Celebrate the Season - December 2010

December 2010

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py p a H s y a d i Hol Essential Elements

Exciting Recipes

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www.womenslifestylekazoo.com

Entertain with Ease

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The People Who Make It Happen...

Publisher: Darlene Clifford dclifford@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Contributing Writers: Sandy Derby Kelly Duggan Patricia Emanuele Mary Beth Esquibel Chloe Herakovic Heidi McCrary Jeff Murphy Judy Pearson Juli Wiseman The Kalamazoo Network

Sales: Sales Manager Ruth Ann Dibert radibert@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Sales Representatives: Brenda Murphy Pamela Nunley Maria Pavletic

Layout & Design: jr4 designs JR Harper

Photography: Christopher McGuire Photography www.chrismcguirephoto.com

Office Manager: Patty Clifford

Contact Us

By Phone: 269-569-1647

Table of Contents Celebrate the Season Contemporary Christmas ............................................................6 For the Holiday Host .................................................................8 Entertain with Ease – 8 Tips .......................................................14 Spice Up Your Holiday Gift Giving ...........................................26 The Gift of Health...................................................................32 A Holiday Gift for the 4 – Legged Friends .................................35 Broaden Your Horizons Three Wishes ..........................................................................12 IMHO: 10 Reasons Why.........................................................25 How to Help Ailing Friends During the Holidays.........................34 Reader’s Lounge .....................................................................38 Business & Finance Financial Sauvé – Invest In What You Know...............................18 Networking with the Kalamazoo Network ..................................19 Recipes Simple & Satisfying Cranberry Pecan Texmati Rice Pilaf ............................................14 Cremini Mushroom & Roasted Garlic Rice Soup ........................14 Gluten Free Kim’s Sugar Cookies ..............................................................22 Cream Cheese Frosting ..........................................................22

Sales Info: 269-271-1032

By Mail: Greater Kalamazoo Women’s LifeStyle, P. O. Box 2284, Portage, MI 49081-2284

By Email: wlskazoo@provide.net

website: www.womenslifestylekazoo.com

Coming In January Health & Happiness

“Cheers” To Cookies Chocolate-Dipped Irish Cream Macaroons .................................30 Cosmo Cocktail Cookie Bars....................................................30 Sugar-Rimmed Margarita Cookies ..............................................30 Top Pairings & Trends Double Pear Upside-Down Cake with Bay Leaf Glaze ..................24 Sweet Caramel “Strata” with Almonds and Cherries .....................26 Cranberry-Sage Mini Crab Cakes..............................................27 Scoop Up Some Holiday Fun....................................................31 Community News & Happenings Gift Guide...................................................................10, 16, 20 Buy Smart Buy Local........................................................11, 17, 21 Buy Local...............................................................................23 Calendar................................................................................36 December 2010

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From the Publisher I like to write in the early morning hours, before the demands of the day take a toll on my time and thoughts. It seems the perfect time, when I haven’t yet spoken to anyone, except to bid my dog “Good Morning” as I set down his eagerly anticipated breakfast. It’s a magical time for me because the day is so full of possibilities, especially this time of the year. Maybe I’ll be able to accomplish more today than in a usual day. Perhaps today I’ll finish all my Christmas shopping, wrapping or current holiday project. I know I have a full day of business to see to, but maybe I can squeeze in a few Christmas related tasks.

I think it is all part of the magical thinking of Christmas. If Santa can deliver toys to every child in one night, surely I can get the shopping and wrapping done for one family! Never mind that Santa has an army of elves and Mrs. Santa (his true Secret Weapon). If he can squeeze down the chimney in a gazillion homes, then I should be able to lose weight this holiday season, even if I’m eating really yummy food and drinking those high calorie holiday drinks. For those of us who love this season, that’s where we are coming from. The Spirit of the Holidays takes over and leaves us as excited as our children and grandchildren.

And so, in that same Spirit, we bring you another December WLSK overflowing with holiday inspiration. Ideas to help you breeze through all of your entertaining; recipes filled with flavor, gift ideas for the hostess or the challenging person on your list and other helpful hints are tucked in these pages.

And most importantly, as I’ve said before…remember to BREATHE. Take time out this month to do something nice for yourself. I know you work incredibly hard to make the holidays wonderful for those you love. Just make sure to take the time you need too, so you can enjoy the wonder of Christmas for yourself.

As you enjoy your family traditions this month, please allow me to share one of ours: “The Game.” Several years ago, as my family grew into adulthood, it became necessary to change the tradition of Christmas stockings. It seemed Santa was now delivering the stockings to each individual home, as is his way. But I missed all those special little treasures and watching the fun reflected on everyone’s face. Thus – “The Game” was born. Basically it’s a combination treasure/scavenger hunt where our family, divided into two teams, races around the house gathering clues (which consist mostly of my “corny” poetry or vague hints) to see who finds their treasures first. And so, in that vein, I have taken the liberty of using this column to hide a clue (Please excuse me!): BLUE: PLAY: OLD: BLACK: COUNTDOWN 3. Good luck to both the Red and Green team!

And so from all of us at WLSK to all of you – Happy Holidays! See you next month.

Darlene

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in terior

ideas

Reach for the stars Start with an artificial white tree, complete with integrated lights that you don’t need to re-string every year. The snowy white branches are the perfect backdrop to make simple brightly colored glass bulbs and baubles really stand out.

Cool blues like turquoise and quarry blue are hot. Try colors that indicate blue skies or deep space in your decorating theme.

Save Energy In these energy-conscious times, LED lights should contend for your attention. If their reputation for casting a cold glow has kept you at bay, it’s time to think again. Now, LED lights have the warmer tone that so many people seek while still offering longer life and lower energy expenditures than traditional bulbs. Since you can find them in almost all variations offered by traditional bulbs, your decorating options are wide open.

Reusable Ribbon Purchase plenty of ribbon in colors that match your decor. Use it to accent window treatments, drape across the mantle and create simple bows to display in key locations in your living space. Ribbon also makes a wonderful Christmas tree garland and can be reused year after year.

Add a bit of whimsy to your tabletop with this playful herd.

“Reindeer Games” is $39.99 at countrydoor.com. Made of metal and wire, silvertone painted finish dusted with glitter. 9”h.

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For the

Holiday Host

Hosting a holiday party? Here are some tips to make your party memorable and one-of-a-kind.

Photos courtesy of Expressionary.com

Instead of place cards at the table, why not serve dinner on a personalized melamine plate?

The plates can also serve as favors to take home at the end of the evening.

For a quick and easy party favor, give bottles of wine to your guests with personalized wine tags thanking them for attending. You can even give them the same wine you served at your party to make the gift extra special.

Host a “create your own holiday cards party” and your guests will have fun while also knocking their holiday cards off their to-do list. Provide blank paper, a few embellishments and an assortment of holiday-themed rubber stamps, and let your guests get creative over holiday cookies and hot cider (or a cocktail for adults).

You could also choose to create cards for your local veteran’s home or shelter.

Set the theme of your party with the invitations. Having a casual, kid-friendly get together? Send out an invite that lets your guests know what to expect. Having an adults-only cocktail party? A more adult-themed invitation will get your guests in the mood. You can also carry the theme through by using the same invitation design for menu cards. It’s a simple way to lend distinction to a table as well as provide memorable souvenirs for guests.

And the perfect follow-up after a fantastic party is to personally thank all your guests (with a matching thankyou note) for the many ways they contributed to making the party a success, from bringing a fabulous dessert to having made new members to the group feel welcome.

Everyone loves getting presents! Wrap a small party favor (such as a homemade truffle) and give one to each guest.

Take a group photo with a digital camera and print it as a thank you card to send to all your guests.

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Three Wishes “When you wish upon a star…”

Do you remember these lyrics, sung by the character Jiminy Cricket in the Disney film “Pinocchio?” They assure us that if our “heart is in a dream, no request is too extreme…” All of our dreams will come true.

As a child, it seems anything is possible: Wishes can be granted with the wave of a wand or a sprinkle of fairy dust. As adults we hold a more mature, realistic view, based on life experience that reveals wishing does not always make it so.

And yet, there’s something to be said about intentions – wishes of sorts – and holding a clear vision for one’s life. The ability to intend in this way with passion and purpose, may lead us to the place where dreams are born, Jiminy Cricket-style.

The alternative – feeling hopeless or embittered – leads us nowhere.

During this season of gift giving, consider what gifts you can intend and consciously create for yourself. What treasures of the spirit would you like to bring to life? Here, I’ll share three of mine. I invite you to pull up a chair, pour a cup of tea, and write down three of your own. Wishing may not make it so, but wholehearted intention will.

Inner Freedom Among the best gifts I can give myself is to be fully aware of my thoughts and feelings. When I’m awake and alert, I can choose how to respond to what is happening around me with grace, instead of reacting to others with sloppy words, impatience or temper. To react or respond: this is the key to inner freedom. We have the power to choose our words and actions, and this is an incredibly powerful gift. If we stop, look and listen before we do anything, it ensures peace of mind and harmonious relations with others.

Health and Longevity I want to be healthy and strong, and I’d like to live for a very long time. I love this life! But wishing for my body to be healthy isn’t enough. Each year many of us intend to eat healthier and exercise more. Simply thinking about it doesn’t support that intention. And choice by choice, we give our body either a healthful gift or a consolation prize. We must make choices every day to give our body what it needs to be strong, fight off disease and maintain energy.

Love Did I save the best wish for last? Perhaps. The older I get the more I realize that not much in life matters if I don’t have love – love of my partner, of family and friends.

Love of work and creative expression. Love of the Earth and her bounty. Love of growth and the opportunity to be all I can be. But to receive this love, I must have an open heart. I must fully give love, too. So my third and final wish is to live with a wide-open heart as best I can; to not close off others; to not judge or discriminate or neglect. I wish to be kind; to extend myself to others as best I can; to live with unconditional friendliness toward all beings – both animal and human. This is a life worth living; a life rooted in love.

“Fate is kind,” sang Jiminy, “She brings to those who love the sweet fulfillment of their secret longing.” These are my secret longings this holiday season – inner freedom, health and love – and because I do love, I hope they will be granted.

What are yours? Perhaps we can meet under the tree and share our gifts. What bounty we would have!

Janice Lynne Lundy is an inspirational speaker and retreat leader, spiritual director and author. To learn more about Jan, her writing and her events, visit www.awakenedliving.com.

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Locke offers the following award-winning and simple-to-make dishes from RiceSelect’s repertoire:

Cranberry Pecan Texmati Rice Pilaf Makes 6 to 8 servings Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 cup uncooked Texmati white or light brown rice 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chicken broth 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted 1/4 cup sliced green onions Salt and ground black pepper, to taste Directions: Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add rice; cook and stir two to three minutes. Add broth and heat to boiling; stir once or twice. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

Remove from heat. Stir in cheese, cranberries, pecans and onions. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Note: To toast pecans, spread nuts on small baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees five to eight minutes, or until golden brown, stirring frequently.

Cremini Mushroom & Roasted Garlic Rice Soup Makes 8 to 12 servings

Entertain with ease with these 8 tips ‘Tis the season to be jolly. Hang the mistletoe, deck the halls and let the party planning begin.

To help make your holiday gatherings a stress-free experience, here are some tips for easy entertaining from Deborah Locke, product manager and test kitchen director for RiceSelect, makers of Texmati rice.

✳ When entertaining family and friends, make plans to cook the entree and let your guests bring sides, salads and desserts.

✳ Save time in the kitchen by purchasing breads and desserts from your favorite bakery.

✳ Keep your pantry stocked with specialty rice, couscous or orzo products as ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳

the base for quick go-to dishes to boost your menu when last-minute guests show up for holiday meals.

Choose a menu with foods that can be partially or completely prepared in advance. Save as little as possible to prep at the last minute.

Shop for non-perishables as far ahead as possible.

When entertaining holiday guests, everyone typically ends up in the kitchen, so assign kitchen duties and let them help.

Make a list of everything you may need help with. When guests call to offer their assistance, don’t hesitate to give them something to do.

With the multitude of dishes served at holiday gatherings, it’s easy to run out of serving dishes if you don’t plan ahead. Determine in advance which dishes you will use. Set these out with sticky notes reminding you what goes in each dish.

“Shopping, parties and the general hustle and bustle leave many families short on time and ideas for everyday family meals,” says Locke. “To get you through those days, count on serving hearty one-dish meals that can be made in advance, like soups, hearty salads and casseroles.”

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Ingredients: 1/3 cup butter 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced 1 large sweet mild onion, finely chopped 3 cups cooked Texmati brown rice, divided 1 (6 1/2-ounce) container garlic and herbs spreadable cheese 2 (14-ounce) cans roasted garlic seasoned chicken broth, divided 2 cups water, additional if desired 8 slices smoked bacon, cooked and chopped for garnish Salt and pepper to taste Directions: Melt butter in a large non-stick stockpot over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and onion; cook about 10 minutes, stirring periodically. Let mixture cool slightly.

In food processor or blender, combine mushroom mixture, 1 1/2 cups rice, cheese and 1 cup broth. Pulse mixture until mushrooms are finely chopped, but not pureed and mixture is thoroughly combined. Return mixture to stockpot; stir in remaining rice, broth and water. Bring to a boil; cook uncovered over medium heat for five minutes.

Chop bacon and set aside. Add salt and pepper to soup to taste. To serve, ladle soup into bowls; sprinkle with bacon bits.

Serving suggestions: Garnish with additional sauteed mushrooms and chives, sliced green onions, or other fresh herbs, such as sage or thyme.

For more quick and easy recipes prepared with rice, couscous or orzo, along with cooking tips and much more, visit www.riceselect.com.

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Happy ys a d i l o H he t m o r f ff a t S e r Enti WLSK at December 2010

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Invest In What You Know

P

eter Lynch, one of the all-time great investors, visited a seventh-grade class in 1990. What resulted is a lesson for all investors.

“What do you like to buy?” he asked the students. They responded with a list of consumer products including toys, clothing, and everything else they liked and would buy. Companies that made those products would return almost 70 percent as a group that year versus 26 percent by the S&P 500.

Today, many of us are health conscious. We exercise regularly and spend a lot of money on healthy foods including organic products, which are foods grown without bug killer, chemical fertilizer, hormones, antibiotics, or biotechnology. “Organic food has been growing 15 to 20 percent globally over the past 10 years and is expected to grow at that pace over the next 10 years as well,” says Pam Marrone, founder and chief executive officer of Marrone Organic Innovations. “Consumers don’t want chemicals in their food,” she adds.

Marrone says organic food used to be high priced and perceived as a luxury. But now, purchasers cross all incomes, demographics, and ethnic groups. Wal-Mart, in fact, is the largest organic retailer. The mega-retailer has driven prices down and expects to double its organic offerings.

You don’t have to be a health fanatic to see the business opportunity.

Companies such as Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Trader Joe’s are becoming more mainstream. Even supermarkets such as Stop & Shop, Safeway, and Publix realize the potential of the fastest growing segment of the food business. With clear nutritional benefits and competitive pricing, the organic foods industry has grown rapidly, while the total food market has grown only 2 to 4 percent over the past decade.

Even with giants like Wal-Mart selling organic foods, demand is outpacing supply.

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Farms can’t keep up. Of the 2.2 million farms in America, only 10,000 today are organic.

Still, that’s 30 percent more than a few years ago, and conventional farms are continuing to convert to organic based on the higher demand and profit potential.

Another problem limiting growth is that farmers haven’t had a good weed-control alternative to chemical sprays. Entrepreneurs like Marrone have anticipated this need and developed technology using natural products so they can be certifiably organic.

The organic market is truly a growth industry today. Now, my intent in telling you this is not to endorse the stock of any company within this industry. Many have risen significantly already and could fall for various reasons including a consumer spending slowdown.

Instead, we should learn from the children who sat in the classroom with Peter Lynch.

Think about what you would like to buy, and invest in what you know.

Investments Should Be Guided By Reason, Not Emotion What makes for a good investor?

Driven by emotions more than logic, we typically buy high and sell low. What may surprise you is how big a penalty you can pay in the long run if fear and greed dictate your investment decisions. People in or near retirement seem particularly prone to such temptations. The financial media had plenty to talk about the past few years. How did you react to all the news?

As you ponder your own investor behavior, keep in mind this observation from the Dalbar report: "It is easier to make the right decision

and Like when the markets are rising and the fear of loss is on the back burner. The really smart decision, that most investors get wrong, is to invest when the market is down. If you don't know when to get out, it is better to stay in."

Most investors do not clearly understand their own risk tolerance. According to Nick Murray, author of several books including Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth, there are three great truths about risk tolerance.

First, far from being fixed, immutable, knowledgeable, and even quantifiable, risk tolerance in the individual investor is as volatile as are all her other emotions, because it is from her emotions, and not her intellect, that her risk tolerance is derived at any given moment.

Second, people change their risk tolerance in reaction to, rather than in anticipation of, market movements. That is, risk tolerance is essentially a lagged response. Thus, changing one's risk tolerance in response to market events, regardless of how one is changing it, must be a losing strategy, and a formula for substandard returns.

Third, the individual investor reacts to market movements by altering her risk tolerance procyclically rather than counter-cyclically. That is, as prices rise, and especially if they rise sharply thus extinguishing value, the investor perceives that risk in those assets/markets is actually declining, when in fact it is rising.

The best approach for most investors is to have a well-diversified portfolio, ignore the noise from the media, continue to educate themselves about their finances, and be patient. By doing so you are on your way to being a good investor.

Sandy K. Derby, CFP®, ChFC™ has been in the financial services industry since 1989. She is President of Derby Financial & Associates LLC, where our goal is to help women become financially secure and independent, through comprehensive financial planning. Sandy can be reached at sandykderby@derbyfinancial.net or 269-321-5047.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. PO Box 64284, St Paul, MN 55164-0284, 800-800-2638, Member FINRA/SIPC and Registered Investment Advisor, Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with Derby Financial & Associates, LLC. Neither Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. nor its registered representative or employees provide tax or legal advice. As with all matters of a tax or legal nature, you should consult with your tax or legal counsel for advice.

PO Box 50374 • Kalamazoo MI 49005 • voicemail: 269-343-7865 • www.kalamazoonetwork.org

Bad habits at work – we all have them. Like checking Facebook when your proposal was due an hour ago. Or perhaps you work next to the guy who can’t stop talking about his latest purchase. Whether it’s our own or someone we work with, bad habits can be very annoying. So we asked a few professionals from Kalamazoo Network…

What bad habit at work have you recently broken and how did you do it? Or is there someone in your office who you wish would break a bad habit?

I am not sure if this is so much of a bad habit as it is trying to create a new and productive habit. It has been a goal of mine for the past year to try and manage my emails rather than my email managing me. As I am sure we all experience, the number of emails that I receive has increased tremendously. Rather than constantly checking my email, I minimize the window and then check at least once every 1 1/2 -2 hours. Email is necessary and I handle a lot of business through email so it is not a tool that I want to eliminate – just one that I want to manage productively.

Connie Peruchietti, CMP / Fetzer Center I wish I could tell the person in my office face to face but I don’t have the courage. “Would you please stop whistling?” The person probably doesn’t even realize it but constant whistling can be distracting to everyone around them. And how can someone really be THAT happy? Maybe their happiness needs to rub off on me a little ☺.

Annie Stoyanoff / HFG Advisors Let’s face it. We all think that we are the one person in the world who really CAN multi-task. Multi-tasking has been the subject of quite a few research studies in the last few years and the conclusions have all been relatively the same – the human brain is not made for multi-tasking and in fact we can really only do one thing at a time. So, let’s break the habit of trying to carry on a phone conversation while we’re shopping, dining, doing the wash, etc. The same goes for emailing during meetings or texting while on conference calls. There are a lot of other examples, but you get the idea. Research shows that only one thing can really have our focus and therefore that’s what is getting done correctly while the other is suffering in quality and execution.

Now effectively managing multiple priorities and getting lots done – THAT’S a habit we should all cultivate!

Rochelle Petts / Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency I’m in the process of breaking the bad sugar habit! Education is key in breaking any bad habit. I began by reading the effects that the "bad sugars" have on our bodies. We all need to learn more about our health and continue educating ourselves. It's funny how quickly we will want to go back to those bad habits if the reason to quit it is not continually in front of us.

Diane Holmes / Muscle Mechanics Maria Pavletic, Independent Marketing and Web Consultant with Pavletic Consulting and Design, LLC. She is currently serving as the President for Kalamazoo Network.

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Recipes provided by Heidi from Gluten Free Kitchens

Kim's Sugar Cookies Dry Ingredients: *2 ½ cup Gluten Free flour blend* 2 tsp. Xanthun Gum 1 ½ tsp. Baking Powder Pinch of Salt Wet Ingredients: 2 Eggs 2 Tbsp. Milk 1 tsp. Vanilla Mixing Bowl:

Mix the sugar cookie blend together in a bowl and store in a sealed container for future use.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Blend mixing bowl ingredients first until well blended, set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together wet ingredients in small bowl, set aside. Blend the dry ingredients together in another bowl and set aside.

Alternately add the wet and dry ingredients to the mixing bowl ingredients until well blended.

¼ cup butter (softened) ¼ cup Crisco 1 cup Sugar

Make 4 balls from dough, cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours or at this time freeze dough.

* The Sugar Cookie Blend is: 2 ½ cup white rice flour 1cup potato starch 1cup tapioca starch ¼ cup cornstarch ¼ cup brown rice flour

Cream Cheese Frosting 3 oz. cream cheese, softened 4Tbsp. butter, softened 1tsp. vanilla 2½ cups powdered sugar Cream first three ingredients together in bowl of heavy duty mixer until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar. Blend on medium speed until very smooth.

This is wonderful spread over cakes and cupcakes as well as sugar cookies. It can easily be colored. You may need to add some meringue powder to thicken it if too much color is added at one time.

Double or triple this depending in the size of your cake. Leftover frosting freezes well, although the color may not be as intense as it was, the taste will not be affected.

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After dough is chilled, take out one ball at a time and roll out on a powdered sugared surface (to prevent sticking). Cut into shapes.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Ope’s Kalamazoo 196 “Fast food the World can live with”

Focus on U Fitness 169 “Created for women, by women” Interested in getting in shape this season? Focus on U Fitness is an “all women’s” gym located on North Drake, offering lots of options for a balanced workout in the Kalamazoo area. With everything from cardio equipment including elliptical machines, treadmills, and recumbent bikes to free weights, bars, medicine balls, and strength equipment designed specifically for women, Focus on U Fitness allows each member the opportunity to find a fitness regiment that works best for her.

Membership at Focus on U Fitness cost just $38 a monthly and is available without a long term contractual commitment.

Along with the equipment, members also have access to several personal trainers. They are available to help members with the science behind weight loss and health, keeping members motivated, providing group training, and using their expertise to find a customized program that helps each member achieve her health goals.

For more information about Focus on U Fitness, call (269) 532-1075 or visit www.focusonufitness.com.

Ope’s, a local vegetarian food store and catering company in the Kalamazoo area, is dedicated to to improving life by providing healthy, good tasting food. Using only the highest quality organic ingredients, but never meat, lactose, or added fats, Ope’s creates unique food products that are sold to retail outlets, restaurants, colleges, hospitals, businesses, and individual customers.

The company was created by Dr. Richard A. Oppenlander with the philosophy of improving the health of our planet. Dr. Oppenlander has studied nutrition, dietary issues, environmental implications of dietary choices, and the food industry for over 28 years. Ope’s offers the world an alternative to other fast food options, and promotes a program to increase awareness of food choices.

All Ope’s products are organic, vegetarian, dairy-free, contain naturally occurring phytonutrients, have no cholesterol or added fats, are naturally high in fiber, have no preservatives or additives, and contain the proper balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids in foods such as sandwiches, burgers, and cookies, among others.

For more information about Ope’s as a company, or about the foods created, visit www.opes.biz or call (269) 217-2474.

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Flavor Trends for 2010: Holiday Edition

Top Pairings & Trends courtesy McCormick Seasonings

“People are looking to make a statement at the holiday table this year and spice things up a bit – especially now that we are entertaining at home more than ever,” says Kevan Vetter, Executive Chef at McCormick Seasonings. “Flavor combinations like roasted cinnamon and bacon or bay leaf and pear will help take holiday dishes to the next level in everything from breakfast flatbread to pear upside-down cake.”

McCormick has identified five festive and flavorful pairings for the holidays that reflect a passion for flavor.

Pumpkin Pie Spice & Coconut The sweet, refreshing taste of coconut and the warming blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice add a touch of the exotic to holiday favorites and grownup, contemporary sweets.

Double Pear Upside-Down Cake with Bay Leaf Glaze

10 servings

Pineapple upside-down cake gets a holiday makeover when pears and bay leaves replace the pineapple, and an orange and bay leaf glaze stands in for the caramelized brown sugar.

1 1/3 12 3/4 3/4 1 1-3/4 2 1-1/2 1 3 1

cup confectioners’ sugar cup orange juice bay leaves divided cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, divided cup milk tablespoon pear brandy or pear nectar cups granulated sugar, divided firm ripe pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced cups flour teaspoon baking powder eggs teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Bring confectioners’ sugar, orange juice and 6 of the bay leaves to boil in small saucepan on medium heat.

Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand at room temperature to thicken and cool. Microwave 1/2 cup (1 stick) of the butter and milk in medium microwavable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 minutes or until butter is melted.

Cool to room temperature.

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2. Place remaining 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter in 9-inch round cake pan with 2-inch sides. Place pan in preheated 350°F oven 2 to 3 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir pear brandy into melted butter. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar evenly over butter.

Arrange pear slices and remaining 6 bay leaves in decorative pattern in pan. Set aside.

Sage & Citrus Long revered as turkey’s most famous flavor companion, fragrant sage is brightened by the zing of tart citrus. This year, expect the pair to show up in everything from appetizers to desserts.

Almond & Caramel The toasty notes of caramel enrobe the bittersweet and nutty flavor of almonds. A holiday match made in heaven, the duo inspires updated ideas for brunches, baked goods and even beverages.

Roasted Cinnamon & Bacon 3. Mix flour and baking powder in medium bowl. Beat eggs, remaining 1 cup granulated sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on high speed 5 minutes or until very thick and pale in color, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Gradually add flour mixture alternately with milk mixture, beating on low speed after each addition until smooth. Pour evenly over pears and bay leaves in pan.

4. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Pierce cake deeply with large fork. Spoon 1/2 of the glaze over cake. Cool cake in pan 10 minutes. Invert onto cake platter. Spoon remaining glaze over pears. Cool before serving.

Roasting robust cinnamon brings out its rounder, richer flavors – an unexpected partner for bacon’s distinctive smokiness.

Bay Leaf & Pear Aromatic bay leaves co-star beautifully with the sweetness and subtle floral notes of this popular winter fruit. The delicate yet classy duo invigorates new adaptations of savory and sweet heirloom recipes.

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For brunch

Sweet Caramel “Strata” with Almonds and Cherries 12 servings

At holiday time, brunch is a great alternative to a dinner or cocktail party for entertaining. This festive strata features dried cherries and almonds and is served with a scrumptious butter sauce.

4 eggs 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 teaspoon pure almond extract 3 cups milk 7 cups challah, French or Italian bread cubes 3/4 cup dried cherries 1 cup sliced almonds Almond Butter Sauce (recipe follows) Mix eggs, sugar and extract in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Stir in milk until well mixed. Add bread cubes and cherries; toss to coat well. Pour into greased 13x9-inch baking dish.

Sprinkle evenly with almonds.

Bake in preheated 350°F oven 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly on wire rack. Serve strata with Almond Butter Sauce.

Almond Butter Sauce: Bring 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in medium saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract and 2 teaspoons pure almond extract.

Spice-up Your Holiday Gift Giving (ARA) - For easy but thoughtful gifts for holiday giving, herb, spice and tea baskets offer a solution for just about anybody on your list.

jars or sacks tied with a festive ribbon.

Label each with a gift tag or sticker.

Gift basket ideas:

With just a little thought about the person the gift is for and a few supplies, you’ll be able to design a personalized presentation.

Some tips:

✳ Tuck loose-leaf teas like chamomile and

✳ Choose containers to define your theme.

✳ Combine a pizza cutter, a wedge of

Baskets are lovely, but a mixing bowl, cake pan, serving dish and colander are more surprising and fun. Your gift may be as small as a delicate teacup or as large as a hefty soup pot.

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✳ Repackage bulk herbs and spices in small

December 2010

peppermint (or your favorite spice blend) in a teacup, along with a tea strainer. Tie a ribbon on the handle.

Parmesan, some baking yeast and an array of pizza seasonings - like oregano, basil and garlic powder, or a pizza seasoning blend - in a mixing bowl lined with a red-checkered cloth or potholder.

✳

Create a basket of basic spices for newlyweds or kids heading off to college, or a selection of savory spice blends for the seasoned cook. Include a cookbook by a favorite cooking show author.

✳ Corral grilling spices and utensils in a grilling basket. Include long mitts and a gift certificate for grilling fare (“I’ll bring the burgers when you fire up the grill,” for example).

✳ Share your sought-after dressing recipe (or look up one that’s full of spice). Place it in a salad bowl along with wooden serving utensils and the needed spices and other ingredients. Add homemade croutons and pretty napkins.

Cranberry-Sage Mini Crab Cakes 12 (2 crab cake) appetizer servings Serve these miniature crab cakes as a holiday appetizer or at brunch. Rubbed sage and orange zest season the crab cake mixture and dried cranberries add festive color.

1/2 1/4 1-1/2 1/2 1/4 1/4 4 1/2 1/4 1 1 1

cup mayonnaise cup dried cranberries teaspoons rubbed sage teaspoon finely grated orange peel teaspoon coarse ground black pepper teaspoon salt tablespoons butter, divided cup finely chopped celery cup finely chopped onion pound lump crabmeat cup crumbled corn bread egg, lightly beaten

Mix mayonnaise, cranberries, sage, orange peel, pepper and salt in small bowl.

Set aside. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in small skillet on medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly.

Gently mix crabmeat and corn bread in large bowl. Add egg, cranberry and celery mixtures; toss to coat well. Shape into 24 small crab cakes. Refrigerate 15 minutes.

Melt 1 tablespoon of the remaining butter in large skillet on medium heat.

Add crab cakes several at a time; cook about 6 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Keep warm while frying remaining crab cakes. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter as needed.

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courtesy McCormick Seasonings

Toast the Holidays with

Sugar-Rimmed Margarita Cookies

“Cheers”

Makes 5 dozen or 30 (2 cookie) servings

c o o k i e s

Chocolate-Dipped Irish Cream Macaroons Makes 32 (1 cookie) servings Pumpkin pie spice adds holiday flavor to easy coconut macaroons. A shot of Irish cream liqueur and a dip in melted bittersweet chocolate make these cookies special enough for a holiday dessert tray.

1 package (14 ounces) flaked coconut (about 4 cups) 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 1 tablespoon Irish cream liqueur or pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 6 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate, melted 1. Mix coconut, sweetened condensed milk, liqueur and pumpkin pie spice in large bowl.

Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.

2. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Immediately remove from baking sheets to wire racks; cool completely.

3. Dip bottom of each cooled cookie in melted chocolate. Let stand on wax paper-lined tray until chocolate is set. Store in airtight container up to 1 week.

Variation: Prepare as directed, using Kahlua or rum in place of the Irish cream liqueur.

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Cosmo Cocktail Cookie Bars Makes 36 servings These cookies bars marry the orange, lime and cranberry flavors of the popular Cosmopolitan cocktail with the classic lemon bar. A rich shortbread crust with a hint of lime is topped with a cranberry curd.

2-1/4 cups flour, divided 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon finely shredded lime peel 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold butter, cut into pieces 4 eggs, beaten 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 can (6 ounces) frozen cranberry juice concentrate, thawed 1 teaspoon pure orange extract 1 tablespoon vodka (optional) 1. Mix 2 cups of the flour, confectioners’ sugar, lime peel and salt in large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resemble coarse crumbs. Press mixture evenly into greased foil-lined 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 20 minutes or until edges of crust are golden brown.

2. Meanwhile, mix eggs, granulated sugar, cranberry juice concentrate, remaining 1/4 cup flour, extract and vodka in large bowl until well blended. Pour evenly over hot crust.

3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until filling is set. Cool in pan on wire rack. Sprinkle with additional confectioners’ sugar and finely shredded lime peel. Cut into bars.

Tip: Line pan with foil with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Use foil handles to remove baked dessert from pan. Place on cutting board and cut into bars.

December 2010

These slice and bake cookies are reminiscent of a margarita.

Lime peel, orange extract and sage flavor the cookies. While a tequila glaze completes the cookies, a coating of sanding sugar and kosher salt mimics the salt-rimmed beverage glass.

2 cups flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel 1 teaspoon pure orange extract 1 teaspoon rubbed sage 1/2 cup sanding sugar * 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt Tequila Glaze (recipe follows) 1. Mix flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and granulated sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg, lime peel, extract and sage; beat until well blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture until well mixed. Divide dough in half. Form each half into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 9 inches long.

Wrap in wax paper.

2. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Mix sanding sugar and kosher salt. Roll each cold dough log in mixture to coat evenly.

Cut dough into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cooled cookies. Let stand until glaze is set.

Tequila Glaze: Mix 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, and 1 tablespoon each water and tequila in small bowl until smooth. (Or omit tequila and use 2 tablespoons water.)

*Sanding sugar, also know as decorator’s sugar, is a large crystal sugar that will not dissolve when baked. It can be found in the baking aisle of some groceries, housewares and craft stores, and online specialty stores.

Scoop Up Some Holiday Fun Make summer celebrations unforgettable with these easy ice cream lollipops.

Just take a few scoops of a yummy ice cream, add lollipop sticks, dip them in a coating made from semisweet chocolate, cream and condensed milk, then decorate and add flair with a favorite topping.

Ice Cream Lollipops Serves: 4 4 4 3 1 1/2

small scoops ice cream ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped tablespoons heavy whipping cream tablespoon sweetened condensed milk cup of your favorite toppings, chopped if necessary (sprinkles, chocolate chips, cookies) Sucker sticks

Scoop ice cream into 1 1/2-inch scoops. Place on a parchment-lined sheet pan.

Place in freezer for 15 minutes or until ice cream is semi-hard. Remove ice cream from freezer, shape into balls and insert a sucker stick into the center of each ball. Return lollipops to the freezer.

Place 1 cup water in a small saucepan; bring to a simmer. Place chocolate, whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk in a small stainless steel bowl.

Place over hot water (upper bowl should not touch water) and stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth.

Place toppings in a small bowl. Dip lollipops in chocolate sauce shaking gently to remove excess sauce; quickly, roll in toppings. Return to freezer until serving time.

courtesy of Blue Bunny

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Robyn Hubbard, M.D. is a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist with Grand Rapids Women’s Health.

The Gift of

Health

By Robyn Hubbard, M.D.

‘Tis the season for gift giving. Perhaps you’re finished with your holiday shopping. Maybe you visited your favorite store at 2 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving just to get that special gift for someone special. What about putting your name on the gift list? You are special – don’t you deserve a great gift this season? Specifically, the gift of good health?

How does one give themselves the gift of good health? It can’t be bought in a store, ordered online, or picked up on a street corner.

It’s intangible, unlike those shiny little gifts you purchase from the jewelry store. However, the gift of health will make you happier, more energized and less stressed in the coming year. You’ll make a tangible difference in your own life. Here’s how:

1. Get your check-ups.

Do you regularly get an annual physical exam?

If so, congratulations! You’re on the right track to good health. For a majority of people, however, regular doctor visits are not a part of their routine.

Remember that preventative medicine is effective.

A few simple life changes or interventions can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

In addition, regular check-ups allow for early detection of disease, which means it’s easier to treat.

For example, breast cancer, once a death sentence, now has a very high cure rate. If caught in its early stages, women have a great chance of living long, productive lives. If found late, it is much harder to treat completely.

2. Give up one vice.

I realize you’re not going to recreate yourself after reading one magazine article, but if you pick one vice and work on reducing or eliminating it, your life will be healthier because of it! Some popular vices: • Smoking - One of the leading factors to make you unhealthy, smoking can increase your risk of cancer, heart attack and stroke. I know it’s hard to quit, but there may be no greater gift you give yourself. Talk to your health care provider if you need help.

• Alcohol - Too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Drinking alcohol moderately, especially red wine has been shown to help your health. Too much alcohol can increase risks of cancer, obesity, liver disease, etc. Keep in mind that maltose (the sugar found in beer) is among the worst for causing obesity.

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• Caffeine - I can hear you say “don’t take my caffeine!” Many of us need that eye opener in the morning. While a cup or two (not a venti!) of coffee or soda in a day probably doesn’t harm you, more than that can adversely affect your health. If you question my wisdom just try stopping one day – your body will go through withdrawal.

• Donuts (or brownies, candy and ice cream) - The concept of empty calories applies here.

If you’re hooked on foods that contain zero nutrition, you should opt for better choices. Even eating donuts makes your blood sugar rise then plummet so you want more donuts. The vicious cycle goes on and on. Try peanut butter on an apple, a protein bar, or sugar free fudge-cicles.

You don’t have to feel that deprived to really help your weight and lower your risk of diabetes.

• TV - Watching TV has been linked to sedentary behavior, obesity and a higher risk of many diseases. I’m not saying you have to give it up all together, but pick your three favorite shows and pass on the rest. Play a game with your family, take a walk, or start a new hobby with your newfound free time.

3. Lose 10 pounds.

If you’re at a healthy weight, good job. Keep it up!

For the rest of us, you will not believe how much better you feel if you take off just 10 pounds. I recently started the South Beach Diet, and believe me, I am the biggest carb-oholic around, so I was skeptical. I’ve been able to follow it with great success, and I’ve lost 16 pounds in just 5 weeks!

It feels so good to fit in my clothes again (some are even loose). People are commenting on how

good I look. For those of you with more to lose, don’t feel overwhelmed by the “need” to lose 50 or 100 pounds. If you lose just 10 pounds you will feel better and start to improve your health (blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, arthritis, sleep apnea, etc.)

4. Exercise.

Just a brisk walk for 20 minutes three times a week makes a difference. You boost endorphins, which are natural stimulants your body makes, just by raising your heart rate. Exercise helps your mood, your heart and your bones. Do simple things like climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator, or parking at the back of the parking lot instead of drag racing for the front spot.

5. Do something once a month just for you.

Most women spend the majority of their time for others. Between spouse, kids, work, house, family, etc. it’s hard to find time just for you. A lot of us feel guilty if we do something just for ourselves - it feels selfish! As your gift to you this year I encourage you to give yourself time to do what you enjoy.

Think of what would indulge you: a night out with the girls, a pedicure or massage, taking a yoga class, a quiet walk in nature. Time for you reduces your stress levels, which is good for your health, and makes you a better person when you go back to meeting the needs of those around you.

10 Reasons Why I’ll Never Have a Martha Stewart Holiday Every year, beginning November 1, we’re bombarded with TV, magazine, newspaper, and in-store messages telling us that with just a little effort, we can create holiday magic. I’m here to say that even the goddess of all things perfect, Martha Stewart herself, can’t ensure the inevitable holiday catastrophe.

So let’s take off the gloves and relieve some of your pressures this year. I’m sharing with you the top 10 list of why I’ll never have a Martha Stewart holiday. #10. My hand made gifts always look like the dog made them. My mother used to tell me the charm of hand made is that it’s not perfect. I’m a Virgo; everything must be perfect. #9. I can’t do cookies. They break coming off the baking sheet. Last year, instead of chocolate reindeer cookies, I had a pile of crumbs resembling reindeer manure. #8. Airbrushed holiday nails are dangerous. In order to fit on all 12 days of Christmas, my acrylic nails were three inches long one year. I gouged everyone I came in contact with. Even the dog avoided me. #7. My tree commits suicide too early. No matter what I do or when I buy it, by Christmas morning I have a skeleton with a star on top and presents lost in carpet of brown needles beneath. This

little tidbit’s evidently gotten out as the fire department now cruises our street throughout the season. #6. Holiday photo cards capture the stress forever. Your hair didn’t turn out and you feel fat; your husband’s holiday sweater was lunch for a moth family over the summer; the kids are complaining about what a stupid waste of time this is. Now, smile everybody. # 5. Ornaments and decorations that are edible beg for disaster.

Got pets or a house prone to rodents? ‘Nuff said. #4. Lots of sequins and lots of glitter draw lots of attention. Wear them both with caution: there’s nothing worse than sags and rolls twinkling in the crisp winter air. #3. New recipes always confound me. One year I wanted to serve cranberry margaritas. I had to keep tasting them till I got it right.

I don’t remember much else about that Christmas. #2. I’m afraid of jewelry that lights up. It never occurred to me that it might be red flashing earrings rather than flashing brake lights I saw suddenly in the car in front of me. The damage to my rear bumper after I jammed on my brakes took the twinkle out of our Christmas that year.

And the #1 reason why I’ll never have a Martha Stewart holiday: I’m very suspicious of the word “easy” regarding crafts or recipes. Remember when you were a teenager and your mother told you easy girls aren’t good girls? The same applies here.

In spite of this top 10 list, the holidays are really about family, friends and fellowship. From our house to yours, we wish you a wonderful (and not necessarily perfect) holiday season!

Judy Pearson is the founder of Courage Concepts, an organization which fosters courage in women through seminars and Courage Conventions. Judy is also the author of magazine and newspaper articles, as well as two books about ordinary people who exhibited extraordinary courage. Her latest, Wolves at the Door, has been optioned for a movie.

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How to help ill friends or family during the holiday season

F

or all the joy they bring, the holidays can also be a stressful time - especially for anyone facing illness, injury or hospitalization, or for anyone taking care of an ill or hospitalized loved one. If you know someone in that situation, you may feel awkward about sharing your holiday spirit when your friend, family member or co-worker is dealing with such serious issues.

But rest assured it’s still important and valuable for you to show your support and share your positive attitude with those who may be facing a less than merry holiday season because of health issues. Whether by just staying in touch or providing practical assistance that your friend or loved one needs, you can help ease holiday stress for someone who is ill or who is caring for a sick person.

“Facing a significant health challenge is never easy, but it can be especially difficult during the holiday season,” says Sona Mehring, founder of CaringBridge (caringbridge.org), an online service that helps people create and maintain websites for ill loved ones. “Caregivers and patients can be so caught up by the demands of the illness that other needs and priorities fall by the wayside. They may need help dealing with the special demands of the holidays, like shopping, decorating their homes and keeping in touch with people who want to know how they are doing.”

Mehring offers some ideas for how you can help relieve holiday season stress for anyone going through cancer, premature birth or another health crisis: Get specific with your offer of help. Volunteer to address greeting cards, run holiday errands or pick up some needed items when you do your own holiday shopping. Often, these mundane concerns may take lower priority for anyone dealing with a significant health challenge.

Bake and deliver holiday cookies or similar treats to a caregiver or patient who may not have time to do such holiday-oriented tasks on his or her own. Simply providing a taste of the holiday season can help lift their spirits.

Call on a handful of close friends to help decorate the person’s home. Time constraints can hinder caregivers and physical constraints may prevent a patient from doing their own decorating. This not only helps finish a major holiday project, it can also help patients and caregivers get into the spirit of the season.

Help the patient and caregiver communicate to his or her network of friends and family by creating an online social networking page and keeping it updated. Repeating health updates time and again may be exhausting for people recuperating from an illness, or anyone caring for an ill loved one. By setting up an online support network page through CaringBridge, and helping your loved one maintain it, you can help him communicate important health updates, post photos and receive messages of support from others.

“When a family member or good friend is isolated in the hospital or confined to home care during the holidays, recovery is much easier when supporters are able to easily stay in touch,” says Mehring. “And by staying in touch, supporters can provide the assistance and love a patient needs to get them on the road to feeling better.

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December 2010

A Holiday Gift for Four-Legged Friends

S

haron Langford doesn’t want to focus as much on the overly publicized crisis facing animal shelters today as she does on the joy that the loving animals housed there can bring to people’s lives. Langford, who’s written a book about the pets she’s had in her life entitled, “Living with the Rescues – Life Lessons and Inspirations”(www.livingwiththerescues.com), encourages others to do something small to help animals who don’t have homes or families. “Just as a pet can make an incredible difference in someone’s life, so can one person make a difference in the lives of pets waiting for adoption,” she said. “If we can each do something small, in our own ways, together we can help bring these animals together with owners so they can enrich each others’ lives.”

Langford offers the following “Rescue Tips” to people who want to help:

Volunteer. Many people think that volunteering at a shelter is too time consuming, but the truth is that most shelters are happy to get any kind of help, even if it’s an hour or two each week. Further, if you can’t volunteer at a shelter, most communities have a variety of rescue groups that meet regularly, and they are organized based on specific interests (older dogs, cats, exotic pets, disabled pets, rescued greyhounds, etc.). You can volunteer in a wide variety of ways, without it taking up all your free time.

Foster.

Many shelters have foster programs in which a rescued animal is placed in a home temporarily until a suitable long-term home can be found. For those households that can’t support a pet longterm, fostering one from a shelter can help alleviate overcrowding while also acclimating a rescued animal to a household setting until their new masters come along. It’s a great way to help without the lifelong commitment.

Sponsor. If you can’t house a pet because of your lease restrictions or allergies, but you hate to see these rescued animals suffer, you can always sponsor a pet.

Many shelters allow you to help pay for the regular costs of feeding and caring for a pet. Because most of these services are offered to these animals from shelter staff, it can be very inexpensive to sponsor a pet, but the shelter appreciates every little bit to help with their overhead. The more sponsors they have, the more pets they can keep for a longer period of time.

Supply. If, like many Americans, you don’t have the budget that allows you to foster or sponsor, then maybe you can help with supplies.

Call your local shelter and ask them what supplies they need regularly, or might be short on, such as food, collars, brushes, shampoo and treats.

Then, next time you’re at the grocery store, add a bag of food to your cart, or some healthy treats recommended by the shelter. With this tactic, you can help out as often as you can, without it being a regular commitment.

The shelter will be deeply appreciative is of the extra supplies.

The Gift Loft

Holiday Lights of L ov e December 9th 7-8 pm

269-998-9225

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Computer Repair • Networking Virus & Spyware Removal Website Design & Development Cost Effective Maintenance Program Available On Site & In Home Service

Sharon Langford is an entrepreneur, management consultant, college instructor and coach.

She has also been involved with the Elephant Sanctuary since its inception, as well as being a volunteer for the Nashville Humane Association and active fundraiser for the cause of animal shelters.

nations accepting do s for em of wish list it umane Kalamazoo H Society and utreach community o programs.

“One Hour Free with Minimum 2 Hours Service Just For Mentioning This Ad” (Limit One per Customer)

December 2010

35

CALENDAR

of Events

December 1, 15 Massage as a Profession Workshop Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts, 6350 W. KL Ave, Kalamazoo.

6 – 8 pm. Learn about the realities and rewards of a career in massage therapy at this FREE workshop. Call 269-373-0910 to register for the workshop. Free. 269-373-0910. www.kcha.com December 1 – 12 Wicked Miller Auditorium. Times Vary. Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. Watch how these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. $40 - $125. 269-387-2300. www.millerauditorium.com December 1 – 12 Annie The Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium.

Leapin' lizards! Everyone's favorite red-headed orphan will be spending the holidays at the Civic. $18 - $22 with senior, student and group rates. 269-343-1313. www.kazoocivic.com December 1 – 17 Book, Print and Paper Market Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, Suite 103A, Park Trades Building. Opening weekend Friday 5 am – 9 pm, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm. Other hours: 10 am – 1 pm. Contact KBAC at 269-373-4938 or info@kalbookarts.org December 1 – 29 A Christmas Carol The New Vic Theatre. 8 – 10:30 pm.

Ted Kistler's critically acclaimed adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic is a holiday favorite. This well be the 31st annual production. $25. 269-381-3328. www.newvictheatre.org December 1 – 31 Special Exhibition – RACE: Are We So Different?

Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Investigating race and human variation through the framework of science, this exhibit helps individuals of all ages better understand the origins and manifestations of race and racism in everyday life. Free.

269-373-7990.www.raceexhibit.org December 1 – 31 Fly Girls of World War II Air Zoo. 9 am – 5 pm Monday – Saturday; 12 – 5 pm Sunday. An inspirational traveling exhibit showcasing the history of the Women Airforce

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Service Pilots (WASPs). Free.

269-382-6555. www.airzoo.org December 1 – 31 Glass Art Classes Park Trades Center, Kalamazoo.

Glassblowing, Kiln Casting, Lampworking, Stained Glass, Beadmaking, Kiln Fusing and Sandblasting.

Various days and hours for every schedule. Classes include all glass, supplies and tools. 269-552-9802. www.wmglass.org December 3 StuART Fair and Holiday Open House 5 – 8 pm. Before the pressure and the pace of the holidays start to mount, consider a relaxing evening in the festive and elegant Stuart Avenue Inn. Peruse a variety of unique gifts from unique Michigan artists, businesses, and organizations. Complimentary refreshments.

December 3 Art Hop Various Locations throughout Downtown Kalamazoo. 5 – 8 pm.

Art Hop is a free event that features new art exhibits in a fun, casual atmosphere. Numerous galleries and businesses in the downtown area host a variety of artwork which makes it easy to hop around from one exhibit to the next. Free.

269-342-5059. www.kalamazooarts.com December 3 – 4 Holiday Greens & Gifts Sale Kalamazoo County Expo Center. Fri. 5 – 7 pm, Sat. 9 am – 5 pm. Fresh holiday centerpieces, roping, wreaths, swags and unique holiday gifts. Bring in your own container for a custom design. Free.

269-375-1708. www.kalgardencouncil.org December 4 Journeying Toward Bethlehem Advent Retreat Transformations Spirituality Center.

9 am – Noon. Give yourself the gift of a morning anticipating Emanuel, God with us. $35.

269-381-6290 ext 249 or www.transformationscenter.org December 4 Traditional Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony Portage City Centre and Bicentennial Park Trail to Celery Flats Historical Area. 7 – 9 pm. The public is cordially invited to join in the lighting of the City Tree for the holiday season!

Free. 269-324-9271. www.portagemi.gov

December 2010

It’s easy to get listed in our Events Calendar.

Our deadline is the 10th of the month prior to publication.

Email us at: calendar@womenslifestylekazoo.com Please type Calendar in the subject line.

Or you may mail your info to P. O. Box 2284, Portage MI 49081-2284 December 4 Wellspring fs Dance Day Wellspring Theater. 2 pm. Join us for Dance Day, our annual family event designed for dancers and non-dancers of all ages. Dance Day is free fun for the whole family!

269-342-4354. www.wellspringdance.org December 5 Kalamazoo Record & CD Collector's Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Rooms B & C. 11 am – 5 pm. Thousands of new and used records and CD's from all time periods and types of music. Plus music memorabilia and supplies. Buy, sell and trade with dealers and collectors. Free.

574-329-1483 or kpwildwood@sbcglobal.net www.recordshowsofamerica.com

December 8 Art League Celebrates December with Holiday Get-Together Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. 10 am.

The theme for the December Art League program is Warm-Up Your Winter with Friends at the KIA. Art league members are invited to attend an informal celebration of the season. $10 general admission.

269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org December 8 Mid-Week Sabbath Transformations Spirituality Center, 3427 Gull Road, Kalamazoo. Come spend a gSabbath h time of rest mid-week. $20.

269-381-6290 ext. 327. www.transformationscenter.org

December 6 – 8 At This Special Time New Vic Theatre. Please call as times vary. The 44th Annual New Vic Christmas Concert. $25.

269-381-3328. www.newvictheatre.org

December 9 Gluten Free Christmas Cookies Richland Community Center.

6:30 – 8:30 pm. Learn how to make wonderful gluten free sugar cookies that are as good as what you remember from your childhood!

Leave with samples as well as recipes. Seating is limited, register by 12/6. $20. 269-488-5018.

December 7 Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women Women's Health Care Specialists Bldg 7110 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo. Dr. Roger Beyer M.D., M.A., F.A.C.O.G, will give a FREE informal talk on Urinary Incontinence. Come ask the doctor your questions.

Refreshments will be served.

269-372-7600 to reserve a seat. www.drrogerbeyer.com

December 9 Kalamazoo Humane Society Holiday Lights of Love Tree Lighting GiftLoft Furniture, 653 Romence Rd, Portage. 7-8 pm. GiftLoft is accepting donations of Wish List items to place under the tree this holiday season. Your gifts will benefit the Kalamazoo Humane Society and its community outreach programs.

More information is available at www.kazoohumane.org

December 7 I Need to Eat Gluten Free?

Richland Community Center.

6:30 – 8:30 pm. Learn what it means to eat a gluten free diet and how easy it can be. Informational packet will be given as well as delicious samples! $15. Seating is limited, register by 12/4.

269-488-5018.

December 10 Diva Night Art Bayou. 6 – 9 pm. Enjoy your uninterrupted ladies time together.

Take this opportunity to catch up and relax. Feel free to bring your favorite snacks and beverages.

Adults only please. Space is limited, so please RSVP 269-375-2600. www.artbayoustudio.com

December 7 Journey on the Creative Path 900 Peeler Street, Kalamazoo.

7-8:30 pm. An ongoing, transformational group for women in which we explore and integrate aspects of mind, body, heart and spirit using creative self-expression and other experiential modalities.

Preregistration required. Call 269353-7607 or 269-552-9299, Ext. 2. www.wholelifecounseling.org

December 10 Integrative Breathwork Unwindings, 5464 Holiday Terrace, Kalamazoo. 7 pm - 9 pm. A musical journey for insight, emotional healing & creativity. $30. Pre-registration is needed. 269-388-2988 or www.adamczasociates.com .

December 10 Fontana DOWNTOWN: Wartime Compositions Wellspring Theater, Epic Center.

7:30 pm. A Kalamazoo treasure, pianist Silvia Roederer, violinist

Soovin Kim, cellist Mark Kosower and clarinetist Simon Aldrich. The concert features works by three composers deeply affected by the atrocities of World War II. 269-382-7774. www.fontanachambersarts.org December 10 – 12 K-9 Fanciers Dog Show and Weight Pull Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Hazel Gray Room. Show begins Fri. 3 pm; Sat. & Sun. 8 am. U.K.C. Regional event with weight pulling, conformation and junior showmanship. Free to spectators, there is a registration for participants. More info: Maude Tank 269-664-5157 or mtanko693@aol.com December 11 Buy Local Art & Gift Fair Kalamazoo Nature Center. 10 am – 4 pm. Gather your friends and family for the most enjoyable shopping event of the season! Back by popular demand. Buy Local Art & Gift Fair will feature 40 artists/vendors.

Free. 269-381-1574. www.naturecenter.org December 11 Integrative Breathwork Unwindings, 5464 Holiday Terrace, Kalamazoo. 10 am - 6 pm. A musical journey for insight, emotional healing & creativity. $80. Some partial scholarships are available.

Pre-registration is needed.

269-388-2988 or www.adamczasociates.com December 14 Journey on the Creative Path 900 Peeler Street, Kalamazoo. 78:30 pm. An ongoing, transformational group for women in which we explore and integrate aspects of mind, body, heart and spirit using creative self-expression and other experiential modalities. Preregistration required. Call 269-353-7607 or 269-552-9299, Ext. 2. www.wholelifecounseling.org .

December 16 A Christmas Carol Dinner W.K. Kellogg Manor House. 6:30 pm. This holiday dinner, hosted in the festively decorated Kellogg Manor House, is an elegant way to get into the holiday spirit. Reservations are required. $45 per person.

269-671-2400. www.kbs.msu.edu December 17 Holiday Lunch W.K. Kellogg Manor House. Noon – 1:30 pm. Enjoy a beautiful holiday lunch and elegant holiday décor in the Kellogg Manor House's living room. Reservations are required. $25. 269-671-2400. www.kbs.msu.edu December 18 Kalamazoo Indoor Flea & Farmers Market Kalamazoo County Expo Center,

Room E. 7 am – 1 pm. Come check out the flea market for great deals on all kinds of new & used items!

And while you're here, support your local farmers by picking up some fresh produce, meat, eggs, maple syrup, honey and more! Free. For booth space, call 269-383-8761.

December 18 – 19 Handel's Messiah Chenery Auditorium. 8 pm on Saturday; 3 pm on Sunday. Join the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra for Handel's Messiah (Christmas portion). 269-349-7759. www.kalamazoosymphony.com December 20 Women In Networking Meeting Richland Area Community Center.

6 - 8 pm. You're Invited! Networking, beverages & light buffet.

Special holiday program. Cost is $7 (cash please). RSVP: win. richland@yahoo.com by Thurs. before. More Info: http://win.richland.tripod.com December 22 Indoor Labyrinth Walk Parish Church of Christ the King, Texas Dr. & 8t St., Kalamazoo. 6 - 8 pm. Walking a circular path in prayer & meditation to release emotions, receive inspiration and become strengthened for daily activities. A time to celebrate the winter solstice and the holiday season.

Open to people of all faith traditions.

More info: 269-388-2988 or www.parishchurch.org December 27 – 31 Holiday Hands On Happenings Kalamazoo Valley Museum. 1 – 4 pm. Playing with words! Words can be playful, creative, kind and hurtful.

Discover, in an artful way, the many different meanings of words. Free.

269-373-7990. www.kalamazoomuseum.org December 31 New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk Parish Church of Christ the King, Texas Dr. & 8th St, Kalamazoo. 4 pm - 7 pm. A circular path for prayer & meditation open to people of all faith traditions. A time to review events of the past year and become open to possibilities for the future. Free. 269-388-2988 or www.parishchurch.org January 4 Journey on the Creative Path 900 Peeler Street, Kalamazoo.

7-8:30 pm. An ongoing, transformational group for women in which we explore and integrate aspects of mind, body, heart and spirit using creative self-expression and other experiential modalities. Preregistration required. Call 269-373-7607 or 269-552-9299, Ext. 2. www.wholelifecounseling.org

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By Alexandra Fix

How to Knit a Love Story: A Cypress Hollow Yarn

By Rachel Herron Avon, 2010, $13.99 Escaping the big city and a dangerous ex-boyfriend, Abigail Durant is ready for a new chapter in life. Her friend and knitting mentor, Elizabeth Carpenter, has recently passed away and has left an off-the-beaten path cottage to Abigail. Abigail retreats to that space and discovers a start for her dream of opening a knitting shop. Before that dream can take shape though, there are a few major obstacles in the way – the ramshackle condition of the building, the massive clutter of boxes of unknown content filling the rooms and Cade, Elizabeth’s nephew and Abigail’s next door neighbor, who always thought he would inherit the cottage. Needles click and sparks fly, literally and figuratively, until Abigail and Cade work out a partnership on their own terms.

Second Time Around

By Beth Kendrick Bantam Trade Paperback, 2010, $15 “Cheers to the English Majors!” Ten years after graduation, five young women who became fast friends at a college in upstate New York, still get together each year. Talk of careers and love lives are always part of the reunion package. Maybe, just maybe, they should have chosen something other than an English major if they had wanted to get rich quick. An unanticipated gift of money, a quarter of a million dollars each, falls to them on one condition – they must use it toward their dream job. Those second time around choices just might turn a bartender, college professor, secretary and copywriter into an events planner, a bed-and-breakfast owner, pastry chef and novelist.

This is an engaging story about the power of girlfriends and the good they can bring out in each other.

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December 2010

An Amish Christmas

By Cynthia Keller Ballantine, 2010, $16 The Hobarts thought they had it all – a happy marriage, a beautiful home, three growing children and the glow of success – until the day it all collapses. Forced to abandon their home and belongings, they struggle to find a new start. Their fate becomes entwined with an Amish family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In those simple surroundings, the Hobarts reassess their lost lifestyle and learn from their host family about the joy of living unencumbered by possessions. The Christmas season, spent in this community, brings a healing spirit and fresh hope to the Hobart family. This is a wonderful holiday read that is both heartwarming and thought provoking.

Simply Sublime Gifts, High-Style, Low-Sew Projects to Make in a Snap

By Jodi Kahn Potter Craft, 2010, $19.99 It’s December already and the gifting season is upon us. Simply Sublime Gifts offers an array of quick and clever handmade gift ideas. The hostess gift, featured on the cover, is a cute apron splashed with the colorful balloon graphics from the plastic Wonder Bread wrapper. A holiday item sure to appeal to grandparents is the little fabric ornaments made from images of favorite little people and pets. Among the out-of-the-ordinary gift ideas are a photo baseball and baseball card wrapping paper, a pillowcase tote bag, fabric nesting bowls, a dishtowel quilt, shammy jammies and candy wrapper notebook covers. This book is a valuable resource for understanding how to transfer photos and images to fabric and vinyl. Another delightful sideline surprise in this book is the information about using shrinkable plastic, the Shrinky Dink product of our childhood. With this guide as your companion, there’s still time to whip up some really sweet gifts for those on your love list.

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