SIMPLYkc Magazine January 2021

4 WAYS

TO LOSE COVID — & CHRISTMAS — WEIGHT

Life Changes HERE’S HOW

TO MOVE FORWARD

7 WAYS

JAN ‘21 | Vol. 10 No. 9

TO BOOST YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

INFOCUS

LET YOUR SKIN BLOOM IN 2021

HOME

THE ONLY JANUARY SURVIVAL GUIDE YOU NEED

PEOPLE

SLEEK PHYSIQUE’S SECRET TO A HEALTHY NEW YEAR

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Happy New Year!

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JANUARY 2021

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CONTENTS

AROUND TOWN 10

14

A VERY GOLDEN SCOOP

LOCAL HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 13 INFOCUS 14

BLOOM: A SKINCARE STUDIO

BE WELL 16

Q&A WITH MATTHEW EARNEST, MD

LOCAL GOOD EATS 20 WHO WHAT WHERE 22 DR. JOSEPH REUBEN

HOME 24

JANUARY AT-HOME SURVIVAL GUIDE

WELLNESS 26 CONCIERGE MEDICINE

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INFOCUS 28

RESOLVE TO LOOK AND FEEL BETTER WITH ENDERMOLOGIE BY SLEEK PHYSIQUE

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BEAUTY 30

WANT GLOWING SKIN? START WITH THESE BLOGS

PARENTING 32

LIFE (AND FRIENDS) AFTER KIDS

DISH 34

THE TOWN COMPANY RESTAURANT: A LOCAL DINING EXPERIENCE

INFOCUS 36 NAILED IT!

DEAR KACIE 38

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HOW TO LOSE THE COVID AND CHRISTMAS WEIGHT

BECAUSE I SAID SO 40 SAY GOODBYE TO THE TOILET BOWL AND HELLO TO 2021

COMMUNITY 42

THE PRICELESS GIFT OF BLOOD

GOOD TASTES 44 HAPPY NEW YOU!

7 THINGS 46

7 WAYS TO BOOST MENTAL HEALTH IN WINTER

APP 48

WATERLOGGED

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JANUARY 2021

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

New Year, New ... Intentions?

Here’s a secret: I never make New Year’s resolutions.

The problem with a resolution is that it seems too judgy. Like I’m not good enough—that I will be happier when I get something newer or better, or change who I am. And if I don’t fully commit to the resolution, I’m a failure. That’s not the way to start off a new year!

Instead, I prefer the phrase “setting an intention.” Yes, there is a difference between setting an intention and making a resolution. While I do still set goals, the difference lies in how I go about reaching them.

With an intention, I resolve that I’m already “enough.” Instead of focusing on the result (losing 10 pounds, for example), it’s more about the journey. Maybe weight loss is still the goal, but I’m not focused on that. Instead, it’s caring enough about myself to eat good food and exercise. You’re more likely to create good habits that way instead of beating yourself up over every little slip-up.

And when looking back at 2020, I’m sure we all agree that not much went the way we expected. But that doesn’t mean we all failed at growing and learning.

Here’s to starting out 2021 with a positive outlook. We all know that 2021 has to be a better year than 2020!

And, from all of us at SIMPLYkc Magazine: Happy New Year! We hope this is your best year ever.

Suzanne Steiner, Publisher

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PUBLISHER Suzanne Steiner suz@simplykcmag.com MANAGING EDITOR Brennan Hallock of Hallock Writing & Design editor@simplykcmag.com PHOTOGRAPHY Jami Marshall of Electric Imagez, Beth Houts of Beth Houts Photography, Jenny Wheat of Wheat Photography, Samantha Levi of Samantha Levi Photography, Lindsay Krumbholz, Rob Hughey, Sherri Schwinn, Jim Mathis of Mathis Photography, Bonjwing Lee, Brennan Hallock of Hallock Writing & Design, Melanie McDowell CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Julie Burton, Rebecca Fischer, Madison Obermeyer, Shannon E. Roesgen, Sophie Oswald, TE Cunningham, AdventHealth, Deborah Eakin Osborne, Judy Goppert, Brennan Hallock of Hallock Writing & Design, Gina Reardon ART DIRECTOR Julie Faerman, Whoo Design ADVERTISING Gretchen McGraw, Sales 620.474.5859 gretchen@simplykcmag.com INQUIRIES SIMPLYkc Magazine 11730 W. 135th St., Ste. 116 Overland Park, KS 66221 913.209.9394 contact@simplykcmag.com simplykcmag.com

COVER IMAGE PHOTOS • Beth Houts, Beth Houts Photography, 913.486.8120, bethhouts.com, @bethhoutsphotography WARDROBE • FitWear Boutique, online at shopfitwear.com, also located inside Threshing Bee at Prairiefire, 5501 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS @fitwearboutique MODEL • Kyrie Killen with Voices &, 118 Walnut, Suite 120, Kansas City, MO, 816.753.4261, voicesand.com, @voicesandmodels, @stepsofstyle STYLIST • Brooke Runnebaum, hello@therealstylist.com HAIR & MAKEUP • Summer Johnson, Master Stylist at Catered Beauty located inside Aspen Salon, 9926 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS, 913.909.9227, @summerjohnsonhair

SIMPLYkc Magazine is published monthly by Mach Publications, LLC. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of SIMPLYkc Magazine. All rights reserved. SIMPLYkc Magazine accepts no infringement or other responsibility for unsolicited or contributed copy, artwork, photography, or advertisements. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to omissions and errors. Opinions and statements in SIMPLYkc Magazine are contributed by authors and/or advertisers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of SIMPLYkc Magazine. Photography and material in the publication as well as design may not be copied or reproduced in any form without written permission. References for copy will be made available upon written request.

All rights reserved. ©2020, Mach Publications, LLC.

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JANUARY 2021

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AROUND TOWN

A VERY GOLDEN SCOOP WRITTEN BY JULIE BURTON

It’s the positive, feel-good story making headlines in Kansas City. Tucked into W. 95th St. and Nall Ave. in Overland Park is an ice cream shop and coffee house set to open soon. The ice cream is made in-house. The coffee is roasted to perfection. There are greeters when you walk in and there are designated parking spaces if you prefer contactless pickup.

COVID-19 has upended nearly everyone’s life in some way; employment taking a big hit. The unemployment rate for individuals with developmental disabilities rose to nearly

80 percent, according to Michelle Reeves, vice president and director of culinary and creative at The Golden Scoop.

The Golden Scoop was founded by Michelle Reeves, Amber Schreiber (president and CEO), and Lindsay Krumbholz (vice president and director of programs and volunteer management). Reeves owned her own catering company as well as working at a nonprofit that specialized in employing individuals with developmental disabilities. Krumbholz was an in-home services provider for special needs clients working with families on development of independent living skills. When the three ladies came together they came up with the idea of starting a nonprofit where they would give individuals with developmental disabilities a place of employment.

“There’s a coffee shop with a similar business model on the east coast that we looked into franchising.

Then we found another business in Texas that is an ice cream shop that employs individuals with developmental disabilities. We sort of mar-

Photo by Lindsay Krumbholz

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Photo by Lindsay Krumbholz

T

he Golden Scoop isn’t just any ice cream shop and coffee house, though. For example, the employees are not called employees, they are Super Scoopers. The Super Scoopers at The Golden Scoop are individuals with developmental disabilities.

ried the two concepts and started a nonprofit here in Kansas City,” explains Reeves.

Super Scoopers Shine The business is structured with the goal of providing as many different jobs for the Super Scoopers as possible. Oftentimes, people with developmental disabilities need to do the same task every day. “We have about six different jobs at The Golden Scoop—we have greeters, ice cream makers, and Super Scoopers

Photo by Rob Hughey

ing, naming, and marketing a new ice cream flavor each month. While The Golden Scoop hasn’t released its full menu yet, they are hinting that one flavor is based off of a breakfast cereal (and there’s cinnamon in it)!

Bringing Back Smiles

working behind the counter,” Reeves says. “Part of our goal is to find what each person shines at. When construction of The Golden Scoop is complete, we’ll be training. And we will keep job coaches on staff too.”

The ice cream flavors are on a rotation, and they will also offer dietary-restricted ice cream such as dairy-free. The best part? There will be a Super Scooper of the Month in charge of develop-

is the first time in four months that he’s smiled about anything.’ That’s just so uplifting to hear, especially given the culture of COVID-19. It’s been difficult for individuals with developmental disabilities. Social interaction is so important. We put a smile on someone’s face by even having the suggestion.”

The Golden Scoop name comes from a group of individuals who belong to a dance group called The Golden Stars.

Many of the employees will come from this group. It’s a group of people who wants to stay together, so it will be an easy transition that helps facilitate their social lives. Many have begun training.

And when you open the door to The Golden Scoop, we know you’ll smile too.

Reeves recalls a sweet story from before The Golden Scoop opened its doors. “One Super Scooper was so nervous and excited about succeeding at a job, his sister emailed and said, ‘This

instagram.com/thegoldenscoopkc facebook.com/thegoldenscoopkc twitter.com/thegoldenscoop

The Golden Scoop 9540 Nall Ave., Overland Park, KS thegoldenscoop.org

Masks are required to enter.

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fine art

913.486.8120 12

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bethhouts.com

“Voted Best Consignment Shop in The Pitch’s ‘Best of Kansas City 2020’” Lulu’s Boutique is an environmentally friendly boutique featuring pre-loved designer and vintage fashion, handbags and accessories, locally made goods, gifts, and fine art.

6017 Johnson Dr., Mission, KS • 913.362.2442 facebook.com/LulusBoutiqueKC

Gallery V Fine Arts offers creative originals for home and gift. The spirited works by Kansas City artists and beyond include paintings, sculpture, glass, ceramics and handcrafted gifts. Special commissions, pet portraiture, and custom jewelry design are available.

Walk-in guests are welcome, or schedule a private shopping or in-home art consultation.

Mission Farms West, 4020 Indian Creek Pkwy., Overland Park, KS • 913.341.3483 • galleryvfinearts.com

Shop LOCAL Support LOCAL Ring in the New Year and let the professional team at Mia Bella Donna Medspa help give you the look you deserve. Give the gift of a gift card or skin care products!

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Elizabeth Jacob Home is a design-build studio. We do custom sewing and offer interior design and construction services for both residential and commercial spaces. In-stock furniture, lighting, decor, and art pieces are in the store. Design and construction services are by appointment.

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turtle bellies “A Chocolate Experience”

Whether you’re looking for a simple solitaire or an exquisite diamond ring, you will find the perfect piece of fine jewelry at Glitters Fine Jewelry. We are proud to be a premier Kansas City jewelry store, offering a wide assortment of timeless and stunning creations for all your special occasions.

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INFOCUS

BLOOM: A SKINCARE STUDIO

WRITTEN BY REBECCA FISCHER PHOTOS BY JAMI MARSHALL

E

veryone from the Mayo Clinic to the Kardashian clan has touted the importance of self-care during the coronavirus pandemic.

Perhaps it’s the one respite we’ve all had—the permission to take good care of ourselves.

If you’re able to leave the house, having someone else provide a caring service—a haircut, a massage, a facial—comes with added benefits. Medical studies show that human touch helps regulate our digestion and sleep, and even boosts the immune system.

The desire to help people feel beautiful and, more importantly, feel better overall, is what spurred Hollie Muther to pursue an esthetician license in her early 40s.

But when she was about to open Bloom: A Skincare Studio, the coronavirus pandemic hit. “I thought, I’ve wanted this long enough—it’s time to do it. There’s a right way to do it,” says Muther.

Ensuring the safety of her clients has been of utmost importance, and Muther says it wasn’t very difficult to adjust. She added protections like mask wearing (when not getting treatment) and mandating an hour between each appointment.

“The older I get, the more I real-

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JANUARY 2021

Holly Muther, owner of Bloom

ize how precious each day is,” she says. “I’ve worked places where I had to meet quotas, and I feel so lucky to be able to work how I want to work, which is to help people.”

The Royal Treatment

Tucked away on the west side of the Downtown Mission shops, Bloom offers a sanctuary of comfort and care—a place where you can slip away from the stresses of life and bloom again. The wide selection of

treatments include everything from brow tints and lash lifts to various dermaplaning treatments, chemical peels, and more. There are treatments used to simply protect the skin and others used to tackle more difficult issues like scarring, pitting, and pigmentation.

Muther provides a free full consultation for each new client to ensure all of your skincare needs are addressed. During treatment, she

Above: In addition to esthetics, Bloom also includes a boutique that is great for shopping and purchasing gifts.

aims to provide the environment most suitable to your relaxation.

After removing the deteriorating outer layer of skin that can cast shadows and make us seem dull, Muther provides a massage and lymphatic drainage for every facial while ensuring your skin is deeply hydrated with beneficial serums, vitamins, and nutrients customized to your skin’s needs.

“After my facial, my skin had never felt so hydrated and healthy,” says Denise Brock of Raymore. “The atmosphere is so zen and inviting as well.”

“After my facial, my skin had never felt so hydrated & healthy.”

If you’re too blissed out when you leave to remember Muther’s tips and recommendations, don’t fret. “I have clients text me from drugstores asking, ‘Is this product okay for my

skin?’” Muther says. “I’m always happy to help. Healthy skin is 20 percent what happens here, and 80 percent what you do at home.”

Healthy Winter Skin

After receiving her first facial treatment in high school, Muther has regularly received them since. Her own skincare routine reflects her personal philosophy on skin health: simplicity, simplicity, simplicity.

“I do three or four things a day—including cleanser and toner. Then I do a scrub and a mask on Sundays. I get facials about once every three months, because my skin is reactive,” she says.

“Everyone’s skin is different, so everyone’s routine will be different.”

Finding a good product line that matches your skin’s needs is key.

Muther features Rhonda Allison at Bloom—a personal favorite that meets a wide variety of needs.

In the winter, Muther says it’s important to focus on skin hydration.

Collagen is especially beneficial now,

and can be incorporated into masks, toners, and serums. Her favorite winter treatment is a dermaplane with a collagen mask. “Peels are good in the winter months too because the sun isn’t as intense,” she adds. “Not everyone’s skin can handle a deep peel, but not everyone needs one.”

Similar benefits such as tightening, brightening, and diminishing fine lines can be gained by using a lactic cleanser and toner from the cosmeceutical line Rhonda Allison, which Muther retails at her studio and uses in every facial treatment offered.

“Skin changes with age, the seasons, and our diet, so if you haven’t had a facial in a while, come in and see what’s new for you,” Muther says.

Bloom: A Skincare Studio • 6130 Johnson Dr., Mission, KS • 913.707.0652 • bloomaskincarestudio.com SIMPLYkc Special: Mention this article for 20% OFF your first service (all first-time clients also receive a free skin assessment & consultation).

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BE WELL

Q&A WITH

MATTHEW EARNEST, MD, ON CHRONIC TOTAL OCCLUSIONS WRITTEN BY ADVENTHEALTH / PHOTO BY SHERRI SCHWINN

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of American adults are affected by cardiovascular disease at some point in their lives.

So it is likely you or someone you know has been diagnosed with heart disease or experienced a heart attack.

The heart is one of the most extraordinary and complicated organs in the human body. There are many issues that can occur with the heart and affect our heart health. We were able to sit down with AdventHealth cardiologist Matthew Earnest, MD, to discuss one of the more common issues: chronic total occlusion.

What is chronic total occlusion?

Chronic total occlusion refers to a coronary artery (the vessels which supply the heart muscle with blood) which has been completely closed off for a minimum of three months.

Who does this apply to?

Many people who have coronary artery disease actually have an artery that is completely blocked.

There are times when this results in a heart attack, and times which it

does not. The difference is in how fast the artery blocks off.

If it happens slowly, the body has time to grow “collaterals,” or alternative flow to the area of the blockage. In this case, the muscle will most likely remain alive, or what we call “viable.”

At this point, the area may be getting enough blood flow to keep the muscle alive, but may not be getting enough for its needs during times of stress such as when our heart rate or blood pressure increases.

What symptoms do people with chronic total occlusion experience?

As long as there is viable tissue beyond the blockage, a person’s symptoms should be the same as typical angina. In some people, these symptoms would include chest pressure or pain which may radiate to the left shoulder or jaw, and typically will get

worse with exertion and better with rest. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, nausea, or generalized fatigue.

Is there a test that reveals whether or not someone has chronic total occlusion?

An angiogram is needed to diagnose chronic total occlusion.

How do you treat patients with chronic total occlusion?

Some people may not need any treatment other than good management of their heart rate and blood pressure, as well as the use of medication to lower cholesterol. Others who have large areas of viable tissue in the blocked artery may benefit from having us open up the blockage to restore natural blood flow to that region. This process is called re-vascularization. Most of the time, continued on page 18

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YOUR TIME

MATTERS. At Diagnostic Imaging Centers, we understand your calendar is always full and your “to-do” list is never complete. Time should never be a barrier to health care and that’s why we make saving you time a priority. By providing the best in medical imaging affordably, compassionately, and timely we’re centered on you.

ONLINE SCHEDULING: Schedule your appointment online or with our mobile app.

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BE WELL CONT.

we can perform this procedure with catheters using a minimally invasive approach. People are often able to be admitted for just an overnight stay for the procedure.

physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, stress, over-consumption of alcohol, and poor diet and nutrition.

What advice would you give to someone who has been diagnosed with chronic total occlusion?

What is the best prevention against chronic total occlusion?

By bringing technology, medical expertise, and compassion together, the AdventHealth Heart and Vascular Center is a center of excellence for cardiac and vascular care. Learn more at AdventHealthKC.com/Heart.

See your cardiologist and ask if it would be worthwhile to open the artery. Or make an appointment with someone who specializes in this procedure.

Identify your risk factors for heart disease early and treat them aggressively. The risk factors for heart disease that we can control include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure,

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The service team at YaYa’s consistently aims to provide the best service and complete guest satisfaction. We’re proud to be able to meet each special request of our guests, whether it’s food, beverage, or a special setting.

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Serving organic, whole food eats and treats for KC’s ever-growing health food scene, Unbakery Juicery prides itself in its gluten free menu. Unbakery is open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday serving breakfast and lunch options from Billie’s Grocery in midtown and organic juices served in glass bottles. Unbakery offers an easy, convenient drive-thru option for those days you’re in a hurry or have a car full of crazy kids. (Buy them a protein ball, you’ll thank us!) With a full line of wellness shots and functional herbal teas from Apothe, the team at Unbakery helps you maintain optimal health. Mention SIMPLYkc Magazine and receive 10% off a juicer.

634 E. 63rd St., KCMO • 816.237.1128 unbakeryandjuicerykc.com

Burnt End BBQ is a fast casual BBQ restaurant located in Overland Park.

They are the tastiest of the tasty! Come in hungry and walk out satisfied.

If you can’t make it in, don’t worry! They deliver and cater. Burnt End BBQ can cater any event from a simple office lunch to an old-fashioned BBQ wedding. Come in and try the best BBQ in town!

11831 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS • 913.451.8888 burntendbbqkc.com

Jose Pepper's has been a staple in the KC area for 33 years. We are a 100 percent scratch kitchen offering a unique variety of traditional Mexican entrées with a Tex-Mex flare. Mention SIMPLYkc Magazine in the month of January to get a FREE Espinaca con Queso dip with purchase of an entrée!

OVERLAND PARK - 14373 Metcalf Ave. • 913.681.9750 OVERLAND PARK - 10316 Metcalf Ave. • 913.341.5673 OLATHE - 13770 S. Black Bob Rd. • 913.393.0444 SHAWNEE - 16605 Midland Dr. • 913.631.1011 MISSION - 6870 Johnson Dr. • 913.384.7360 KCKS - 1851 Village West Pkwy. • 913.328.0770 LIBERTY - 217 S. Stewart St. • 816.415.3155 BELTON - 1100 E. North Ave. • 816.331.4949 LEE'S SUMMIT - 1667 N.E. Douglas St. • 816.246.9555 josepeppers.com

Story is now open for patio and dining room seating. We have patio heaters and blankets for your use, or bring your own blanket for cool autumn evenings on the patio. Chef Thorne-Thomsen is excited to welcome you back into the restaurant. Story will continue to offer curbside pickup with online ordering at storykc.com.

Featured menu items include: Alaskan halibut, beef short ribs, lobster tagliatelle, and more. Story also offers monthly wine dinners, a fried chicken special on Wednesday nights, and a burger special on Thursday nights. Visit storykc.com to learn more.

3931 W. 69th Terr., Prairie Village, KS • 913.236.9955 info@storykc.com • storykc.com

Evolve crafts fresh, healthy, pre-made meals, juices, smoothies, and snacks to fit your lifestyle. Whether it’s weight loss, weight gain, or restricted diets, we’ve got you covered. Great tasting food for a fair price is what we’re all about. Welcome to the Evolve family!

Fresh, high-quality ingredients are always on the menu at Dewey’s.

Come visit us and try our Candied Walnut & Grape Salad topped with our house-made Citrus Basil Vinaigrette. This is the perfect winter salad! Learn more at deweyspizza.com.

Ranch Mart Shopping Center • 3615 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS • 913.257.5311

CROSSROADS - 322 Southwest Blvd., Ste. 100, KC, MO • 913.971.0111 DOWNTOWN OP - 7221 W. 80th St., Overland Park • 913.730.9730 SOUTH OP - 13309 W. 135th St., Overland Park • 913.971.0277 LIBERTY - 109 S. Stewart Rd., Liberty, MO • 816.368.9660 eattoevolve.com

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, o h W

PHOTO BY JIM MATHIS OF MATHIS PHOTOGRAPHY

WHAT, WHERE

Meet Dr. Joseph Reuben Who: What:

Dr. Joseph Reuben is an ER doctor at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission.

Dr. Joe Reuben is the calm during chaos.

He has been practicing emergency medicine at an AdventHealth Kansas City emergency room for the past 21 years. He was elected as a Fellow of American College of Emergency Physicians and previously served as the Medical Director of the ERs of AdventHealth.

His involvement in the community reaches throughout Kansas City. He is involved with numerous health care advocacy boards such as the Reach Health Care Foundation, a charitable foundation dedicated to improving health coverage and access to quality, affordable health care for uninsured and medically underserved people. He says this year he has “never been more inspired by his patients and by the great work that the people of my hospital do every day.”

Dr. Reuben and his wife, Becca, have three young children.

Where:

FAVORITE PLACE TO DINE My wife and I love to order tapas at La Bodega. The atmosphere is both festive and fun, and the variety of food must be shared.

FAVORITE PLACE TO DRINK There is no better place to enjoy a cup of coffee than Hi Hat Coffee. It is a charming, small brick and slate former gas station with outdoor seating at 50th St. and State Line Rd.

FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP I enjoy walking with my family from our home to the Prairie Village shops.

FAVORITE HIDDEN GEM Surrounded by the UMKC campus is the beautiful Linda Hall Library, among the largest and best science libraries in the world.

FAVORITE PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS Out-of-town guests are always amazed by the many old, historic and beautiful neighborhoods in our great city.

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want to get in shape but Avoid exposing yourself to covid at the gym?

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HOME

JANUARY AT-HOME SURVIVAL GUIDE WRITTEN BY SHANNON E. ROESGEN

J

anuary is the coldest month of the year in the northern hemisphere, and January 18 is said to be the most depressing day of the year. And this January is promising to be even more challenging because of COVID-19. But don’t worry, this year we have a room-by-room playbook for how to survive January in your home.

The Bathroom Moods are most elevated by soothing music being played and candles being lit while pampering. There are also step-by-step tutorials on how to give yourself a pro-type facial from home, such as the following (thanks to Zen Body Cafe in Smithville, Missouri).

The cleanse: Christ Green, owner of Zen Body Cafe, explains that you should begin by washing dirt, oil, and makeup off your face and neck with a face wash that has simple ingredients and no harsh chemicals or preservatives. Some examples include foaming face wash (for aging skin), lavender (for all skin types), and rosemary tea tree (for acne-prone skin).

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neck. Repeat five times. Wipe off any excess oil with a soft cloth.

Moisturize/nourish: Finish your facial with a touch of moisturizer. If you are concerned about too much moisture left from the massage, try a few nourishing spritzes of a sea salt spray.

The Bedroom Weighted blankets: Weighted blankets are therapeutic blankets that weigh 5-30 pounds.

The mask: Use this to remove all the dulling dead skin cells on the face.

The end result will be skin that radiantly glows!

The extra weight creates a pressure that feels like a therapeutic technique called deep pressure stimulation, which relaxes the nervous system. Once the nervous system is relaxed, there is an opportunity for the body to naturally relieve pain, decrease anxiety, and improve mood. Weighted blankets have become a routine part of stress relief and healthy sleep habits for many.

The massage: This is a very important step, so don’t skip it! A massage increases blood flow, which helps reduce puffiness. You can even use a moisturizing oil with this step. Start by adding the oil to the face and neck, sweeping fingers across the face, then down the neck moving horizontally chin to ear, under eyes to temple and side of nose to top of cheek, then vertically down the

Heated mattress pads: Since January in the Midwest equals cold, heated mattress pads are the perfect solution to keep you cozy and warm while you rest. Sunbeam offers a quilted polyester heated mattress pad that features dual-zone control for individualized comfort, 10 heat settings and a 10-hour auto-off function. Machine washable and dryer safe, this mattress pad

chocolate recipe. Artisanal hot chocolate is easy to make with milk (cow, soy, almond, or coconut) and chocolate (white, milk, or dark). Next, choose toppings: toffee, crushed candy canes, sprinkles, cinnamon, chopped candy bars, caramel, peanut butter, Nutella, marshmallow fluff, or whipped cream.

Finally, create and enjoy!

offers a ThermoFine warming system that senses and adjusts throughout the blanket to provide consistent heat.

The Kitchen Hot chocolate bar: A hot chocolate bar is a great idea for a gray January day, and it’s a fun solution for the whole family. First, choose your hot

PhoneSoap 3 Smartphone Sanitizer and Universal Charger: Did you know our smartphones are 18 times dirtier than a public toilet? PhoneSoap has two UV-C bulbs that completely sanitize your phone and kill 99.99 percent of germs and bacteria. This sanitizer accommodates all smartphones and comes with one USB port and one USB-C port for charging. PhoneSoap is the perfect device not only for this

Be safe. Be well.

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9/8/16 12:35 PM

WELLNESS

CONCIERGE MEDICINE: JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

WRITTEN BY DEBORAH EAKIN OSBORNE

I

f the term “concierge medicine” sounds like something exclusively for the rich and famous—or, at the very least, out of reach for most people—here’s some good news: It isn’t.

My first exposure to concierge-type medicine occurred several years ago during a time when the future of the insurance industry was uncertain and many physicians were looking to guard against economic uncertainty. A friend told me her doctor had selected a few hundred patients from his practice and offered them unlimited care for an annual fee. Unfortunately for my friend, she was not among the chosen. For whatever reason, my friend’s doctor of many years had, in fact, “dropped” her.

To say that my friend was devastated is an understatement. Why would her physician (or any other, for that matter) transition from a traditional practice to what is known today as concierge medicine? If he wanted to limit the number of patients he cared for, why didn’t he simply stop accepting new patients while continuing to

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care for the established patients who were already a part of his practice?

Perhaps the more surprising question was whether this growing trend might actually be good for both physician and patient (my friend notwithstanding, of course).

Concierge medicine: Everything old is new again Doctors once had the freedom to practice medicine the way they saw fit, and insurance carriers paid accordingly. But a few decades ago, things began to change. Insurance companies began to dictate the type of care a patient was eligible to receive, as well as the frequency and duration of that care and how much they were willing to pay.

Sought-after physicians began double- and triple-booking patients for the same 15-minute appointment slot in an effort to recoup charges. Patient wait times increased even as face time with physicians decreased. Appointment availability was pushed far in advance. Paperwork multiplied for physicians as well as patients, leaving everyone feeling dissatisfied.

Concierge medicine allows physicians to once again practice in a manner they believe is in the best interest of their patients, providing routine care as well as ongoing maintenance such as checkups and monitoring chronic conditions. While house calls may or may not be offered, same-day or next-day appointments are the norm, and the physician is available around the clock via phone call or text.

When necessary, patients can be referred to specialists, hospitals, or emergency care within a desired network.

In addition to whatever insurance plan they may have, patients who opt for a concierge physician pay an annual fee (or retainer) in return for the 24/7 physician access. Fees range anywhere from $1,200 to $3,000 yearly and serve as a supplement for those services not covered by Medicare or private insurance.

According to Direct Primary Care Consumer Guide: Closing the Gap Between Your Doctor, Your Health & Your Wallet, a traditional practice may have as many as 3,000 to 5,000 patients per physi-

cian. Compare that to a typical concierge practice, which has 600 or fewer patients per physician.

With fewer people competing for the physician’s time, patients benefit from longer appointments and more personalized care. On the flip side, fewer patients combined with a steady income generated from the annual retainer fees allow physicians to work less, leading to a more satisfying work-life balance.

Direct primary care: A similar but slightly different approach Another up-and-coming deviation from the traditional medical practice is direct primary care (DPC). At first glance, concierge medicine and DPC may appear to be the same. In fact, the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably.

But the two are distinctly different in some important areas.

per physician than a typical medical practice, resulting in greater accessibility and more personalized medical attention. But unlike concierge patients who pay an annual retainer, DPC patients pay a monthly fee averaging $100 a month per person and can opt out at any time.

And when it comes to insurance coverage, concierge physicians work with their patients’ insurance plans while DPC physicians do not accept insurance and encourage their patients to choose higher-deductible plans specifically designed for catastrophic illness or injury.

Ready … set … go for it!

Concierge physicians MDVIP Inc. operates a nationwide network of concierge physicians specializing in preventive and primary care medicine. To find an MDVIP-affiliated physician near you, visit mdvip.com.

Both types of practices deliver the same types of care. Both have fewer patients

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INFOCUS

RESOLVE TO LOOK & FEEL BETTER WITH ENDERMOLOGIE

BY SLEEK PHYSIQUE

WRITTEN BY SOPHIE OSWALD PHOTOS BY JAMI MARSHALL

The new year is a time when people reflect on their past and create resolutions for the future.

With this comes hope for positive change and limitless possibilities.

The pandemic has caused us to push self-improvement and maintenance to the back of our minds.

But because of this, 2021 will be the year of self-care. It is likely that more people than ever before will be seeking healthier lifestyles. If taking better care of your body is your resolution, Endermologie is something to consider adding to your routine.

Endermologie incorporates many wellness principles into one organic, FDA-cleared, non-invasive, anti-aging process. It optimizes normal bodily functions, such as blood circulation, while also conquering beauty banes such as cellulite.

Clients notice more than aesthetic gains. They report sleeping better, feeling less stiff, and having more energy. Endermologie can even improve athletic performance and re-

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Above: Cindy Baumann performs Endermologie on a client.

covery. “Endermologie is an excellent complement to weight loss and workouts,” says Cindy Baumann, owner of Sleek Physique in Leawood, Kansas.

At Sleek Physique you will find both Body Endermologie and Facial Endermologie. “Body Endermologie smooths cellulite, tones loose skin, and slims fat pockets,” explains Baumann. “Facial Endermologie smooths wrinkles, tones loose skin, and slims down any double chin.” They are both so relaxing and comfortable that many clients drift off to sleep during treatments. And these procedures take under an hour to perform, making them easy to fit into any schedule.

Baumann is confident in Endermologie because of her own firsthand experience. As a former competitive athlete, she knows what it’s like to begin to feel uncomfortable in your skin as you age and train less. “I was a client for six years before obtain-

ing my own certification and opening my own clinic in St. Joseph, Missouri, back in 2005,” says Baumann.

She now has more than 15 years of specialized practice and four Endermologie credentials. Baumann has packed her extensive knowledge into her business in hopes of improving people’s lives.

“I will be a lifelong customer because of how rejuvenated it makes me feel. The all over skin tightening was an unexpected bonus!”

The Extended Family of Endermologie Baumann is passionate about Sleek Physique because of her clients.

“They are why I look forward to going to work every day. Relationships develop through Endermologie; they become almost like extended family,” says Baumann.

Cindy Baumann, owner of Sleek Physique

Stephanie West, a client of Sleek Physique, says she found Endermologie when searching for fat loss options.

“While I originally began Endermologie for vanity reasons, after the first treatment I was quickly hooked, and not just because my jeans fit looser after every treatment, but for the way it has made my 50-year-old body feel.” She continues, “I leave each session feeling light on my feet with

none of my usual aches and pains, or the tightness I normally feel in my lower legs due to poor circulation.”

Some people may worry about starting something new amidst COVID-19.

“What a bloodbath! They didn’t teach ‘managing a business during a global pandemic’ in grad school,” Baumann exclaims. Although the pandemic has mildly affected how Baumann runs Sleek Physique, her business has always been clean with procedures in place to make sure her customers are getting the best care possible. She has added temperature checks and masks to further protect clients.

Add Rejuvenation to Your Routine This is not the time for your system to be slow and sluggish. Endermologie has many benefits that can help in this new environment. Endermologie promotes lymphatic drainage, which helps rid the body of toxins and waste materials. It helps to purify and regenerate tissues, helps organs function, and enhances the metabolism and immune system. This is a great thing to add to your routine if you’re concerned about becoming sick.

“I will be a lifelong customer because of how rejuvenated it makes me feel, and the benefits last long after each treatment. The all over skin tightening was an unexpected bonus! Cindy is very knowledgeable in her field and wonderful to talk to. I look forward to every treatment with her,“ concludes West.

If your New Year’s resolution involves taking better care of yourself, Sleek Physique is where to go. Baumann is now scheduling seven days a week.

Make your appointment today!

Sleek Physique • 11413 Ash St., Leawood, KS • 913.339.8011 • www.SkinYou.Love

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BEAUTY

WANT GLOWING SKIN?

START WITH THESE BLOGS WRITTEN BY MADISON OBERMEYER

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G

rab your conditioning face masks and jade rollers—it’s time to settle in for a long night of internet rabbit holes! While stay-at-home orders have kept skincare aficionados out of the aisles—where they (ahem ... we) could be found scouring the ingredient list of gorgeously packaged products—a tried-and-true medium has come to save the day. The art of the blog may have peaked in the late aughts and early 2010s, but as life increasingly turns into a series of screens, we’re all returning to our previous comforts.

Feel More Gooder

The good news? Binging has never looked better! Check out some of the best skincare and wellness blogs you should be following below—and thank us for the great skin later!

Williams says she enjoys running her blog and social media platforms because there’s nothing she is more passionate about than feeling good.

Jesica Williams is the KC-based, southern Florida-bred mind, body, and soul behind the Feel More Gooder blog.

On the About page of the blog, Williams writes that “you have the power to completely transform your health through the decisions you make every day”—even choosing which moisturizer to put on or that split second where you think, Do I really need to wear SPF if my mask is covering half my face AND it’s cloudy out? (Which, by the way, is always a yes.)

“Helping others to live a life that feels authentically and uniquely good to

Defy Age with Endermologie by

them as an individual is a mission of mine,” Williams explains.

“I know that having healthy skin feels good, and I truly love the chance to share my clean skincare/beauty findings with my community to help them elevate their health and the vibrancy of their skin. As a former cystic acne sufferer, I relate to and share a bond with my community who battles skin issues.”

Sleek Physique

For everything from product reviews to DIY beauty routines, Feel More Gooder will have you feeling great in just a few reads!

Reduces cellulite

Skin by Blair

Tones loose skin

With a degree in nutritional science and a lifelong love of skincare under her belt, Blair Hayes has quite the arsenal of knowledge—and she wants to share it with you.

Slims fat pockets Improves skin clarity Increases exfoliation

Retinoids, acids, and rosacea, oh my! Just a quick scroll through the Skin by Blair blog or Instagram feed feels like a deep dive into the skincare dictionary you never knew you needed. Although based in North Carolina, Hayes’ informative yet personable style makes you feel like you’re learning from an old friend—you know, the kind that gently tells you not to put that overly scented body lotion on your acne-prone, pre-pubescent face back in the day.

Relives minor muscle aches & pains Increases blood circulation Decreases stress & anxiety Lowers blood pressure

If you’re new to the beauty game and want to prepare yourself before stocking your medicine cabinet, Skin by Blair is your number one resource. (P.S.—don’t forget to check out Hayes’ collection of her favorite medical-grade skincare products!)

Skincare Newsletter

Releases endorphins Improves sleep quality

Also Available:

Before

The beauty—no pun intended—of social media? No matter where you’re at in the world, you can get the information you care about delivered directly to you all packaged nice and neat in a 9x9 or 9x16 frame.

While we aren’t galavanting through glorious row upon row of aesthetically aligned products, there is a way to stay on the beat of all the best new releases: the Skincare Newsletter.

This platform is best suited to skincare pros who know exactly what they’re looking for in a new product, but a novice can dream! Delivering only the best new products to your IG feed each day, Skincare Newsletter gets to the point with name, price, and description. No annoyingly persistent salesperson—only you, the product, and the decision of how many is too many.

While the skincare landscape is vast and the blogging landscape even more so, there’s only one canvas that truly matters: you. And the skincare community is all about finding what works best for that canvas. Soon, with the feel-good empowerment from Williams, the wealth of knowledge from Hayes, and the inside scoop from Skincare Newsletter, you’ll be a shining skincare star. Happy reading!

Clinically Tested

+

After

Proven Results

Sleek Physique BODY & FACE CARE

Located within The Swanson Center

11413 Ash Street, Leawood, KS www.SkinYou.Love

913-339-8011

Cindy Baumann

ENDERMOLOGIE SPECIALIST SINCE 2005

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PARENTING

LIFE (AND FRIENDS) AFTER KIDS WRITTEN BY T.E. CUNNINGHAM

A

nd just like that, another chapter of your life is complete. After endless carpools, after-school activities, sports, proms, and more, your children are young grownups. You take a look around and realize this part of your life was such a dominant force that you feel a bit lonely and lost.

Even if your children are in high school and you’re not firmly entrenched in the throes of Empty Nest Syndrome, the fact is your children are starting to pull away and gain independence—rightly so. But where does that leave you?

During the active parenting years, friendships or friendly acquaintances are often borne out of parenthood’s commonality. Some of those friendships do not endure once the children are grown and off to college or entering the workplace. As your children enter this significant new phase of life, you are entering one as well.

While you and your spouse may have

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uttered a thousand times, “I can’t wait until the kids are grown and we have time for ourselves,” you find yourself wondering what to do with that time now that it’s finally arrived.

“We get in this pattern of putting our own needs and desires on the back-burner. We forget how to prioritize our needs as important,” says Catherine Craig, licensed specialist clinical social worker. We become disconnected from ourselves and those things that bring us joy. We have to find ways to reconnect. We have to re-group and begin again.

A recent study found that friendship quality directly impacts health. In fact, it affected it more than any other relationship.

Parenting is a rite of passage, and while you never stop being a parent, it’s time to pass the torch to another generation and start thinking about you, your social life, and your friendships. So how do you make friends with new people in your 40s or 50s?

Get Out There

You aren’t going to make friends binge-watching the latest “must” on Netflix. Get out of the house and have some fun. Even though Julia Roberts made it look terrific in Eat, Pray, Love, you don’t have to quit your jobs and travel the world to discover new friends and new things about yourself.

Make sure you stay open to trying new things and have a positive mindset.

Here are some ways to cultivate new hobbies and new friends.

Reconnect with old friends from high school and college. Social media provides an excellent outlet for this. Chat them up, see if those childhood bonds still exist, and meet up for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. The adage “old friends are the best friends” exists for a reason.

On the note of social media, if you see someone post about something that interests you, reach out to them via mes-

senger and share contact information.

Even if it isn’t someone you know well, shared interests are an excellent breeding ground for meaningful relationships.

Accept invitations to do things, even if you are skeptical about it. You may be pleasantly surprised. And if not, you can feel good about your adventurous spirit!

Your next best friend may be sitting down the hall at work. You were always too busy knocking out the workload and getting to the kids’ football practice to go to that work happy hour.

Now you’re not.

Ask your co-workers to lunch and explore a possible deepening of relationships.

Remember, networking work events can open a friendship door as well.

Take a class in painting, dancing, or exercise. Join a sports league or book club. Or play in pick-up games at the local gym. Putting yourself out there in an area that interests you will land you

directly in touch with others who share that interest. It may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Connect with neighbors. So you missed the block party for the last, uh ... 15 years. Don’t feel bad. Most of your neighbors are probably parents too, and they get it. Get out there now and meet some neighbors.

Socialize through a church or charity.

Another excellent opportunity to make a new friend is to hang around after church, chat people up, and attend church functions. Or volunteer for a charity that resonates with you.

“This is the moment in life where you get to do things differently,” advises Craig. “You get to be more you. You may question who that is. That’s okay.

But don’t let fear take hold. Step out and find out. See this opportunity and take it. And have fun!”

Proud to be providing board certified, compassionate pediatric dental care to KC and Johnson County since 2005.

Schedule an appointment at one of our four convenient locations today!

for more information or to visit our blog, visit us online at

www.kidsmilekc.com SIMPLYKCMAG.COM

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DISH

THE TOWN COMPANY RESTAURANT

A LOCAL DINING EXPERIENCE WRITTEN BY T.E. CUNNINGHAM PHOTO BY BONJWING LEE

EMPTY NEST

AN END WITH A NEW BEGINNING

Patrick Ryan is making another culinary mark on the Kansas City landscape with a culinary love letter to his hometown via The Town Company restaurant, located at 1228 Baltimore Ave., inside the new Hotel Kansas City.

Ryan, a past James Beard Foundation nominee, created his new concept with an open hickory-burning hearth and a seasonally rotating menu fueled by a network of local farmers and growers.

Another notable feature of this eatery is the tantalizing desserts and bread that Executive Pastry Chef Helen Jo Leach brings to the dining experience. SIMPLYkc sat down with Leach to talk about her heavenly creations.

How did you become interested in pastries, desserts and baking?

I started working in a small choco-

Above: Chef Helen Jo Leach holds the pimento cheese brioche, a new favorite at The Town Company

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late boutique in NYC, which sparked my interest in the world of desserts.

This boutique made me want to explore the industry in more detail, so I began training as a pastry cook at

Eleven Madison Park. While I was there, I was exposed to many different talented people and techniques, and left there with a lot of experience.

How did your prior experiences at Milk Bar and Momofuku influence your creations?

Working at Milk Bar has helped me keep my desserts approachable, fun, delicious, and pretty. On the flip side, it also gave me an opportunity to try uncommon ingredients. I think it is very important for anyone to try new ideas using new things.

Your husband, Johnny, is the Head Chef at The Town Company. What’s it like working together daily?

Honestly, it’s great. We’re both able to focus on the food and the entire cre-

all year long, like a “corn blondie.”

ative process. There is no ego, so we don’t have to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings. We are equally interested in each other’s worlds—Johnny has a giant sweet tooth and wants to learn more about pastries, and I want to learn more about cooking in a hearth oven using new savory ingredients. Our most recent collaboration was making a pimento cheese brioche, which is now a favorite (see photo).

Tell us about the importance of quality ingredients in your baking and how you source them.

Do you rotate your desserts?

And how do you make your selections?

Ideally, I like to keep things in line with the seasons, featuring as many local/seasonal ingredients as possible.

I also feature items that can be enjoyed

Quality will always surface and is always noticed. For example, we use freshly milled flours from Ibis Bakery located just down the street, and people have commented that they noticed fluffier and heartier texture in certain baked goods. I enjoy working with area farmers who have good practices with dairy, eggs, and produce. Those “good practices” showcase Kansas City’s freshest ingredients that are growing at the current time, which truly make a difference in flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment.

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INFOCUS

NAILED IT!

PAINT NAIL BAR WRITTEN BY JUDY GOPPERT / PHOTOS BY JAMI MARSHALL

Step inside PAINT Nail Bar Kansas City and you immediately feel the welcoming ambiance as everyone is smiling, laughing, conversing, and relaxing. PAINT offers a healthy, fume-free, sparkling clean environment. “Our nail technicians are incredibly talented and trained with the most impeccable techniques and skill sets. When people walk into PAINT Nail Bar, they know they are in safe and clean hands,” says Britten Moyers, owner of PAINT Nail Bar Kansas City.

Moyers found her calling in 2016 while on vacation in Sarasota, Florida. “PAINT Nail Bar isn’t something you would have expected me to open, considering my background as a Marine, but it is something that I’ve fallen in love with and it is my passion,” Moyers smiles. “When I traveled to Sarasota, though, I realized PAINT Nail Bar is much more than nails. It smelled and looked clean, and the technician made me feel welcome and happy to be there!”

Painting Kansas City Moyers wanted to bring this experience to Kansas City, so she asked the owner about a franchise. After conducting market research, she found the perfect spot with an amazing landlord. She then decided to bring in retail along with the polishes.

“Our salon is a fume-free environment because we use nontoxic products,” says Moyers. “Our polish lines are at a minimum five-free, but actually all products are free of 12 harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, and camphor.” The gel polish line they use called Bio Seaweed is water-based, five-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. It doesn’t damage the natural nail, no matter how often you wear it. Moyers explains that if your gel polish isn’t staying on well, it’s generally the application, not the product.

Supporting & Entertaining Kansas City Prior to the COVID shutdowns, PAINT Nail Bar held many events.

This has become more complicated, but they are planning a Ladies Night January 14 with specials, wine, fun, and extra precautions. This event will be done in waves, with no more than 20 people at a time in the 2,000-square-foot salon.

“When people walk into PAINT Nail Bar, they know they are in safe and clean hands.”

The team has always stuck to a strict sterilization protocol, so they were well prepared for this pandemic. They are even opening earlier and staying open later so elderly or compromised clients who desire added distancing can be safe, with only three clients at a time.

PAINT Nail Bar even supports several local schools and charities such as Folds of Honor, which provides resources to military families who have lost their military family member in combat; Warhorses,

which provides therapeutic services to combat veterans, active duty, and first responders suffering with post-traumatic stress; and Operation Shower, an event hosted by the Kansas City Chiefs for military moms whose spouse is deployed.

Her admiration for her team is clear.

“I am incredibly blessed to have such an amazing team of strong, talented women,” Moyers says. “These ladies make me want to continuously improve myself, help them reach their goals, and reach our mutual goals. They are the heart of PAINT Nail Bar, and I appreciate all of them more than they will ever know.”

Moyers says the most rewarding part of building a business is the relationships you build, not only with your team and clients, but also with the community. “We know their birthdays, celebrate special events, love hearing what’s new in their lives, and support them when they just need pampering,” she enamors. ”Being part of a community is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy supporting other small businesses in our area and know that we are all in it together.”

“Our focus is on client retention,” she adds. “We are not interested in just getting clients in and out. We are interested in knowing all about them!”

PAINT Nail Bar • 4941 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS • 913.274.1202 • paintnailbar.com SIMPLYkc Special: Mention this article to receive a complimentary upgrade or special grab bag.

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Pictured: Britten Moyers opened her nail salon with the safety and comfort of her clients as top priorities.

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r a e D

KACIE

HOW TO LOSE THE COVID AND CHRISTMAS WEIGHT

With the stress of the pandemic and eating my way through the holidays, I need to get back to a gym. I stopped going to my gym back in March of 2020 due to the shutdown. Do you have any ideas (that don’t include running outside) that I can do to lose the COVID and Christmas weight?

I don’t want to exercise either. I’ll answer your question the best that I can, though. I’m not a fitness instructor, nor do I want to be (that’s way too much perkiness), but here are some winter outdoor ideas to get you moving again.

Play with the kids. Kids are nonstop. Their energy should be balled up and sold.

It would be a hundred times better than coffee. If you don’t have kids, pretend to be one. Playgrounds are also a good, “fun” way of exercise. Be a kid again.

Do the monkey bars. Do pullups. Take a lap around the park. Oh, wait.

You said no running.

Make your own gym. All it takes is a yoga mat and a smartphone. And, I suppose, an app that will cost you a little money. Most exercise apps are cheap compared to gym prices, though. There are many exercise apps with an instructor guiding you through yoga, weight lifting (don’t worry, small weights will do), meditation, and outdoor running. Oh, sorry—the no running thing!

Do more during your day. Spend as little time as you can on a chair, couch, or bed during the day. Vacuum more. Organize the garage. Stand when you’re in a meeting. Re-arrange the furniture.

Run outside. Yeah, I said it. There are beginner apps for that too.

If you have any questions you’d like Kacie to answer, submit them to contact@simplykcmag.com.

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BECAUSE I SAID SO...

SAY GOODBYE TO THE TOILET BOWL & HELLO TO 2021 WRITTEN BY JULIE BURTON / PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA LEVI

Well, 2020 went down the drain. We all did. Spiraling down the never-ending toilet bowl. Did you keep your 2020 resolutions? Probably not. I didn’t. But it’s a new year. New you. New me. Resolutions are goals meant to improve our lives. They give us focus and keep us determined. And we have nowhere to go but up and out of the toilet bowl in 2021. So here are your resolution choices for 2021.

Exercise more. Ah, the most common resolution is still king in 2021.

Your health should always be a priority. You know what? Do it. Sign up for a marathon in 2021. It’s going to get canceled anyway. But hey, you can say you tried. You should get a medal for that.

Be kinder. Except to the toilet paper hoarders. I will never forgive them for leaving me with one-ply.

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Do something good for the environment. One of the easiest habits you can do for the environment is go a day without a car. Go a week. Go a month. Download every possible home-delivery app and get to know your UPS and FedEx drivers. Ship the same thing through each company at the same time and boom! It’s a race! You have nothing else to do while you sit waiting, trapped inside

your own home. You’re saving the environment, though.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Facebook stalking is a delicate art. So you accidently fat-thumbed the “like” button on a photo from 2012 of your ex’s new girlfriend. It’s fine. She probably never saw. She’d have to be online at the same time you hit “like.”

Don’t sweat it.

But just in case, all you have to do is change your name and photo and then pull random photos from the internet and assume an entirely new identity.

You’ll be fine. These things happen to the best of us.

Eat healthier. Believe me, you’ll be glad you’re working from home with all that extra fiber in those juicing recipes. If there’s a year to eat healthier, it’s this one. Your co-workers will want to know your secret. Tell them.

Make a career change. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars for a new college degree. 2020 proved that you can learn how to be anything by using YouTube. A pre-school teacher, a high school algebra teacher, a hair stylist, on-camera talent, a mask seamstress, a TikTok dancer, a chef, a plumber, an infectious disease doctor, a political scientist ... the possibilities are endless.

See the world. Get out of your bed and go to the living room. Google Earth has

some amazing satellite imagery. See the pyramids in Egypt! No straining your neck up and baking in the sun. Go to Disney World! No lines. No stomach drops on Space Mountain. Relax on the beach! Wash your hair in salt water and play “beach sounds” on a calming app.

Blast that space heater right on you. It’s pretty much the same thing.

Read more. Look at you! You’re succeeding already.

Julie Burton is an Overland Park mom, writer, K-State lover, and bacon-hater. She is a blogger and contributing author to the humor book, But Did You Die?: Setting the Parenting Bar Low. Burton’s also been named one of the Today Show’s “funniest parents.” And yes, she really does hate bacon. Please don’t drop her as a friend.

Follow Julie at: julieburton.blog • facebook.com/julieburtonwriter • twitter.com/ksujulie • instagram.com/ksujulie

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COMMUNITY

THE PRICELESS GIFT OF BLOOD

STORY AND PHOTO BY BRENNAN HALLOCK

E

maline sticks her tongue out and winks. The camera shutter snaps. She grins and contorts her body into her many different poses while her parents stand politely smiling into the camera. Her excitement and energy show her obvious enjoyment of life.

“She’ll wear you out,” her father says with a laugh.

Emaline’s home in rural Missouri is about an hour from Kansas City, and it is a peaceful family property off a long gravel road. But Emaline’s life did not begin peacefully. Her life is the story of a persistent struggle, and the immeasurable value of donating blood.

Trisomy 21 & a Thread of Blood Before Emaline was born, the ultrasound technician was unable to show a clear picture of her heart. All four chambers of the heart had formed, but the ultrasound didn’t display a precise picture of all of them. Everything else looked okay, though, so it was decided it was probably due to how she was positioned in the uterus.

“What they didn’t know,” says Emaline’s mother, “was that what they were seeing was one of the defects in her heart.”

Emaline was born with tetralogy of Fallot. Of children born with this condition, Emaline’s mother says about 10 percent have a right-branching aorta.

“Instead of her aorta coming up out of the heart and curving to the left, it curves to the right,” she explains. This is the heart defect that kept the ultrasound technician from getting a good look at Emaline’s heart.

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Above: Pictured (right) is Jim Schumm, the blood donor who helped save Emaline’s life when she was a couple months old. An article in The Kansas City Star (left) highlighted how Schumm’s blood was instrumental in keeping Emaline alive during her operation.

But Emaline didn’t only have a heart defect, she was also born with Down syndrome. “When they took us to the NICU, they said, ‘By the way, we sent off a sample of her blood. We think she has Down syndrome.’” Emaline looked healthy and normal, but the doctors confirmed she did, in fact, have Down syndrome.

“She was born a little after 10 in the morning, and it was about 10 at night when we got the diagnosis of Down syndrome. It was a total shock,” says Emaline’s mother. “From that point on, the next year was pretty much a blur. We were in survival mode.”

Emaline spent the first three weeks of her life in the Level III NICU at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Her father explains that spending those weeks in the NICU reminded

them they were not alone. “There were parents who had been there a month or two before we started our three weeks who were just living there. We saw a side of life we had never seen before. Babies just struggling and fighting for life.”

Emaline did fight to stay alive. After about two months, Emaline’s heart defect required surgery. The muscles around the pulmonary valve enlarged to the point where there was literally just a thread of blood getting into the lungs. That’s when emergency surgery was done. This was her first open heart surgery. Five heart surgeries—two of them open heart surgeries—were performed to keep Emaline alive.

Today, Emaline’s heart is relatively healthy. “She’s doing pretty well,” says

her father as he glances at Emaline. She sits next to him at their kitchen table and plays a game on his phone. “We’re talking about your heart,” he tells her. Emaline rolls her eyes in comical exaggeration and returns to her game. Her eye roll says she has heard this story before.

Following the Gift of Blood Jim Schumm began donating blood in the Kansas City area in the mid-1970s. He started because of a friend whose son was hemophilic. “Back in those days the blood services were pretty expensive,” Schumm explains. “If my friend could recruit donors, it would offset some of the costs. So I wanted to help my friend.” He is now part of the century club, which means he has donated more than 100 units of blood.

But the mystery to blood donation for him had always been who he was helping. He would give the blood, leave the blood donation center, and never hear what happened after that.

One day Schumm was donating blood, and the nurse asked him if he’d be interested in participating in a project. “Well what do I have to do?” He asked. “Donate blood,” she answered. He laughed. “Well that’s what I’m here to do anyway.”

She explained that there was an opportunity for him to donate blood, and the project was to track the blood through the system until it made it to the end user—whoever and wherever that may be. He went through with signing up for the project and donated his blood that day.

The blood made its way to the donor, Emaline, and the blood center let Schumm know they would disclose the name of the child who it had been given to. Schumm responded, “Child?

What happened?” They explained that the blood went to a newborn infant who was in the local NICU. About a month later Schumm received a call from the blood donation facility asking him if he’d like to meet the child, and they arranged a meeting at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. “I was able to hold her, which was just unbelievably magnificent,” says Schumm. “Then I started talking with her parents and her mom mentioned Emaline’s birthday. It caught my ear and I told her my birthday.”

Everyone stood aghast, because Schumm’s birthday was the same as Emaline’s. Because of their connection on multiple levels, they have stayed in touch over the years, sending cards and regularly meeting.

When asked what he has learned from donating blood, Schumm responds without hesitation: “To put it mildly, I have learned that it’s one of the most noble things a human being can do. If you’re going to save someone’s life, this is the best way to do it.”

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GOOD TASTES

HAPPY NEW YOU! WRITTEN BY GINA REARDON / PHOTO BY MELANIE MCDOWELL

Food fatigue is a real thing. After 10 months of self-quarantine during a global pandemic, survival and sanity for most of us depends on channeling our “inner Martha� or finally getting around to recreating dishes from favorite restaurants, cookbooks, or magazines. For me it was a deep dive into sourdough and a fascination with cake decorating videos on Instagram (check out the #cakesbae posts).

After doing our best to salvage Thanksgiving and Christmas, eating more than our fair share of cookies, and struggling through Zoom Happy Hours, we are more than ready to say goodbye to 2020 and ring in the New Year! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but COVID-19 pounds might also be a thing. But new year, new hope, and time to reset and refocus on all things healthy!

And here is what to focus on: a simple vegetarian dish that is so flavorful and deeply satisfying you will want to make it again and again, especially when you see how few ingredients there are and how quickly it comes together. Happy new year, happy new you!

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Roasted Tomatoes & Cipollini Onions with White Beans SERVES 4

Ingredients

Directions

1-1/2 pounds large cherry tomatoes, tomatoes on the vine, or small Roma tomatoes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blanch cipollini onions in boiling water for 10 seconds, drain and plunge into cold water.

1 pound cipollini onions 6 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper One 15-ounce can great northern beans, drained & rinsed, or 1-1/2 cup cooked beans of your choice Four 1-inch-thick slices of Ciabatta bread 1 garlic clove, cut in half 6 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Using a paring knife, slip tip of knife under outer layer of onion skin and remove. Place onions and tomatoes on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and shake the pan gently to coat the tomatoes and onions. Season well with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 45 minutes, checking every 15 minutes, moving the tomatoes and onions around to color evenly. Remove from oven.

Toast bread and rub with cut side of garlic clove. Place toast on platter, divide beans evenly over top of toast, and top with tomato onion mixture. Be sure to evenly drizzle with pan juices. Sprinkle with shredded basil and enjoy!

Gina Reardon, owner of Catering by Design and culinary philanthropist, leads the KC team for No Kid Hungry, culinary professionals and community members focused on supporting Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Funds raised help connect the nation’s 16 million low-income children with more school breakfast, lunch, and summer meals.

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7 THINGS

7

WAYS TO BOOST MENTAL HEALTH IN WINTER 1 Set

a Physical “Barrier” Between Work and Home Life: Whether you work from home

or can’t seem to escape from an endless supply of emails after 5 p.m., giving yourself a physical marker of when it’s time to shut off can help you unplug and relax. Try lighting a candle, turning up some tunes, or brewing a cozy cup of tea.

2 F ill Your Home with Mood-boosting Essential Oils: Essential oils can do a lot more

for us than make our homes smell good. This winter, if you have a diffuser or a compatible humidifier, add a few drops of lavender, bergamot, frankincense, orange, or peppermint essential oils for an instant mood boost.

3 Get Moving: Never underestimate the power of

exercise! We’re not telling you to hit the gym for a 45-minute HIIIT class every day, but even a short walk before or during lunch or after work can get you moving toward a sunnier state of mind.

4 Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet: Put the take-

out and processed snacks down—comfort food

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is getting a makeover this winter! Keeping a balanced diet packed with whole, natural foods will get you on track to feeling more full in no time.

Bonus tip: add in nuts, seeds, legumes, leafy greens, or fish to your diet for an extra boost and burst of flavor.

5 Keep a Regular Sleep Schedule:

The kids aren’t the only ones who need routine! Say goodbye to binging TV shows until 2 a.m., snoozing alarms, and dark undereye circles. What felt like a treat back in March can be a dangerous habit to keep—a good night’s rest can work wonders.

6 Phone a Friend:

Dark winter days can feel lonely, especially in the middle of a pandemic. Reach out to family and friends for a quick phone call or video chat to help pass the time and stay connected.

7 Get Some Vitamin D: Winter is notorious for

its lack of sunlight. Amp up your wakeup call with a light therapy lamp/alarm clock combo to help improve sleep, energy, and overall well-being.

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APP OF THE MONTH

WATERLOGGED HYDRATION MEETS SMARTPHONES

The gist: You know that scene in movies

where the weary traveler crossing the desert sees water in the distance, but when he gets there it’s nothing but more sand? Turns out there are two possible causes of this.

One is that temperature differences between the ground and the air create a mirage—like when you think you see water on the surface of a dry road ahead of you. The other is that dehydration can lead to hallucinations. Headaches and fatigue aren’t the only symptoms of a lack of water.

Plus, as we age our ability to gauge how much water we need declines. This means now is the perfect time to make healthy hydration a habit.

Enter Waterlogged. This free app makes it simple to track how much water you’re drinking throughout the day and ensure you get enough.

Just tap on the water bottle icon and select a drink to add. There are preset options (e.g., 8 ounces of water) or you can customize any number of your own, including coffee, juices, alcohol, etc. The app keeps beverages that don’t contribute to your hydration separate from those that do.

So how much water have you drunk today?

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— QUALITY DESIGN & CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME —

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Your heart beats 100,000 times a day.

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