November 2019

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M VE NO Essential • Entertaining • Enlightening WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

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FROMTHEPUBLISHER “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.

Or so they say. It’s true that, sometimes you have life all planned and, in an instant, everything changes. We rarely see such a change coming.

But come they most certainly do.

Change, no matter how positive, can be hard to navigate. It takes time to process all the emotions that come along with transition, but once you have come to terms with a new future, the time comes to step into it. If you are VERY lucky, that thing you didn’t see coming is a total blessing and ushers you into a new and very exciting next stage of your life.

BY NOW YOU ARE WONDERING WHERE THIS IS HEADING…

Three years ago I headed out on the dream trip of a life-time, a cruise to Alaska. It was a long-anticipated trip via land and sea to that far off, totally wild 49th state that didn’t join the United States until after I was born. I went with friends I’ve known for over 30 years with 11 of us in the group. I knew everyone in the group except one. He was the brother of a good friend. We met the 2nd day of the trip and hit it off right away.

You might guess the rest of the story. It goes something like this: He asked, she said ‘Yes’ and on July 5th (three years from the day they met in Alaska) they were married and plan to live “HAPPILY EVER AFTER.” At our age, “Happily Ever After” will probably be very

4

November 2019

sweet and all too short. Having said that, it is time for me to tell you “The Rest of the Story.”

I always knew I would retire at some point.

I just wasn’t sure how to make it happen or what time frame would feel right. When you are a business owner, you can’t just turn in your resignation, especially when you are so connected to the community and have employees who depend on you. Imagine my joy upon discovering that a member of our amazing team would be perfect to be the new face of Women’s LifeStyle – Southwest Michigan. It is with great pleasure and a lot of pride that I announce the new owner of WLS is Heather Dombos.

In the last few months, Heather has singlehandedly changed the editorial content and front cover art to be totally local. Combined with our new size and glossy print, we have been receiving fabulous reviews and renewed interest. For that, I am incredibly grateful. There is no better ending than a happy one and that is exactly where we have landed.

As I finish this last column, I admit that I feel a great deal of mixed up, messy feelings. You know what, though? I’m okay with that. After 11 plus years of daily commitment, it will certainly feel strange to hand the reins over to someone else (no matter how marvelous and capable that person is!) There will also be great joy in knowing that what was once a simple vision will go on in all its new formats – magazine, expos and MASTERMIND – to empower and enhance the lives of the women of our great community. It has been my humble goal to continue that each and every day.

With your kind permission, and the blessings of my amazing team, I leave you now to enjoy the rest of my life with a lovely man – who is absolutely a gift from God.

Darlene

Never fear: I’ll still be around. Just not as frequently. Fifteen years ago, with a previous job, I came to Kalamazoo and it was love at first sight. There isn’t a city that can top Kalamazoo and all it offers – especially the people. Every community in our area is a reflection of their collective hearts and values. The warmth and unity I feel here every day inspires me to be a better person. I have enough memories to last me this lifetime and the next.

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

The People Who Make It Happen...

PUBLISHER/EDITOR:

Heather Dombos hdombos@wlskazoo.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Erica Shier Emily Betros Elizabeth Precopio Ashley Carter-Youngblood Jacque Jennings-Carter Heather Dombos Kelly Duggan Rachel Kirtley Mary Beth Lyons Heidi McCrary Jenny Opdycke Shreejan Sita

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES: Ruth Ann Dibert radibert@wlskazoo.com Whitney Bast wbast@wlskzoo.com Bethany Rysenga brysenga@wlskazoo.com

LAYOUT & DESIGN:

Alicia Pauwels apauwels@wlskazoo.com

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Grace Photography gracephotostudio.com

ADMINISTRATIVE:

Patty Clifford pclifford@wlskazoo.com

CONTACT US FOR INFO & SALES: 269-350-5227

November 2019 LIFE

6 Here’s Heather: Meet the New Publisher 8 LWT: Tenho Connable 16 5 Ways to Prepare for a New Pet 22 Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party 28 How to Simplify Holiday Hosting

HOME & GARDEN 27 Wedel’s Article 31 Pest Pros Article 32 A Clean Home Sells

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

BEAUTY & FASHION 20 Foundation Wear

BY MAIL:

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

BY EMAIL:

info@wlskazoo.com editor@wlskazoo.com sales@wlskazoo.com

WEBSITES:

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com WomensLifeStyleKazooExpo.com KzooFamilyExpo.com WLSKmastermind.com

This Publication Proudly Supports

HEALTH & FITNESS 10 Change the Conversation Around Holiday Meals 12 Anxiety Treatment 101: Breathe 18 Holiday Food Fears & Follies 26 Ketogenic Lifestyle Part 3: Healing Your Body 30 Ayurvedic Nutrition

FOOD & DRINK 13 Recipes: Thanksgiving Pies That Please 14 Restaurant Review The Local

COMMUNITY NEWS & HAPPENINGS 35 Celebrate the Holidays in Downtown Kalamazoo 36 Calendar SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

MAGAZINE | EXPO

November 2019

5

Here's Heather Meet the New Publisher of

T

Women’s LifeStyle of Southwest Michigan

wo years ago I sat at Darlene Mohr’s table, nervously fumbling a large Starbucks' mocha (which I dumped all over her beautiful silk table runner a few minutes later), not knowing how much my life was about to change. When I met Darlene, I was so impressed. She was strong and determined, as well as kind and encouraging. Within 6 months of our initial meeting, I knew I had found my career and my mentor. At that time, we began talking about the possibility of me stepping into her role at Women’s LifeStyle once she was ready for the next chapter of her life.

It would come to pass that the next chapter came a little faster than either of us expected, I could not be more thrilled for the love and life that Darlene has found with her new husband, Ken. As she embarks on this well-deserved chapter of enjoying her husband, her family and traveling the country in her new toy hauler, I wish her all the best and thank her for all she has given me over these two years. She helped me find my voice and I will never forget all of the wonderful opportunities she has brought to my life.

SO, HELLO SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN!

Thank you for supporting me as the editor of Women’s LifeStyle of Southwest Michigan for the past year. I will draw upon that support as I transition to the role of owner/publisher I am so excited to show you all of the wonderful ideas, articles and events we have planned this year. I look forward meeting you and getting to know you through the pages of our magazine and at our annual expos. Make sure to follow us on social media so you never miss any of the exciting things going on at Women’s LifeStyle. Also, don’t miss our December edition where we will introduce you to the wonderful women who make our company great!

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November 2019

Q & A W I T H H E AT H E R D O M B O S TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.

I was born and raised in sunny South Florida. I lived on a cattle ranch in the small town of Lakeport. We didn’t even have a traffic light. I moved to Ann Arbor in 2000, right after getting married. When my husband, Dan finished college we moved back to his hometown, Kalamazoo. We now live in Oshtemo with our two adorable yellow labs, Winchester and Kodiak. I love girly things – pink, sparkles, makeup, getting pretty and fancy dresses. I also love fast cars, Sci-Fi, football, fishing and off-roading. I’m a pretty good combination of girly-girl and tomboy.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?

This April my husband, Dan and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.

I’m proud of the life we’ve built together and the love we share.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?

I polished cowboy boots at Eli’s Western Wear in Okeechobee, Florida.

(There were a lot of boots!)

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?

BESIDES KALAMAZOO, WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE YOU HAVE LIVED?

After college I lived in Tampa, Florida and worked in an office with incredible views of the Tampa Bay. I absolutely loved the sunshine and water.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE SOMEONE HAS GIVEN YOU?

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND AFTER A TOUGH DAY?

A hot bath with coconut oil Epsom salt and a huge glass of iced water followed by snuggles from my husband and puppies (who are now four…they will always be puppies)

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION?

We went to Ridgedale, Missouri and it was beautiful. We did a lot of hiking, Dan caught some amazing trout on the White River, we visited a tiger sanctuary…it was a fun week.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PET PEEVES?

Getting my new office furnished and organized. It is a little chaotic at the moment and I don’t thrive in chaos.

Oh my goodness, yes! Rudeness and poor grammar.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?

Be the type of person that makes everyone you come across feel perfectly okay with being exactly who they are.

"In youth we learn; in age we understand."

Maria Von Evner-Eschenbach

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

YOU ARE VERY INSPIRING TO THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU. HOW DO YOU DO IT?

I fail in many ways on many days, but I try my hardest to live a life of kindness and respect. Maya Angelou said it best, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?

I love to hike, garden, watch birds at my feeders, read and spend long days at the beach.

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

I love true crime! I am just finishing I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamera.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MOVIES?

Sixteen Candles, Clue and The Princess Bride

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT?

It really depends on my mood, but it’s hard to go wrong with banana pudding or a good piece of cheesecake.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by amazing people. More than anyone, my Nanny, Catherine has been the biggest inspiration in my life.

Her devotion to family and her unfailing love, encouragement and support are such an inspiration. She has always held me up and pushed me forward. When I couldn’t believe in myself, she always whispered words of affirmation in my ear. If I become half the woman she is, my life will be a resounding success.

In addition, my in-laws are two of the most incredible people in my life. My mother-in-law, Mary is one of the must humble and kind people I have ever met.

As a teacher in Kalamazoo Public Schools for over 40 years the love and dedication she showed her students was a true inspiration to all who knew her.

My father-in-law, Dan always supports and encourages me, in everything I do. He gives the best advice and I’m always so grateful for his time and wisdom. I am so thankful for the two of them and all of the love and happiness they bring to my life.

If having these two power-house women in my life weren’t enough, I have some of the most fierce and inspiring sisters, aunts and cousins in the world. Plus I have a few friends who have my back, no matter what life brings.

Lastly, my husband. His work ethic and integrity inspire me to show excellence in all areas of my life.

He is my partner in everything. We are best friends and I just can’t imagine one step of this journey without him.

When I say I am a remarkably blessed woman, it is no exaggeration.

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

MAGAZINE | EXPO

November 2019

7

LOOK WHO’S TALKING

Tenho Connable

I

n 1919, Tenho was born in Detroit, MI as the middle child of Anna & Emil Sihvonen, immigrants from Finland. They lived in a duplex where they raised vegetables, chickens & a cow.

Emil, a German-trained mechanic, worked at Ford Motor Company in Highland Park. World War I had just ended & prohibition was about to go into effect.

In 1937, Tenho graduated valedictorian of her class at Northwestern High School in Detroit and turned down scholarships to Wayne State and Michigan State before accepting a scholarship to the University of Michigan. She graduated from U of M in 1942 during WWII.

Tenho was the second woman to graduate from Michigan with a Chemical Engineering degree and later worked for Shell Chemical and Ethyl Corporation.

TENHO’S WORDS OF WISDOM:

Focus on exercise and your diet.

Don’t be a complainer… that’s a bad approach.

Be accepting of what you have.

Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon attended Michigan during the same years as Tenho. So did Mike Hindert whom Tenho married before he volunteered to defend our country following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Tau Beta Pi Association is the oldest engineering honor society and the second oldest collegiate honor society in the United States. Tenho became a member in 1940 and received the 2001 ChE Alumni Society Merit Award.

Tenho wasn’t able to join the men doing the work out in the field. She did more administrative work like researching costs of new products. This is just the way it was for females at this time in life. She belonged to the Women’s Engineering Admin Group, an organization that helped women engineers.

various computer science courses at WMU for 14 years. She continues to read technical books and articles to this day.

In 1972 Tenho married Al Connable. They enjoyed traveling, tennis games, barge rides, Michigan football and living at their lodge. At age 89, Tenho needed another challenge and decided to become a competitive ballroom dancer. She continues to take two ballroom dancing lessons per week at Sharon’s Dance Studio in Kalamazoo. Tenho has made many new and younger friends through dancing which she treasures. With three different dance partners, Tenho has entered & won age group dance competitions throughout the United States, including Hawaii, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, and Chicago.

Her present dance partner, Michael Grigsby & Tenho performed a lovely waltz at her recent Century Ball at the Radisson. Her children had encouraged her to hold a Ball for her 100th birthday. It was held Sept. 6, 2019 with over 230 family and friends in attendance.

Sharon’s Dance Studio dancers performed key dances such as the Quick Step, the Lindy Swing, the Cha Cha Slide, and the Waltz.

Tenho has said that dancing can’t go on forever.

She’d now like to do something with her mind and has set a new goal of learning about quantum space.

She is going to bring in a tutor weekly to learn more; is looking forward to learning new vocabulary and expanding her mind.

Tenho has four children, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is extremely proud of them all.

At age 51, Tenho enrolled at Western Michigan University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Mathematics with an emphasis in Computer Science. Following graduation, Tenho taught

WHERE DO YOU CURRENTLY LIVE?

been cracked yet. In Kalamazoo, I admired the Upjohn daughters because they got to do careers that they chose themselves. I also admired Carolyn Ham in her role as Mayor of Kalamazoo.

WHAT STEERED YOU TOWARD YOUR CAREER? I decided to pursue engineering while

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY: Having a

I have lived at Friendship Village in Independent Living for over 20 years and love it! I’ve been a resident of Kalamazoo County since 1948.

in high school. My home environment helped form that decision. My oldest brother was the crown prince. My father would teach my oldest brother while I watched, listened and absorbed.

TELL US ABOUT WOMEN WHO TRULY INSPIRED YOU. My female high school instructors inspired me. The glass ceiling hadn’t

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November 2019

Mary Beth Lyons is a writer and owner of A Single Ray of Hope LLC, A Personal Assistant & Concierge Service. Contact Mary Beth at marybeth@asinglerayofhope.com and on Facebook at fb.com/asinglerayofhope.

leisurely, late morning breakfast eating alone in the Café while reading the newspaper & enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. I eat the same thing for breakfast every day & I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.

If it’s a Wednesday or Friday, you can find me at my ballroom dance lessons. I enjoy reading and doing simple jigsaw puzzles. I belong to a Book Club and I play bridge once a week.

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

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CHANGE THE Conversation AROUND HOLIDAY MEALS

T

he holidays are growing near and while this time of year is a celebration of time with friends and family, it’s also very centered around food; savory, sweet, and everything in between. Special family recipes are dusted off and an abundance of food is typically prepared for get togethers. With so much attention on food and eating, this can be a challenging time for anyone who has struggled with their relationship with food. You don’t have to have an eating disorder to be affected by some of the conversations had around this time of year:

“I’ll have to go to the gym TWICE tomorrow to burn all this off…,” “I know it’s ‘bad’, but I'm just going to sneak another piece…,” or “I’m not going to eat all day so I can stuff myself for dinner.”

Do any of these sound familiar? These statements are embedded in our eating culture and can be very damaging. We might think it’s normal to say these things or even make us feel better to say them. The reality is that anyone trying their best to have a balanced and positive relationship with food will hear these statements very differently and make it even more challenging to heal. You might not know if someone at your Thanksgiving meal is struggling with an eating disorder, but that shouldn’t matter. We all get the same damaging messages about food and our bodies - Why else would we say things like this? - and it’s up to each of us to push back against them.

While some might point to the type or amount of food during the holidays as the issue, people

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November 2019

struggling with their relationship with food don’t necessarily see it that way. The pressure to eat when they aren’t hungry, having to eat in front of other people, being served food they might not want to have, and hearing others make comments about their body or their own are more of a concern. The good thing about this is we all have an opportunity to be allies, not just for people struggling but for ourselves as well.

HERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE WAYS TO CHANGE THE CONVERSATION AROUND HOLIDAYS MEALS.

• Let each person make their plate with the food they want, and don’t comment if they choose not to try something or take less than someone else.

• Avoid commenting on how fattening the food is or the amount of calories in the dishes. Instead talk about how delicious something is and how much you appreciate that someone made it.

• Better yet, don’t make food the focus. Talk about what you’re thankful for this time of year and enjoy catching up with people.

• Try not to make comments about how full or stuffed you are, and avoid using the word ‘binge’ completely. These words can be triggering.

• Don’t discuss ways you’ll punish or restrict yourself later as a result of eating (ie.

Exercising or not eating the following day).

• If someone says they aren’t feeling well, don’t want anymore, or are all done eating, respect this and don’t push for them to have more.

• Refrain from commenting on your body or others, especially with respect to body size being a reason for why they can/should or can’t/shouldn’t have food.

• If someone needs to take a break from the dinner table, let them. It can be very overwhelming (in a lot of different ways) to have a big meal, with lots of people, that can last a long time. Letting someone go take a breather may be just what they need so they can continue to enjoy the rest of the day.

• If you know someone has an eating disorder or is struggling with their relationship with food, do not ask them about it at this time. Even saying something seemingly positive such as, “nice job eating with everyone today” can make someone very uncomfortable.

The holidays can be stressful and overwhelming for most of us. Beating ourselves up over the type of food we eat or how much we eat is the last thing we need.

Collectively we can change our language to be more positive and compassionate towards our bodies. We will all benefit this holiday season from less guilt and negative self-talk about our food choices, and more laughter and cheer for the time spent together.

Emily Betros 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.

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November 2019

11

Anxiety Treatment

101:Breathe B

reath. It’s the foundation of our life.

SCIENCE shows that, generally, we can survive for 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. But, we cannot survive without our breath for more than 3 minutes.

When people come to see me for treatment for ANXIETY, I am struck by how easy it is to forget about our best tool for managing ANXIETY: our breath. When we are young, our breath works as it should – expanding from our bellies. Have you ever seen an infant sleep?

What part of their body moves? Their belly!

Ever been in choir? Where do they tell you to breathe from? From your diaphragm! That is because that’s the way our bodies are designed to breathe – deeply.

Yet, as we grow older, as ANXIETY and the STRESS of life sets in, the location of our breath travels up our bodies and we breathe from our chest. This is the worst, most shallow breath we can take. Our lungs and diaphragm don’t even fully expand when we do this. The best illustration of how this is to think about someone you know who has had a panic attack or hyperventilated. Where do those breaths come from? Their chest. They are shallow and short. This illustrates ANXIETY, the “fight or flight” response for those under STRESS. Don’t take my word for it. Try it! Take inventory of your body right now, as you read this. Where is your breath coming from right in this second? Maybe even put one hand over your chest and another over your belly button.

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November 2019

Which hand is moving? My guess is your top one.

This is opposite to the kind of breath we need to be able to manage STRESS and ANXIETY effectively. The deeper we breathe, the more we expand our bellies, and the more oxygen we can get to our brain, the greater the benefits.

We become more clear-headed, our heart rate slows, our blood pressure lowers, our muscles relax, our emotions begin to calm, and we begin to feel less overwhelmed. The important part about this for the treatment of ANXIETY is that, if we can slow our breath and breathe from the correct part of our boy, even before we feel emotionally calm, we can literally halt the process of panic in the brain.

Technically speaking, intentional, slow, deep breathing triggers a parasympathetic reaction that is the opposite of ANXIETY AND STRESS. For example, as explained more in THIS article, the ability to relax is controlled by a separate set of nerves, with the main nerve being the Vagus nerve, also known as the “brake” on the stress response. So, when you breathe as you should, you are putting the brakes on ANXIETY AND STRESS. This is “ANXIETY TREATMENT 101″ because the breath is our most important tool.

Following your breath can be a great way to check in on how our bodies are feeling during a moment of ANXIETY. But, don’t complicate it. It takes practice. At first, you may feel like you are pushing your gut out. This means that you are doing it correctly but this also feels

awkward. For some, a helpful tip to illustrate how to breathe well is to envision you are blowing out a candle. Take in all of your breath and expel it out just a deeply.

Deepak Chopra, an expert on all things related to the breath and HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO WELLNESS, outlines some other breathing tips HERE. When I work with others in TREATING ANXIETY, I have found that people often need to experiment with various techniques in order to find what works best for them. Some like to count their breath for 8 seconds as they breathe in, hold for 8 seconds, and then exhale for 8 seconds. As mentioned on Dr. Chopra’s website listed above, this technique can be traced back centuries as an ancient Yogic tradition for HOLISTIC wellness.

Such a technique can help even more to slow the heart and halt the brain’s attempts at STRESS. But for some, especially for those with PANIC ATTACKS, this can feel like too much.

So, explore. Be MINDFUL. Use your breath as the wonderful tool it is to TREAT ANXIETY. You may not need me. But, you at least need your breath.

Ashley Carter Youngblood owns two businesses: one as a psychotherapist and the other as a life coach for those looking for a more intimate approach to growth. Her passions are in helping support female empowerment. More info: www.kalamazoo-counseling.com and www.lotuslifestylecoaching.com.

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

Thanksgiving Pies That Please The Perfect Pecan Pie 1 prepared pie crust (use your favorite) 4 large eggs

½ cup granulated sugar 1 cup light corn syrup

½ cup dark corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract In a mixing bowl combine eggs & sugar and mix to combine well.

Add light and dark corn syrup and vanilla. Mix until well combined.

Add pecans and mix until pecans are coated in syrup mixture.

Pour into prepared pie crust and cover crust with a pie shield.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove pie shield and cook an additional 10 – 15 minutes, until pie is set.

Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

1 prepared pie crust (use your favorite)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

1 cup canned pumpkin

In a mixing bowl, combine apple butter, pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices.

½

Gradually add milk and mix well.

1

cup apple butter

½ cup brown sugar, packed

Stir in eggs.

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pour mixture into pie shell.

teaspoon salt

¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger 3 eggs, slightly beaten ¾

cup evaporated milk

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

MAGAZINE | EXPO

Bake for about 40 minutes or until set.

Garnish with homemade whipped cream.

November 2019

13

The Local Buffalo Style Wrap

A

friend and I traveled to the cute town of Richland on a weekday afternoon to have some lunch at a restaurant/bar, The Local.

The restaurant is small, but welcoming. There was a large bar in the center of the room, and several TV’s. It would be a great spot to watch some games!

The room looks modern, yet still cozy and everything was very clean. Our kind server brought us some waters & we ordered some CHEESE BREAD, at the suggestion of another friend that had been before & said it was yummy.

Our cheese bread came and was delicious! It came with both ranch and marinara and the 10” was more than enough for the two of us to share. The cheese was ooey gooey and the bread was a perfect golden brown.

When it came to our main dishes, I decided I wanted to do pizza since that’s what they are most known for. I was intrigued and tempted by the variety of specialty pizza’s they had on their menu! They had a Loaded Potato Pizza, a Thai Pie, a Seafood Pizza and even a Broccoli Chicken Alfredo Pizza! So creative and exciting.

There are also options to create your own with tons of options for toppings, as well as a few different flavored crusts.

Cheese Bread

Veggie Lovers Pizza

Ultimately, I went with the VEGGIE LOVERS PIZZA. The menu told me it was loaded with lots of yummy veggies; mushrooms, red onions, green peppers, green olives, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. I asked and the server assured me that the “mini” size would be perfect for one person.

I also ordered a SIDE SALAD, because after the delicious cheesy bread, I thought some greens would be good for me.

My friend ordered the BUFFALO STYLE WRAP which came with mild sauced crispy chicken, sriracha ranch, blue cheese crumbles, lettuce, and tomato inside jalapeño wrap. It was served with homemade chips and a pickle, but our nice server did offer to substitute the chips with beer battered fries, sour cream and onion wedges or house veggies, but my friend thought the chips sounded good to her!

My salad came out shortly after ordering. I can’t say it was anything spectacular (it was a simple side salad so it’s not as if I expected something amazing) BUT, I was impressed with the size of it! It was a good portion.

I’m used to side salads being a few pieces of lettuce, but this was definitely a full bowl!

Next out came our meals.

My friends wrap looked yummy. It was cut in half so you could see all the pretty colors

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Side Salad

inside. There appeared to be a perfect blend of all the ingredients. The homemade chips looked scrumptious. They were a little darker brown than the ones you find in a bag, but that mean they were extra crunchy and crisp, just how I like them.

My friend loved her wrap. She said it was spicy, which she loved, but did say anyone that is sensitive to spiciness (like me) might not be able to handle it.

My pizza was perfect! I love that they really packed the veggies in so that I got some in every bite, and all were cut down small enough that I wasn’t pulling a bunch off the slice with every bite. They also baked the pizza with the mozzarella was on top of all the veggies, which I always love. The crust was a little thicker than I would normally like, but fluffy and flavorful so it worked here. The mini size was perfect for one person. I even had enough to take half of it in a box home for another meal.

We had a great time. The service was excellent.

Our server was attentive, gave us suggestions and seemed happy to be there.

I can definitely see myself returning to The Local! The menu had a large variety of options and the atmosphere was welcoming and cute!

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

14

November 2019

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5 B

ringing home a new furry friend can spark joy while adding new routines for the whole family. When adding a pet to a household, it’s important to take into consideration the type of companion, the pet’s life stage, size and how to select a veterinarian.

When preparing for a new fur baby, keep these tips in mind.

16

November 2019

Ways to Prepare for a New Pet

1

Research the pet

2

Consider adoption

3

Well in advance of picking him or her up, do your research so you understand the breed’s energy levels, temperament, trainability and other traits that fit your lifestyle. After all, adding a pet should be mutually beneficial and the right fit for the family.

More than 6.5 million animals enter U.S. shelters every year and nearly half of them get adopted.

Shelters can be a source for neutered, vaccinated and trained pets in need of a home.

Review available medical records To ensure your prospective pet is healthy and up to date on vaccinations, request a health report from the shelter at the time of adoption to learn about any health or behavioral issues you should be aware of.

4 5

Consider your home environment Think about your lifestyle routines and how they align with a pet’s well-being. Specifically, take into account both physical surroundings and social interactions. When bringing a pet home, gradually introduce him or her slowly to different areas then expand the accessible spaces. If possible, bringing the pet’s former bedding and toys can help him or her more quickly to the new surroundings.

Establish regular mealtimes Setting feeding times for furry friends can help create new routines for the whole family. Consider feeding your pet in the same location and similar times each day to minimize stress or conflict that may arise around feeding.

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Holiday Food Fears & Follies

S

everal years ago, my father and I were texting about the upcoming holiday (I believe Thanksgiving,) and trying to coordinate family dinner plans. I threw out the question as to how he was planning dinner with my vast array of food allergies and then my younger brother’s newly diagnosed diabetes. He reassured me we would be fine. I apologized for our crappy genes. He blamed our mother.

and walked me through each dish. Not able to eat anything, she resorted to the fridge, where she went through and pulled out every and any item she thought I may be able to eat. She landed on an unopened block of cheddar, of which I could safely consume.

My father has been great with accommodating holiday meals for two adult children with overactive [read: crappy] immune systems.

With my brother, at least his meals are more easily catered with carb and sugar avoidance.

My soy, wheat, gluten and peanut allergy narrows the menu from there.

Now, eating the entire block of cheese was not really in my best interest for obvious reasons, but I ate a sizable portion and was able to make it through the party without being famished or offending my Italian family.

It has made both of our holiday food experiences, well, more unique. I can’t speak for my brother, but I’ve had my fair share of interesting encounters since.

My first Christmas with my diagnosed allergies, I was quite reserved with food anywhere. We had to make a call prior to our attendance at our family Christmas party not to bring or have out any items with peanuts.

Luckily as it was my Italian family, there wasn’t too much of a problem with this, but the notice was still necessary.

So when I arrived, as I expected, there wasn’t much to eat, and I resorted to just enjoy the company. However, a cousin of my father’s noticed I hadn’t had a plate of food through the evening.

“Why are you not eating?” she said.

“There’s nothing for me to eat,” I replied.

“Hold on.”

She disappeared on a mission for a few minutes to ask around for ingredients to things

18

November 2019

She cut up the entire block of cheese and placed it on a plate for me.

“Eat this!”

Through the years and holidays of my diagnosis, friends, family, people I’ve dated and some acquaintances have made great attempts to stay educated about my allergens.

They try to make dishes that won’t result in a miserable or deadly reaction when visiting.

They have me send sheets of ingredients to avoid, or they text me pictures of ingredient labels to read through and reassure them of their choice.

Now, this last Christmas at my boyfriend’s mother’s house for lunch, I wasn’t accomodated.

Although his mother was somewhat aware of my allergies, she had never inquired regarding what I could eat. I arrived on Christmas to awkwardly eat a plate of undressed greek salad as none of the other food was edible or safe for my consuming.

On our way to my father’s (who had prepared a “Lita-friendly” Italian feast I could fill on), I mentioned to the boyfriend in passing how I was a little offended.

“In all my years with my allergies, I’ve never had anyone not try or attempt or not ask to make something that I can eat.”

He was surprised on that note, and apologized.

We have since then resorted to bring our own food to visits. And over the last year, his mom—she having her own sensitivities—is understanding my complicated diet a little more.

I don’t blame her or anyone for not tackling my food issues. The list is daunting, and I endured several cries the first couple years myself in frustration, trying to decipher just what I could and couldn’t eat (and because I really missed donuts.)

It does make one approach any get-together or event differently, as I constantly try to keep in mind what I’m eating or bringing to places for fear of making some other human sick like I’ve been.

Which lends me to leave you with a thought.

When bringing or making dishes this holiday season, take a minute to ask if there is anything attendants can’t have in the house or in their diet. Even beyond food allergies, we are in a world where FODMAP, food sensitivities and allergies, celiac, diabetic, etc. are too common. It’s messy and you won’t be able to accommodate everyone, but even asking will let them know you care. And from one foodissue individual, I can tell you that in itself is greatly appreciated.

Safe eating & cheers to the holiday season!

Lalita Chemello is a Detroit-born writer newly displaced to the west side of the state. She’s written/ edited for New Roads lifestyle magazine and Panorama. Her other passions are photography, motorsports & screenwriting. You can also occasionally find her around town on her vintage two wheels.

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Foundation Wear

Identifying the Best “Unmentionables”

Y

our “unmentionables” are the garments you wear closest to your skin, but are you sure you’re wearing the right foundation wear?

Our undergarments keep outer garments from being soiled or damaged, reduce the friction of outerwear against the skin, shape the body, and provide concealment or support. In cold weather, long underwear, t-shirts and tanks add warmth.

Undergarments can even have religious significance.

And thanks to modern fabrics, everything is briefer and lighter now.

So, how to think about foundation wear?

T-shirts prevent chest hair from poking through

fabrics, absorb perspiration and conceal nipples. For men, use white V-necks with open collar, button front shirts. Use crew-necks in color coordinating tones of grey, navy and black for smart business casual looks.

Undies are personal. Your panties, briefs, boxers, etc. aren’t meant to show, whether beyond an outer garment itself or through that garment’s material.

Bras are designed to lift, separate, hold breast tissue

in place and minimize if needed. Follow the “undies” paragraph for initial recommendations. (More to come in a future post.)

Shapewear options are available for both men and

women. Designed for all parts of the body, they help create a leaner look, reduce the appearance of cellulite, support the bust and maximize curve creation.

“Going commando?” Go ahead if you want to

in your personal life, but definitely not recommended with professional dress if you want to position yourself for success!

Still unsure? Work with a certified fit specialist or a trained image consultant to find the foundation wear that will help you project your best personal and professional image.

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Hosting the

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W

e’re coming up on the Holiday Season and that means you’re probably going to host a lot of dinner parties with friends and family, to include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Hosting a dinner party can SEEM stressful, but planning is key, and I will show you how! Dinner parties don’t have to be stressful at all, actually. It’s all about ONE thing. Preparation.

Before we get started, may I say that we can all relate to the next few stages of hosting a party?

Excitement. Regret.

Emergency Cleaning.

Debating excuses to cancel.

Smiles, Drinks, Relief. Ha! That being said, I absolutely LOVE hosting parties. Right down to the cute place settings, decorations, creating a fun cocktail for the night, cooking up fun dishes, and charcuterie boards. If you have never hosted a dinner party at your house, don’t attempt a maiden voyage and volunteer for Thanksgiving dinner. Start out small with 4-6 close friends or family members. That way, if you burn the entrée they will still love you, and you will have a funny story to tell for years to come.

Make sure to cook meals you have made before. This makes it easier to stay on track with your evening so you can spend more time with your guests and not be in the kitchen the entire time. By doing so, you know what to expect from the dish instead of attempting to cook Prime Rib for the first time and realizing it needs to be slow cooked for 3 more hours…. half an hour before guests arrive.

Be sure to write out your menu a week or so before the party, and make a check-list of all

ingredients. Most everything can be purchased up to a week in advance. This also allows you time to go back to the store for anything you missed on your first trip.

for beverages, including wine, beer, and liquor.

A good rule of thumb to go by, 1 bottle of wine for every two guests. Two to three beers per person, and a small variety of spirits. I also like

Most of your desserts and appetizers can be made a few days in advance. There’s nothing worse than trying to finish cleaning the house before guests arrive and forget about the cookies in the oven.

Prep as much as you can for the dishes you are going to make. This includes any slicing and dicing, marinating meats, and getting out any dishes you will need to cook the meals in. This is also a great way to realize you forgot to buy enough green onions for the beer cheese dip, and send your husband to the store for more.

Have a timeline and start putting together dishes first thing in the morning. Put out the appetizers 20-30 minutes before everyone arrives. People tend to be early most of the time, and it’s stressful trying to greet everyone and put out the cheese platter. Start cooking dinner earlier than you think you should.

This allows you a little extra time incase the potatoes you diced are thicker than usual and take longer than you thought. Make sure the table is set, the trash has been taken out, and the dishwasher is empty. This will save you so much time in the long run, and make clean up a breeze.

Hosting a larger get together like Thanksgiving or Christmas? You can always delegate some of the dishes to friends or family members.

Just be sure not to have your guests bring any essential items like ice for your cocktails or an important appetizer. Life happens and people run late or forget something at home in a rush to get out the door. Appetizers are what keep your guests occupied while the main course cooking, so you don’t want to have to rely and wait for something like that and leave your guests empty handed. Have plenty of options

to tell my guests if there is anything specific they like to drink, to bring it along. That way everyone gets what they like.

THE CHEESE LADY located in Texas Corners is the perfect place to start planning your party. It’s a one stop shop to build the perfect charcuterie board with all of the accompaniments, including wine. If you want to save time, they can build a custom cheese tray for you!

Dinner parties can be as simple as creating a charcuterie board, appetizers and wine or a 3 course meal. No matter what route you choose, just remember to have fun, enjoy your guests, and don’t stress over the food. Not every aspect of your evening will always be smooth sailing. If that happens, just own it. No one is going to remember if you overcooked the roast, they will remember the laughs and good time they had creating new memories.

Beer Cheese Dip

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1 8oz Block Cream Cheese, softened

1 8oz bag Kraft Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1

1 Light Beer (think Bud Light, Miller Lite, or Corona)

1 Bunch of Green Onions, diced

Packet Hidden Valley Ranch Powder

In a large bowl, add softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, ranch powder and a few splashes of beer. (we aren’t using the whole beer) Mix until incorporated. Add in the diced green onions and mix.

Add more beer to get the consistency of a cheese ball, only slightly softer, but not too runny. Serve with your favorite crackers.

November 2019

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November 2019

25

The Ketogenic Lifestyle —Part 3

Healing

Your Body

BY JENNY OPDYCKE, PA-C

WHERE TO START

Before you decide to jump into the Ketogenic Lifestyle, please remember that it is a POWERFUL MEDICINE. I’m NOT kidding.

If you take prescription medications for blood pressure or blood sugar control, or you have a serious medical condition like diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy, autoimmune disease or cancer, please do NOT “go Keto” without the assistance of a Keto literate medical professional. Your need for your blood sugar medication (especially insulin) and blood pressure medication will decrease within DAYS. Lab work can be essential to safety and success in these populations. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, involve your healthcare professionals in this life-changing event.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

After talking with your healthcare professionals, do your own research. The scientific literature on the safety and efficacy of the Ketogenic Lifestyle is strong. There’s lots of badly organized research and a VERY strong financial/political agenda driving some of the messaging. As with most things, follow the money, and you’ll understand what’s really going on. Resources like www.dietdoctor.com make it much easier to navigate.

We healthcare professionals are nice people, but many of us are just as overwhelmed by the conflicting nutritional arguments as you are. The bottom line is that it’s your healthcare team’s job to help keep you safe during important health events. Changing your diet definitely falls into that category. It is a path best walked TOGETHER.

26

November 2019

FAT ADAPTATION

How do we get the body to switch from sugars and starches to fat as its primary fuel source? By changing what you eat, you are literally building more energy processing plants called mitochondria, and you will start synthesizing more of the enzymes and metabolic substances needed to do the work.

This process is called fat adaptation. It often takes 4-12 weeks for the body to fully adapt to using fat/ketones as its primary fuel source.

The more stressed you are, the longer it will take your body to become fully fat adapted.

and 1 cup of cooked, non-starchy vegetables.

What’s a non-starchy vegetable? Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, asparagus, zucchini, peppers, green beans and cucumbers are good ones.

CHANGE TODAY

When “going Keto,” quality matters.

You really are what you eat. The simpler you keep it, the easier it becomes. Focus on eating real food in forms as close to its original state as possible. Purchase the cleanest, healthiest food you can afford. You can either invest in your health on the front end or on the back end. But also remember that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Your body’s natural state is well-being, not disease. Let’s create the ideal environment to get you back there so you can get on with having a wonderful life!

WHAT’S ON THE MENU

So let’s talk about healing your body with a Ketogenic Lifestyle. FINALLY, you may exclaim! A typical Ketonian often restricts dietary carbohydrates down to 20-50 grams a day. These carbs should come from nonstarchy vegetables—approximately 2 cups of salad greens (any leafy green works) a day

Persons who are highly inflamed and sick may need to employ further restrictions since they often react to the plant’s natural defenses—please try not to fall into fears of deprivation. We are using food as medicine & with time your body’s tolerance of many foods will likely improve. Protein is kept to 0.8/1 gram/kg of ideal body weight per day— approximately 2 eggs or a palm sized serving of meat at 2-3 meals per day.

The best meats are the fattier cuts, as this helps blunt insulin spiking and decreases unnecessary conversion of protein into sugar.

Focus on things like grass-fed 80/20 ground

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

beef, ribeye steak, ribs, bacon, pork chops, dark meat poultry with skin, and fatty fish like wild-caught salmon.

Vegetarians can certainly benefit from the Ketogenic Lifestyle, but need to be sure to find adequate protein sources. Not all proteins are created equal. Vegetarians and persons with food sensitivities will likely need medical supervision to achieve optimal results.

On the Keto diet, fats are used to obtain satiety, and they are delicious! Quality, healthy fats include olive oil, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, avocados/avocado oil, and well-sourced fatty meats and animal products like bacon fat, tallow, lard and duck fat. I know it seems counter-intuitive because it is exactly the opposite of what we’ve been told for decades.

Remember, the current model ISN’T working.

As Albert Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” Listen to your body, and work with your health care team. The results speak for themselves. Your body will tell you when you’re hungry.

HOW YOUR BODY REACTS

Please don’t feel like you have to eat extra fat to “hit your macros.” If you have extra fat stored on your body, your body can use this energy source very happily once your insulin levels come down. That can take up to a week.

Hunger is the key to knowing if you’re getting enough fat or not.

At the same time, the sugar toxicity is correcting itself. Insulin levels fall, and blood sugars and blood pressures improve. Keep in mind that your need for salt and electrolytes will go up when you have a Ketogenic Lifestyle. This is because insulin plays a significant role in sodium reabsorption and fluid retention in the body. For every gram of stored sugar (glycogen) that is burned, most people lose 4 grams of water weight.

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AVOIDING “KETO FLU”

Sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium often follow the water. The electrolytes have to be replaced or people experience “Keto Flu.” Keto Flu is simply dehydration and low electrolytes and completely preventable.

Drinking salty beverages like bone broth— naturally rich is electrolytes—bouillon or pickle juice helps restore balance. Pink Himalayan salt also is rich in electrolytes and can be added to food, water, or taken directly. For more specific guidance around electrolytes, contact your health professional.

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF KETONES

Exciting research has shown ketones are NOT just fuel. They act like signaling molecules in the body. They appear to interrupt inflammatory cascades and inhibit the pain response. Ketones seem to help resolve virtually any excitatory state by working on the same (GABA) receptors where medications like Xanax and Neurontin work, thereby helping to calm and stabilize the nervous system. Less likelihood for seizures, less pain, less anxiety, less brain fog.

People also often experience better mental clarity, focus and memory; better exercise performance with faster recovery; faster healing and less inflammation.

HEALTHY FATS

Sound too good to be true? This is simply a testament to how modern-day life with its chronic stress and unnatural foods has made so many of us so sick! Fat and cholesterol are not the demons that they were previously made out to be. Scientists believe that a high healthy fat, low carb, moderate protein diet is beneficial because the brain and nervous system are made of cells that are insulated with structures made from good fat. All of your cell membranes are made out of fat and cholesterol. All of your hormones are made out of fat and cholesterol.

When insulin resistance and its resultant inflammation are corrected, fat and cholesterol in the body and in the diet are used to repair cellular damage with the help of a wellfunctioning immune system. Hormones come into balance. THIS is why people get better…. often DRAMATICALLY better.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

The body is more capable of healing than many of us have been led to believe. When the root cause for an illness is addressed, healing resumes. Your body’s natural, default setting is wellness, not illness. If illness is being expressed by the body, it’s a communication from the body that something is out of balance.

When people stabilize the physiology of the body using nutritional ketosis, they can once again hear their body’s signals. I’m hungry.

I’m not hungry. I’m tired, I need to rest. I feel like moving my body. This job is making me sick. It’s time to let go of this pattern, habit, relationship…you fill in the blank. No one knows your body better than you do.

It’s only natural to start healing the rest of your life once the body comes back into balance.

It’s all connected, and it all matters. Don’t let this fact overwhelm you. Your body talks to you all the time and if you are practicing awareness, you will hear it. Focusing on diet and the language of the body are the ideal place to start. The rest unfolds naturally.

Jenny Opdycke, PA-C has been practicing medicine for more than 16 years. Her specialties include holistic wellness, anxiety/depression, trauma recovery and intuitive, low carb eating strategies that promote self-awareness and healing. She loves spending time with her twin girls, friends, and fur babies. More info at www.integratedhealthmatters.com.

November 2019

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WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE | EXPO KAL AMAZOO - PORTAGE - ST. JOSEPH - SOUTH HAVEN

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November 2019

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SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

MAGAZINE | EXPO

November 2019

29

Ayurveda N utrition in the Holidays

BY SHREEJAN SITA

I recently received a frantic, middle of the night text from a client on his honeymoon in Morocco. “There is food as far as the eye can see – all day! It’s too delicious.

HELP!” Unlike a lot of modern diets, Ayurvedic nutrition does not focus on calorie counting or depravation. In fact, the angst and cravings that “can’t have that” causes in the body are considered far more damaging at a cellular level than partaking in the celebration at hand.

Eating is indeed a celebration. Imagine the immense power required to break down every morsel you ingest into the components that build flesh, bone, nerves, and even thoughts! Your GI Tract could light up a city! If there was ever cause of celebration, it’s the miracle that is happening right now in your intestines.

“Eat, drink and be merry, my friend. It’s your honeymoon, for creation’s sake.

You’re making lifelong memories. And also, bring me home some saffron from the market,” I responded. It takes awhile for us to adopt a new frame of mind.

I too grew up in the generation of the low-sugar diet, the cabbage soup fast, and now the keto intervention for everything.

All these drastic measures fly in the face of common sense – take a middle path, be consistent, and be happy. ndful(the science of life) from India stresses the importance of prana, or life force, which exists in everything. When we eat dead foods, they don’t move very well through the intestines & get sticky. And when we eat living foods, they move with their own force in partnership with our prana – not sticky!

The typical American diet consists mostly of dead foods, but that doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself cold turkey and turn to a pure Ayurvedic lifestyle. That’d be drastic and your body and mind would rebel, just as a two-year-old would if you took away his lolly. Our body lacks the power of reason. And it has a very long memory. So we should move very slowly into a new lifestyle that contains more pranic foods – things that are still living.

Back in the day, hunters had a ritual of eating the still beating heart of a felled dear, to take in and retain the spirit of the animal so it could live on in health.

Luckily, we don’t have to do that.

Here’s your holiday hack to prevent sticky GI tract. Adopt a few of these at a time during the holiday so you

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November 2019

can prevent the weight gain that you associate with celebration: EAT LIVING FOODS AT EVERY MEAL. For example, bean sprouts, vegetables you purchased with stems attached (cook lightly), vegetable juices, small side salad, freshly ground seed or nut butter WALK A LITTLE BEFORE YOU EAT TO INCREASE YOUR APPETITE. This is preparation before the celebration – like getting the ballroom ready for the dancers.

WALK A LITTLE AFTER YOU EAT TO ACTIVATE DIGESTION ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PERISTALSIS. DON’T SIT OR LIE DOWN FOR ATLEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER EATING. EAT ONLY WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. (eg, don’t eat with the moon) FILL YOUR STOMACH ONLY HALF FULL AT EACH MEAL. SIP A LITTLE WATER WITH YOUR MEAL TO ACTIVATE THE HYDROCHLORIC ACID, BUT NO MORE THAN 4 OUNCES. FOCUS ON THE FOOD, THE COOK, THE FARMER, ETC. WHILE EATING; don’t be distracted by monitors, or discussions that will compel a reversal of ingestion (politics!)

REFRAME YOUR PERCEPTION OF THE BUFFET TO ‘TASTING BAR’ so you can partake in the entire celebration as it was designed for you REMAIN AT TABLE 5-10 MINUTES AFTER YOU FINISH YOUR PLATE. This ensures that the foods is fully in the stomach and not in the esophagus. It will prevent hiccups, belching, and reflux.

Then get up and move slowly into your walk and next activity. No bending over (or handstands) for at least 45 minutes.

AND FINALLY, ENJOY YOURSELF! Food is the one thing that can be given and received as an expression of love, worship, celebration, nurturing, sustenance, medicine, and so much more. So smile, hum, or whatever you do to show deference to the miracle that is on your plate. Because as far as your metabolism is concerned, bliss is the best spice of them all!

Shreejan Sita is an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist specializing in the third phase goddess’s needs. She is just returning from India after a 6-year expatriation for education & work.

Contact Shree with your wellness inquiries at: www.sitawellness.com.

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

Fall is Here

Are You Ready?

Schedule your clean up now!

your community music school

Aeration • Lawn Renovations • New Lawns Mowing • Fertilizing/Weed Control • Moles Spring & Fall Cleanup • Landscaping Projects

269.349.4594 SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

MAGAZINE | EXPO

Study and learn in a positive and supportive atmosphere with professional, enthusiastic, experienced, university-trained teaching artists. Music instruction for all ages and abilities; need-based financial assistance available.

• Private instruction on strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, guitar, mandolin, percussion, voice, theory and composition • Workshops and Masterclasses • Crescendo Fiddlers • Kalamazoo Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra • Chamber Ensembles for strings and winds • Crescendo Community Voices for teens and adults with mental and/or physical challenges • Orff Studio group classes for ages 5 and up • Music Together® classes for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers

Member

Epic Center, Suite 12, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall information@crescendoacademy.com www.crescendoacademy.com 269/345-6664

November 2019

31

W

A Clean Home Sells!

ith over 30 years of experience in residential cleaning, we know how important it is for home buyers to be able to move into a clean space.

If you have ever sold a car, you probably spent some time and money on detailing prior to taking photos. Presentation is everything.

Having the right visuals can help speed up the selling process and increase the perceived value, especially when it comes to used items.

So if the item doesn’t particularly look or smell used, you’re making it easy for the buyer to focus on what’s important: the reasons they want it.

When it comes to selling a home, we’re typically talking about someone’s largest investment. So it only makes sense that you would put even more care and effort into making the best possible first impression with buyers. Having professional photos taken is one of the last steps in the selling process but can be a waste of time and money if the home has not been properly prepared or showcased for the market.

If sellers can impress with online photos they significantly increase the chances of having heavy foot traffic, multiple offers, and offers over-asking price. The next step is to impress

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November 2019

buyers from the time they drive up to the home to the time they drive away.

When the market is “hot,” a lot of home sellers make the mistake of listing their home “as-is” and tend to pay the price. They typically don’t even know they’ve made a mistake until it’s too late. The house has been sitting for months, there isn’t any feedback, and there are no offers in sight.

One of the best ways to avoid a similar scenario is to do a deep-clean of your home, inside and out. We tend to live our day-to-day at eye-level. We don’t really look up unless we have reason to. Guess what? Buyers will look up. They want to see the space. If there are cobwebs in the light fixtures, dead bugs in the window tracks, or dirty baseboards, it can send a signal that your home hasn’t been wellmaintained.

These seemingly minor cleaning issues lead buyers to start asking themselves what else may have fallen by the wayside in this home.

They’re also thinking about the fact that they’re going to have to clean before they can even move in and start enjoying which reduces the overall excitement and could potentially be the determining factor between receiving and not receiving and offer.

Buyers want to feel like they’re buying new even if they aren’t. They don’t want to see, smell, or even think about your mess. Think about a hotel bathroom. We assume that it’s clean because it appears clean when we walk in. The towels and toilet paper are all folded neatly, the trash can is empty, and there are new soaps and toiletries on the counter. No one wants to walk into a bathroom and be instantly reminded they aren’t the first person to use that bathroom. If buyers are walking through your home and see used towels, waste baskets with trash, and plungers, they start to remember that someone else has been using this bathroom every day for the past who knows how long.

And those are not the thoughts you want to distract a potential buyer.

Today’s buyers are incredibly picky and there are too many potential negatives for them to find in any given home to ignore the cleaning.

Do yourself a favor and invest the time or money because a clean house sells!

Olivia Andrade is a Certified Real Estate Stager and the Business Manager at Beyond Staging. To learn more about why we believe every home should be Market-Ready prior to listing, visit us at www.beyondstagingmi.com

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

WHAT’S

BUGGING

YOU?

FREE HOME EVALUATION (269) 993-0051 PESTPROSMI.COM

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

MAGAZINE | EXPO

November 2019

33

Celebrating the Holidays

Downtown Kalamazoo

2019 Maple Hill Holiday Kalamazoo November 16, 11a.m

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Bronson Tree Lighting November 29, 5 – 7:30p

Santa’s Workshop Nov 30 – Dec 24 Hours on the website Holly Jolly Trolley Nov 30 – Dec 31 Hours on the website

For more info visit downtownkalamazoo.org/events/holiday

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November 2019

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

Largest selection of wild bird feed & feeders in the area!

BIRD FEEDING SPECIALS

Meet & Greet Birds of Prey Fri., Nov. 1 10am – 12pm AND Sat., Nov. 2 12pm – 2pm

OCT. 30 - NOV. 11

Lowest Prices

of the Season!

Black Oil See live birds and their handlers.

Come & experience being eye to eye with owls, hawks and falcons.

Free Birding Seminars! Fri., Nov. 1 & Sat., Nov. 2

Learn more about our feathered friends. See Wedels.com for titles & times

Bird Feeders & Bird Houses

30% Off

Choose from over 100 styles including feeders for thistle, peanuts, suet, squirrel-proof feeders & more!

25 lb. reg. 11.15 SALE $10.48

50 lb. reg. 18.49 SALE $16.69

Thistle Seed 5 lb. reg 5.99

SALE

FREE Storage!

Buy bird feed at pre-season truckload prices Nov. 1-12.

Wedel’s will store your bagged bird feed until you want to pick it up through March 16, 2020.

$

4.35 Wedel’s Song Bird Blend 25 lb. reg. 11.59 $ SALE

10.62

50 lb. reg. 21.99 $ SALE

19.88

Over 30 Varieties and Sizes of Bird Feed on Sale! See Wedels.com

Woodpecker High Wow! Only 75¢ each 11 oz. cakes Energy Suet Cake Case of 8 Sale

$

5.99

See many more bird feeding specials at wedels.com Oct. 30- Nov. 11, 2019!

Corner of Milham & 12th Street 345-1195 Mon.-Fri. 9-7pm, Sat. 9-6pm

Wedels.com SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

MAGAZINE | EXPO

November 2019

35

Calendar of Events 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.

WIN A SHARE OF $200,000 IN PRIZES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 2 PM • $32,000

Eight winners each receive $2,000 in CASH & $2,000 in Red Hot Credits!

4 PM • $48,000

Six winners each receive $4,000 in CASH & $4,000 in Red Hot Credits!

6 PM • $48,000

Four winners each receive $6,000 in CASH & $6,000 in Red Hot Credits!

8 PM • $32,000

NOVEMBER 1 Art Hop

Various Locations throughout Downtown Kalamazoo. 5 – 9 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. Free. 269-3425059. www.kalamazooarts.com.

2019 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour

Kalamazoo Film Society will present the 2019 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour. Seven films make up the program from this year’s festival. This event is free at the Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 5:00 to 8:00PM during the Nov 1 Art Hop. www.kalfilmsociety.net.

Comstock Lions Club Bingo

Kalamazoo County Expo Center 6:30 pm. Play Bingo on the following Friday nights in November: 1st, 15th, 22nd, and 29th. Bingo will NOT be held on November 8th. Lic #A00192 with all proceeds going toward community projects.

Expo South 9 am – 3 pm. Come & visit the unique & talented artisans and crafters from cities throughout the Midwest for an extravaganza day of shopping for gifts. Held in Expo South.

269-327-5373.

Kalamazoo Numismatic Club Annual Fall Coin Show Kalamazoo Expo Center – Expo North 9 am – 3 pm. Buy, sell and trade coins, paper money and memorabilia. Admission is free. For more information call Russell Barr at 269-381-8669 or email russell_9@sbcglobal.net

Dia de Los Muertos

Kalamazoo County Expo Center 5:15 pm – 8:00 pm. Community cultural event to celebrate the Day of the Dead. For more information contact Sofia Ovalle at 269-385-6279 or ovalle@elconciliokzoo.org www. elconciliokzoo.org

NOVEMBER 4

Parchment Book Group

Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr. 6:30 p.m. A Celebration of Poetry: Bring a poem to share. Free.

269-343-7747. Parchmentlibrary.org

NOVEMBER 2

NOVEMBER 6

Kalamazoo County Expo Center –

Cityscape Events, 6-8:30 pm.

Kalamazoo in Bloom’s annual

21st Annual Christmas Boutique Arts & Crafts Show

The Great Pumpkin Soiree

Two winners each receive $8,000 in CASH & $8,000 in Red Hot Credits!

10 PM GRAND PRIZE • $40,000

One winner receives $20,000 in CASH and $20,000 in Red Hot Credits!

EARN ENTRIES NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30

LY N O S E L A D I XAASS HHOOLLDD’E’EMM

EX ENNTT MIITT TTEN NNOO LLIIM ME AM R R TTOOUU NA

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16 2PM $100 Buy-in = 12,000 chips 20-minute levels.

Registration opens November 9.

I -9 4 E x it 10 4 | 11177 Mic hig a n Ave n ue | B at t le Cre e k | Fire Kee pe r sC a sino.co m See the Red Hot Rewards Club booth for complete details. Management reserves all rights.

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November 2019

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

fundraiser is a tasting competition featuring local chefs. Taste and vote People’s Choice bid on silent auction items and animal topiaries featured in Bronson Park next summer.

Proceeds help Kalamazoo in Bloom purchase thousands of flowers they plant and maintain in Kalamazoo and Portage each year. $35 per person.

Sponsorships, tickets and more info at www.kalamazooinbloom.org. 269548-6232.

NOVEMBER 7

Family Drum & Dance Night with Samuel Nalangira and Carolyn Koebel

Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr. 7:00 p.m. Free. 269343-7747. Parchmentlibrary.org

NOVEMBER 7 – NOVEMBER 11

West Michigan Harvest Cluster AKC Dog Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center Thursday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm; Saturday – Monday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. 140+ AKC recognized breeds and over 5,000 purebred dogs will complete over this 5-day event.

Conformation, obedience trials and rally trials all 5 days. On Saturday “Meet the Breeds” from 12-1pm. A free dog handling clinic on will also be held on Saturday. Admission is $5 per vehicle per day. For more information call Kevin Nieboer at 616-600-1578 or email doglaw@midogshows.com www.midogshows.com

NOVEMBER 9

Portage Northern Bands 2019 Huskies Holiday Craft and Gift Show November 9, 2019 from 10:00 am-3:00 pm. Visit over 75 vendors where you can purchase art, crafts, or other gifts. We offer free parking and admission, a concession stand, bake sale, and raffle table for your enjoyment. Please visit our website: http://www.huskieholidaycraftshow.org or our Facebook page: Portage Northern Huskies Holiday Craft & Gift Show for more information.

NOVEMBER 10

2nd Sundays Live! Michigan Hiryu Daiko

Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr. 2:00 p.m. A free concert of Japanese taiko drumming. 269-3437747. Parchmentlibrary.org

NOVEMBER 12

Red Cross Blood Drive

St Andrew Community Church 3631 Covington Rd. Kalamazoo. Across

from Wings Event Center. 12:00pm - 5:45pm Give the gift of life. Please also join us for lunch and goodies.

(269) 270-1397 Appointments at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED CROSS. Walk ins also welcome.

Saturday Flea Market

Kalamazoo County Expo Center – Expo North 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Special Saturday Market! Come check out the market for some great deals and great merchandise! Choose from new and used items, antiques, handcrafted items, and much more! 75 Booths Available! For booth space call 269-383-8778 or visit www.kalamazooexpocenter.com

NOVEMBER 16

22nd Annual K’zoo Folklife Organization Loaves and Fishes Benefit Concert

Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, 6 pm – 10:00 pm. The K’zoo Folklife Organization in partnership with the Kalamazoo Area Loaves and Fishes Organization, is pleased to present the 22nd Annual Benefit Concert. This event is to raise funds and food donations for needy families and individuals in the Kalamazoo County area. Bluegrass, Blues, classic Folk music, originals and more! The concert features top name local and regional performers. Doors will open at 6:00 PM. Admission is by cash donation or by a gift of non-perishable food items. More info: 269-209-0371

26th Annual Vicksburg Project Graduation Craft Show

Sunset Lake Elementary School, 201 N Boulevard Street, Vicksburg, 3 pm – 9:00 pm. Featuring; arts, crafts, and gifts. Free parking and admission

Feb. 16, 2020 Radisson Plaza Hotel

Donuts & Discussion: Everyday Conflict Resolution

Family fun!

Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr. 10:30 a.m. Jacquis Robertson of Gryphon Place will demonstrate techniques and share resources for resolving conflicts in a variety of situations. Free. 269-3437747. Parchmentlibrary.org

DRESSUP

Wind+James, 555 Eliza Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 DRESSUP is a runway event brought to you by Tulips Little Pop Up Shop, Pink Lemonade, Lee and Birch & Wind + James. We are bringing you the latest in fashion and design as we team up with KLH Custom Homes design team. Fashion-conscious vendor event for the after “shopping” party. The runway event will run from 5 pm – 6 pm with doors opening at

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

MAGAZINE | EXPO

A FREE day of family fun and connection! Exhibits, music, activities, learning, community and more!

Become an exhibitor

Your business or organization can be part of the upcoming Kzoo Baby & Family Expo!

Find out more kzoofamilyexpo.com 269-350-5227 November 2019

37

A F T E R T H E H O L I DAYS

C E L E B RAT E W I T H U S

4 pm. The vendor event will run immediately after from 6 pm – 9 pm, with set-up starting at 3 pm. Cocktails and bites by Millennium Catering.

Space is limited.

Integrative Breathwork Workshop

Unwindings, 5466 Holiday Terrace, Kalamazoo 11/16: 3 pm - 6 pm.

A musical meditation for insight, emotional healing, creativity & renewal. $40. Pre-registration is required. 269-388-2988. www.

AdamczAssociates.com.

Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo

To Benefiit

FEB 15, 2020! .

JOIN US!

TICKETS GO ON SALE NOVEMBER 29 GENERAL ADMISSION 5-8PM • VIP ADMISSION AT 4PM!

DELTA HOTELS BY MARRIOTT KALAMAZOO CONFERENCE CENTER FOR ALL WINE NOT INFORMATION, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT: WINENOTKZOO

ALL PAWS ON DECK!

Kalamazoo County Expo Center – Expo North 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Buy, sell or trade a variety of reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and other exotic pets, supplies & food.

Admission: Adults $5, Children $2, Children under 6 free, Family Max - $20. For more information contact Tony at 269-779-9851 or tonygcollison@gmail.com. Visit www. kalamazooreptileexpo.com.

NOVEMBER 18

Mystery Book Club

Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr. 6:30 p.m. Featured books are The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes by Leonard Goldberg and The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King. Free. 269-343-7747.

Parchmentlibrary.org

NOVEMBER 20

Yum’s the Word: Windshadow Farm & Dairy Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr. 6:30 p.m. Ron and Suzanne Klein will share the stories behind their cheeses.

Includes scrumptious samples. $5.

Registration required. 269-343-7747.

Parchmentlibrary.org

NOVEMBER 23

Holiday Book Sale

Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Dr. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Early bird admission at 9:00 a.m. for $1. Free gift wrapping; story times for kids at 10:30 and 1:00. 269-3437747. Parchmentlibrary.org

Church Crafter / Vendor Show

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! DECEMBER 3 & 4 • Wings Event Center www.pawpatrollive.com ©2019 Viacom. ©Spin Master Ltd. All rights reserved.

38

November 2019

Oshtemo United Methodist, 6574 Stadium Dr. 9:00 am – 3:00 pm with lunch served from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm for the low price of $5:00

NOVEMBER 23 – 24

This is the BIG ONE! Over 250 booths to shop at this massive annual craft show. Something for everyone on your list! Admission is free. For more information contact Lorie Money at 269-903-5820 or email lorie.money123@gmail. com. – www.facebook.com/ events/270609243802970/

NOVEMBER 29

Friends of the Kalamazoo Public Library Gift Book Sale

Kalamazoo Public Library, Lower Level Bookstore, Begins November 29 Wednesday noon-7pm, Thursday – Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Hundreds of gift-quality, like-new books for a small fraction of their retail cost. Books added throughout December.

NOVEMBER 30

70th Kalamazoo Antique Toy Show

Kalamazoo County Expo Center 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Sale of antique, vintage and collectible toys such as pedal cars, toy tractors, wind-up & battery operated toys, Disney, sci-fi toys, & much more. Regular Show Admission on Saturday: $8. “Early Bird” Admission Friday from 4-8pm: $30. For more information contact Jim Welytok at 262-366-1314 or www. uniqueeventsshows.com/Kalamazoo_ Circus_Maximus_Toy_Show.html

DECEMBER 5 – 7

Holiday Green & Gift Sale (our 66th year)

Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Thursday 3 – 7 pm, Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 1 pm. Open to the public and there is no charge.

Live greens in abundance.

Wreaths, Swags, Bundles, Roping, Porch Pots and Table Arrangements of all sizes. Thousands of handmade items created by gifted Kalamazoo Garden Council Members. Saturday we will have a children’s workshop ($5 per arrangement made).

269-327-0258 Kalamazoogardencouncil.org

DECEMBER 7

Annual Christmas Bazaar

St Andrew Community Church 3631 Covington Rd. Kalamazoo. Across from Wings Event Center. 9am to 3pm. Many hand made items, Christmas decor, bake goods and much much more. 269-270-1397

Holiday Expo & Craft Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.

WomensLifeStyleKazoo.com

Schedule Today! (269) 873-4600

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS BARTER SERVING SWMI FOR OVER 40 YEARS

1011 W. Maple St | Kalamazoo www.kzooacupuncture.com

(269) 344-8800

www.douglasandson.com

269-344-2860

Here’s your connection to the local businesses we know you love to support. Independent businesses & the people they serve are what makes our community so strong.

A/C, HEATING & COOLING SOLUTIONS www.mattawanmechanical.com

12000 N US 131 Hwy, Schoolcraft Vandenbergfurniture.com

269-668-5415

Kalamazoo WOMEN’S 269-993-0051 PESTPR SMI.C M

o

o

Kalamazoo (west) Downtown Kalamazoo

mackenziesbakery.com

Home Delivered Meals 269.375.8300 | theamplepantry.com 4325 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo

EXPO

March 6 & 7, 2020

WomensLifeStyleKazooEXPO.com

(269) 382-0068

GordonWater.com

VAB O O TE RY.CO M

curves.com 600 Romence Rd #130, Portage, MI

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Elizabeth Forest, CMT Conveniently located in Parkview Hills For appts, call (269) 615-0860 elizabethforestmassage.com

HENDERSON CASTLE CELEBRATING 125 YEARS

NOW BOOKING HOLIDAY PARTIES! BOOK YOURS TODAY. 100 Monroe St, Kalamazoo www.hendersoncastle.com 269-344-1827