Spring/Summer 2013
btruemag.com
contents
Spring/Summer 2013
13 17 The Hive 4 5 5 6 7
Honey beauty treatments Beauty solutions How to wear emerald green Spring & Summer fashion trends Fashion after 40
8
features True Love Ways 8
Danielle Kelly and wounded vet Taylor Morris learn a new way to live
Mommy Bloggers 13
Publisher David A. Braton
Life with kids – and how to start a blog
Ad Director Tara Seible
Kids at play 15
How many activities does a kid need?
Girls gone wild 17
BTrue Editor Melody Parker (319) 291-1429 melody.parker@wcfcourier.com
Travel outside your comfort zone
Party on! 28
Home shopping parties for fun
Project Manager & Advertising Sales Sheila Kerns (319) 291-1448 sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com
true voices 20 27
Kay Cervetti Sarah Corkery
fitness & health
Graphic Designer Amanda Hansen
21
Knocked Up Fitness for pregnant & new moms 22 Exercise apps to try 24 Get Rockette legs 26 Sinusitis help
food
www.wcfcourier.com
The ultimate burger 31
Steps & recipes for great burgers
Ice cream sandwiches 34
Sweet summer treats
Spring/Summer 2013
A publication of The Courier, Waterloo-Cedar Falls. 100 E. 4th St. | Waterloo, IA 50703
www.btruemag.com
Contributing Writers Emily Christensen Holly Hudson Karen Bushanam Meta Hemenway-Forbes AP, MCT, Wire Services Contributing Photographers Brandon Pollock Matthew Putney Tiffany Rushing
btruemag.com
the hive
Pretty up your daily routine (and cure your bad habits)
Honey is the bee’s knees in beauty treatments
One Sweet Honey Bar Soap Nature’s prescription for sensitive skin, this soap contains all natural ingredients, $7. L’Occitane Honey Whipped Body Cream Meltingly soft on the skin, this body cream contains an ultra emollient combo of honey and shea butter. Air has been incorporated into this delicate texture, making it reminiscent of chocolate mousse, $22. Tata Harper Rebuilding Moisturizer For an all-natural eco-luxe boost, this rebuilding moisturizer features raw Vermont honey and a blend of revitalizing essential oils. All-natural and non-toxic ingredients improve hydration and skin suppleness, $100.
Apivita Queen Bee Anti-Wrinkle and Restoring Eye Cream Reduces dark circles and puffiness with royal jelly and honey, firming mature skin. Honey, seaweed and myrrh essential oil reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improves the texture of sensitive skin around the eyes, $65.
Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Serum Firming Lift This anti-aging product contains honey and promises to repair wrinkles, lift and firm the skin with an exclusive composition of Ouessant honey and French royal jelly, $141. DIY Hydrating Honey Elixir Combine 1 tablespoon honey and 2 teaspoons warm water in small bowl. Add 4 teaspoons glycerine and mix until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated. Apply onto clean face with a cotton ball. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
betruemag.com
Don’t pump your mascara Repeatedly drawing the wand in and out of a mascara tube to get more product allows air to enter the container, which can dry out your lash-luxing formula and shorten its lifespan. The fix: If your Great Lash has lost its luster, add three to four drops of hot green tea to the tube. The warm liquid loosens up the contents, and the antioxidants in tea just might promote lash growth. Don’t rub your wrists after applying perfume Spritzing perfume on and smashing your wrists together creates friction between the oils in your perfume and those in your skin, which can distort the fragrance. The fix: Spray each wrist separately, along with your décolletage. If you overdo it, smear a little rubbing alcohol on the application points to dilute. Or gently dab on fragrance using a roll-on. Red lipstick IS for you While you may initially balk, true reds work for every skin tone. Not ready to take the plunge? Use your finger to dab a little red on and top it with a sheer gloss. The fix: True reds — the unshaded hues of stop signs, cherries and fire trucks — are universally flattering. Overplucking eyebrows Here a hair, there a hair, and before you know it, you’ve plucked yourself into a Dr. Evil look-alike. The fix: Get your brows groomed by a professional and maintain upkeep of strays, steering clear of the arch itself. Moisturize your neck Keeping it moisturized is essential to projecting a youthful appearance. The fix: Extend a moisturizer to your neck. Looking for something lightweight? A quick-absorbing serum is a good alternative. Wash your makeup brushes Using a dirty brush is like applying makeup with the bottom of a shoe. The fix: Disinfect brushes at least every three months.
Don’t wash your face in the morning Your face benefits from a healthy amount of naturally secreted oils. Cleansing skin at the end of the day strips off dirt and makeup. Washing it again in the AM is overkill — and drying. The fix: Trade harsh cleansers for a warm washcloth or gentle wipes and face-formulated cleansers for nightly washes. Spring/Summer 2013
the hive
In-a-pinch beauty solutions Solve those minor beauty dilemmas with a few DIY tips: Advil Liqui-Gels = zit zapper. Open a gel cap and dab it onto the pimple. The redness and swelling should fade quickly because aspirin is an anti-inflammatory. It will take several days for the spot to heal, but it will be easier to conceal. Another option: Apply a warm compress to the pore for 5 minutes or so, then follow with a disinfecting astringent like witch hazel. If the zit is hard and red, ice it for a few minutes, then dab it with a few drops of Visine (rednessreducing eyedrops) to constrict small surface blood vessels and reduce redness. Milk of Magnesia = face mask for oily skin. Use the plain version, not flavored. Dab it on with a cotton ball, let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off. It contains magnesium hydroxide, which can absorb more oil than clay masks.
Sources: Staff online websites, wire services
f.
2
1
3
4 5
There’s a reason the Wizard of Oz lived in the grand Emerald City. The deep shade of green is synonymous with elegance and luxury. After color authority Pantone named emerald the official color of 2013, the green tone began popping up on runways and in stores everywhere.
Mint leaves = reducing undereye dark circles. Chop and crush mint leaves (washed, of course) and apply to under eye circles, leave for 20 minutes, then rinse off. Alternative: Place a slice of cucumber or used tea bags (moistened) over closed eyes every morning for 10 or 15 minutes.
1 – For a night on the town, try the Robert Rodriguez lace T-shirt with a mini skirt or skinny jeans.
Frozen vegetables = soothing puffy eyes. Place a bag of frozen veggies over closed eyes to reduce swelling. An alternative: Dab on Preparation H, taking care not to get it in eyes. The active ingredient in Preparation H, a vasoconstrictor, tightens blood vessels, while its one-percent anti-inflammatory hydrocortisone reduces puffiness.
Oo-la-la or oops?
Spring/Summer 2013
2 – The John Wind Maximal art emerald heirloom bracelet makes for a subtle, classic accessory. 3 – For dramatic sparkle, get the Oscar de la Renta beaded tassle clip earrings. 4 – The Alexander Wang Vika Croco embossed wedge sandals, perfect paired with cigarette pants or print dresses for spring. 5 – For a classic, versatile blouse, try the Greylin silk button down-blouse, Piperlime.com.
MCT Photo
A hot trend or a train wreck? When Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence wore their necklaces backwards at the Oscars, a trend may have been reborn. Letting necklaces course down your back was very much a look of the 1920s and ’30s. Coco Chanel often let multiple strands of pearls caress her shoulder blades. Nicole Kidman wore one in a 2007 ad for Chanel No. 5. If anything will bring back the look, this summer’s movie “The Great Gatsby” might. For starters, the movie will show how to pull off the look properly, MNFashion’s Tara Murphy said, meaning with a nearly backless dress worn by a woman with a curvy spine and spectacularly toned deltoids. To her eye, both Hathaway and Lawrence were fashion “don’ts” because the proportion of gowns to jewels wasn’t right. It is, Murphy said, “a tough look to pull off.” So beware, would-be fashionistas, if you think this merely is a matter of whipping around your necklace — you’re going to risk a lot of, ‘Oh, honey, let me fix your necklace for you.’” btruemag.com
the hive
2013 spring/summer fashion trends
Add a few new things to your wardrobe, and you’ll instantly update your look for spring and summer. Miranda Lind, co-owner of Spotlight in Cedar Falls offers these suggestions. “Black-and-white patterns, mint green, shades of coral and violet are part of the big color story for the season. Also look for color-blocking, which can be a slimming look,” she said.
Statement jewelry, such as chunky necklaces.
Design details include lace in tops and dresses, chevron patterns, ruffles, peplum waists, Lind says.
betruemag.com
Lauren Deery, manager at Jennifer’s in Cedar Falls, says colored denim (jeans, pants, skirts & jackets) is easy to work into an existing wardrobe. Also: Colors from pastel to neon Go-to blouses with styles to suit every figure type Floral and other prints like Ikat, Aztec and animal prints in colors for dresses, tops, cotton cardigans, etc. Bright, graphic T-shirts and T-shirts with details like lace, crochet and neckline interest. “That’s a staple for everyone’s wardrobe because it can be layered or dressed up or down,” Deery said. Stacking bracelets in wood, metal, colors Small to high wedge heels, espadrilles
Maxi dresses
For a quick new look, pull on a striped tee over colored pants, says Oh So In Boutique’s owner Kathyrn Fain of Waterloo. “We’re seeing lots of stripes in everything, but especially tops. If you had a bright blue or red pair of colored denim pants, you could wear a navy-and-white striped tank and toss on a navy blazer for a crisp look.” Fain also predicts Btrue women will fall in love with: Kelly green Soft floral dresses (wear with a vibrant cardigan for work) Classic or patterned layering T-shirts and tanks Collarless blouses Skinny pants. “A little striped top and a great pair of skinny colored pants is a slimmer look. Some women are a little afraid of that, but it actually is slimming.” Shorts with cuffs that roll down Nude-colored shoes
Cheerful scarves to wrap, tie and drape
Spring/Summer 2013
pe
the hive
‘Wardrobe Wakeup’: Fashion after 40 “The Wardrobe Wakeup; Your Guide to Looking Fabulous at Any Age” By Lois Joy Johnson Running Press, Philadelphia 288 pages, $23.00
The key phrase in this book comes on page 64 — “Fashion life after 40.” This is what “The Wardrobe Wakeup” promises and provides. Former fashion editor Lois Joy Johnson has written a helpful handbook for those of us 40 and above who sometimes haunt modern department stories, thinking the pretty clothes are only for the younger generation, and mourning our lost youth. Johnson is realistic about aging. In the introduction, she says bluntly, “After a certain age women and their clothes just don’t get along anymore. … Changes in weight, hormones, work, finances, lifestyle, attitudes, opinions, and needs have had a major impact on your closet and style. … Even when the scale makes us smile we notice stuff has drooped and shifted.” Also, “we need clothes for divorce court, wakes and memorial services.” Then, in a breezy, no-nonsense, no-holds-barred way, she suggests ways out of the conundrum about what to wear on your body whether for every day work, play or going out on Saturday night. One annoyance is that while the text is wonderful to read, the book’s layout can be confusing. The easiest way to navigate is to skim through, then mark the pages that apply to you. For example, if you’re a woman who prefers pants over skirts, ignore the parts about pencil or A-line skirts, and the same with high-heels versus flats. “The Wardrobe Wakeup” includes photographs of many accomplished women whose dressfor-success is their own comfortable style. Valerie Monroe, beauty director at O the Oprah Magazine, wears a black tailored pantsuit with trendy bulky bracelets. Edris Nicholls, owner of her own salon and Atelier Director at Shu Uemura, wears a stunning patterned white dress with a floral splash of color and a vibrant purple scarf. Scattered about are fine tidbits like sizing in today’s market. “You can wear a size 4 at Ann Taylor, an 8 at J.Crew, and a 6 at Michael Kors. In recognition of our weight and diet obsession, the smart fashion biz keeps rolling out smaller sizing to appease our vanity.” Johnson suggests taking the size tags out so you aren’t hung up on the number. In the foreword, supermodel Cheryl Tiegs says, “If you know a beautifully dressed woman, someone whose fashion sense you admire, watch what she wears, notice how she combines colors and fabrics, how she puts her clothes together and how she uses jewelry, belts, scarves to create her own style.” This will help you find your own personal style.
Dare to bare after 40 Warmer weather is here. Gone are all those bulky sweaters to hide under. You might find yourself wondering just how much skin to bare. “You have to be careful with bare as you get past 40 or you run the risk of looking older,” says TV stylist Christine Schwab, the Boomer-age author of “The Grown-up Girl’s Guide to Style” (HarperCollins, 2006). Being too covered up, especially in dark colors, can be dowdy and hot, she says, but showing lizard skin on the chest or veins on the legs isn’t much better.
Sheer fabrics and loose layers give the illusion of being bare without revealing too much. Wear open, interesting necklines, says Thompson. Sleeveless tops are standard, but the armhole position is important. Think about where it hits you and the angles. Don’t wear too-tight pants, shorts or skirts, even if you’re fit. It’s a sign you’re trying too hard to look youthful. Try body-shaping undergarments. “I think your eyes naturally travel — you’ve seen people give the onceover — and if nothing is distracting, it’ll improve your overall look,” says Spanx spokeswoman Misty Elliot. “But muffin top and belly bulge are really noticeable.” Switch to a camisole with built-in bra and midriff shaper if it provides enough support.
Green Fields
The Happiest Health Nuts in Town $
5.00
Organic natural foods, gluten free, vitamins, minerals, protein. Bulk items sold in herbs, grains, dried fruits, $ nuts. Bottled water *Anything In the Store & cosmetics. Special orders available. expires 7-31-13
Off
30 Purchase
Mon - Fri 9:00 - 5:30 pm Saturday 9:00 - 4:00 pm
Green Fields Health Food Center
2920 Fall Avenue, Waterloo, IA 50701 319-235-9990 Like Us on Facebook
Y ou want to look your best everyday... You can trust Varsity Cleaners with all your dry cleaning needs
Varsity has Several locations for your convenience: Waterloo 216 W 11th St • Ridgeway Plaza Cedar Falls Downtown • Corner of W. 4th St. and Washington Serving the Community for 75 years *Free Pick-Up and delivery from home or office
319-233-3571
www.varsitycleaners.com Spring/Summer 2013
btruemag.com
Love is an ocean of emotions . . - Lord Dewar
Photos Courtesy
Tim Dodd Photography
betruemag.com
Spring/Summer 2013
Love
true ways
Danielle Kelly and wounded vet Taylor Morris figure out a new way to live their lives
D
uring a recent visit home to celebrate her 24th birthday with family and friends, Danielle Kelly talked about how she dealt with the news — and the reality — of the injuries her long-time boyfriend, quadruple amputee Taylor Morris, suffered in Afghanistan, and about their lives before and after that traumatic day. Danielle Kelly and Taylor Morris met when they were both in junior high in Cedar Falls. “He went to Holmes, and I went to Peet,” Kelly said. Sports and mutual friends brought them together. “We were hanging out in a big group,” Kelly said. “After a while, we were talking more outside of the group and spending more time together outside of the group.” The couple started dating during their junior year in high school. “It’s kind of funny,” Kelly said. “We actually dated a little before that. He tried to kiss me, but it still felt like the friend zone. I broke up with him. It was really awkward. I thought, ‘This isn’t going to work.’” In high school, Kelly got her certified nursing assistant’s license and worked at Windsor Nursing Home. Morris talked about going into the military. “He signed up his junior year,” Kelly said. “It was his decision. We were just in a high school relationship at that point. We are both pretty level headed and didn’t want to plan our futures around a high school relationship. “Taylor never saw himself going to college. He wanted a break after high school. He wanted to go be a boy, do some fun things, get his hands dirty.” Kelly and Morris graduated in 2007. In August of that year, he left for boot camp, and she left for college at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. “Boot camp was hard,” Kelly said. “It was the worst. I remember we’d be in the middle of a conversation, and my phone would die. I’d be like ‘Nooo!’” The two kept in touch as Morris traveled around the country receiving training as an explosive ordnance disposal technician, and Kelly worked in home health care while attending college. “We made a deal with each other that we would see each other every few months. It turned out to be like every six weeks to two months.”
Spring/Summer 2013
btruemag.com
After graduating with a degree in business management, Kelly got her real estate license and began living and working in Des Moines. In January 2012, Morris was deployed to Afghanistan. “It was Friday the 13th,” Kelly said. “It was definitely hard. I don’t know if I was just naive to how dangerous it was over there. I got phone calls and emails every two or three days. That made it easier. “I must have been crazy or delusional. I’d tell Taylor to tell me everything. We’d just tell each other about our days. I don’t know why I was so calm about it. Looking back, maybe not being worried and scared was a good thing.” On May 3, 2012, Kelly was in Des Moines riding to work with a friend when her phone rang. She recognized the number that appeared on her cell phone as coming from Virginia Beach. It was one of Taylor’s military buddies. “I answered and rambled off like a million questions,” Danielle said. “Then he said, ‘I’m just calling to tell you there was an accident today.’ It didn’t even cross my mind that it was Taylor. I thought he was just keeping us in the loop. “Then he said, ‘It was Taylor. He lost his legs,’” she said. “I screamed and dropped the phone. “He said Taylor lost both legs and, he believed, both arms. My friend pulled over. She knew something was wrong. He told her everything. “And what was so bad was he couldn’t get a hold of Taylor’s parents, so we had to basically sit there and wait for him to repeatedly call them.” Morris, an explosive ordnance disposal expert, lost portions of all four limbs in an Afghanistan bomb blast while clearing an area for a group of U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers. After everyone was notified, Kelly concentrated on getting home. “I remember packing a bag of clothes. I must have been completely out of it,” she said. “I packed a scarf, a swimsuit, a sweatshirt and a skirt. I just wanted to get back to Cedar Falls.” It was days before Kelly and Morris’s parents would be able to join Taylor at Walter Reed Army Medical Center near Washington D.C. 10
betruemag.com
Spring/Summer 2013
A loving heart is the truest wisdom. - Charles Dickens
Spring/Summer 2013
btruemag.com
11
For those who love, time is eternity.
Matthew Putney, photo
- Henry Van Dyke
“It was the weirdest feeling,” she said. “One second I was angry and confused, and I wanted to run as far and as fast as I could. The next second I had no energy at all and couldn’t have moved my body if I wanted to. I would be breaking down and crying, and then I’d be numb and all my tears were gone. Then I’d cycle through again. Those were the hardest days.” The travelers battled flight delays and cancellations and fielded phone calls from people giving differing descriptions of Morris’s injuries. “It was hard,” Kelly said. “Different people had different details. Every phone call it would change.” Morris, Kelly and his parents all arrived at the hospital within about an hour of each other. “When I thought about seeing him, I didn’t know if I’d get sick, if I would break down and cry, if I’d want to go home, if I’d faint. “But when I did see him, even with all those tubes — tubes in his nose, his neck, his arms — a neck brace and, obviously, limbs missing, I had this instant, overwhelming feeling that everything was going to be OK. “He was groggy, but he was still with it. And he didn’t have a scratch on him. The IED literally just took his limbs. There wasn’t anything else wrong with him.” Kelly describes the first few days in the hospital as a whirlwind. “It was like a revolving door,” she said. “So many people wanted to help him. “Those days were really long. It was information overload. People were telling us what to expect, what we needed to do. It was definitely a lot.” Through it all, Kelly was confident things would be OK. “I don’t live in this fairy tale world,” she said. “But I know we will be able to do the majority of what we want to do. We just have to figure out a new way to do it. We’ll just have to be a team like we’ve always been. We will have the life we’ve always wanted, just in a different manner.”
12
betruemag.com
The pair has drawn an incredible amount of attention and shared once-in-a-lifetime experiences during Morris’s recovery, including visits with President Barack Obama, Morris receiving the Purple Heart, a welcome-home parade and attending the presidential inauguration. “A lot of different opportunities have come up,” Kelly said. “That’s better than the alternative of being bored. I see a lot of it as rehab. We went to the Super Bowl and walking in crowds is one of the hardest things for Taylor. It’s good practice. Rehab is living your life how you want to live it.” Kelly has no doubts where her journey with Morris will take her. “We will end up back in Iowa. I have five siblings, and he has four. … We are both family oriented. “Taylor wants to rehab enough to find a job, to do a job. A job he loves to do. I want to come back and get back to work in real estate. Live a normal life.” Kelly credits her close relationship with Morris with helping her through the most difficult times. “What got me through everything, honestly, is Taylor and I work good together and we like being together, which helps when you are together 24-7. “We take one day at a time,” she said. “We set little goals. You can’t look at the big picture. It’s just too traumatic. You have to pick it apart. Some days are hour by hour, minute by minute. You take a deep breath, and you can’t forget the little things. We watch movies and our shows. We like to laugh.” And Kelly is grateful for the support system that has formed around them made up of family, close friends from high school and Morris’s military colleagues. “We can’t be appreciative enough,” she said. “To have all our family and friends with us, it’s unspeakable how much that helped. I pray that everyone else has the same.” TEXT | Holly Hudson
Spring/Summer 2013
Mommy bloggers Everyday life, life with kids are fodder
M
ore than three years ago Ashley Jorgensen took to chronicling her daily
Find a hosting service. The women 1 featured here all use blogger.com. Find a name for your blog. Mom 2 blogger Becky notes to be careful not to give too much information away in the title.
Decides on your safety settings. 3 These can be changed later. Learn the ropes. Each blog hosting 4 site is a little different. Most free sites have blog templates that allow users to simply upload their photos and comments and hit publish.
Those who are more tech-savvy can 5 use their skills to personalize their
blog even more by adding tabs, custom banners, buttons and more. As hl e
d an
Cr uz
se n gen Jor
Spring/Summer 2013
Getting started
y
life online. She was a (relatively) new wife and homeowner. Life was happening fast, and she didn’t want to forget a single moment. In the early days only a couple dozen people popped in to check for updates at “Better Together” (http://jorgensenbettertogether. blogspot.com/). Then, on March 26, 2010 Jorgensen broke the news to the online world: She and her husband, Beau, were expecting their first baby. Her musings went from dinners, dates and DIYs to the preparation and contemplation of this next important step. It was then that Jorgensen joined the ever-growing number of “mom bloggers.” According to Scarborough Research, a New York-based market research company, in October 2011 about 14 percent of all American moms were considered “mom bloggers.” “I’ve always loved writing. I’m an English teacher at heart,” she said. “... I have this desire to want to write and to record what is happening in my life.” As her belly and the baby grew, so did her blog audience. Today, Cruz is 2 years old and Jorgensen’s blog regularly registers between 500 and 600 pages views daily. Knowing that complete strangers have a window on her world has been an “interesting thing to think about,” she said. Nicole Ubben started her blog, “Every Day a Memory” (http:// cnubben.blogspot.com/), shortly after her first son, Jaden, was born. According to Business Wire in 2010
in the United States 92 percent of children had an online presences before the age of 2. After her second son, Brandon, was born, Ubben began reading other mom blogs and trying to connect with them. Through that connection she was also networking her blog, which saw a small jump in readership. “It’s nice as a mom to see what other moms go through and know that we are all facing the same challenges. And I get ideas on there, too,” Ubben said. Ubben said she is careful about what she shares on her blog, but, with the permission of her husband she did share some of the health problems he faced a couple of years ago. “I do want it to be a place where people can come for inspiration, too,” she said. Mostly, though, it’s an online scrapbook of their life, chronicling the ups, a few of the downs and most of the fun along the way. “If I have something I want to write about or feel inspired to write about I will write something when I have the time to do it,” she said. Not all moms are completely comfortable putting all their family’s affairs out there for the world to read. Though Becky, a mother of four, has pictures and details about her childrens’ lives online she does her best to keep personal details about the family under wraps, which is why she asked not to have her last name or her blog address included in this story. However with relatives in other states and friends scattered around the world Becky felt blogging would be the best way to keep everyone up-to-date on the happenings in her house. Though she has considered making the blog password-protected it’s not a step she has taken — yet.
Brandon Pollock
btruemag.com
13
(319) 535-2125
112 W 3rd St, Downtown CF Fun, Trendy, Sophisticated
BOUTIQUE & SALON
www.shopatspotlight.com
“There are some dangers of sharing too much with the world, I believe. The Internet is accessible to everyone — good and bad,” Becky said. “For now, I’m very careful not to post last names, the town/state I’m from, etc. I do think that you can never be too careful protecting the little ones you love. For now, people could find our blog if they searched real hard for it, but I’m not out there trying to get more readers. My friends and family know where to find us.” Becky said the blog has helped her “take some time to slow down and see little moments clearer.” “I have four kids under the age of 5, and my days are often a blur,” Becky said. “... When I look at pictures I’ve taken and write about them, I get to pause and think about the joy my family brings me and the blessing it is to be the mom in this crazy place.” And her camera is always on the kitchen counter at the ready to “document our fun times together or the kids’ funny antics.” Misty Block, a Cedar Falls mom of five, chronicles her family’s fun experiences at “Block Seven” (http:// block-seven.blogspot.com/), but she’s also shared the hardships. The family lost their home in the 2008 flood. Her blog followers were able to watch as the family flipped one flooded home and then built a brand new one for themselves. Block has also participated in a 365-day challenge where bloggers are tasked with taking and posting one photo every day for one year. “There would be times I would be awake at 11 and think ‘I forgot to take a picture,’” Block said. Block said the blog is also a fun place for her kids to connect. Unlike years past where kids would flip through their family photo albums, Block said her kids enjoy clicking through her blog posts to find ones that feature them. That means she also has to be careful about what she’s writing because she knows “little eyes will be reading it.”
Who to follow: Mom blogger Becky said she reads what others are writing for “encouragement and inspiration.” “And moms want to know that we’re not alone on this journey. Others are experiencing the same joys and frustrations as you. With the ease of technology, moms can sneak a couple minutes during naptime to read, refuel, gain insight, and even laugh a little at another mom’s expense.” Check out where the moms featured here regularly visit: www.aholyexperience.com iheartorganizing.blogspot.com www.creativefamilymoments.com http://whatfamiliesdo.net http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com http://sarahcraft.blogspot.com http://djjhansen.blogspot.com www.rantsfrommommyland.com www.memoriesoncloverlane.com
TEXT | Emily Christensen
988-4200
3130 West Shaulis Rd., Waterloo, IA moved to hwy. 63 1 mile S of 20
Ubben family Courtesy photo
14
betruemag.com
Spring/Summer 2013
kids at play
Parents need to know when to say ‘when’ with sports, activities
W
indee Weiss is a professor, former gymnast and coach. As a child, Weiss spent hours in the gym, and now she’s watching history repeat itself as two of her three children find their way in the same sport. Though they both love the sport, Weiss said about once every four or five weeks, her 5-year-old daughter needs a break from the weekly class. “So, we take the night off, and she usually falls asleep on the couch,” Weiss said. “Kids are really good about monitoring themselves. They listen to their bodily cues, whereas adults just drink more caffeine. By the next week, she is usually raring to go and back to working hard.” But every child, and every family, is different. What works for one may not work for the next. “There is no hard and fast rule that says kids can only participate in three activities a week,” Weiss said. Instead, parents need to trust their children and their own gut instincts when determining what kinds and how many activities to get involved with. “A lot of people think there is nothing for kids to do in this town, and that is so opposite of the truth,” said Bonnie Winninger, the education director for the Waterloo Center for the Arts and Phelps Youth Pavilion. “We’ve got Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, the Imaginarium, the Grout District, Silos and Smokestacks and the Little Red Schoolhouse in Cedar Falls. There are all kinds of things for kids to be doing at all times in addition to sports. You just can’t go wrong.” Spring/Summer 2013
The trouble is finding where to start. For some families a sampling of one-off classes allows their little ones to get a taste for everything without committing to one focus for several weeks. Others know right away where their passion lies. Jill Uhlenberg’s four children grew up on a farm and learned early on that they had to entertain themselves. They rarely participated in scheduled extracurriculars. Uhlenberg’s grandchildren, however, are a much different story. While one is growing up on a farm, the rest are living in larger cities and have found ample ways to keep themselves busy. One grandson puts most of his time and energy into hockey, with a few other sports in the off-season, while the other family has chosen karate as their sport of choice. “I think you just have to find the balance for your family,” said Uhlenberg, an assistant professor in curriculum and instruction at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. “You need to remember that if you are signing your kids up for things, you are committing yourself to those activities, too. So, do it carefully and with thought.” And always leave time for family activities and unstructured play, she said. “There is a movement nationally for us to get back outdoors. Some kids are so overscheduled that they don’t ever get the chance to play outside and invent things,” she said. “This can lead to children who always feel the need to be entertained.” Greta Berghammer, artistic director and founder of the Sturgis Youth Theatre, said it is also important to talk to those in charge when signing up for a new activity. Even if the program is open to children of all ages, Berghammer said it may be more appropriate for certain skill and maturity levels. btruemag.com
15
“I get interested in working with young people when they are close to 4. There is enough of a language base and enough nonverbal gestures and a reading base that helps them enter the world of drama and theater.” That early communication can also help keep the lines open as the program progresses and needs change. Berghammer said she has moved her classes around after several families expressed concerns about the day or time of a particular session. But, what happens when a child says enough is enough? Berghammer said that is a good time for parents to take a closer look at their reason behind a particular decision. “Parents need to ask if this is their passion or their child’s passion? Are these isolated incidents and coming from a place of fatigue or do they really not have a spark or passion anymore?” Berghammer said. Weiss said it’s also important to see if the issue is something that can be resolved or is a more longterm issue. Whenever possible she recommends holding kids accountable to their commitment. She recommends giving them a period to work through their issue, either a couple of weeks or to the end of the season, and then letting them make the decision. If age allows, she said the kid should be the one to tell the coach or teacher that they are quitting the program. All that advice falls by the wayside though when a child is in “severe emotional distress.” “If they are crying before, after and during practice, or you are picking them up in the middle because they are sick or are complaining of an injury, that you have already had checked out, that is a good warning sign that your child is probably burned out and it might be time to walk away,” she said. “Causing harm is the last thing any parent would want to do.” TEXT | Emily Christensen
Tell the world your story
Sterling silver charms from $25
www.RothJewelers.com 319.234.6979
16
betruemag.com
Spring/Summer 2013
adventure travel
girls gone
wild
Adventure travel opens brave new world
Change the way you see the world on your next vacation. Adventure tourism is rapidly growing in popularity as travelers look to stretch their bodies, connect with nature or explore foreign cultures. Individuals may have different ideas, however, of what qualifies as an adventure depending on life experiences and physical ability. Whatever your style — Be brave. Take a risk. And have fun! Prepare for these destinations to lure you outside your comfort zone. TEXT | Tina Hinz
Spring/Summer 2013
btruemag.com
17
adventure travel
1 Sky Tours – YMCA Union Park, Dubuque Zip through history
Fly through the treetops with Sky Tours at YMCA Union Park Camp in Dubuque. Nine separate ziplines vary in length from 300 to 1,000 feet, and short hikes weave together the twohour gravity course, designed for ages 10 and older. View the ruins of an early 1900s entertainment mecca, which included a cave, a dance hall known as The Pavilion, bandstands, a children’s playground and wading pool, a wooden roller
coaster and the Mammoth Theater, advertised as the largest in the West. Park use flourished from 1911 to 1919 until floodwaters tore through the picturesque valley. Rebuilding efforts — an Olympic-sized swimming pool, skating rink and dance pavilion — failed to rekindle interest. COST: $65 children and adults, $60 YMCA members. MORE: www.skytourszipline.com
Pikes Peak On top of the world
About 15,000 people a year attempt to climb Pikes Peak, the most visited mountain in North America. Towering at an altitude of 14,110 feet above sea level, Barr Trail offers a 13-mile path that begins at the base in Manitou Springs, Colo. Or for what’s dubbed America’s Ultimate Challenge, the Pikes Peak Marathon is a 26-mile round trip foot race up the trail and back down in August. The thirdlongest running U.S. marathon, behind Boston and Yonkers, draws thousands of runners from across the globe. The top finishing time is three hours and 16 minutes. NEARBY: Whitewater rafting awaits on the Colorado River, Arkansas River and Cache la Poudre. Wind through scenic canyons and gorges with guides who can accommodate seasoned rafters and those who’ve never dipped a paddle in the water. The sport is safe and fun for people of nearly all ages. In May and June, melting mountain snow makes the rivers run faster for more thrilling rides. By August and into September, the rivers are much milder. Colorado whitewater companies offer multiday adventures that include camping. MORE: www.colorado.com, www.pikes-peak.com
18
betruemag.com
Spring/Summer 2013
adventure travel
Ocoee River, Tennessee
Europe
Hit the backroads
3
Fall in love with Europe in the springtime — when the pace is slower, the weather milder and the crowds thinner. Backroads touts itself as the world’s No. 1 active travel company and offers bike tours and walking and hiking trips through Italy, France, Spain or beyond. Immerse yourself in the daily life of a region and explore hidden corners. Leaders know worthy stops, like a trattoria to lunch al fresco, an olive orchard perfect for a picnic and a great point to pick wild blueberries. Not traveling with family, a significant other or friends? Some itineraries are specifically for singles, who can connect on Facebook before and after and receive assistance finding a roommate if desired. MORE: www.backroads.com
4
Like the Olympians did
The Ocoee River is located in the Cherokee National Forest through Tennessee and boasts class III and IV rapids, described as large waves with significant rapids that include moderate drops. Enjoy the sun and waves and find some natural heat relief on what many consider one of America’s top 10 rivers. The Middle Ocoee is famous for continuous rapids, while the Upper Ocoee is the site of the 1996 Olympic canoe and kayak slalom competitions. Each section is about five miles. The river is dam controlled, so rafting water is guaranteed every Thursday through Monday all summer long, and Saturdays and Sundays in the spring and fall. All rafters must be at least 12 years of age, according to state regulation. The area also features hiking and biking trails, water play areas and picnicking, a 7,200 squarefoot visitors center and developed campsites. MORE: www.fs.usda.gov/main/cherokee/home
B�ket of Da�ies
Grand Canyon
5
Wild Wild West
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is ranked among the world’s 15 best hikes by author Peter Potterfield, who has trekked through more than 10,000 miles over six continents. Set out on foot to discover the beauty for yourself on a nine-day hike through Grand Canyon National Park with National Geographic Adventures. Explore the Havasu Canyon and impressive redrock formations while camping in tents for three nights beside a tranquil creek. Swim in turquoise pools at the foot of gushing waterfalls, surrounded by sandstone cliffs, and hike into a slot canyon with a Navajo Indian guide and meet members of the Havasupai tribe. Expedition dates are scheduled during May, June, July and September. MORE: www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com Spring/Summer 2013
Introducing
Rowe Furniture:
affordable, custom design with hundreds of fabrics to choose from! ��� ���� ������� ����� ����� � ��������
BasketofDaisies.com btruemag.com
19
true voices “I like to see people get healthy and feel better about themselves. Anybody can come to The Training Center and feel comfortable. You shouldn’t have to break the bank to get fit. Take that money and make a difference somewhere else.”
Her fitness background A competitive swimmer, gymnast, runner and softball player, Cervetti graduated from Waterloo’s Central High School and later earned her health education degree at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Her experience includes teaching in middle and high school and working as a personal trainer.
People may not know Cervetti and her twin sister, Sue, were adopted when they were 3 weeks old. Her adoptive parents gave them a loving home, but still Kay wondered about her birth parents. “I felt very lost, especially as a teenager. It bothered me a great deal, and I thought about suicide.” Cervetti fulfilled her dream of reuniting with her “origin family,” a journey described in her book, “To Whom It May Concern, A Search for Truth,” published in 2000.
On the importance of faith “I found myself through finding God. Faith is something you can hang onto when times are good or bad. It’s good to have an anchor, and I can always depend on God.”
Her favorite exercise “Rowing is my absolute favorite. It’s a complete body workout — arms, legs, core — and you can burn through a lot of calories.” She’s also a fan of the TRX suspension training system (“great for core and arms”) and tabata, a form of high-intensity, shortburst interval training. She likes a little adventure, too, like the 52-floor run at the John Hancock Building in Chicago.
T
hree passions rule Kay Cervetti’s life: Family, faith and fitness.
At 53, she has three grown children and four grandchildren. She became an ordained minister last year. Daily she can be found encouraging someone to stretch farther and work harder than they thought possible. She founded The Training Center in 1998, offering free or lowcost fitness and weight-loss classes to the community as part of her personal ministry. Since 2004, the non-profit workout center has rented space at Valley Lutheran School, Cedar Falls.
Why you should know her Part cheerleader/part drill sergeant, Cervetti’s goal is helping participants create a balance between body, soul and spirit while pushing themselves hard in indoor rowing and cycling sessions, body sculpting, kickboxing, step aerobics, weight lifting and other classes.
20
betruemag.com
Her new love “Andre, a rescue pit bull. He loves going through the drive-up window at Starbucks. I get a chai tea with whipped cream and caramel drizzle, and he gets a puppy latte. He walks and runs with me and loves it.”
Latest splurge? Tick that Softail Harley-Davidson motorcycle off her bucket list.
Snack attack Nachos and cheese. “I don’t have a sweet tooth. I’m more about the salt.”
What she’s reading “12 Unlikely Heroes” by John Arthur, about 12 unremarkable people playing pivotal roles in God’s plan.
TEXT | Melody Parker
IMAGE | Tiffany Rushing
Spring/Summer 2013
fitness / health
Knocked-up Fitness Pilates expert and Iowa native Erica Ziel motivates moms-to-be and new moms to stay fit
E
rica Ziel is always on the go.
In the midst of the phone interview to discuss her signature DVD exercise series, “Knocked Up Fitness,” she’d just dropped her 6-year-old at school for the morning and was clocking some miles pushing a jogging stroller with her 3 1/2- and 1 1/2 year-olds. The Iowa native also is one of the most sought-after private fitness instructors in Newport Beach, Calif., especially for expectant moms. The Masters Pilates instructor and core specialist is busy promoting the latest addition to her exercise series, a postnatal workout DVD set, “From Knocked up to Knock Out: Functional & Pilates-Infused Fitness.” Last year, she released “Prenatal Pilates Infused Fitness” and “Prenatal Core Pilates,” featuring shorter but appropriately challenging workouts for pregnancy. “When I was pregnant there just weren’t enough good athome DVDs. I decided there could be something better, so I
organized my knowledge and exercise training and put my workout together. I wanted it to be accessible, so I made them short,” says Ziel, who graduated from Boone High School and Iowa State University in Ames. “When you’re pregnant and exhausted, the thought of putting together 40 minutes to do an exercise DVD, I knew from personal experience it just wasn’t going to happen. So I did shorter workouts that can be modified, too. Even 10 minutes here and there will make you feel so good.” The prenatal DVDs can be started during the first trimester through postnatal healing, with a doctor’s approval. “Exercising can really help with labor, delivery and recovery. Recovery time, if there are no complications, can be much shorter,” she explains. Ziel’s at-home programs address the warm-up, core and total body conditioning needs specific to pregnant women. Her method infuses Pilates with yoga and cardio movements. “The great thing about Pilates is it really focuses on deeper muscles and your core that supports the belly, back and pelvic areas. The body benefits from incorporating different exercises and intervals. You might want a harder workout or wake up and need to move but not something that’s really intense,” she explains. The postnatal series focuses on toning, sculpting and conditioning the pelvic and core muscles, which are altered by pregnancy and delivery. The first DVD eases the new mom back into exercising, and the second takes it to the next level. “Every woman is different, every pregnancy is different. If it’s a smooth and healthy and active pregnancy and delivery with no complications, they’ll notice results in three months. From personal experience, it takes a year to feel like you’re back in your body, especially if you’re nursing,” Ziel says. “Give yourself time, enjoy your baby, get back to walking and slowly working into a fitness routine. Listen to your body, especially if you’re tired and sleep-deprived. Unless you’re a celebrity and have a personal trainer two or three hours a day, it’s going to take time to regain your pre-baby body. That’s not realistic for most moms.” Ziel is founder of Core Athletica Inc. and is a certified personal trainer, Pilates instructor and nutritionist. She is creator of Knocked-Up Fitness, an online destination. TEXT | Melody Parker
Spring/Summer 2013
btruemag.com
21
Resale is good for you!
(behind Menards)
fitness / health
win ! f f u t s Win a copy of Erica Ziel’s “Knocked Up Fitness: Prenatal PilatesInfused Workouts,” a two DVD-set with seven workouts to mix and match, plus tips for faster delivery and recovery. An exercise band is included. Register to win online at BTruemagazine.com
There’s no doubt that exercise does a body good. But a new batch of smartphone apps allows you to do good simply by moving your body. Juice
WHAT: Energy and activity tracker that helps you connect daily routine to energy level by keeping track of your activities such as sleep, diet, stress, mood and exercise to help you identify and change the energy-sucking behavior. Users get energy tips, a weekly report to track progress and help prioritizing healthy habits for the upcoming week. HOW MUCH: Free FOR: iPhone, iPod touch and iPad DEVELOPER: Mindbloom
Fitsby
WHAT: This app plays off basic principles of human nature — money and social pressures motivate people. To get people to the gym, Fitsby has them challenge friends to a game of gym check-ins. Users can play for fun (and motivation) or for real money. A GPS system confirms user is at the gym and he must stay there for at least a half hour before checking out. At the end of the game, the winner(s) take the pot. HOW MUCH: Free FOR: Android, coming soon for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad DEVELOPER: Fitsby
Lift
WHAT: This app lets you set goals for health, fitness and anything you want to improve. Want to read more, be kinder, drink more water, be more productive? There are more than 300,000 habits to choose from. Set the goal and get motivated by tracking habits, marking, monitoring and seeing progress and seeking social networking support if desired. 22
betruemag.com
HOW MUCH: Free FOR: iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad; coming soon for Android DEVELOPER: Lift Worldwide Inc.
Cruise Control
WHAT: A unique option in a glut of running apps, Cruise Control matches music selections to the pace users want to run. There are four options — in Free Run, the app automatically selects music to match your running rhythm; Pace lets users pick a target speed and if they match their running rhythm to the music, it keeps them there; Heart Rate is much like Pace, if runner matches steps to the rhythm of the music, it will get the user to the targeted heart rate; and Cadence has users pick target stride rate and the app adjusts the songs to play at the same tempo. HOW MUCH: $4.99 FOR: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad DEVELOPER: Hyperion Industries
Azumio Fitness Trainer
WHAT: A big developer of health and fitness apps, Azumio added Fitness Trainer to its catalog in December. The app gives users more than 600 exercises and more than 100 home workouts — including seven body-part specific workouts — using only body weight, dumbbells or resistance bands. Sport specific workouts (for skiing or cycling, for example) are offered as in-app purchases. HOW MUCH: $2.99 FOR: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad DEVELOPER: Azumio Inc.
Spring/Summer 2013
fitness / health
berry, berry good for you Younger women who ate at least three servings per week of strawberries or blueberries reduced their likelihood of suffering a heart attack by one-third compared with their sisters who incorporated fewer of the colorful berries into their diet, a new study says. The berry benefit was sufficiently strong that it held even after researchers adjusted for age, high blood pressure, family history of heart attack, body-mass index, exercise, smoking, and caffeine or alcohol intake. Researchers suggested that a group of dietary flavenoids called anthocyanins, which give blueberries and strawberries their jewel-like colors, may be responsible for the health benefits seen in the study’s large sample of subjects. Anthocyanins are known to dilate arteries and counter the buildup of plaque that causes atherosclerosis. The latest finding, published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, comes from the Nurses’ Health Study II. In that study, about 93,600 women ages 25 to 42 answered detailed surveys about their diets every four years for 18 years. During the study period, 405 heart attacks occurred — a rate that is predictably low because the women in the study had not yet reached the age at which heart disease is most likely to show up in women. But the study subjects who ate the most strawberries and blueberries, three or more servings weekly, were 32 percent less likely to be among the group who suffered early heart attack than were women who ate fewer berries — even women whose diets were otherwise rich in fruits and vegetables. “This simple dietary change could have a significant impact on prevention efforts,” said Dr. Eric Rimm, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health and senior author of the paper. Rimm and his coauthors surmised that if berry consumption showed such measurable health effects early in life, its benefits were likely to show up later as well, when women’s heart attack rate more closely approximates that of men.
Exercise DVDs worth a look “Ultimate Kettlebell Workouts for Beginners” combines strength and aerobic training using kettlebells, a type of weight that resembles a cannonball with a handle. The DVD includes safety tips, stepby-step instructions and three workouts.
“Dr. Lisa: Yoga Blast” is a compilation of three 20-minute workouts featuring Lisa Masterson of the TV show “The Doctors.” Masterson and her trainer lead yoga workouts interspersed with strength and cardio.
“Bethenny’s Skinnygirl Yoga Workouts” is a collection of reality-TV star Bethenny Frankel’s yoga-based workout DVDs, including “Body by Bethenny” and “Bethenny’s Skinnygirl Workout.”
Spring/Summer 2013
Another compilation of yoga workouts is “Shiva Rea: Daily Energy Collection,” which includes 14 20-minute practices that can be done on their own or mixed and matched to create longer workouts.
btruemag.com
23
fitness / health
Here’s a workout to get ’em and keep ’em
T WAN
E T T E OCK
R
?
LEGS
Rockettes are known for are their incredible synchronized high kicks — and the way their legs look doing those kicks. Take some cues from Stacy Paydo, a Los Angeles-based Rockette, who created a fusion workout of ballet, Pilates and yoga that’ll get you on the way to the famed Rockette legs (if you run through this set of exercises enough times, that is). Before you start, do a five-minute warm-up by taking a brisk walk or another easy cardio exercise. Do each exercise eight to 10 times and repeat the set three times for a full workout.
STANDING LEG PULSES
Stand straight with your feet under your hips. If you have a Thera-band, place it around the outside of both ankles so your feet are inside. Starting with your right leg, extend it straight forward to the maximum height the Thera-band will allow. Pulse and lift here 8 to 10 times. Repeat the exercise to the side and to the back and then switch to the left leg. Hands can be placed on your hips. This exercise also challenges your balance, which works your core muscles.
STANDING CALF RAISES
Start on your back, legs bent, knees pointing to the ceiling, feet flat on the floor. Rolling through your spine, lift your pelvis so that one line is created from knees to shoulders. Pressing into the ground with your hands should help you with this.
Heels can be lifted with feet parallel hip-width apart, or you can turn out to first position (heels touching, toes apart) to work those deep lateral rotators buried in your gluteus maxims. For added challenge, find a chair for balance and try single-leg calf raises (same exercise but one leg at a time).
SHOULDER BRIDGE LEG LIFT
Carefully lift one leg straight up to the ceiling, lower it until your knees are even, and then bring it back up the ceiling again. Repeat lowering and lifting on one leg 8 to 10 times before placing the foot back on the floor and switching to the other side.
24
betruemag.com
Spring/Summer 2013
fitness / health Start in a deep grand plie in second position. This is done by placing the feet wide apart with the toes comfortably facing out to the side. There should be no discomfort in the knees. If it doesn’t feel right, try angling your feet more toward the corner.
JUMPING SQUATS IN SECOND
Bend your knees until you’ve created a 90-degree angle between your hamstring and calf, and keep your bottom in line with your knees. Arms can be straight out to the side.
Explode off the floor by pushing through your feet. Reach the arms up to the sky when you jump. Smoothly return to your turned-out grand plie when you land and repeat.
Start in a deep lunge, create a 90-degree angle with your front leg keeping your back leg is straight. When lunging, your heel should be right under your knee.
CRESCENT LUNGE TO WARRIOR III
Reach your arms high into the sky. Slowly transfer your weight forward, lowering your torso, and lifting your back leg until you are parallel with the floor and feeling like a big capital “T.” Arms reach forward by your head or can be taken out to the side if you are having trouble balancing. With control, bend your supporting leg and return to your starting crescent lunge. Switch sides.
Find an exercise ball and lay on your back. If you don’t have a ball, you may use a stool or a chair — but you should skip the rolling portion of the exercise.
HAMSTRING ROLLS ON THE BALL
Place the ball underneath your heels so that your legs are lifted in the air. Place your arms to your sides and press down into the ground until you can lift your pelvis off the floor. At this point all of your leg muscles should be fired up and your feet should be flexed. Keep pressing into the floor and try to keep your hips lifting high as you bring your heels closer to your bottom and back out again. If done successfully, your ball should be rolling along the floor.
At the end of a great performance or after a fantastic ballet class it is common to bow. The ladylike version of this is the curtsy, so what better way to prepare for a standing ovation than with this exercise? Start by placing one foot behind you and bend both legs in a turned out fourth position (right toes pointing to the right, left toes to the left, legs crossed so the right toes line up for the left heel. Feet should be about 2 feet apart).
CURTSEY SQUAT
Place your hands on your hips or out to the side to help with your balance. In one swift movement, straighten your supporting leg and bring the back foot into passe and hold. Passe is a common dance position when you bring the toe of one foot to the knee of the opposite leg. Take the foot in passe back down behind you into your lunge and repeat. Make sure to get that left side in when you are finished with the right.
Spring/Summer 2013
btruemag.com
25
fitness / health
the
NOSE
knows New help for sinusitis sufferers
S
inusitis affects 37 million people each year. It is more prevalent than heart disease and asthma, making sinusitis one of the most common health problems in the United States.
Acute or chronic sinusitis is the inflammation of the mucus membranes in the nose, sinus cavities and throat. Swelling obstructs the sinus openings, prevents normal mucus drainage and causes mucus and pressure to build up. This discomfort impacts a person’s quality of life more than chronic back pain or congestive heart disease. Sinusitis significantly affects an individual physically, functionally and emotionally. In lieu of a desired treatment, approximately 900,000 people each year elect to live with these chronic conditions, according to Dr. David Congdon, board certified in otolaryngology. Symptoms of sinusitis include drainage of thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat; nasal obstruction or congestion; tenderness and swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead; and/or a reduced sense of smell and taste. Historically, sinusitis patients were limited to two treatment options: medical therapy such as antibiotics and topical nasal steroids, or conventional sinus 26
betruemag.com
surgery such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Medical therapy can help alleviate symptoms in as many as 80 percent of patients but is inadequate for the rest. For the remaining 20 percent, sinus surgery is often the best option. “FESS is a conventional surgery that requires bone and tissue removal in order to open up blocked sinus passageways. Patients who have this type of procedure would often have packing in their nose following surgery and would be off work for up to two weeks,” Congdon said. An alternative solution is endoscopic sinus surgery using balloon sinuplasty technology. A small, flexible balloon catheter is placed through a nostril into the blocked sinus passageway. The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the sinus passageway, restoring normal sinus drainage and function. “This is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that, for some patients, can even be done in the office rather than the operating room. With the balloon sinuplasty procedure, there is no nasal packing and patients can return to work as soon as the next day,” he explained. For a consultation with Congdon, call (319) 833-5970.
Spring/Summer 2013
true voices
S
he was so mad she started a blog. “I was having a rotten day,” Sarah Albertson-Corkery
said.
She was having health problems, and her son was having health problems, and the world just seemed heavy. So Sarah vented to her husband, Chris: “Today I was so mad I almost started a blog.” “An hour later, he had set it up,” she said. “It was cathartic. It felt good to put it out there.” That was Sept. 4, and Sarah hasn’t stopped writing since. Her readers have learned much about her, mostly that the title of her blog belies the entries, which are inspiring and insightful. “I want to help people, and I try to insert some humor,” she said.
On the blog, readers have learned: Sarah’s 4-year-old son, Jude, has serious health challenges, including epilepsy and a congenital visual impairment that has resulted in developmental delays. “What we know is a lot of the symptoms don’t have a known underlying cause, and we may not ever get a cause. ... We do lots of therapy to help Jude get ahead. He just continues to make progress. ... It’s been a grieving process. When someone tells you your son is not typical, it’s shocking. We have to deal with the loss of who we thought we would have as a son, but at the same time appreciating who he is. ... But we have to take it one day at a time. It’s made us better parents and more empathetic and appreciative of all kinds of people.
Last year, at 36 years old, Sarah was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Spring/Summer 2013
“I had a high family history of breast cancer. My maternal grandmother and my aunt got it in their early 40s. My mother died of uterine cancer when I was 14. I always thought I would get it. It was not if, but when. Luckily, my OB-GYN flagged it on my record and sent me to high-risk clinic in Iowa City. ... They did breast MRIs and mammograms for a baseline, and on the first one saw something suspicious in left breast. After a third visit (a year later) a biopsy revealed stage 0 breast cancer. It was contained within a single milk duct. ... I wanted to be very aggressive — double mastectomy, samesurgery reconstruction. In October I had the surgery with no complications. ... For me it wasn’t a hard decision. I felt fortunate (for the early diagnosis). It gave me the power to make the decision.
Sarah lopped off her shoulder-length locks in favor of a close-cropped ‘Justin Bieber’ haircut. “I used to change my hair a lot. With so much medical drama, my whole world got stuck in a rut and I didn’t want to let that define me. It had been a while since I’d changed it, and my husband said, ‘you should really do something crazy with your hair.’ My 6-year-old daughter saw it and said it looked like Justin Bieber.” Sarah ends each of her blog posts with a cinquain poem, a five-line verse known for vivid imagery and conveying emotion. For this interview, she was asked to write one that defines her. Sarah Compassionate Adapting to Life Thankful for every opportunity Strong
TEXT | Meta Hemenway-Forbes
IMAGE | Courtesy
btruemag.com
27
fashion / beauty
Party on! Home shopping parties growing in popularity, variety
A
ngie Rowan, 43, never used to be much of a designer jeans type girl. Shoes were a different story but jeans shopping could be a frustrating ordeal.
Finding the perfect pair suitable for her tall frame proved challenging for Rowan, and who wanted to spend all that money? So she ended up with a dozen or more just-okay pairs of denim. Then the kindergarten teacher from New Hampton heard about the company Vault Denim, a direct sales company, while browsing Facebook. The company, which launched in 2010, is part of the ever-evolving landscape of home sales. Here’s how it works: Women sign up to become fashion consultants, get access to dozens of brands and styles of marked-down jeans (Vault Denim purchases overstock), host or supply a jeans party and make some money in the process. “I was kind of skeptical. Most people are,” Rowan said. Sixteen months later, Rowan is not only a sales consultant but helps coordinate a stockpile of jean inventory in Northeast Iowa. She is also the proud owner of a few pairs of much-loved premium jeans – and didn’t break the bank. “Our company is really focused on empowering women and not only allowing them to have their own business but also for other women to enjoy nicer things,” Rowan said. The world of direct sales — think door-to-door salesmen and home demonstrations — has progressed and adapted significantly since traveling books salesman David McConnell — founder of Avon — figured out in 1886 that many housewives were interested in perfume samples, and that recruiting female sales representatives made sense as a business model. Today, the oldest companies in home sales, Avon included, continue to reinvent their themselves and their products, and new businesses have emerged. In the Cedar Valley, many women have received an invitation to a mid-morning brunch/ kitchen appliance party, a wine and jewelry party or a jeans, apparel or accessories holiday bash.
Stress-free shopping Home parties are intended to take the stress out of shopping. Women come, mingle, enjoy a glass of wine, perhaps, browse the merchandise and come away with a new purse, bracelet or scarf. “It’s kind of fun to have it in the comfort of your home with your own friends,” Rowan said. Three years ago, Heather Pitz, 38, of Waterloo, decided to host a home shopping party out of curiosity. Today, she is the founder of All That Glitters. Her company provides tops, shawls, scarves, jewelry and more, which she sells at her annual holiday parties and other home-based gigs hosted by
28
betruemag.com
friends and acquaintances. She’s generally works within a 100-mile radius from Waterloo. When Pitz works or hosts a home party, she comes in prior to the big event, sets up her busts, grids and mannequins and merchandise, and basically converts the bedroom, living room or kitchen space into a shopping boutique for a few hours.
The setup can be elaborate or much more casual. “I went to a show in a lady’s house, and a gal walked in with a tote of jewelry and just laid it on the counter,” Pitz said. The difference between shopping via All That Glitters and a traditional department store, said Pitz, is that she purposely buys minimal quantities. Women can walk into an All That Glitters party, browse, pay cash and walk away that very night with a unique outfit that hopefully a hundred other women aren’t also wearing. She said the lack of overhead allows for reasonable price points. “I just don’t have a storefront,” Pitz said. “I have the apparel. I have the jewelry. I have the rhinestone flip-flops.” Social media is a way to advertise and make sales between parties. Pitz recently went to work as a buyer for Phelan’s Interiors in Cedar Rapids, where she displays her merchandise so customers have access to fashion similar to items available at home parties. Some woman may dread receiving an invitation to a home sales party due to a sense of obligation to spend money when a friend is trying to meet a sales goal. Pitz, who jumped into the world of home sales with no retail experience, did her research and let experience become her own best teacher, believes it’s important to value the needs of her customers.
Spring/Summer 2013
fashion / beauty
Know Your Choices After
Mastectomy, Lumpectomy & Reconstruction
Is a custom made breast prosthesis the choice for you?
Independent consultants, Wendy Malcolm, Christina Hovey, and Angie Rowan at a Vault Denim party.
“If you don’t like something, don’t buy something you don’t like,” she said. Her greatest joy is watching women get excited over finding the perfect piece. “Just come in and have fun,” Pitz said. “And I think the biggest kick is watching the customers come out, and they are so excited. It’s so fun to see people leave with a big smile on their face, and they can’t wait to show their friends and it didn’t cost them and arm and a leg.”
Low-key approach Rowan likes to take a low-key approach to hosting or stocking Vault Denim jeans parties, letting the pants, shorts and capris sell themselves. “We don’t have any fancy presentations,” Rowan said. Shoppers may browse from a sample of 100 or more jeans, sizes 0 to 15 and plus sizes, as well as men’s and kids lines. Various brands and styles are representing, some blinged out, others featuring stitching, including premium labels at a discounted price. What may cost $120 at a high-end boutique might cost less than $100 at a home party, Rowan said, noting jeans are available as low as $48. “We are adding a new skin care line to our home parties as well,” Rowan added. For Rowan, fashion consulting is a fun way to bring in a little income, all while having access to quality products at decent prices. She also isn’t on her own to figure out how to market the product. She can participate in weekly company conference calls and attend conferences. Anyone willing to work hard and gifted with people skills may have potential in consulting, according to Rowan. Don’t want to consult? Shoppers and party hosts are always welcome.
Call for an appointment today
319-233-8911
Jill Roberts CFm Clark and Associates 527 Park Lane Ste. 100 Waterloo, IA 50702
You
Deserve
Exceptional Furniture! Visit us in Amana
TEXT | Karen Bushanam IMAGE | Brandon Pollock
Want to host or attend a Vault Denim party? Contact Angie Rowan at (515)GO-VAULT or email angierowan@ vaultdenim.com. Or connect with her online at www.facebook.com/ denimdivaangie or www.denimdivaangie.com. In the Cedar Valley, contact Christina Hovey, inventory coordinator and independent consultant at ChristinaHovey@vaultdenim.com or call 269-2484. To contact Heather Pitz of All That Glitters, like her page on Facebook
Spring/Summer 2013
AMANA FURNITURE & CLOCK SHOP 1-800-247-5088
www.amanafurniture.com btruemag.com
29
at home Thanks to digital cameras, cell phones and inkjet printers, we all have a virtual storehouse of digital and printed memories. Why not turn them into cool, decorative objects to accessorize your home or give as gifts? If you’re comfortable with a hot glue gun and scissors, you can make home accessories out of your favorite photographs. Print your photos on glossy or plain paper and give them fun and imaginative treatment in interesting frames or recycle an old painted canvas with a really large image. Try using scrapbook paper as a background — lots of patterns and colors, plus individual sheets are cheap! Or decoupage them to make photo trays, lampshades, photo sculptures, wallpaper, and more.
Find project ideas:
1 marthastewart.com: photo cube bookends, picture pillows, photo trays, calendars.
2
parents.com: custom magnets, Warhol-inspired wall collages, mobiles.
3
ehow.com: photo lampshades, calendars, photo sculptures.
Stop by andd check check out out our our new new Spring Spring Fashions Fashions Introducing SmartStrand® Silk™ carpet.
Now you can have your cake and drop it, too. Experience the only luxuriously soft carpet with built-in stain and soil protection that never washes or wears off. MohawkFlooring.com/Silk
MOWHAWK
303 Main St. • Cedar Falls • 277-4880 www.jennifersonmain.com
706 Ansborough Ave., Waterloo
319-232-9242 9-5 PM Weekdays • 9-1 PM Saturday
30
betruemag.com
Spring/Summer 2013
food
ultimate The
burger
Masterpiece burgers Begin with a basic cooked burger as your foundation, then use your imagination to create a masterpiece. Here are some suggestions that will get you started. Bruschetta Burgers: Toss chopped red and yellow tomatoes with fresh basil and minced garlic. Place burgers on toasted French bread slices and top with tomato mixture. California Burgers: Garnish burgers with grilled onions, sliced avocados and alfalfa sprouts. Serve between slices of sourdough bread. Chipotle Burgers: Mash 2 tablespoons canned chipotle peppers with a fork. Stir in ½ cup mayonnaise and spread on toasted buns. Add burgers, tomato slices and pepper jack cheese. Pepperoni Pizza Burgers : Place burgers on toasted French rolls. Add pizza sauce, pepperoni slices and mozzarella cheese. Reuben Burgers: For each slice of marble rye bread, spread butter on outside surface and Thousand Island dressing on inside surface. Place burgers, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese between two bread slices and cook in preheated nonstick skillet until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Tex-Mex Burgers: Spread refried beans on toasted buns and add a sprinkling of crushed corn chips. Top with burgers, cheese slices and salsa. Worcestershire Burgers: SautÊ sliced mushrooms and sweet onions in Worcestershire sauce. Serve burgers open face on toasted English muffins with the mushroom and onion mixture piled high.
Spring/Summer 2013
3 easy steps to great burgers Step 1. Bring meat to room temperature before forming patties. Use a paper towel to lightly pat dry meat. Step 2. Using a gentle touch, lightly shape ground beef into 3/4-inch patties. Make the center of the patty a bit thinner than the edges because patties plump when cooked. Also remember that the beef will shrink in size as it cooks. Step 3. Spray grill lightly to prevent sticking. Place patties on grill grate and grill, uncovered (13 to 15 minutes for charcoal; 13 to 14 minutes for gas), turning occasionally with a spatula. DO NOT PRESS DOWN; pressing causes loss of juices and results in a dry burger. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into the center registers 160 F.
btruemag.com
31
food
Summer isn’t summer until you’ve fired up the grill and loaded it with hamburger patties. So we went in search for the perfect burger. Our criteria were simple: The burger has to be delicious, juicy and flavorful. You can keep it lean with 95 percent lean ground beef or make a sacrifice somewhere else (skipping the potato salad?) and use 80 to 85 percent ground beef. Grilling experts say meat with a higher fat content will be juicer and better tasting. Then we tracked down a few great recipes for special burgers (including a vegan version) and some great topping ideas. Enjoy!
Caramelized Onion Barbecue Burgers Makes 4 regular burgers or 8 sliders
1 tablespoon olive oil 4 large sweet onions, sliced 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 pound lean ground beef 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 4 slices crisp, cooked bacon 4 standard or 8 slider whole-grain burger buns In large skillet over medium, heat olive oil. Add onions and saute until deep brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. If skillet gets too dry, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water as needed. Stir in balsamic vinegar and allow to cool. Heat grill to medium-high. In medium bowl, gently stir together 1/4-1/2 cup cooled onions, ground beef, salt and black pepper. Form mixture into 4 or 8 patties, pressing a slight indent into the center of each. In small saucepan, combine cumin, cayenne and smoked paprika. In small bowl, stir together garlic powder, honey, tomato paste, mustard, cider vinegar and soy sauce. Add remaining onions. Stir lightly. Bring everything out to the grill. Place saucepan with spices directly on grill. Stir until fragrant and toasted, about 1 minute. Add tomato-honey, onion mixture to spices and stir until simmering, about 5 minutes. Use caution, pan handle will be very hot. Move saucepan to the back of the grill or off to the side. Add burgers to grill and cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side for medium-well. Crumble bacon on burgers. Spoon sauce and caramelized onions over burgers and serve on multigrain or whole-wheat buns. Source: Associated Press
32
betruemag.com
Spring/Summer 2013
food
Rachael Ray’s burger Serves 4
For sauce: 1 cup good-quality ketchup, such as Heinz Organic 2 tablespoons dill relish 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies, drained and finely chopped 1 cup sour cream Kosher salt and pepper For burgers: 2 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon ground coriander 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling For assembly: 4 sesame seed buns Sandwich-sliced pickles 1 small onion, chopped Wavy potato chips 4 slices deli-sliced cheddar cheese, if desired Sauce: In a bowl, stir together ketchup, relish, chilies and sour cream; season with salt and pepper. Make burgers: In large bowl, combine beef, chili powder, coriander, cumin and Worcestershire sauce; season with salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Score mixture into 4 equal portions and form patties out of each section. Lightly spray grill with olive oil. Grill over medium-high heat. Cook burgers until browned and cooked through on each side. When you flip the burgers, top each with a slice of cheese, if desired. To assemble: Lay down bun bottoms and top them with burger, sauce, pickle slices, sprinkle of onion and wavy potato chips. Add more sauce, if needed, and top burgers with remaining buns. Adapted from Rachael Ray’s “Book of Burgers”
Portabella Blue Cheese Burgers Meaty-tasting portabellas make a fine burger. Serves 4 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 3 cloves garlic, peeled, pressed 4 large (about 4-5 inches in diameter) portabella mushrooms, wiped clean, stems removed 1 large red onion, peeled, thinly sliced (2 ½ to 3 cups) 2 tablespoons water ¼ cup ruby port or favorite sweet red wine ½ teaspoon salt, divided ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (2 ounces) or substitute gorgonzola, fontina or asiago 4 whole-wheat hamburger buns or rolls 1 cup arugula or leaf lettuce 4 thick slices tomato
Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over high heat. Add red onion and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, add water and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is browned and very soft, about 15 minutes. Add port and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost evaporated, about 3 minutes more. Stir in ¼ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Remove from heat and cover. Preheat grill to medium. Sprinkle mushrooms with remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Grill, gill side down, for 5 to 7 minutes. Turn over and top each with 2 tablespoons cheese. Grill until mushrooms are tender, 4 to 5 minutes more. Toast buns. Divide onions among mushrooms. Serve (cheese side up) on buns with arugula and tomato slices. Adapted from Eating Well magazine.
In small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons oil, vinegar and garlic. Brush mixture all over mushrooms and let stand for 30 minutes.
Spring/Summer 2013
btruemag.com
33
food
Bluff Country Studio Art Tour
Ice cream sandwiches make cool dessert treats
Few treats say — or perhaps scream — summer quite the way ice cream does. And frankly, it’s hard to improve on a giant, creamy, chilly bowlful. But we figured we’d try, anyway, because sometimes you want a little more pizazz. So we came up with these ice cream sandwiches that are ridiculously easy to put together. We baked up some cookies (which you can do well in advance), then filled them with a blend of purchased sherbets, sorbets and vanilla ice cream. We liked orange sherbet and raspberry sorbet because they had a creamsicle effect when combined with vanilla, but you could use any flavors you prefer. To jazz it up even more, we rolled the edges of the exposed ice cream in a variety of toppings. Try chopped nuts, shaved chocolate, candy sprinkles, toasted coconut, or whatever.
Summertime Ice Cream Sandwiches Makes 12 sandwiches
April 26 – 28, 2013 Friday – Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM
for more information go to: www.bluffcountrystudioarttour.com hotflashdesigns@hotmail.com or Call 507-454-4047
One appearance only!
1 1/4 cups sugar, divided 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2 tablespoons spiced rum or brandy 1 egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 3/4 cup orange sherbet, raspberry sorbet or other fruity frozen dessert 3/4 cup vanilla ice cream Candy sprinkles, toasted coconut, shaved chocolate chopped nuts, etc. Heat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly coat with cooking spray. Place 1/4 cup sugar in shallow dish or pie pan.
A Conversation with Carol Where the Audience Asks the Questions
Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m.
2010 Mabel Cat, Inc. Photo: Randee St. Nichola
DesMoinesPerformingArts.org · 800-745-3000 Ticketmaster Locations · Civic Center Ticket Office Groups 15+, save by calling 515-246-2340.
34
betruemag.com
In large bowl, use electric mixer to beat together remaining 1 cup sugar, butter, vanilla, almond extract and rum until light and fluffy. Add egg, scraping down sides of bowl and mixing until well incorporated. Stir in flour, salt and baking powder. Scoop dough by tablespoonful and form into balls. One at a time, place each ball of dough in sugar in shallow dish. Roll around until all sides are coated. Arrange sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between to allow for spreading. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until edges are just beginning to brown. Allow to cool on baking sheet. While cookies cool, remove sherbet or sorbet and ice cream from freezer. One at a time, microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, or just long enough to soften. In large bowl, combine two flavors and use rubber spatula to swirl them together. Do not overmix or completely blend them. Overturn 1 cookie and place about 1 tablespoon ice cream mixture on it. Top with second cookie and gently squeeze together. Roll ice cream edges in sprinkles or other “toppings.” Return to freezer until firm. If not serving right away, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in freezer. Spring/Summer 2013
Spring/Summer 2013
btruemag.com
35