax return • Valid Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse and children • All income statements, i.e. W-2

• • • •

•

forms, from all employers Interest and dividend statements, i.e. 1099 forms Form 1099-G showing any state refunds Unemployment compensation amount Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, if you purchased coverage from a health insurance marketplace Records of your own and your family members’ health care insurance coverage, including employer provided. ❚ Source: Internal Revenue Service

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