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g Sm mart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • November 29, 2017
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Right in Our Region
Victorian Holiday Fun at Midway Village Museum
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Holiday Events Galore!
Why We Love Power Furniture
Easing Back Pain Without Drugs Recipe: Chicken Pad Thai
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$25 Gift Card from GreenFire Restaurant
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Smart Living Weekly
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PORT ROYAL SECTIONAL AND CHAIR Sale prices good through December 23, 2017
DOWNTOWN POWER FABRIC RECLINER orig. price $1365
NOW
starting at
LAKEWOOD SOFA
orig. price starting at $1485
$887
NOW
starting at
TRITON RECLINER
orig. price starting at $1185
More Holiday Gift Ideas!
NOW
starting at
$770
Many Styles and Fabrics to choose from!
$959
CHAMPION POWER FABRIC RECLINER orig. price $1635
NOW
starting at
$1063
Holiday Gifts & Decor
Plus...
Jewelry
BBQ Grills
Lighting
Flooring Granite Kitchen Cabinets Fireplaces
Visit Rockford’s Only Complete Flexsteel® Gallery at...
1100 Eleventh St. (just south of Charles), Rockford, Illinois 61104 • 815-227-2000 • Visit us online at: www.bensonstone.com Hours: Mon 9am-8pm, Tues-Sat 9am-5pm, Closed Sundays • Some exclusions apply.
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Rockton, IL
Christmas Sale Black Friday (11/24) Christmas Eve (12/24)
www.gemshop.jewelry Holiday Hours: 11/24-12/24 Monday - Saturday 10a-5:30p Sunday 12p-4p
SMTD gives you the freedom to get out and do your holiday shopping. Ask about Ride Tickets... they make a great Holiday gift!
In This Issue Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Holiday Fun at Midway Village Museum Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Why Power Furniture Changes Everything Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Unity: Is it Possible? Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Chicken Pad Thai Your Outing .......................................................21 Holiday Entertainment Galore! Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 New Cataract Treatments
Happy Holidays from Your Friends at Stateline Mass Transit.
Stateline Mass Transit District offers affordable, convenient public transportation for shopping, dining, appointments, visiting family and friends. Wherever you need to go...“We’re Here To Get You There!!”
Merry Christmas!
Phone: 815-624-7788
Ride Scheduling: 877-561-3330 E-Mail: info@smtd.biz “We’re Here To Get You There”
Scan the code to visit our website.
Web: www.smtd.biz
Serving The Greater Rockton, Roscoe and South Beloit Areas Since 2008.
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Starts Dec. 1st
Your Wellness ................................................... 29 Alternatives to Pain Killers Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25 Dining Locally ................................................. 26 Ciao Bella
Smart L iving Weekly ™
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes
Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Steven Wysong, Kendra Green Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com
WHAT WILL YOU WISH FOR THIS CHRISTMAS?
6.90%APR* ON ALL BALANCE TRANSFERS & CASH ADVANCES until those balances are paid off! NO TEASER LIMIT ON CASH ADVANCES - can cash advance up to full credit limit NO BALANCE TRANSFER OR CASH ADVANCE FEES Your savings insured to $250,000 per account. By members’ choice, this institution is not federally insured.*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Promotional rate is subject to change. Applications subject to credit approval. Special rate available to new and current cardholders. For cash advances & balance transfers made between Dec. 1, 2017-Mar. 31, 2018 the special rate is valid until the promotional balance is paid off. Any cash advances or balance transfers made after Mar. 31, 2018 will be at the APR documented on your statement. Some restrictions may apply.
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Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2017 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
The Rush is On!
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nd so it begins. I can feel the December rush barreling down on me like a locomotive. Autumn orange and bronze is again stashed in the attic; boxes spill red and green all over my living room floor, delighting Daphne the cat, if not my tidy husband. The fresh Christmas tree is fetched and decorated. Roping hangs from the bannister. Our bushes glow with 300 old-fashioned C-9 bulbs (298 of which needed replacement again this year.) I’m sure I’ve already blown my checking account, though I’ve yet to begin gift shopping and probably won’t get to it until Dec. 23 or so. The annual Ethic Feast we host for family is next weekend already. Our 2017 theme is “Soups from Around the World” and I’m borrowing Crock Pots from everyone I’ve ever met plus a few strangers. The mailman thinks I’m crazy. On the menu so far is African Peanut Soup, Norwegian Potato-Leek, Indian Mulligatawny, Colombian Ajiaco and Ukrainian Lentil. Russian Borscht was retracted, in part because I’m mad at Russia, but mostly because beet juice and small children are an ill-advised combo, my carpet informs me. For about 28 years now, the Ethnic Feast has been my way of getting extended family together for Christmas on a date that doesn’t conflict with the actual holiday. Celebrating cuisine from around the globe is a reminder that we share this planet with others whom the Christmas Child loves equally and expects us to love, too. It’s also a nice break from heavy U.S. party food to come. However you celebrate the season, make time to enjoy people around you. Rest, smile and laugh often. Remember that a well-rested parent beats a crabby one any day and only Martha Stewart needs to be Martha Stewart. Enjoy Your Week! ❚
Sunday, December 3rd 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Rockford Flute Club, Emerald Wind, Betsy Baker and River City Sound A delectable assortment of sweets, treats, and beverages will be yours to enjoy during intermission.
$25 PER PERSON, $20 FOR MEMBERS, SENIORS and STUDENTS RSVP by November 27th at 815-965-8146 or klehm.org/christmasconcert
Generously Sponsored by
J. Carlson Growers KLEHM ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDEN 2715 S. MAIN ST. ROCKFORD, IL 61102 | 815-965-8146 | KLEHM.ORG
Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Power Furniture: The Solution for Comfort By Janine Pumilia
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ost of us grew up with a one-sizefits-all sofa in our homes, and it was more comfortable for some people than others. If you were petite, your feet may not have touched the floor and the backrest may have pushed your head too far forward. If you were tall, you may have felt cramped and constantly tempted to sling your legs over the coffee table when Mom wasn’t looking. As for Mom, she wished Dad would sit with her on the sofa now and then. But he found his old recliner just too comfortable to resist. Then came the Age of Power Furniture, which changed everything and continues to evolve. “Motion reclining furniture continues to be a growing trend,” says Becky Monigold, general manager at Gustafson’s Furniture & Mattress, 6651 E. State St. and 808 W. Riverside Blvd.,
Rockford. “Striving for ultimate comfort, manufacturers are showing adjustable headrests and adjustable lumbar features.” Today’s power furniture makes it possible for each person to customize the support his or her body needs, with the touch of a button. Power recliners, footrests and headrests are built right into today’s sofas and loveseats. One good example is the made-in-America CustomComfort line by HomeStretch. Its power sofas feature double recliners with power headrests, power lumbar movement and power extended footrests. The plush, pad-over chaise seating is made from easy-to-maintain 100 percent polyester; arm pads are made from solid foam. The seat box is constructed with hardwood and the motor mechanisms are made from steel. The attractive leatherlook cover has contrast stitching.
Both domestic and imported materials are used in HomeStretch products, but the entire manufacturing process takes place in northeast Mississippi. Many other fine companies are making power furniture, too. Now, no matter your size or shape, it's easy for every person to find a comfortable position without sacrificing the needs of one family member for another. And being comfortable is what being home is all about, right? ❚
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Is Unity Possible?
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an’t we all just get along? If we choose to view one another as God does, the answer is “yes.” There’s no hatred based on race, gender, age, health, wealth, etc., when we view one another through God’s eyes. Each of us is precious. The Book of Acts reveals how difficult it was for the early church to wrap its head around this concept of equality. In the Old Testament, God favored certain people. It wasn’t His ideal way to operate, however. God wanted to bridge the distance caused by Adam’s disobedience (Romans 5:19) and to make peace with all who choose to believe. That universal reconciliation was made possible through Christ. (2 Cor. 5:18) The New Testament teaches that favoritism on our part is a sin. We’re to love all people and treat them well. (James 2:1-3, 9) Scripture also teaches that our views should never be shaped by cultural norms that are at odds with Christ’s. Kings, presidents, preachers and other cultural icons come and go and are fallible. Only Christ’s kingdom endures forever. In it, there’s no place for hatred. (Eph.4:31). We’re to imitate Christ. (Eph. 5:1 & 2). Each of us is made in God’s image, which is spirit. Spirit has no gender or race. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). God cares about whether we accept the Gospel and live it (Romans 10: 9 & 10), not about our superficial differences. He sees our hearts. (I Sam. 16:7). Being reconciled to God through Christ binds us together as one family, but we must guard that precious unity. Jude warns of those who “slip in” and divide us for personal gain, in verses 17-19: “These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage … These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” Can’t we all just get along? We can if we decide to. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12
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Power Up with Plant Protein – Chicken Pad Thai
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hen it comes to getting energy from the food you eat, it’s no secret that protein packs a powerful punch. However, research shows certain plantbased proteins, like peanuts, may carry additional benefits. According to a Harvard School of Public Health study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, substituting plant-based proteins like peanuts for animal proteins and low-quality carbohydrates can result in lowering diabetes risk by 7-21 percent. Peanuts are known as a low glycemic index food. They digest slowly and cause sugar to gradually be released into the bloodstream, so they can have positive effects on blood sugar control. Find more nutritional information and ways to include peanuts in your diet at gapeanuts.com.
Chicken Pad Thai Servings: 4
Ingredients: 1 lb. chicken breast freshly ground pepper, to taste 1 Tb olive oil 1 Tb honey 2 tsp. chili garlic sauce 3 tsp. rice wine vinegar 2 Tb. low-sodium soy sauce 1 Tb. peanut butter 1/4 cup water 1 medium zucchini, spiralized (about 1 cup) 2 medium carrots, spiralized (about 1 cup) 1 cup cooked pad thai stir-fry noodles 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup thinly sliced cabbage 1 lime, quartered 1/4 cup unsalted peanuts, crushed 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Source: Family Features
Preparation:
Season chicken with pepper, to taste. In large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and cook chicken until fully cooked and juices are clear. Remove chicken from pan and allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing. To make sauce: In small bowl, whisk together honey, chili garlic sauce, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, peanut butter and water. Add zucchini, carrots, rice noodles and chicken to pan; pour sauce over and toss to coat. Toss in bean sprouts and cabbage. Serve with lime wedge, crushed peanuts and cilantro.❚
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Enjoy Lots of Fun History Events this Winter By Peggy Werner
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he gift of learning is offered yearround at Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, and the winter season is no exception. “Midway Village is Rockford’s history museum and our mission is to educate the public about history and highlight the relevance it has in our community,” says Lonna Converso, director of marketing and social media. The village itself reflects Rockford in its heyday, in about 1900, the late Victorian era. The museum’s latest contribution to Rockford is a permanent display of 19 plaques which highlight people and buildings that have impacted Rockford since its founding in 1834. Midway Village Museum staff plans to organize future walking tours but interested residents can take a self-guided tour at any time. To learn more about the locations, go to
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RockfordHistoryWalks.org. “This is the first time we’ve undertaken a project of this scope,” says Converso. “Visitors will learn about entrepreneurs, social reformers, a president, pioneers, immigrants, an architect, veterans, religious leaders and an educator, all tied to Rockford’s rich history.” The project is funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and is done in partnership with the Rockford Area Visitors and Convention Bureau, River District Association, Rockford Park District and Lauren Davis Creative. Several upcoming events at Midway Village Museum relate to historical holiday traditions. The Holiday Victorian Tea sells out each December at the museum’s Chamberlain Hotel and this year is no
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exception. Interpreters dress in period costumes and the hotel is decorated for the holidays. This year’s theme is “Holiday Goodies in the 1800s.” If you don’t want to miss out on the tea next year, request a 2018 calendar of events the second week of January by email or snail mail, by emailing admin@ midwayvillage.com. This year’s tea will include three courses of savories, sandwiches, scones and sweets, along with endless pots of holiday tea. The Holiday Victorian Tea has been presented by the museum for the past 10 years and is one of its most popular events. Another Victorian-themed holiday event is “Victorian Holiday Celebration,” scheduled 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10, in the Victorian Village on the museum grounds. There
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will be horse-drawn wagon rides; dancing at the Fezziwig Ball; Christmas carols; holiday cards made at the print shop; story time at Mrs. Cratchit’s dinner table with Rockford Public Library; craft projects; a visit from Father Christmas and special holiday snacks and beverages for purchase. Admission to the Victorian Holiday Celebration is $7 for adults, $5 for
children 3-17, and free for children under 2. Tickets may be purchased online, at the museum’s gift shop or at the door. In a different Dec. 9 event, “Christmas in the Trenches” will be presented from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is a re-enactment of the 1914 World War I Christmas truce in which soldiers on both sides called an unofficial ceasefire during the week of Christmas. Enemies came together to decorate, exchange gifts, sing carols and play football. Re-enactors will decorate the 150 yard-long trench on the museum grounds and read excerpts from letters written by World War I soldiers. In addition to touring trenches, visitors will hear a narrated re-enactment of a battle and ceasefire, sing carols with the soldiers, receive a gift, sip hot chocolate, see real World War I artifacts and play football. Pre-register by Dec. 7. Midway Village Museum kicks off 2018 with a new Connecting with History series. Its first event is a World War
I Symposium on Saturday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration begins online by Jan. 2. World War ended one century ago, in 1918. Speakers will include Dr. John M. Cooper, professor emeritus of history at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, speaking about “Woodrow Wilson’s Impact on American Foreign Policy;” Dr. Ross Kennedy, history department chair at Illinois State University, speaking on “A Divided Land: World War I and American Domestic Politics;” and Dr. Paul Herbert, executive director of the First Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton, Ill., speaking about “The Great War and the U.S. Army (1917-1941) – A First Glimpse of Global Power.” “The world wars are a popular history topic in the Rockford region,” says Converso. “Thousands of troops came through Rockford’s Camp Grant during those wars.” Future 2018 lectures will focus on the 1960s. ❚
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Experience Downtown Rockford
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Holiday Events Galore! B y To n i R o c h a here’s no need to travel far away for top-notch holiday entertainment. Our region offers all the music, meaning and magic anyone of any age could ask for. So, instead of wrestling with tape and wrapping paper, why not give your loved ones tickets to a show in town? Here are a few of the holiday-inspired performances you’ll enjoy right here in the community. • J.R. Sullivan’s Hometown Holiday has been a Rockford Christmas mainstay for more than 20 years. This year it takes place Dec. 8-10 at the Nordlof Center, with holiday-inspired storytelling, comedy and songs. Learn about tickets at jrsullivanhometownholiday.com. • “Christmas Wonderland” will be presented Dec. 8 at Coronado Performing Arts Center by a Chicago-based ensemble. It will feature glittering costumes, a dazzling array of Christmas music and
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high-kicking chorus girls. Buy tickets from the Coronado box office or BMO Harris Bank Center at 300 Elm St. • “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be performed by the Artists’ Ensemble (AE) Dec. 15-17 at Rockford University’s Cheek Theatre. “The play is presented as if it were a 1947 radio broadcast with a live studio audience,” says AE artistic director Richard Raether. “Six actors perform multiple roles and create the live sound effects.” Lance Retallick, a Chicago-based actor, plays the lead role of George Bailey, while the remainder of the cast is local talent. Call the AE box office at (815) 394-5004 or buy tickets online at artistensemble.org. • Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s annual Holiday Pops Concert this year on Dec. 16 & 17 at the Coronado features the nationally acclaimed vocal group
Artists’ Ensemble will present “It’s Wonderful Life” Dec. 15-17 in Rockford.
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Five by Design. Larsen chose Five by Design for its unique style, which embraces unforgettable melodies, lush harmonies and swinging rhythms. The group is known for its fresh, innovative take on holiday favorites as well as originals. Go to rockfordsymphony.com to learn about tickets. So get out there and have some holiday fun with your friends! ❚
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Positive Feedback for LASIK Surgery By Lindsey Gapen, assistant managing editor
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hen it comes to advertising, wordof-mouth recommendations have a high credibility. The free opinion of a trusted friend or family member carries more weight than any paid-for commercial. Thanks to strong word-of-mouth, Dr. Edward Yavitz, an ophthalmologist, attracts patients from across the Midwest for LASIK eye surgery – a procedure that involves reshaping the cornea in order to treat farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. “I have 10,000 happy LASIK patients, which creates quite a sales force,” Yavitz says. “All you have to do is go to the Internet and see the comments.” With such positive word-of-mouth feedback, Yavitz spends less on advertising and keeps fees for LASIK up to 50 percent less than other offices.
“People like to go to someone who has a lot of experience,” Yavitz says, “And I’m operating on second and even third generations of family members now since I began. That’s real experience.” Yavitz completes three steps during a LASIK procedure. First, he precisely creates a flap and folds back a thin layer of the cornea. Second, using an excimer laser, he removes an exact amount of corneal tissue in seconds. Finally, he folds the corneal tissue back into place, allowing it to adhere without the need for stitches. Yavitz performs more than 100 LASIK eye surgeries per month and has taught LASIK around the world. He even has several patents for devices used to
make LASIK a safer, more predictable surgery. To schedule a free consultation regarding LASIK, call (815) 395-8338 or visit Yavitz Eye Center at 4105 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. ❚ (Paid Advertorial)
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Y F Autumn just might be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at
Real. Original. SM
Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all
ILLINOIS, USA
glowing in autumn’s glory. Indoors, our concert and theater season will be gaining momentum at Coronado Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored downtown vaudeville house. Plus, our Riverfront Museum Campus will be coming alive for the whole family. Visit gorockford.com today for a full list of autumn special events, festivals, gardens, golf and more.
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1
102 N. Main St.
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tourism
Attractions & Events
“Little Women” Thru Dec. 3, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. Four young March sisters and their mother struggle to keep their family going while their fatherIL is61101 away1.800.521.0849 in the Civilgorockford.com War. Pec Playhouse Rockford, Theatre, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, (815) 2391210, pecplayhouse.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
14th Annual Juried Exhibition Thru Feb. 19, Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. noon-5 p.m. Featuring work by artists from Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. Freeport Art Museum (FAM), 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, (815) 235-9755, freeportartmuseum.org. “A Christmas Carol” Nov. 30-Dec. 10, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. The Dickens classic adapted for the stage. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org. AE: “The Lion in Winter” Nov. 30-Dec. 10, Thu.-Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. King Henry II’s three sons all want to inherit the throne. Artists’ Ensemble (AE), Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. Noëls, Pastorales and Carols Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m. Seasonal music and caroling, featuring Mendelssohn’s grand Möller pipe organ. MPAC, Mendelssohn Hall, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Second City’s Men’s Chorus Dec. 2, 7 p.m. Featuring the Rockford Metro Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org. Tommy Emmanuel Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy Yuletide classics played by the complex finger-style guitarist, who handles the melody, supporting chords and bass all at once. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Christmas Wonderland Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. A dazzling cast presents a nostalgic Christmas journey full of song and dance. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac. org. J.R. Sullivan’s Hometown Holiday Dec. 8-10, Fri.-Sat. 7:30, Sun. 3 pm. Holidayinspired storytelling, comedy & popular music from national and local musicians and actors. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 987-6660, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
Why not get out with family or friends to enjoy the music and drama of the season? There are plenty of wonderful, local options!
RYSO Winter Concert Dec. 10, 3 p.m. Featuring the symphony’s Youth Orchestra. Hononegah Performing Arts Center, 307 Salem St., Rockton, Ill. Tickets/Info: (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com AE: “Its’ A Wonderful Life” Radio Play Dec. 15-17, Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. It’s an unusual Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls, where George Bailey is in desperate need of a miracle. This beloved holiday classic is presented as a 1946 radio broadcast, complete with live sound effects. AE, Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. Beloit Civic Theatre (BCT) Christmas Spectacular Dec. 15-17, Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Featuring favorite classics. Byron Civic Theater, Byron Middle School, 850 N. Colfax St., Byron, Ill., (815) 312-3000, bctmagic.com. A Carpenter’s Christmas Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Singer Lisa Rock and her band keep the group’s holiday traditions alive. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac. org. RSO: Holiday Pops Dec. 16-17, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. The nationally acclaimed Five by Design joins RSO for a unique take on classic holiday favorites, using lush harmonies and rhythms. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. BJSO: Winter Holiday Delight Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Share some holiday cheer with conductor/music director Dr. Robert Tomaro and the rest of the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org. ❚
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Lots of New Additions at Ciao Bella By Peggy Werner
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iao Bella Ristorante, 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, has made its mark as being one of the area’s best dining establishments, and in the past year has made many changes to have an even wider appeal to people of all ages, whether wanting to have an elegant leisurely evening meal or a quick affordable lunch on the run. With a new chef, new menu items, new hours, a wider selection of beer and wine, a separate bar menu, slot machines, food specials, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menu items, and new ways of placing food orders, Ciao Bella is stepping up to the plate. “We just want more people to experience what we have to offer and we have taken the restaurant in a new direction by trying new things to attract those
who haven’t been here and keep others coming back,” says Owner Talia Castrogiovanni. Topping the list of changes are being able to place an online orders through the Ciao Bella Face book page, $7 express lunches with an endless bowl of homemade soup, a lunch punch card that after 12 meals, you get one free, and the choice of buying full or half salads. Drink specials include house wines and draft beer for $3 on Mondays and Wednesdays, $2 house wines on Thursday, and a bar menu that features boneless chicken wings, quesadilla, tacos, burgers and wraps. A new menu introduced just three weeks ago includes poplar specials that got rave reviews, such as Mango Grouper, which is a grilled piece of fish topped with a mango salsa and served with house vegetables and pesto angel hair pasta. Scallop or Shrimp Pappardelle is egg noodles
Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant Casual/Authentic Mexican. 107 tic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am-8pm, 227-4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. T-Th to 9pm, F to 10pm, Sun noon-8pm. $. Fresco at the Gardens. Casual/American Café. Fresh, loBaci’s Kitchen Fast-Casual American and Italian specialties, cal-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. ComGiordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, plete menu at Baciskitchen.com. sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) Big Papa’s Barbecue BBQ Specialties. 5811 Forest Hills Road, 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. Rockford, (815) 904-6612. LD M-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11 amGreenFire Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Sea10pm, Sun 11am-7pm. $. sonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; Bravo Pizza Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) loit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$. Cannova’s Italian Cuisine Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- Hearthrock Cafe Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Dai- Rockford, (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8amly specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654- 3pm. $-$$. 9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$
Prairie Street Brewhouse Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Costa’s Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$. Cucina di Rosa Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, Taco Betty’s Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. Homemade gelato, baked Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. goods, pasta, frittatas, more. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$
Thrive Café Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant Casual/Mexican. AuthenDrive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚
Smart Living Weekly
Nov. 29
tossed with spinach, tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. Other new menu items include an Italian Pizza Burger, Portabella Flatbread, Caprese Salad, and Classic Caesar Salad, Spinach Salad served with warm bacon dressing, and Teriyaki Tuna and Jumbo Asiago Shrimp as appetizers. Ciao Bella is now open Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m., as well as 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday. ❚
In the Spotlight
Top Picks for Local Restaurants
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Sicilian Pizza
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint
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ocated at 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, inside the Ironworks Hotel, the restaurant features mouthwatering steaks, along with a full-service menu of fish, chicken and and seafood selections. Named after the men whose 1858 foundry became Beloit Corp., Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint celebrates Beloit's rich industrial history. Many of its components are constructed with repurposed materials salvaged from historic buildings. Leather seats, hardwood floors and many historical photographs lining the walls give the space a rustic feel. Merrill & Houston's is available for private and corporate events. The main dining room seats 120 and the banquet room can accommodate 200 guests. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is open daily at 4 p.m. ❚
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Y H
There are Many Options for Pain Relief A By Peggy Werner
t a time when the opioid epidemic is a top news story because of its strangulating hold on society, with more and more people falling victim to addictive prescription or illegal painkillers, people need to know there are better options for treating pain, says Chris Scott of Chris Scott Wellness, 1752 Windsor Road, Suite 202 in Loves Park. In business for more than 25 years, he opened his own clinic in 2014, specializing in pain management with Medical Massage Therapy and Myofascial Release. He has two physicians and three therapists on staff. “You can have success treating pain without drugs,” he says. More than 80 percent of the aches and pains people experience are musculoskeletal in nature, usually involving muscular imbalance and tightness, especially around joints, he says. People who
suffer from chronic pain often have anxiety and depression as a result of their suffering, which can also be addressed and improved with pain management therapy, he says. One of the easiest ways people can lower their pain and anxiety levels is by using deep breathing exercises. One example is called “box breathing,” and is done by slowly inhaling air through the nose to get the deepest breath, then holding it a couple seconds, and then exhaling slowly through the mouth, while thinking positive thoughts or visualizing beautiful nature scenes, he says. “Science teaches us the brain controls the body, but what controls the brain? It’s your breath,” he says. Scott says he has helped hundreds of
people either get off pain medication or greatly reduce their need for it. For more information or to make an appointment, call the clinic at (815) 9773747. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturdays. ❚
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for the Holidays www.edgebrookshops.com 1639 N. Alpine Rd • Rockford, Illinois • 815.226-0212
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