Moxie Magazine - January 2022

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| LALITA’S LETTER FROM THE EDITOR | Welcome all to 2022. You made it! While things are still relatively frightful in the world, there is one thing we can look forward to with hopefully more optimism this go-around: wedding season and our Bridal Guide! When we put together this issue for 2021, I was on the cusp of planning my own wedding, which wasn’t initially intended to be a pandemic wedding, but you know how this goes. My husband Josh, and myself tied the knot September 25th in our backyard with only nine other people. And you know what? It was perfect.

You can read more about it in this month’s “On That Note.”

Heather asked me to write this month’s letter as a goodbye to you. In the midst of all the chaos that has been these last couple of years, I was granted the opportunity to work at one of my dream publications, Jalopnik, as their Managing Editor. I talk

and write about cars all day, something my five-year-old self would be insanely proud of. I have a lot of work ahead of me in this new role, and unfortunately, I can’t keep up with Moxie as well. So, I’m stepping away after the February issue.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from these last couple of years, life is unpredictable, and yet full of surprises. I’ve had a long list of ups and downs myself, as I’m sure you have as well. Moxie too, has had its struggles as Heather worked incredibly hard to keep her vision and magazine afloat during all of this. You may not have seen it in the pages, but this magazine, and our Publisher are fighters, and have sacrificed so much to get to this new year.

future (we certainly didn’t see this coming in 2020), but we can remain optimistic. And we know we are pretty damned resilient! To kick off this new year, we have a plethora of articles for you to enjoy from how to get the perfect invitations (and cards galore!) from Noteworthy Invitations By Design, to Elizabeth’s article on how to have your wedding cake, and eat it too (even in the privacy of your own home!).

It’s been an absolute pleasure and honor to help Moxie in these early years and to have you as readers. Thank you for letting me grace your pages. And a special thank you to Alicia and Heather, who welcomed me in, and put up with my nonsense for all of that time.

With that in mind, I hope you’re reading this Cheers to 2022! issue with a sense of renewed hope. Sure, , Editor we cannot predict what will happen in the

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January 2022

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contents

BRIDAL GUIDE

LIFESTYLE

PAGE S 10 – 21

6 | Why January is Considered Diet Month 8 | We Begin at the End 22 | Becoming a Writer 24 | Communication Strategies for the New Year 28 | Younger Next Year 32 | Girl Scout Cookie Bake-off

BRIDAL GUIDE

YOUR SPECIAL 16MAKE DAY NOTEWORTHY

10 | Southwest Michigan Bridal Show 12 | A Very COVID Wedding 14 | Bert’s Bakery 16 | Make Your Special Noteworthy with Noteworthy Invitations By Design

20 FIND YOUR ENAGEMENT RING STYLE

20 | Find Your Engagement Ring Style

32

All Girl Scout programming is developed using criteria from the Girl Scout Leadership Experience

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BAKE-OFF

Discover: Girls develop a strong sense of self.

Girls develop positive values.

Girls gain practical life skills.

Girls seek challenges in the world.

Girls develop critical thinking.

Connect: Girls develop healthy relationships.

MICHIGAN BRIDAL SHOW 10SOUTHWEST

Girls promote cooperation and team building.

Girls can resolve conflicts.

Girls advance diversity in a multicultural world.

these awards, girls identify problems they want to solve and implement solutions. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the most rigorous and prestigious award for girls; it requires them PUBLISHER: to identify a community-wide Heather Dombos need and implement a sustainable solution that will live on beyond the hdombos@moxiemediagroup.net completion of their project.

LAYOUT & DESIGN: Girl Scout Gold Award is so AliciaThe Pauwels prestigious that it typically means apauwels@moxiemediagroup.net automatic scholarships at various

colleges and universities, and Gold EDITOR: LalitaAward ChemelloGirl Scouts are entitled to enter the military at a higher pay lchemello@moxiemediagroup.net grade. The benefits associated with earning the Gold Award mean that a girl can change her life, and girls who participate via the Outreach Program have that advantage available to them.

At the Girl Scout Cookie Bake-Off

cookies often lend themselves to sweet treats, savory treats are not uncommon. Attendees vote for their favorite creation, and judges THE PEOPLE WHO select the overall winner. Full-sized CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: versions of each of the delectable Emily Betros creations are available for purchase during the live auction. Many Kim Carson bidders purchase auctioned desserts Ashley Carter Youngblood for their offices or upcoming dinner Kelly Duggan parties.

Heavy hors d’oevres are available offset the typically sweet Rachelto Kirtley creations, as well as a cash bar so Heidi McCrary you can wash everything down.

Jenny Opdycke

Girl Scouts is a program that Dr. Marti Peters-Sparling changes the lives of girls right here Precopio in Elizabeth southwest Michigan, and the Girl Scout Cookie Bake-Off Benefit allows you to support girls who need Girl Scouts the most. Join us on Wednesday, February 26, at 6:00 p.m. at the Radisson in downtown

Girls feel connected to their communities, locally and globally.

Take Action:

Girls can community needs.

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Girls are resourceful problem solvers.

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WEBSITE: moxiemediagroup.com

Demarra D. West

FOR SALES INFO: 269-350-5227

Girls advocate for themselves and Marlita Walker others, locally and globally.

Girls educate and inspire others to act.BY EMAIL:

info@moxiemediagroup.net Girls feel empowered to make a editor@moxiemediagroup.net difference in the world. sales@moxiemediagroup.net

Girls who discover a need, take action

BY MAIL: to improve their world, and connect Moxie Media Group, to LLCbe leaders. with others, are learning

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January 2022

5

Why January is Considered

“DIET MONTH”

BY EMILY BETROS

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January 2022

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January brings the beginning of a new year, a fresh start. For some it feels the perfect time to set a resolution. Whether or not you are into New Year’s resolutions or not, diet culture has a sneaky way of taking over this time of year.

Have you seen the commercials? Read the ads?

Been texted or emailed a new product to help you lose weight? Sometimes it’s so embedded in our culture that we fail to questions it: the health challenges at work (measured by the number of pounds you lose), the 30 days of no sugar challenge that your friends are doing (only successful if it ends in weight loss), or your sister who wants to “detox” after the holidays (let’s hope it’ll “undo” anything consumed in December). There are many reasons why people want to get healthy this time of year, but let’s explore why you might feel the need to.

Dieting is simply a coping mechanism.

This is why you may hear professionals who work to help people establish a healthier relationship with food and quit dieting say, “It’s not about the food.” It’s really disordered eating and an emotional disorder, not a food disorder.

Just focusing on the food or eating won’t help anyone deal with the emotional issues they are experiencing and trying to cope with.

EMOTIONAL ENDLESS HANGOVERS TO DO LIST

STRESS

HOW DO I FIND CONTROL?

With that said, let’s think about all the things you might be trying to cope with after the holidays. If your to-do list felt long going into the holidays, my guess is it’s even longer now, and it’s difficult trying to get back into a normal routine with work, school, etc. We might need to return things, send thank yous, and take down all the things we put up.

There’s a good chance we’re dealing with an emotional hangover from family as well. Maybe there was drama or news that you’re still trying to process. Maybe it’s missing all the family members after they leave, sending your kids back to school/college or sending relatives back to their distanced homes.

If the holidays bring rest and reprieve, then there’s going to be some anxiety about returning to work or a routine that’s busier. Financially there could be some stress that needs to be coped with. There’s a lot to cope with this time of year!

So how does one cope with this feeling of stress, mess, or emotional hangovers? One place that we’re led to believe we have (and should have) control over is our food and body size. This is how diet culture has decided that we can

externally show that we are in control. Smaller bodies are more in control, larger bodies must be out of control.

We can feel out of control at any size or shape, no matter what we eat. So maybe the rest of your life feels out of whack.

Control your food! This will make you feel so much better and cure everything!

This just isn’t true.

We need to deal with the feelings, changes, and stress that can be our reality right now. Trying to make ourselves smaller doesn’t do any of that.

If you start to feel the “pull” towards dieting, take the time to ask yourself, what else is going on? Are you looking to prove something? Are you trying to get back in control of your life? Are you feeling big emotions about seeing family or saying goodbye? These are all real reasons that should be acknowledged with respect.

Also remember that just because you have a thought about dieting or changing behaviors drastically, does not mean you have to act on it.

You are stronger than these intrusive thoughts that pop up. If you feel yourself gravitating towards adding in something new, try to get back to the basics first and ensure you’re taking care of your basic needs.

Are you getting enough restful sleep? Are you eating enough? Are you getting enough water each day? Are you connecting with loved ones? Do you have a support system or an outlet for care? Are you doing a few things a week for you?

You want to make sure this foundation is steady.

If these are in place, my guess is you won’t feel the pull or need to change anything because your body and soul are going to feel nourished. If our soul is fed appropriately, we will be more in-tune to ensuring we are feeding our body well.

Emily Betros Emily is a licensed clinical social worker, certified health coach, and owner of Reclaiming Health, LLC. She specializes in body image support, eating disorders, anxiety, life transitions, mindfulness, and women's issues. More info: www.reclaiminghealth.net.

January 2022

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|

BOOK REVIEW |

Marlita Walker Reviews

WE BEGIN AT THE END

By Chris Whitaker

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

- Desmond Tutu

My family’s much-anticipated California Thanksgiving fell flat when I tested positive for COVID-19 within a day of arriving at my daughter’s home in Santa Cruz. Dubbed a “breakthrough” case, it didn’t feel like I was breaking through anywhere as I quarantined; unable to visit our son’s home, unable to travel to the mountain cabin as we had planned, unable to hug or kiss any of my six grands. Hopeless feelings simmered just under the surface of my “it will be ok” facial facade.

I am not a fan of disrupted plans.

Enter Chris Whitaker’s novel, “We Begin at the End,” highly recommended by my daughter. The book happens to focus on a continuing saga of disrupted plans. As the book’s synopsis states, “Chris Whitaker has written an extraordinary novel about people who deserve so much more than life serves them. At times devastating, with flashes of humor and hope throughout, it is ultimately an inspiring tale of how the human spirit prevails and how, in the end, love - in all its different guises- wins.”

I was rather unaware that it was billed a mystery-thriller by some. However, I fell in love with the unusual characters while the ever-unraveling plot sucked me in. Foul-

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January 2022

mouthed Duchess, the thirteen-year-old protagonist, lashes out at everyone except her six-year-old brother, Robin, whom she ferociously defends and protects. There’s their beautiful and fragile mother Star, desperately loved by the two; but Star has never recovered from her own deep losses, so she is unable to provide the love and security they crave and require. Robin turns inward while Duchess proclaims herself an “outlaw,” and builds a large wall of distrust around her heart.

A personal article in The Guardian by Whitaker provided me with a greater understanding of the depth of pain he has lived through. That transferal of pain to his characters jumps right off the pages and into reader’s hearts.

Many times, I found myself shedding tears of empathy for these wounded individuals.

As I turned the final page feeling depleted and wrung out from the complicated twists and turns of the narrative, I realized that Whitaker managed to keep me hopeful in the midst of disastrous circumstances. Hope came, as it usually does, in the form of loving folks who allow Duchess the space she needs to grieve, to heal and to let go. Grandpa Hal offers a second chance to the family he had long ago deserted. Spirited Dolly doesn’t

allow Duchess’ crusty exterior to chase her away. Police Chief Walk overlooks flaws in the community members as he serves them tirelessly and gives much grace to Star’s family over the years. And tenacious Thomas Noble “sees” the real Duchess the first time he sets eyes on her...and loves her anyway.

For my own hopeless-feeling Thanksgiving, it took a while for my hopelessness to dissolve.

I blame that on my daughter. She reassured me that it was still good to see us even without hugs; that our Turkey Day celebration was still a celebration without the bigger table of people that we had anticipated; and that my milder symptoms of the virus gave cause for all of us to be grateful. All true. She elicited that same hopefulness Whitaker provided for his characters, into my spirit with her loving words.

Marlita Walker Marlita is a native Michigander, who returned back to the area after 18 years spent in IL & PA. When not on cruising adventures with her hubby in their vintage Roadtrek camper van; she relaxes by re-arranging her home decor, walking with friends, and connecting with her 10 grands who live in TN and CA. Read more book reviews at litaslines.blogspot.com.

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Your Ultimate Wedding Planning Destination

January 2022

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This month, our January edition is ALL about our area brides & their weddings!

Speaking of all things bridal, Amy Dyer of Bert’s Bakery runs the Southwest Michigan Bridal Show. It’s the largest wedding, party planning expo in Southwest Michigan. The expo, hosted at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, is home to usually 160 or more vendors a year, and is the largest event held in this region in Michigan. It’s designed to bring together as many possible options and resources any bride or planner may need to plan the perfect wedding day, party or other special event.

The show is Sunday, January 9th, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Wings Event Center. Tickets purchased ahead of time cost $6.

Advance tickets are sold at Bert’s Bakery or the Wings Expo Center. Tickets at the door cost $7.

The Southwest Michigan Bridal Show welcomes anyone planning a special event. It’s the perfect place to find something or get ideas for your big day, with something for everyone! Find more information on their website www.swmibridal.com or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND THERE • Wedding Dresses!

• Formal wear • Photographers • Videographers • Wedding ceremony and reception sites • The perfect caterer

• Wedding cake and other dessert options • Hairdressers • Florist • Invitations and printing companies • Unique bridal shower party ideas

• Travel agents to plan your honeymoon getaway • Ceremony music

Rachel Kirtley

• Entertainment, DJs and bands

Rachel has worked in all levels of the food industry for over a decade.

She is currently a Social Media Influencer, Content Creator and Restaurant Reviewer. You can visit her at thekalamazoofoodie.com.

• Table/chair/linen rentals

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|

ON THAT NOTE |

A Very COVID Wedding

BY LALITA CHEMELLO

Navigating My Own Wedding in this Neverending Pandemic Last year, our Bridal Issue’s pages were graced with pivots and plans on how to tackle a wedding in the pandemic. How optimistic we were in thinking those pivots would not be necessary to apply later into 2021, but rather, standing as the guidelines for more brides, including yours truly.

I know not everyone followed these guidelines.

Brides were relieved things were “not as bad” as 2020, and eager to finally get down the aisle, so many went about their fetes with grace and fanfare. As I sit at home, missing my best friend’s wedding due to my own exposure to COVID-19 this very weekend, maybe we got into things too soon.

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January 2022

But let’s go back a minute and I’ll take you through this from a firsthand experience. When my now husband proposed in February of last year (just after Moxie Magazine’s Bridal Guide went to print), we had already started planning our upcoming nuptials. Vaccines were already in supply, my husband was already vaccinated, and there was hope—a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel that has been this pandemic, that maybe, just maybe we could have at least a tiny wedding. Having married a microbiologist working at Pfizer during the pandemic, he was my go-to in helping carefully determine the time of year that would be safest for our special day and when things COVID-wise would hopefully die down...the date we landed on was September 25.

We proceeded with the utmost caution. We had very high-risk individuals in our family,

so outright, we had to prepare our guests to be careful. We spoke with the 20-ish guests we planned to invite. They had to be vaccinated.

Our niece would have to wear a mask, because at six years old, she had yet to be vaccinated. I had an incredibly uncomfortable conversation with another member of my family explaining “no vax, no wedding.” Worth it though. We were not taking any chances.

Invitations went out, our close friends who were basically our wedding party, and our immediate family (my father and brother, and his parents and siblings), had been informed of their invite. We reserved a beautiful spot in Leonidas, MI to host the day. We were ready.

Cases began rising substantially as the summer days began to wane. A week into September, we cancelled our venue and told our family and a few ancillary invites not to come.

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A NEW PLAN

It would be our friend who was officiating, our small wedding party, and our friends who were catering. There were 11 of us. All vaccinated. All youthful. Only two of us were higher-risk individuals. Everyone refrained from traveling and events beforehand.

Our backyard became the venue. We used the money refunded from the park to buy a canopy to get married under...and the two picnic tables we used as our banquet table. We pivoted hard to have our special day, as safely as possible, even if it wasn’t everything we wanted.

And you know what? It was beautiful. Looking back, it wasn’t exactly what we had pictured, but the intimate setting was rather perfect. The closest people in our life clicked. Both myself and my husband still have a tinge of sadness for not having had our family there, but everyone respected our decision, and understood our want to keep them safe. To keep them healthy. To not make any of them another number in this insanity, if we could help it.

This was all happening as my great aunt was in the hospital with coronavirus. She was vaccinated, but also high-risk. She died a week after our wedding. Another family friend was married this year. My father’s friends who did choose to attend had all had gotten COVID at the wedding. My best friend got married December 12, and I had to stay home due to my unfortunate

contact with COVID-19 just a couple of days prior to her tying the knot. She and her husband had asked all guests be vaccinated as well. Even with that as a safety net, we didn’t want to take any chances. I attended virtually.

As myself and my closest friends planned our celebrations, I couldn’t help but ask myself if I was being safe, or that we, as brides, were making safe and responsible decisions. Should we have written our last Bridal Guide as guidance and forewarning? Did we all jump the gun? And what does that mean for our brides going into 2022?

WHAT WE LEARNED

One thing I’ve learned in this pandemic, is my yelling or informing doesn’t make a huge difference. I am writing my column to you this month to offer a perspective, or even a way to approach a complicated situation in a safer way. There will be weddings this year.

There will be ones who approach it with more caution, and there will be ones that may end in an outbreak. And I can’t change that. I can just share what became of my little wedding and hope you too, can use it to think about what is best for your special day.

I will say this: Had both my husband and I had any idea our wedding would land in the midst of yet another rise in cases, we would have just eloped and done a party later. That’s one thing

about this. The wedding, your special day, is about you and your other half. Your soulmate.

It’s not that you can’t have the party, but maybe, you don’t need it right now. For us, we are waiting out all of the nonsense, and hoping to put together a little something for the close people in our lives who missed out.

FINDING A WAY

And you know what else? We have so much technology in the palm of our hands, you can easily record or video chat to share your special day. They may not physically be in attendance, but they are still there to see every special moment.

Personally, I’d rather have them around to share our love for a lifetime, cause hasn’t that been the whole point of having them at the wedding in the first place?

Good luck brides. I hope your days are not clouded with the virus, and you experience a beautiful day, regardless.

Lalita Chemello Lalita is our Editor, Writer and occasional photog. Her 13 years of writing has landed features with Panorama, published poetry and even a short film. She spends any extra time she can quenching her wanderlustian needs by finding new places to adventure with her other half, writing, or playing with their motorized toys.

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Bert’s Bakery |

RESTAURANT REVIEW: BRIDAL CAKES |

A few years ago, at my own wedding, we opted to just do a dessert table

and went with an assortment of different handheld desserts. It was great, but I have always felt left out for never having a proper cake tasting.

So, I decided to take it upon myself to experience that long-missed cake testing by visiting Bert’s Bakery in Kalamazoo. I promised myself I would grab several slices of cake in order to declare the best one for a wedding, even though it wouldn’t be for mine.

I was greeted by the owner of Bert’s Bakery, Amy Dyer, who was able to tell me more about the cakes, and the business.

For my tasting, I went with six slices of cake: Any less felt like I wouldn’t get enough of a variety, and any more might throw me into a crazy sugar high or sickness.

There were 11 options and let me tell you, every slice was a hard choice to make. And anyways, those six slices quickly turned into seven, because Dyer insisted I try it! (And who says no to more cake?)

My cake tasting trial happened at home. I unpacked my box of cake and stared in wonderment at the glory of cakes that lay in front of me. I started with the slice the owner suggested.

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January 2022

Elizabeth Precopio

Elizabeth Precopio is a hairstylist by day and 24/7 food enthusiast.

She visits restaurants in the Kalamazoo area and blogs about her experience at feedmekzoo.com

It was an ALMOND POPPY CAKE WITH VANILLA BAVARIAN CREAM. I don’t know why I didn’t initially choose this one, but I’m so glad she insisted I take it home with me.

It was delightful! Light and sweet, but not too sweet. You could definitely taste almond, but it was a subtle almond. Both the cake and the cream were light and airy.

Next, I tried a VANILLA CAKE WITH RASPBERRY FILLING AND VANILLA CREAM. Another delicious choice!

The raspberry was tart and sweet, but there was only a touch of it so it came through in a way that balanced the cake beautifully.

The VANILLA CAKE WITH LEMON FILLING I tried next was similar in that the tart balanced the sweetness, but in that slice, the lemon flavor was much more subtle.

These first three were so delicious, it was hard for me to only try a bite (or two) and not eat the whole piece.

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I went on to try the VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE CREAM. This is my (and possibly many of yours) favorite flavor combo and I’ve got to say, Bert’s really knocked it out of the park. The chocolate was light enough that it blended well with the vanilla cake. I don’t know that I would pick this for a wedding cake, but it will most definitely be my next birthday cake.

By now I was feeling the sugar, but I had to push on!

My next taste was the RED VELVET CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING. This is another go-to combination of mine and boy oh boy, did this taste good. The cream cheese frosting is super sweet, but not super heavy like many other recipes can be. The cake was also flavorful while still being light and airy. It was definitely the sweetest of the bunch (in the best way possible).

After that, I went on the MARBLE CAKE WITH SALTED CARAMEL CREAM. This had such a unique flavor that I had to check my notes to remind me what the cream was. As soon as I saw it, I could immediately place it. The marble cake was a great blend of chocolate and vanilla and the salted caramel cream added a nice touch that gave it a unique and tasty flavor.

Last but certainly not least was the GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE. It was one of the better German chocolate cakes I have had! I absolutely loved the toasted coconut in the cream, and it added such a great texture to the whole cake. The cake was moist, and it had an amazing flavor.

Every single one of Bert’s Bakery cakes was a complete knockout for me. I’m glad I didn’t have to choose any for my actual wedding. However, if I was choosing one for a wedding, I would likely pick the almond poppy cake. Runner up: either the raspberry or lemon. But honestly all were amazing.

Whether or not you have a wedding coming up, I highly recommend you do your own cake tasting. I’m so glad I did.

I now have a favorite cake for every occasion and will most definitely be getting them from Bert’s Bakery!

January 2022

15

MAKE YOUR SPECIAL DAY

Noteworthy with Noteworthy Invitations By Design

BY LALITA CHEMELLO

Jessica Del Vacchio

Marketing Manager

Kristina Scobie

Creative Director

Maren Winter

Graphic Designer

Dearest Brides-to-be who are anxiously awaiting to start preparations to bring your dream day to life:

W

hile you make your list of must dos for your “I dos,” including all of the obvious picks like your dress, venue and wedding date, there’s one part of your special day you might not have put on the priority list: your invitations.

Deep breaths. Help is closer than you know! While you may want to have a few ideas on some of your wedding details, you don’t need solid and set times, locations and venues. The staff here can help you make your choice and fill in the blanks along the way.

Why are the invitation and paper products so important for the big day? According to Kristina Scobie, the Creative Director at Noteworthy, it sets the tone for the entire couple’s day, and they are with the bride for the entire process. “Most people come in and anticipate picking out an invitation. But we open the door on all of those other elements that they haven’t even begun to think about.

Just because it is so early in the process and they don’t realize we can make it all look cohesive for the entire event – from the moment somebody opens an invitation they’ll know when they enter the venue that it’s the same event. All of the paper goods match. We use the same typography, the same imagery, and we’re able to really make the day feel even more special that way, because it all feels like it was planned.”

Not only that, but you’ll come out with an incredibly unique invitation, personalized for you–something you just can’t find shopping on sites like Minted, Zola or Shutterfly.

“It’s like the first peek of the event when they receive the invitations. And we want to carry that through the entire event,” says Jessica Del Vacchio, who works with Kristina.

I can already hear your protests: “But I don’t know my date!” “I don’t know my venue!” “We haven’t even picked a time!”

“We don’t even know our theme!”

There is also a possibility you are reading this and now find yourself in a mid-grade panic because you didn’t realize those were important items for an invite, let alone your big day.

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Just north of downtown Kalamazoo, head up to Richland for the notable Noteworthy Invitations By Design.

January 2022

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So how can you make a notable invitation for your guests providing a sneak peek to your special day? Here’s what Kristina and Jessica recommend.

SHOP SIX MONTHS OUT

This might be the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to preparing for your big day! The sixmonth rule is crucial on your wedding timeline, because conception to mailing your one-of-a-kind invites is a four month process! And if you look at any “wedding timeline” checklist, you want to mail those lovelies at least two months before the day.

So the four months of lead time provides time for the back and forth on design and any hiccups that could also occur along the way. Right now, in the time of coronavirus, Noteworthy has encountered envelope shortages. If your envelope ends up as one of those victims, they need time to order a different envelope that will still work for your vision, in a reasonable amount of time.

Also, for more detailed decorations, like SPECIALIZED MAPS, there is a good amount of time Kristina needs to conceptualize, and hand paint or draw that detail! And from her examples, it is well worth the wait! But you also need time to have a couple of check-ins with Noteworthy to ensure what she’s created for you is perfect.

HAVE AN IDEA ON A BUDGET

One thing Kristina and Jessica emphasize is brides and couples should really come in with an idea on what they’d like to spend on invitations. Traditionally, 10-15 percent of your wedding budget should go toward paper goods, and no, that’s not just your invitations. Invitations and ‘save-the-dates’ are the obvious, but think napkins, place cards, cups, programs, menus, table numbers, banners, signs, thank you cards, etc.

getting married.” And while there’s nothing wrong with that approach, it helps to do a little homework before your arrival. There are books and binders, along with boxes of examples to guide you through anything you might want to have for your day. In a lot of instances, it even leads to Kristina and Jessica to help you plan out and decide on some of the details you didn’t even know you wanted for your special day!

But Noteworthy does encourage you to do a little research.

Hop on Pinterest and Instagram and pin your favorite wedding styles or invitations. Bring in photos or bridal magazine ideas. Do you foresee your dream dress to have an unforgettable lace? You can incorporate that look into your invites! Having an idea of what you might want, helps paint a picture for your invitation curating specialists to put together ideas and books that might satisfy your interests.

BRING A FRIEND, OR TWO!

Don’t feel like you need to leave parents, friends or your significant other behind! Sometimes it’s nice to have a second opinion outside of your mind-bubble space. But less is also more. These are your invitations and provide an intimate look into who you and your soon-to-be spouse’s life. These invitations are in a way a gateway to you and your special day. While you might have a squad as big as T-Swift’s behind you in the wedding planning department, it’s better to keep this a small, or more intimate setup. Save the party for your dress shopping, where you might even get a glass or two of champagne out of it!

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION

While there is a chance you can walk into the store to pick out your invites, an appointment is ideal to have someone’s undivided attention on you and your special day. These appointments are free and can run anywhere from an hour if you know what you want, to a few. It also gives your consultants time to prepare ideas and books to help streamline and customize your experience. So make sure to contact Noteworthy ahead of time for a truly personal adventure!

You don’t have to have an exact number, but spending $$ compared to $$$ can make a difference in what details you can select for your invites and other paper goods. One brilliant thing Noteworthy does when selecting invitations is while you select your desired features for your invites, they create an itemized list of your options. They will also talk you through each added option or flare, so you know exactly what everything will cost. If the numbers look high at the end, it’s relatively easy to go, “you know, I love that foil, but it costs this much extra, and I don’t need it.”

DO A LITTLE RESEARCH

If you so desire, you could walk into your appointment at Noteworthy blindly, with no ideas outside of “I’m

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Other resources to keep in mind for planning your day LET NOTEWORTHY HANDLE THAT

This is definitely worth noting. Have you ever personally addressed 25, 50 – 100 envelopes by hand? I hand-addressed nearly 125 envelopes for my first wedding and I really do not recommend it. However, good news for you, Noteworthy also provides an addressing service! Provide your guest list with addresses and they will do all of the hard work of one of the most pain-staking tasks for your upcoming wedding day!

They’ll also mail them out for you.

SEE NOTEWORTHY AT LOCAL EVENTS Noteworthy Invitations By Design participates in bridal events around West Michigan.

To see where you can find Noteworthy next, or for nearby bridal shows featuring vendors you can use and shop for your wedding day, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

About Noteworthy Invitations By Design A PASSION FOR PAPER: Owner Jason Klein loves playing host to many events. If there’s one thing any special event needs, it’s paper, and he loves going above and beyond to put together something cohesive and memorable.

His love of paper led to him opening his own invitation business in June 2019, just months before the pandemic began.

A few things noteworthy about Noteworthy are the details going into every invitation and product they design, from the more

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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Lastly, Noteworthy knows not every bride falls into the typical bridal season. To accommodate those outside-the-box brides, the invitation maker also hosts virtual open houses throughout the year.

You can also find these dates announced on its social channels.

NoteworthyInvitations | noteworthybydesign.com

simple customizable invitations to the uniquely made invites from the ground up.

The love of paper also comes through the paper selections and availability. You don’t typically get to just touch the paper you’ll be using for your invite! You can touch and feel every aspect of your invitation in-house!

While your main goal in visiting Noteworthy may be to order a specially made invite, the invitation specialist is also a boutique, filled with a mix of Michigan-made and one-of-akind products to decorate your event, space

or home. The minds behind Noteworthy personally search and curate the special items showcased in the store. It’s certainly a destination (and must-see) for seasonal decor. What you find here, you most likely will not find anywhere else.

The Richland location expects to expand this spring, with the decor portion of their business taking up space in a road-facing front just a few doors down from their invitation and paper good portion of their store!

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Thee Ros Th osee

Shop

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When protecting your Auto, Home, Life and more, the

EXPERIENCE MATTERS. Call Jaime Flees today!

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SEASON’S GREETINGS CUSTOM INVITATIONS AND WEDDING DAY STATIONERY SET UP YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY! 8801 N. 32ND STREET, RICHLAND, MICHIGAN

269.203.5853 www.noteworthybydesign.com January 2022

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Find Your Engagement Ring Style

Doug Mitchell Diamond Doug is Owner/Artist at UniQ Jewelry Gallery.

More info: uniqjewelry.com.

What to look for in YOUR perfect ring You have found “the one,” and now you’re wondering why your other half has yet to pop the question! It’s quite possible their hesitation to ask you those four special words may be on hold as they try to find you the perfect ring. A great way to help them along, is sending and sharing a few reminders and hints of what that perfect ring looks like. But maybe you’re unsure of what your engagement ring style is as well!

No need to worry. Here’s a quick quiz to discover your perfect setting!

It’s a beautiful Saturday and you’re out scouting wedding locations. You’ll be wearing… a. Your favorite white tee, grey slacks, new sleek sneakers and goto black sunnies

b. A floral sundress, woven basket bag, antique pearl studs, and your vintageinspired shades

c. Worn-in black leather jacket, black denim jeans and patent leather booties

d. A loose-fitting, airy dress, wide brim hat, worn-in cowboy boots, mixed metals of textured stacking rings

The colors in your closet are:

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a. Black, tan, cream and gray

b. Jewel tones - deep garnets, greens and purples

c. Red, white, black and animal prints

d. Pink, light blue and white

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Your “dream house” would be: a. Penthouse with contemporary flair

b. Victorian, you can both renovate and fill with fleamarket finds

c. Sleek minimalist modern with mid-century furniture

d. Beach shack or mountain cabin with room to store gear

Your list of favorite go-to jewelry pieces always includes… a. a bold statement ring

b. an antique family heirloom from the Georgian era

c. mixed metals stacking rings with diamond accents

d. a dainty necklace you wear on the daily

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If you answered mostly Bs: Traditional & Romantic

If you answered mostly As: Edgy, showstopper You are THE non-traditional bride! Your rocking bridal style can be described as edgy, cool and one-of-a-kind. You favor angular shapes, blackened metals, smooth surfaces, and bold signature pieces.

You are not afraid to take risks in life and in design choices! You might like these center stones for your unique-to-you engagement ring: rose cut diamonds, hexagon cut diamonds, salt and pepper diamonds, inverted-set stones, fancy shapes/unique cuts and definitely black diamonds.

If you answered mostly C: Modern and flawless You appreciate contemporary, clean looks, often featuring geometric shapes and sinuous lines for a sleek and modern style. Sweet and sentimental are not part of your jewelry repertoire, nor are flower prints and lacy accents a part of your world! You are a chic, modern woman who is drawn to refined touches, classic shapes, and polished finishes. You might like these center stones for your unique engagement ring: colorless emerald cut, round cut, Asscher or baguette cut diamonds.

The vintage romantic bridal style thrives on the details.

Whether hand-stitched lace intricacies or an antique ring with ornate filigree, you are drawn to discreet and often sentimental flourishes. The mystery of a vintage jewelry piece captivates you and you look forward to creating your own set of heirlooms to pass along. Blackened gold, antique diamond cuts and baroque pearls are some of your favorite things. With this style, the center cut of the diamond isn’t what draws you in, it’s the intricate details around the center diamond that add the finishing touches!

If you answered mostly D: Earthy and natural Carefree and full of wonder, your bohemian elegance bridal style is powered by mixed prints, natural elements, and curiosity. The more, the merrier, as you prefer three rings to one! Nesting bands and stacking rings are your go-to for a casual, bohochic look. You are not afraid to mix metals and diamond cuts or layer on all of the necklaces! You might like these center stones for your unique engagement ring: rose cut diamonds, salt and pepper diamonds, and colored gemstones.

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Becoming a Writer

Those Secret First Steps “Who here is a writer?” I asked the brave souls attending a local writing workshop. Never ask a question you don’t already know the answer to, is how I believe the saying goes, and to no surprise, no one raised their hand. Cue the crickets.

“Are any of you writing anything at the moment?” I continued from the front of the room. “I don’t care if it’s one page and you believe you may have written complete garbage.” With that refined explanation, several hands timidly raised up into the air.

“OK then,” I replied, smiling. “YOU four brave folks are writers.”

Which brings me to the first secret step to becoming a writer…

Step #1 – Say aloud, “I am a writer.”

It’s important to have confidence in everything we do, and writers can be particularly introverted and shy about calling attention to their talents. Writing is an intimidating endeavor, and you must step out of your comfort zone to give yourself permission to splash your thoughts and words onto the printed page for all to see, which can feel like the equivalent to running naked down the street. I applaud anyone daring enough to dive in, whether you’re sharing your writing with the world or keeping it to yourself or a select few, the adventure can be daunting and equally rewarding. It all begins with you. Say it with me…, “I am a writer.”

“I felt so bad for you. But it also felt so familiar, like I was reading about my own childhood,” one kind lady shared with me after she finished reading my first published book for her book club—a novel that borrows heavily from my childhood growing up in a small farming community north of Kalamazoo. “I also had a mentally unstable mother, and our childhood was so messed up.”

As I continued listening to this delightful group of women while they shared their own entertaining adventures of their youth, it

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became clear to me that I am not alone. In fact, I am convinced that everyone has a story to tell, whether it’s a rollercoaster childhood, finding redemption in an unusual place, or a simple connection between two strangers traveling cross-country on a train. Keep in mind that your writing is just that…yours. And it is your prerogative on who your readers are. Maybe your focus is writing about your own life or your parents’ lives as an ancestral gift to your child and grandchildren, or you can broaden your scope and write for the pleasure of all of us to read. The secret to step #2 is simple…

Step #2 - Just start writing.

A writing friend of mine once put it this way: “I don’t care if your intent is to write historical fiction and in the second chapter, you have aliens landing on Earth. The worst thing you can do at the beginning of the writing process is to question what you’re putting down on paper. First rough drafts are just that, rough drafts. There will be plenty of time for edits and revisions. On that note, don’t ever show anyone your first draft. While you may think you just wrote the next “To Kill a Mockingbird,” trust me…you didn’t. After you’re a few drafts in, you may share your words with someone, but brace yourself for the feedback!

Writing is an artform, and like artwork hanging in a gallery, it is subjective. If you do decide to share your writing with the world, understand that while there will be those who embrace your creativity, there will be others who will not understand or appreciate your craft. And that’s OK.

Step #3 - It doesn’t have to be perfect.

That’s right. Just as life has its peaks and valleys, so will your writing process. There will be days when your writing will be on fire, and other days, not so much. One edit of mine included removing the back half of a finished manuscript and starting over.

At the end of the day, the secret to writing is no secret at all. The biggest obstacle is you.

So, say it with me, “I am a writer.”

Heidi McCrary Heidi is a writer and a regular contributor to Moxie Magazine.

Her novel, “Chasing North Star” is available at Kazoo Books, This is a Bookstore, and online wherever books are sold. Follow Heidi at heidimccrary.net and fb.com/HeidiMcCraryAuthor

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IT’S A SELLER’S WORLD.

THINKING ABOUT SELLING? NOW MAY BE THE PERFECT TIME. IN TODAY'S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET, YOU’LL NEED STRONG, PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE TO LEAD THE WAY.

From coaching you through my Home Readiness Program to ensure the highest market returns, to being diligent in my every move to get your offer accepted, no one works harder to help you achieve all your real estate goals.

I LOOK FORWARD TO GUIDING YOU HOME. Ethel Wilkey-Downs, REALTOR® Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - Michigan Real Estate

269.267.0515 ethelwilkey@bhhsmi.com fb.com/ethelwilkeyrealtor ethelwilkey.bhhsmichiganrealestate.com

January 2022

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Communication Strategies New Year for the

BY KELLY DUGGAN

It is that time of year again when the “New Year, New You” attitude comes into play and you have likely drawn up a list of what you’d like to do to change and improve you in 2022. One item on the list, that everyone could always use a few pointers and reminder on, is communication. Here are a few tips to help better your communication skills, from speaking to answering emails, this new year.

THE SOUND OF YOUR VOICE – PITCH & TONE Former presidents Reagan and Obama are both known as great communicators; their voices were both rich, deep, relaxed, and warm. When they spoke they communicated trust, confidence, likeability, and control.

Lower pitched voices for both men and women are commonly associated with these qualities and it all stems from the way you breathe.

There are four major levels of voice: the nasal, the mouth, the chest, and the diaphragm.

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NASAL Voice: Sounds high-pitched, almost whiny quality and can turn people off in a hurry. This is not the type of voice which helps one’s professional or social life.

MOUTH Voice: The mouth voice is not very powerful. People who use the mouth voice are often overlooked as their sound is inconsequential.

CHEST Voice: This voice is pleasant and maintains listener interest. It’s an OK sound.

DIAPHRAGM Voice: This is the strongest, most attractive and most natural voice.

A person who uses the diaphragm voice commands attention, “sounds” more attractive socially, and is more likely to be perceived as either a person of promise or a leader.

THE POWER OF PHYSICAL FOCUS Did you know that we tend to be more aware of what we are saying to others than how our body is physically communicating with them?

From the angle we stand, to eye contact and gestures, we can easily give away our lack of interest or insincerity.

Eye contact, for example, is a clear indicator of interest. By holding your gaze for a few seconds longer, the other people will definitely sense your interest.

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CREDIBILITY SABOTAGE – SELF-DEPRECATING PHRASES The way you behave when interacting with others leaves an indelible impact on others regarding your image.

Most people wish to be seen as confident, knowledgeable, and noteworthy.

One way you can quickly sabotage that impression is by using self-deprecating phrases such as: I’m sorry, I just..., I only..., I’ll try, I can’t, is that OK, It’s only me..., This might be a stupid question, and is it OK..., just to name a few. Phrases like these undermine your value, are damaging and unhealthy.

If you know you are guilty, the first thing to do is to acknowledge the behavior and start to become aware when you do it. Then, decide to practice the opposite behavior.

Little by little, you will experience the difference positive and assertive phrases will make on how others treat you, and how you feel about yourself.

HANDWRITING INSIGHTS Do you know the study of handwriting is called Graphology and it stems back as far as 1575?

It’s amazing how much an individual’s handwriting can reveal about their personality traits, level of self-esteem, and other behaviors.

Large Letters – Indicate that the writer is outgoing, sociable, and may like being the center of attention.

Small Letters – Those with small writing are more likely to be shy and timid. Small writing is also an indicator of meticulousness and intense focus.

EMAIL PROFESSIONALISM How to Ensure Clarity of Message and Quick Responses

them to be overlooked or trashed without a second thought.

If you employ the following practices, your open and reply rate will increase.

1. Add a precise subject line 2. Start with a professional greeting 3. Keep it short and to the point.

Close professionally 4. Proofread it twice Kelly Duggan Kelly is an Image Consultant specializing in executive and personal image development, etiquette & communication skills. She is a certified member of the Association of Image Consultants International.

Contact Kelly at: www.kellyduggan.com.

The ability to write a professional email is an important skill even if you are not working in a professional capacity.

We are all bombarded with so many emails these days that it’s all too easy for

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269.779.2900 AdvancingLives.myASEAlive.com Jacque@AdvancingLives.biz

I N D E P E N D E N T A S S O C I AT E

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Kim Carson’s interview with author Dr. Allen J. Hamilton MD - Brain Surgeon, Neuroscientist

Younger Next Year Are you sick and tired of feeling sick & tired? Did the last couple of years beat you up physically & mentally? Have you made a vow to eat better, move more & lose some of that pain in your body? Perfect! Dr. Allen J. Hamilton, a brain surgeon & neuroscientist, has the science to help you begin to turn back the hands of time. Author of “Younger Next Year” & “Younger Next Year for Women: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy & Smart Until You’re 80 and Beyond.”

Kim Carson: What’s the most important thing to know if you want to live past 80?

Dr. Hamilton: I would say if I was going to put it into three categories: one is stay fit and really dedicate yourself to that, and that’s a six-day a week sort of thing. Eat right, sleep right and finally, connect, love on people and stay very connected. Those are really the important ingredients.

KC: How do we “eat right?” What does that really mean?

Dr. H: Now, I think more and more of us docs, we used to ignore food and I think now what we’re realizing is food is just another form of medicine. When it comes to things like protecting your brain, we even talk now about genius foods that there are certain foods that are very high in fats like avocados.

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Somebody once called the avocado a grenade of antioxidants. It’s a fabulous food and you know, Max Lugavere wrote a beautiful book called “Genius Foods” and I highly recommend it to my patients because it really sets you up on a diet that’s going to help you prevent cognitive decline.

KC: You know Dr. Hamilton, seven years ago, I got healthy and lost 115 pounds.

Of course everybody notices the outside but what’s really different is on the inside. I can now say that I was in a food fog and it lifted. Manufactured food drove me to overeat whatever came out of that box or bag. I wasn’t on a food binge with a pound of steamed broccoli.

And when I eliminated the fake food I had serious withdrawals similar to what I’ve heard addicts describe.

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Dr. H: Right. Literally, you are right because most of these systems are drawing on the dopaminergic system, the same system of reward system that we use for drugs and so you’re absolutely right that coming off those foods does induce a kind of withdrawal syndrome, but the answer is when you get on the other side and you’ve kicked the habit, what a wonderful freedom and feeling of being young again and energetic and vigorous. You know, it’s a new lease on life.

KC: Yes, my brain literally felt clearer.

Even now I feel better than I did when I was in my 20s.

Dr. H: You know, I think the medical profession and I’m speaking as a doc, I think we really dropped the ball on this one. It really took alternative medicine and a change in the culture and Whole Foods coming along and Natural Grocers coming along and all the emphasis being driven from the consumer end until we realized “Oh, we have to go back and check that.” It turns out nutrition is important at every turn.

KC: Let’s not forget about exercise too. I hate the word exercise. I like to say that “I’m getting more movement into my life.” It feels better for me to say that, I don’t feel a resistance in my body. But when you add more movement, any movement into your day and you pair that together with real food, natural food, what does it do to your body physiologically?

Dr. H: Number one, it really reverses things – aging is really a process of inflammation is what it comes down to. Inflammatory damage. So, when you exercise regularly, number one you reverse the clock on that inflammatory damage. The second thing is that we’re finding that if there’s one thing you can do to make sure you don’t suffer from

cognitive decline as we get older, it’s exercise. Unfortunately, I hate to tell people it’s both aerobic and strength training that you have to do because they both work on two different aspects of cognitive decline. But one of the things that we’re finding is there’s a small group called “super agers,” and they don’t have the decline. They don’t start getting memory problems, they don’t drop IQ points, they don’t have cognitive problems and what they’re really showing us is we can really knock off about 50% to 60% of all the dementia and cognitive decline.

Years ago, we thought “Oh no, you’re doomed.” It doesn’t matter. As one of my friends said “It’s diagnosis and adios.” That’s what the docs used to say. “Hey, you know you’ve got cognitive decline, you got Alzheimer’s and thanks very much. Bye.” KC: Yes, right. You also talk about the importance of connecting.

Connecting with other people, friends and family. Where does that fit and why is that important?

Dr. H: Well, we are connecting machines.

When you look at what the brain is motivated by and when you look at some of the neurochemistry, we are hardwired to be connected—connected as children and to stay connected throughout our lives. The reason it’s so important is it provides us with a whole bunch of neurochemicals that protect us against bad outcomes and they buffer us against bad outcomes.

So, when the proverbial crap hits the fan, what you’re really going to find is the connections in your lives, the meaningful friends and family, that’s what buffers you and gives you a lot of reserve. Also, in turn, it releases a lot of neurochemicals that are protective against the very things we want to avoid as we get older.

KC: Do women age differently than men?

Dr. H: They do. There’s good news and there’s bad news. There’s a little bit of a suggestion in literature that women’s brains age and are a little more susceptible than men but women start off with more brain, thicker cortex and they have more association. They use both sides of their brain much more than men, which shouldn’t surprise any woman. So, what happens is women are able to do a lot more connectivity, interconnecting. They are able to read the emotional content better than men.

The other thing is very often the exercise has even more of a protective effect.

KC: Before you go let’s circle back to inflammation because inflammation causes pain and other chronic health issues. What are some things that can naturally get rid of inflammation? You mentioned exercise, definitely the diet.

Dr. H: Exercise, your diet especially, heading over to the healthy fats like we see in things like avocado. There are certain compounds that we only see for example the wild carotenoids that are only seen in wild fish. So, I make a big point about the quality of the food that we eat. All of those things help with antioxidative stress and we know they also help preserve brain cells. That’s the name of the game is not to lose the brain cells we have and encourage the new ones to grow.

Find Allen Hamilton at AllanHamilton.com

Kim Carson Kim is an Author/Podcast/ TV/Internet personality.

Watch and listen for her on WGVU TV’s Kalamazoo Lively Arts and J. Schwanke’s Life In Bloom. Learn more at kimcarson.online and fb.com/kimcarson

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It’s Girl Scout Cookie time!

When you satisfy your sweet tooth with a box of girl Scout Cookies, you help girls achieve the goals they have set. Additionally, they are learning five important skills: goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. That should make your treat even sweeter!

Find your cookies at gshom.org

Meet the new Girl Scout Cookie!

Adventurefuls are a brownie cookie with salted caramel creme.

They’re delicious!

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COMING SUMMER 2022

JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FREE FAMILY FUN! Kalamazoo County Expo Center 2900 Lake Street | Kalamazoo, MI

• Bounce house & obstacle course • Heroes and characters who love to engage and pose for photos • Rocking musical performances

• Trick-or-Treating • Kid’s costume contest • Princess story time • Face painting

GREAT ACTIVITIES & FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

VENDORS: There is still time to reserve your booth for the 2022 Expo (269) 488-9780 | info@moxiemediagroup.net | www.moxiemediagroup.com January 2022

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Cookie Bake-off Benefit

Ready for Delicious?

At the annual Girl Scout Cookie Bake-Off Benefit in Kalamazoo, the top chefs in town will each create a unique delicacy with Girl Scout cookies as the main ingredient. The sweet and savory treats and heavy hors d’oeuvres are complimented by amazing live and silent auction items, including an African safari trip from Kalamazoo Safari, a NASCAR Driving Experience, a Detroit Sports Fan Package, and more. The best part is that this night of fun will support girls who need and deserve to have the advantage of Girl Scouting in their lives.

Think back to when you were a girl.

Young, naïve, and trying to find your place in the world. You probably had some favorite hobbies, some best friends, and some challenges to face. Did you deal with bullies, low self-confidence, body image issues, or pesky boys? Probably! And girls today have the added challenges of growing up during a global pandemic which has changed life as we know it. Girls today have higher levels of anxiety and depression than ever before, and the pandemic has left permanent impacts on them and their development. Girls crave laughing with their friends and having a safe space to disconnect from the stressors of the world

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around them and connect to fun and friendship.

In today’s world, Girl Scouting has never been more important.

The test of time has shown that most female business leaders (over 50%), two-thirds of women in Congress (60%), and almost all female technology leaders (80%), were Girl Scouts. This is no coincidence. Girl Scouts fuels the female leadership pipeline. Girl Scouts builds qualities

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in girls that allow them to soar to their full potential. Girl Scouting is an affordable, life-changing option among the dozens of activities from which a girl can choose.

so that girls can experience the lifechanging Girl Scout Leadership Experience despite the barriers that would otherwise prevent them from doing so.

However, the unfortunate reality is that there are many girls with barriers in their lives which prevent them from participating in Girl Scouts. These barriers can be financial, or resulting from a lack of volunteer interest or capability. In some low-income or single-parent homes, volunteering to lead a Girl Scout troop would mean taking time away from work. This is simply not an option for some families.

In Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, girls who participate in the outreach program indicate a strong sense of self, positive conflict resolution skills, powerful problem solving skills along with positive values.

Outreach Program participants also report that Girl Scouts shows them that they are capable of building skills and doing them well, and that what they learn in Girl Scouts helps them at home, in school, and in the bigger world.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, which covers 34 counties throughout the state of Michigan, will never turn a girl away due to financial barriers. In addition to $60,000 toward financial assistance and scholarships, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan also facilitates the Outreach Program.

In this program, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan full-time and part-time staff provide school-based programs

Aside from this quantitative data from Outreach Program participants, girls offer comments that summarize the significant impact that Girl Scouting has on their lives. Danaeja, a Brownie Girl Scout, said that “Girl Scouts helped me open up about my feelings, and made me feel better when times were rough.” Another Girl Scout,

How your Bake-off Benefit dollars are put to work: $10,000 gives 500 girls the opportunity to engage in the Girl Scout experience $5,000 helps provide outreach programming at three sites and sends a group of girls to camp $2,500 sends an outreach troop to camp for the experience of a lifetime $1,000 provides registration fees for 30 girls in outreach programming $500 helps recruit and train outreach troop facilitators $350 helps provide curriculum and supplies for ten girls in outreach programs

Win an African safari in the live auction!

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Kaylee, said, “They’re like my family when I’m not home. They mean a lot to me.”

In our Kalamazoo region, outreach programming is available each year in both Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.

Each year, approximately 275 girls in Kalamazoo and 100-150 girls in Battle Creek experience the lifechanging magic of Girl Scouting via the Outreach Program, and those numbers are growing. The Outreach Program covers a variety of topics

for girls, including STEM-based activities, anti-bullying, confidencebuilding, and traditional badge work, among other topics. Often, the topics covered during Outreach Program meetings are determined by the interests of the girls participating, which gives them a customized experience based on what they need and want to learn.

in the classic troop setting. From the famous cookie program to badge work, the Outreach Program provides girls with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience that they may not otherwise experience. One important aspect of this experience is the Girl Scout Gold Award, and the honors that lead up to it: the Bronze and Silver Awards.

Girls who participate in the Outreach Program get the same incredible outcomes as girls who participate

These highest awards mark the greatest achievements in Girl Scouting. While working towards

The Details When: February 23, 2022 Where: Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center 100 W. Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Time: 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Tickets: $55/person • $425/table of eight For more information or to puchase tickets, visit gshom.org/special-events

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January 2022

A NASCAR driving experience and a Detroit sports package are two of the items in the live auction.

moxiemediagroup.com

All Girl Scout programming is developed using criteria from the Girl Scout Leadership Experience Discover: Girls develop a strong sense of self.

Girls develop positive values.

Girls gain practical life skills.

Girls seek challenges in the world.

Girls develop critical thinking.

Connect: Girls develop healthy relationships.

Girls promote cooperation and team building.

Girls can resolve conflicts.

Girls advance diversity in a multicultural world.

these awards, girls identify problems they want to solve and implement solutions. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the most rigorous and prestigious award for girls; it requires them to identify a community-wide need and implement a sustainable solution that will live on beyond the completion of their project.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that it typically means automatic scholarships at various colleges and universities, and Gold Award Girl Scouts are entitled to enter the military at a higher pay grade. The benefits associated with earning the Gold Award mean that a girl can change her life, and girls who participate via the Outreach Program have that advantage available to them.

At the Girl Scout Cookie Bake-Off Benefit, attendees will get to taste all of the delicious creations made by the best chefs in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. While Girl Scout

cookies often lend themselves to sweet treats, savory treats are not uncommon. Attendees vote for their favorite creation, and judges select the overall winner. Full-sized versions of each of the delectable creations are available for purchase during the live auction. Many bidders purchase auctioned desserts for their offices or upcoming dinner parties. Heavy hors d’oevres are available to offset the typically sweet creations, as well as a cash bar so you can wash everything down.

Girl Scouts is a program that changes the lives of girls right here in southwest Michigan, and the Girl Scout Cookie Bake-Off Benefit allows you to support girls who need Girl Scouts the most. Join us on Wednesday, February 26, at 6:00 p.m. at the Radisson in downtown Kalamazoo. You’ll leave with a full heart, a full tummy, and the knowledge that you are contributing to the future success of a girl.

Girls feel connected to their communities, locally and globally.

Take Action: Girls can identify community needs.

Girls are resourceful problem solvers.

Girls advocate for themselves and others, locally and globally.

Girls educate and inspire others to act.

Girls feel empowered to make a difference in the world.

Girls who discover a need, take action to improve their world, and connect with others, are learning to be leaders.

You’ll leave tonight with a full heart, a full tummy, and the knowledge that you are contributing to the future success of a girl.

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Cookie Bake-off Benefit

Please join us for this exciting event!

Purchase a ticket to enjoy never-before-seen creations made by local chefs, and participate in live and silent auctions, with the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting local girls in your community.

Girl Scout Cookie Bake-off Benefit $55/person • $425/table of eight For more information or to purchase tickets, visit gshom.org/special-events An African Safari is one of our exciting live auctions this year!

Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center 6:00 p.m.