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Chef Robin Obert is an Oklahoman and graduate of Platt Culinary Arts and Le Cordon Bleu International. She’s been featured many times on the pages of ThriveOK Health magazine. Her recipes always inspire and this season she shares some of her most mouth-watering holiday party delights with us. Chef Obert’s home features a well equipped kitchen but that shouldn’t stop the rest of us from attempting a little home cookin’ for the holidays.
Joyce Brown ThriveOK staff
For advertising info call Thrive Magazine at 405.210.8205 or e-mail thriveokinfo@gmail.com Copyright © 2014 by Thrive Oklahoma, Health and Well Being and Green Apple Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Thrive Oklahoma Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content of articles or advertisements, in that the views expressed therein may not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any magazine employee or contributor. Content in this publication should not replace the advice or your physician. This publication and all its contents are copyrighted.
‘Tis the Season ‘Tis the season. The stressful season. While the holidays can bring together family and friends like no other time of year, it can also bring on stress that can make the season not so jolly. Here’s my recipe for success to help reduce my own stress this year. First, communication with family members and making plans well in advance for holiday events will go a long way in keeping my sanity. I have to also keep in mind that there may be work and school events I need to attend. By posting these events on a calendar that the whole family can see we won’t be tempted to overbook during the holidays. I also plan to schedule some downtime in order to relax and enjoy the season with my kids. Holidays are a time of increased spending and that is always stressful. Again communicating with your family is key. If times are tight, encourage your family to set a gift limit. Set and stick to your budget. Don’t get caught up in shopping events that can often be disappointing. Be creative with your gifts, many times things you make or create are treasured more than gift cards. Family meals can also be costly. Spread the cost out by making sure each person brings a dish for the buffet or pitches in for the cost of dinner. Encourage children to contribute by making decorations and helping with the dishes. Family feuds can also contribute to stress at the holidays. Strive to have everyone put those differences aside in order to enjoy each other’s company - if only for an afternoon. We have a tradition in our family at Thanksgiving where before we eat, everyone describes what they’re thankful or grateful for. This always seems to smooth the edges and brings everyone closer. It brings focus to what we have in common rather than our differences! Keeping the kids busy during their holidays is also important in minimizing stress. I always make sure they have plenty of good books to read. Don’t just rely on movies and video games to keep them occupied. Find educational websites that will help them improve in subjects that they are struggling with. We love to use IXL.com for math and English. Work on projects that can be used for gifts. Play games and enjoy time with the kiddos. This time is so limited and they grow up way too fast. By planning your schedule, keeping your budget, and actually enjoying all of your family, you should be able to reduce your stress levels over the next couple of months. Take the time to really enjoy the holidays after all ‘tis the season to be jolly… Be well, Dr. Angela Slovak
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18 Features
Living Well
14 Best Food & Fitness Apps
10 Eating Healthy at the Holiday Buffet
16 Home Cookin’ for the Holidays with Chef Robin Obert
11 Winter Running Tips
22 Eco Homes in Oklahoma
18 40 Days of Winter Wonderland
Community Corner
28 Tame That Turkey Neck
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29 Help for Dry Eyes
Coat-A-Kid this Season
12 Green Acres in OKC 18 40 Days of Winter Wonderland 20 The Nutcracker 6
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30 Body & Soul Fitness
Fiscal Fitness 26 How to Buy Big
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Community Corner |
Oklahoma City Public Schools and Operation Warm are urging the community to join the effort to “Coat-AKid” this winter. This will ensure the even youngest OKCPS students have warm coats this year. “We know our students often do not have the means or support for a warm coat to protect them through the winter, this was evident during the recent bitterly cold winter in Oklahoma,” said Kathryn Douglas, OKCPS Community Relations Coordinator. “This program allows us to engage our community and partner with a nationally recognized organization to help meet the needs of the children in the District,” added Douglas. “This is a program that strengthens communities and brings happiness and warmth to impoverished children living in Oklahoma City,” stated Carey Palmquist, Executive Director at Operation Warm. The program allows community members, organizations, faith-
based groups and others to donate funds in order to purchase coats for students. 100% of Oklahoma's donations will be used to provide coats for Oklahoma's elementary students this winter. There are five sponsorship levels that support the “Coat-A-Kid” initiative. Thanks to the generous donation of $10,000 by Access Midstream, all students at Martin Luther King Elementary School will receive new coats in time for winter this year. At least 6,500 elementary students have been identified as being in need of new coats. “Access Midstream is committed to supporting the communities where we work and live. We are honored to partner with the Oklahoma City Public Schools to provide coats for hundreds of local students and help keep them warm this winter,” said Access CEO Mike Stice. The Coat-A-Kid project for Oklahoma students is taking donations online at www. operationwarm.org/OKCPS; or you can send a check or money order to Operation Warm in care of Oklahoma City Public Schools. All checks and money orders must be sent to the Operation Warm Headquarters P.O. Box 822431, Philadelphia, PA 19182-2431. There are five sponsorship levels available.
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| Living Well
by Kate Collins, RD, LD The average American gains roughly 1.8 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, according to the National Institute of Health. While this number is small, research shows year after year this weight accumulates, contributing to overweight and obesity. As we know, overweight and obesity are significant risk factors for chronic illnesses. Lets explore some ways that you can avoid the holiday weight trap, while still enjoying holiday traditions! Ditch the idea of having to be perfect. This recommendation rings true throughout the holiday season. Let’s start with Halloween; a couple of Snickers mini bars are not going to put your weight on the fritz. However, eating several a day until the bag is gone will definitely not only increase your calorie intake, but your blood sugar as well. I always tell my clients, there is no such thing as willpower! If there’s a bag of candy in the house, it will probably get eaten. Moderation is key, indulge in only the foods you love and do so with portions. Just because Grandma Betty makes threedozen pies doesn’t mean you have to eat a slice of all of them. Take a few samples of each kind to create a full serving. You’ll enjoy the pie and not feel miserable for days to come. Don’t eat simply out of habit, serve up only the food you love.
Tips for the buffet: 1. Use a smaller plate. This visual trick can contribute to eating smaller portions. 2. Fill up on the healthy stuff, like veggies and fruit, and you’ll naturally have less room on your plate for the high fat foods. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy and buttered foods in smaller portions. 3. Fill your plate with lots of color. Rich color is a sign of healthy vitamins and minerals. Look for apples, green veggies, carrots, and cranberries along the buffet line. 4. Don’t keep returning to the buffet table. Just because the food is there, doesn't mean you have to eat it. A full plate of food, some red wine and a satisfying dessert can be a healthy meal choice. Returning to the buffet line three or four times is what will cause your belt to move over a notch. Celebrate traditions that don’t involve food, or create new ones for your family. A healthy game of football after a Thanksgiving feast or a short jaunt around the neighborhood can be a great way to get your blood pumping and burn off those extra calories. Finally, if you overeat at one meal, don’t beat yourself up. Food is meant to be enjoyed; especially with friends and family. Simply take it lighter on your next meal and get back to a healthy eating plan. After all, what are the holidays without mashed potatoes and gravy!
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According to the American Council on Exercise, the average adult has two to three respiratory infections every year. Most sports medicine experts do recommend that if you have symptoms of a cold coming on, but without a fever, moderate exercise such as walking is probably safe, according to ACE. Intensive exercise should be postponed until a few days after the symptoms have gone away. However, if there are symptoms or signs of the flu, including fever, extreme tiredness, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes, then at least two weeks should be allowed before resuming intensive training, according to ACE. Stay healthy and listen to what your body needs and how much it can handle physically.
Here are some tips to stay strong this winter:
Run outside: you're more likely to catch a cold if you
stay indoors all winter. Germs can thrive and spread in heated environments. The more you can get outside during the winter, the better. Dress in layers that will help insulate and wick sweat away from the skin to avoid hypothermia or worse (frostbite). The benefits of vigorous exercise are well documented in the American College of Sports Medicine Position Statement on Exercise. One of the major points of the Position statement is that there is a dose response to exercise - that means the more you do, the greater the benefits. Even moderate exercise has many health benefits. Avoiding sedentary habits during the winter and adopting even a minimal level of physical activity will help you reap many benefits.
Hydrate: water is the best option. Drink during the day and before, during and after a run.
Eat balanced meals: eat plenty of fruits and veggies and limit refined sugars and hydrogenated fats - they decrease your immunity and make you more susceptible to colds. Wash your hands: the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of disease.
Take care: don't do too much too soon: avoid increasing
both your intensity and your weekly mileage at the same time. Bump up your mileage and then hold it at that level for a week or two before adding in the speed workouts. Take at least one day of rest each week to avoid over-training. Increasing your intensity or mileage too quickly can wear you out, making you more susceptible to illness.
Avoid germs at the gym: gyms can be a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. When running indoors at the gym, make sure to wash your hands before and after workouts. Also, it's a good idea to wipe down the machines before and after use. Be sure and set the treadmill at 1% to best mimic outdoor running.
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| Community Corner
by Jessica Sanchez Green Acres Market is a family-owned health food chain making a difference in the lives of Oklahomans. The Hoffman family got their start in Kansas before eating healthy was even on trend. As a family they've worked hard to bring a healthy awareness for farm-fresh foods to the mid-west. Green Acres Market has been bringing the farm to folks for over 20 years in their stores and the Hoffman's recently branched out into the south OKC area. Barbara Hoffmann, owner and CEO, and her executive team, husband John, daughter Shannon and store manager and co-owner, Matt Murray work tirelessly on educating The Green Acres Market family (L-R) Shannon Hoffman, Owner and President; Barbara Hoffman, others to inspire healthy ways. Mrs. Hoffman Owner and CEO; John Hoffman, Owner and CIO and Matt Murray, Partner and Co-owner. has always said that education is the reason she got into the health food business in the first place. During their 20 years in business, Green Acres Market has seen more than a few health fads come and go, but have always kept their focus on helping customers build a healthy lifestyle through education. Education of customers is a cornerstone of the Green Acres philosophy. "Nutrition wasn't an issue, especially in the Midwest," says Barb Hoffmann. Long before organics were mainstream, Green Acres Market prided themselves with the largest certified organic produce department in the area. “We are dedicated to the Midwest,” said Barb Hoffman. “It is our home base, and we love the opportunity to provide valuable information and service to those seeking a healthier lifestyle." Oklahoma City families will be able to access the best in high quality organic, natural foods and supplements, located right off I-240 and Penn, where the old Health Food Center used to be. Now there's a new name and customers will enjoy a more streamlined shopping experience. The entire store will take on a fresh new look. "The front will be all glass with new entranceway floors and additional check-
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out stands. There will be a room just for teaching classes at the front of this newly designed store and more seating for folks who want to stay and eat at the deli," says daughter and president, Shannon Hoffman. "The deli will be complete with hot items like bierrocks, pot pies, burritos, and quiche, fresh bread made daily, four soup wells, an organic salad bar, plus a desert and bakery case," says Shannon Hoffman." There will be a full juice bar and everything in the deli will be made from scratch with the best ingredients." As Oklahoma families gear up for guests this season, Hoffman says "We will fill the store with exciting holiday cakes, pies, candies, snacks, popcorn, chocolate and homemade baked goods." In addition to all the holiday fare, "Our supplement department will be fully stocked with items like, elderberry, Ester C, primadophilis by Nature’s Way and olive leaf to help with the coming cold and flu time of the year. There will be extremely knowledgeable help available to assist shoppers with these products in particular," continued Hoffman.
Anyone who comes to Green Acres needs to seek out the in-house naturopath, Amy Quick, ND, LPNM, CBHC. She specializes in health coaching, and clean eating. Quick brings integrative nutrition and wellness lifestyle habits to the forefront of healthcare in the United States and around the world. Quick's goal is to make preventative health training accessible to all who need it. Quick also schedules seminars and events, including product demonstrations. Quick hosts two events of her own each month, Talk with the Naturopath - where the focus is on individualized consultations with store customers. "We still are seeing a large growth with gluten free snacks and baking mixes, as more people are dealing with gluten issues all the way up to Celiac Disease. They don’t want to give up their favorite foods," reports Shannon Hoffman. And the team assembled at Green Acres is ready to assist.
Deli-fresh bierrocks made of grass-fed beef and cabboge.
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| Feature
by Paul Fairchild Smartphones are a great way to keep up with the accelerated pace of modern life. They help us get things done quicker and more efficiently. But many cell phone users overlook the applications (apps) that can help improve their general health and wellness. If you need to slow down and relax - there's an app for that. If your goal is to shape up and get fit - there's an app for that too. ThriveOK Health trolled through dozens of free apps that will help you step-up your health game. Here’s our list of the top FREE apps that health-conscious users should keep and use on their smartphones. There are plenty of different options to choose from, whether you're looking to track your physical activity or your food intake. According to the mobile analytics company, Flurry, these health apps are getting a whole lot of use. Between December 2013 and June 2014, health and fitness apps grew 62% in usage, compared to more general use apps, which only grew by 33%.
For the Foodie Fooducate : Eat better at www.fooducate.com Fooducate, helps with healthy weight loss by providing a food scanner and diet tracker. This is not just another food tracker, but goes beyond just the calories you eat and lets you scan the barcodes on food to see its nutrition grade. The app will also suggest healthier alternatives if your item gets a bad grade. The goal is to lose weight with REAL food, track your progress and discuss progress or set-backs with the community. By looking beyond the calorie this app helps you eat healthy and delicious foods. Scan a product barcode to see what you're really eating. Calorie Counter by MyFitnessPal, at www.myfitnesspal.com This app has plenty of cool features that make it much more than a simple calorie counter or food journal. It has the single largest food database of any Android app with over 750,000 foods and growing. It also allows for food and exercise entries in order to keep track of your progress in both areas. For food specifically, it calculates calories and all the major components like fats, carbs, protein, sugar, fiber, and cholesterol and can even store and remember foods you’ve eaten for easy access. The Carrot by Health Analytic Services, at www.thecarrot.com
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This particular app is more of an “all-inclusive” type because it helps you keep track of many health aspects but the nutrition “trackThrive Oklahoma
er” component also provides in-depth nutritional and caloric information. What really makes this app stand out is its ability to incorporate many areas of your life that effect your health and track them so you can reinforce good behaviors and make changes to ones that are effecting you negatively!! This app is a ThriveOK Health fave! Restaurant Nutrition by Foundation HealthCare Network at www.healthyandfitcommunities.com This one is a great guide when eating out and can help you choose healthier options in a pinch. Users can look up nutrition information from over 100 popular restaurants and over 15,000 food items. You can also journal your eating habits to track your food items, calories, and other nutritional information. This works as a general guide to help you choose better food options when eating out at restaurants. This app is available on iPhone or Android and allows you to hide menu items with selected food allergies and has a map feature that allows you to find local restaurants. Fast Food Calories by nanobitsoftware.com Fast Food Calories is a simple-to-use nutrition guide, which brings up more than 100 of the most popular fast food restaurants with more than 20,000 menu items, including their nutritional information. This app includes a large calorie and nutrition database for hundreds of burgers, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, donuts and more. You'll also be able to include these food items in a daily food log to better manage daily calorie intake.
All restaurant items are divided into intuitive groups, allowing you to easily select by using the search field, then find what menu item you're craving. When you find it, view a complete nutritional label for that food item, including calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugars and protein. Simply select the serving size, the date when you ate it and add it to your food log. ShopWell - Your Personal Nutritionist App at www.shopwell.com Get personalized food scoring by rating foods from 0-100 based on how well they match your health needs. First, set up your own profile and indicate what you're looking for. Some examples include, Heart Healthy, Gluten-Free, High-Performance and others. This app outlines which foods are right for your needs. Then, you're able to develop healthier grocery lists. You'll find all your favorite foods in one place and discover new products with food items recommended by Registered Dietitians. ShopWell helps you optimize your grocery list by suggesting similar products with higher scores, so you can Trade Up to something better. RecipeBuilder Pro at iTunes.com There are thousands of recipe apps out there, but RecipeBuilder Pro is built for more than just the average gourmet. Whether you download or create your own recipes, RecipeBuilder Pro gives you a complete breakdown of each meal’s nutritional info, including carbs, fat, protein and more. It does require some initial work on the user’s part, but the payoff is huge. It’s one thing to eat great food, but knowing what’s going into your body is gold. The all NEW Vessyl Smart Cup is a 13-ounce cup that determines which of thousands of different drinks you put in it and displays the nutritional content of that drink. The drink's nutritional content can then sync nutrition information to your Smart phone in order to help track the calories in everything you drink. The Vessyl Smart Cup will become available in 2015. Available now for $99 pre-order online only.
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Strength & Fitness If paying for a personal trainer is draining your budget or you're sick of matching up your schedule with your fitness instructor's, try one of these fitness app to keep you on track. This will also help take the guess work out of what fitness routines to do on your own. FitStar is available for iOS at www.fitstar.com Former NFL star, Tony Gonzalez has taken on the role of personal trainer. This app offers multi-angled videos that help coach users through pre-loaded and customizable workouts that meet their fitness goals. FitStar is always calculating your progress and making the next move in your routine an unexpected and satisfying challenge. Gain Fitness for Android at www.gainfitness.com This personal trainer app is stocked with more than 1,300 exercises, HD motion images, and step-by-step voice commands. Tell it your fitness goals, and it tells you what routines will help you accomplish those goals. Even if you only have access to a few pieces of equipment - No worries. Just give the app an inventory of your equipment and it will generate countless routines geared toward your fitness level, while tracking the amount of resistance used, how many sets and reps, as well as rest time in between. Runtastic Six-Pack Abs at www.runtastic.com This app is packed with a variety of abdominal exercises, including a customized 10-Week Six-Pack Abs Plan. There's the 7-Minute Workout, Insanity, Shape Up, and Six-Pack Junkie. This is an HD-video-based app that produces results and allows users to track and share their progress. You can also choose your personal trainer avatar and get crunching, mountain climbing, or reverse curling right away! As your avatar breaks down each move, the muscles they’re targeting are illuminated, so you know where you’ll feel the burn. Whether you’re customizing a 5-minute workout or gearing up Thrive Oklahoma 15
| Feature
Cooking at home for holiday guests may seem like a daunting task, especially if you're trying to stay away from the traditional calorie and fat-laden fare. Here's a popular twist on party food thanks to local chef, Robin Obert. Obert has been the private chef for our state's governor for several years and recently made the switch over to help OKCPS clean up their food menus. Obert's passion is for good food that's beautiful and full of color and flavor with less salt. Most guests won’t shy away from a beautiful Ribeye or filet from the grill. Spice things up this year with a Chimmichurri green sauce for your meat dishes. Chimmichurri has an Argentinian flare and features finely-chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, and red wine vinegar (photo below opposite). Chimichurri is made from finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, and white or red wine vinegar. Additional flavorings such as paprika, cumin, thyme, lemon, basil, cilantro (coriander) and bay leaf may be included. In its red version, tomato and red bell pepper may also be added. It can also be used as a marinade for grilled meat. Chimichurri is available bottled or dehydrated for preparation by mixing with oil and water.
1 lb King Crab Meat 1 1/2 t Old Bay Spice 2 t Lemon (fresh squeezed) 1/4 C Mayo 1 t Dijon 1 Egg 1/2 t Worcestershire 1/2 C French Bread (small crumbles) Mix together all the ingredients by hand in a large bowl. Shape into 2 1/2� round cakes. Brown in hot coconut oil (stove top) or broil in the oven til brown (about 6-7 minutes).
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20 oz Spinach (frozen or 2C freshly pureed) 1 C shrimp 16 oz sour cream 1/4 C green onion 1 1/2 C mayo 1/2 C sauteed onion Knorr's Veggie mix (1 envelope) Combine all ingredients and chill for 1 hour. To make a real party-stopper, serve your guests in a hollowed-out bread bowl!
1 C Mayo 2 T Lemon (fresh squeezed to taste) (For a naturally fat-free alternative use cieracha sauce as shown in the photo)
1 bunch parsely 8 C Basil 3/4 C Olive Oil 1/4 Sherry wine 3 t lemon juice 1/4 C fresh Cilantro Puree all ingredients in a food processor. Transfer to bowl. This can be made 2 hours ahead or while the meat is on the grill and it only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Cover and let stand at room temperature. Salt and pepper, cayenne pepper, onion and red bell pepper can all be added to taste.
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| Community Corner
There's more to do during Devon's Downtown in December season long event than ever before. This series of holiday events and attractions in the heart of Oklahoma City gets started November 14. Visitors will find beautiful and unique winter experiences that feature thrilling outdoor activities like ice skating, snow tubing down a 150-foot slope, festive 5Ks and fun runs, heart-pounding stair climbs and RIVERSPORT adventures. The family fun won't stop there. Maybe something more relaxing is in order this winter, like free water taxi excursions, free Monday movies or a stroll through the winter retail markets.
FREE Fun! Statehood Day Festival Join in the celebration for Oklahoma’s 107th birthday with a Statehood Day festival complete with a full day of family friendly activities and FREE admission at Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum! November 15, 2014. Activities include: Performances by The Sugar Free All-Stars, Food trucks and an Inflatable on the front lawn, Sidewalk sale in the Museum Store, Interactive crafts for families to enjoy together, FREE admission to the Museum and our current temporary exhibit, CONNECTION and enjoy the Young Entrepreneurs and Artist (YEA) Market. For more details contact Amey Pierce at 405.523.3211 Located at 1400 Classen Dr., Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Free Movie Mondays
Continental Resources is hosting Free Movie Mondays at Harkins Theatres in Bricktown every Monday night at 7p.m. throughout the Downtown in December season. Sign-up online two weeks prior to each movie date at 10 a.m. and email at least 3 days prior to the event due to overbooking of seats. Signing up online does not guarantee you a seat. It's recommend your party arrive 30-45 minutes early. Only one movie sign-up will be open at a time.
Catch a Free Water Taxi Ride
Thursday through Sunday, November 29 – December 31, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving). All ages are welcome to enjoy a fun-filled float down the beautifully-adorned Bricktown canal, courtesy of the Downtown Business Improvement District and Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. Guests can board the boats on Mickey Mantle Drive across from the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Bricktown Canal Lights
This event will brighten your Bricktown experience from November 29 through January 1. As you stroll the canal, enjoy the dining and shopping along downtown OKC's premier entertainment district under the gorgeous holiday lights. The OneMain Bricktown Canal light display is free to the public. Sponsored by OneMain Financial.
The Devon Ice Rink
Automobile Alley Lights on Broadway
November 29 – January 1 between NW 4th and NW 10th Streets on Broadway Avenue. More than 180,000 colorful LED lights will drape these historic buildings making for a magical holiday wonderland. Take a stroll at night along this beautifully-lit downtown’s most historic buildings decorated with twinkling lights.
will be Open 7 days a week for public ice skating, private parties, and special events all winter long. Hungry skaters can dine indoors at the new Park House restaurant, 7 days a week for lunch or dinner. It's $12 per person which includes skates or $8 for skaters with their own skates. Hours and dates of Operation: November 14 - February 1, 2015. Monday - Thursday: 3p.m. - 9p.m. Fridays: 3p.m. - 11p.m. Saturdays: 11a.m. - 11p.m. Sundays: 11a.m. - 7p.m. The Devon Ice Rink is located in the Myriad Botanical Gardens at 113 S. Robinson (at the corner of Robinson and Sheridan.) For more information call 405.708.6499 . Continued on page 20
Get Your Heart Pumping! The 3rd annual Little Willie’s Triple Dog Dare stair climb will take place Saturday, December 6 at 8:00 a.m. inside Leadership Square. The stair climbing event is open to all ages and Sign up for: Leadership Square South Tower (16 floors), Oklahoma Tower (31 floors), Leadership Square North Tower (22 floors) or do all three - Triple Dog Dare Ya! This is a timed event by DG Productions. Athletes will start in a ‘Time Trial’ format with athletes being sent every 5 seconds. Awards will be given to Top 3 overall male and female as well as age group divisions. Proceeds go to Homeless Alliance and SABAR youth triathlon in Norman. For more info, visit littlewilliestripledogdare.com or call Mona Harman at 405.840.1500
photo by Steven Christy Thrive Oklahoma
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Winter Wonderland - continued from page 20
Santa’s Adventures on the Oklahoma River
Begins Friday, November 29 from 1 to 9 p.m. and will continue every weekend through January 5, 2015. Special New Year’s hours are December 30 and 31, 1 to 8 p.m. Thrill seekers can try the North Pole Climb, the Santa Zip and the Candy Cane Rock Wall and other attractions along the Oklahoma River. Children sit with Santa on Saturdays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Chesapeake Finish Line. Santa’s Adventures Passes can be purchased online at boathousedistrict.org or in person at the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower. For information, call 405.552.4040. The Boathouse District is located at 725 S. Lincoln Blvd.
The Deluxe Winter Market
will be back for its third year, offering an opportunity for guests to do their holiday shopping at over 40 vendor booths. Featuring local and handmade goods, crafts, home decor, art, food and other specialty items. Shoppers will be able to meet the crafter of these 100% handmade goods. Hours are Saturday, Nov. 29: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 30: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shop indoors in the Leadership Square Building at 211 N. Robinson Ave.
Winter Shoppes
Visit these high-end clothing boutique-style glass chalet shops along Sheridan Ave in downtown. Shop with Culinary Kitchen, Designer Rugs, Sara Sara Cupcakes, Gil’s Clothing & Denim Bar, Always Greener, Full Circle Bookstore Calamity Jane’s Funk & Junk and many other retailers November 28-30; December 4-7; December 11-14 or December 18-23 only.
photo by Steven Christy
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A holiday family favorite, adapted from E.T.A Hoffman’s German Christmas story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. This season, the Oklahoma City stage production is directed and choreographed by Robert Mills and features all new costumes designed by Susanne Hubbs. The updated set designs are by Emmy Award-winning scenic designer, Gregory Crane. Patrons of the OKC Ballet are in for an up-todate, never-before-seen Nutcracker experience. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic will play the music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky for the many dancers and colorful characters, including dancing snowflakes and sugar plum fairies that bring this classic performance to life. The story starts with The Party starring Callye Crespo, DaYoung Jung or Amanda Herd-Popejoy in the lead role as Clara Stahlbaum, whose wealthy parents are holding a lavish Christmas Eve party. Clara is presented with a beautiful handcrafted nutcracker doll, but her jeallous younger brother, Fritz manages to break it. However, once all the guests have departed, Clara awakes at midnight, alone with a giant Christmas tree, her toy nutcracker gift is gone and she is ambushed by a troupe of unruly life-sized mice who attempt to take over the house. Take a magical journey to all four corners of the world with Clara, Hans Drosselmyer who is played by Jeppe Jakobsen or Ryan Piper and the handsome Nutcracker Prince, played by Walker Martin or Yui Sato.* *not all featured dance performers are in every show.
Fiddle Focus Goodie Bag Winner! Congratulations goes out to
Melinda Marcott of Norman Melinda won $100 worth of teaching tools from Green Apple Publishing Co. and Creative Educational Services, LLC. Learning Tree Toys on Western Ave. in Nichols Hills helped us celebrate with many local teachers and therapists who shared ideas and challenges in the classroom!
We love Oklahoma’s Teachers
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| Feature
by Nathan Linden Dating back to time immemorial, mankind has sought refuge from its environment within the consistent comfort of the earth. Today, it seems we are getting back to basics. Geothermal heat pumps – geo meaning ‘of the earth’ and thermal meaning ‘heat’ – are an alternative type of heating and cooling system that utilizes the constant temperature of the earth to regulate the temperature within a residence or other building. Geothermal heat pumps have increased in popularity in recent years, and the trend does not appear to be ebbing. Due to the current dependence on fossil fuels and the growing concern for humanity’s effect on the environment, there has been a worldwide push for greener and more efficient energy alternatives all across the board. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), buildings account for nearly 40 percent of U.S. energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Many people feel that geothermal heat pumps can be a vital contribution towards alleviating our energy needs as well as our environmental woes. A geothermal heat pump system employs a subterranean network of liquid filled pipes called a well. In the winter, this well leeches heat from the surrounding earth and transfers it into the connected building; this process is reversed in the summer. Because this system is designed to use the constant temperature of the earth, it is a completely renewable source of energy. “It is a great energy efficient product,” says Bob Willis of Sunrise Alternative Energy – one of Oklahoma City’s leading geothermal installers. “It can reduce heating and cooling costs as much as 50 percent.” Bob Willis is not the only Oklahoman on the geothermal bandwagon. Several new residential additions to the Downtown landscape are now touting geothermal heating and cooling systems. Perhaps chief among these communities is the new Block42. Block 42, located at the corner of NE 4th and Central Avenue, has gone out of its way to become the “first official ‘green’ project in downtown Oklahoma City.” They have done so by acquiring the LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), as well as meeting the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council. 22
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There are many other Downtown establishments that employ geothermal heat pumps, from the posh Central Avenue Villas to the Homeless Alliance’s amazing WestTown Campus for homeless and at risk families. But what about the Oklahoma home owner? If you are an Oklahoma home owner interested in the geothermal alternative, you are in luck. There are several qualified, locally owned businesses that can cater to your needs. But before you run out and join the ranks of geothermal enthusiasts, there are some downsides to consider. A lot of the interest in geothermal heat pumps as an alternative stem from the desire to be more ‘green’ conscious. Unfortunately, most geothermal systems do not pump water through their wells, but rather propylene glycol or ethylene glycol. These fluids have a much higher propensity to conduct heat. Although they are much more efficient, they do pose a certain environmental risk. Another major problem facing homeowners is space. To install a geothermal system you need enough space to drill the well. If you don’t live on a large enough lot, geothermal may be out of the question. The most common obstacle for potential geothermal customers however, is economic feasibility. A geothermal system requires a significantly larger investment up front. “It can cost 25 to 30 percent more than a conventional system,” says Bob Willis. “And it may take three to five years to recover that investment.” But don’t give up on your geothermal aspirations quite yet. There is a 30 percent federal tax credit that can help to cut down the initial investment. This incentive is available through December 2016. There are also several utility rebates in Oklahoma that can help to reduce the cost. All in all, geothermal heat pumps are not going to completely replace conventional systems anytime soon. According to the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), a subsection of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), there are approximately 50,000 geothermal heat pumps installed in the United Sates every year. And as long as they continue to become more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost effective, their popularity is bound to increase. In the end, whatever the future is for geothermal energy, one thing is for sure: Oklahoma won’t be left behind.
Oklahoma Green Builders by Jessica Sanchez and Joyce Brown
It's estimated that more than one third of the world’s energy is utilized in our buildings. A major part of that one-third is the energy used within homes and apartments. The largest consumption chunk of energy comes from heating and cooling the buildings we inhabit.
by using natural water-cleaning ponds and to provide open spaces with green belts. Green belts will allow wildlife to return to their native habitats once the home building project is complete.
Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has contributed to the increase in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide emissions come from the buring of carbon containing fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gasses are a product of carbon combustion processes.
These planning principles save money, minimize slope and soil disturbances while controlling erosion whenever possible. Yost uses plant materials that require little or no supplemental watering and those that provide shade throughout the year. This attention to the natural Oklahoma landscape leaves existing vegetation intact whenever possible and uses native species in every project.
Planting trees is a great way to offset the carbon footprint we exert on the planet due to our high use of fossil fuels. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which helps communities become more carbon neutral. Through photosynthesis trees absorb carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and wood. Planting native Oklahoma trees all over the community will help offset inner city carbon dioxide emissions, provide habitats for local wildlife and enhance the natural landscape. Oklahoma land developer, David T. Yost is a premier, environmentally conscious land developer. Yost's high-end neighborhoods feature indigenous trees and wildlife corridors and pathways leading to lakes and other community gathering points. Yost has a special reputation for natural resource conservation. He began his own tree farm in 1984 and has planted more than 200,000 trees on private and public land throughout central Oklahoma. His commitment to planting and protecting trees and other natural resources has brought him unique stature as a developer.
The education of homeowners and builders on projects like these, ensures the positive steps that have been started by Yost in these neighborhoods will hoods be carried out. One way to ensure that the onsite clearing processes and building procedures are eco-friendly is for homeowners to be on-site during the clearing process. Having an eco-friendly new home is a pro-active process all the way around.
Yost projects include, the Reserve at the Estates of Apple Valley, Hidden Lake and the 15 acre Stone Mill Manor. The goal for sites like these is to create a community of natural beauty with a relaxed, elegant lifestyle. “ It takes anywhere from nine months to a year from concept to the first model home to be built,” says Yost. "Although geothermal heating and cooling systems aren't required on these projects, approximately 5060% of Stone Mill is equipped this way.” Yost’s careful thoughts and planning go into every design and development project. These principles include utilizing the existing Oklahoma infrastructure, managing storm water run off David T. Yost Thrive Oklahoma
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FREE Apps - continued from page 15 for 30-minute insane ab routine, you can amp up the motivation with music packs that match the pace of each routine. Users can also sync workouts with the Runtastic app. RunKeeper at www.runkeeper.com The RunKeeper app lets you track your workouts and weight loss progress, gain motivation and discover local trails and routes. The pre-planned routes and set workouts can be customized and created with your own with audio coaching. This app will also sync with other tracking apps like MyFitnessPal's Calorie Counter and Fitbit. Fitbit get involved at www.fitbit.com/ The Fitbit app can be used on its own or with the accompanying smart wristbands in order to track your activity and personal training. With the wristband you can get exact step counts and calories burned, but the app on its own still provides a workout log and diet tracker. This app ranks No. 2 in Apple's, Top Free Apps category. There were 220,288 Facebook logins during the month of June alone!
Heart Health Today, your smartphone now becomes a medical device. Some of these functions are up for FDA approval because the medical information stored can be utilized by doctors! Here are a few examples of useful heart-related apps and devices. Not all of these are free, but well worth a buck or two in order to gain easy access to your health status. Blood pressure: As more and more people measure their blood pressure at home, apps are springing up to help. The French company, Withings has developed a blood pressure cuff that completely automates the process. Plugging the cuff into an iPhone starts the application. After the cuff takes your blood pressure, it saves the measurement to your phone and sends it to an online database accessible to your doctor. At withings. com you can also access Pulse Ox tracking as well. Heart rate: Want to check your heart rate but don’t feel confident measuring your pulse? Several apps turn your phone into an automated pulse checker. For example, Instant Heart Rate, by Azumio, uses a phone’s camera to measure how fast the heart is beating. Run the 99¢ app (available for iPhone or Android), by placing your index finger over 24
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the camera and your heart rate appears on the screen. Today’s apps offer only a hint of how smartphones will eventually be used in health care. A company called AliveCor has created a case for the iPhone that lets it record an electrocardiogram (ECG). Wireless devices and wearable sensors can track the heart rate and rhythm and can sound an alarm before a heart attack. These apps and their associated sensors are becoming so sophisticated and powerful that FDA regulations will be required for those meant to be used for collecting medical data, like a blood pressure cuff or the ECG. FDA approval will help consumers know that an app works as intended.
Sun, wind and rain can cause just as much wear and tear as snow and ice on your home. A fall checklist to winterize your home now will prevent mid-winter surprises. You can Keep the cold out, the heat in, and your energy bill down with these low or no cost tips for the home. • Clean out gutters to prevent icicles and ice dams from forming • Drain out the hot water heater. This reduces sediment build up and increases efficiency • Run ceiling fans in a clockwise direction to push warm air down towards the floors. • Replace filters regularly in your central heat/air system. This can significantly improve efficiency and longevity, while easing the pressure on your wallet. New filters run about $10.
Home Office Tips • Selecting energy-efficient office equipment and turning things off when they’re not in use can result in significant energy savings. • Putting your laptop AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off (or will turn off automatically) can maximize savings; the transformer in the AC adapter draws power continuously, even when the laptop is not plugged into the adapter. • Buying ENERGY STAR home office equipment can provide dramatic energy savings – up to 75% savings on some products.
• Thermal Window film can be placed to help reduce heat loss through inefficient old windows • Draft guards prevent heat from escaping underneath the doors. Cost is $10 to $15. A rolled-up beach towel along the bottom of an exterior door will also do the trick. • Use fiberglass insulation for maximum heat retention. Pack around basement doors, windows in unused rooms as well as window AC units. This also works well on attic floors. Remember to be careful and wear gloves. Cost is about $25 per roll. • Install a programmable thermostat now and save money by keeping the temps down when you’re not at home. The US Department of Energy says you can save as much as 1% on your energy bill for every degree you lower your home’s temperature during the winter. • Chimney Balloons can keep drafts out and heat in. Your chimney is a huge source of heat loss during the winter when it’s not in use - plug it up for about $55.
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| Fiscal Fitness
If you are thinking about buying a car as a gift or otherwise, now's a great time to do it. The new models have recently come out and with rebates; low-interest rate financing and trade-in values, there are some great deals available to buyers. After your home, buying a car is typically the second most expensive purchase you will make. Here's what to consider before ever setting foot on a showroom floor.
Check your credit history 1. Get a copy of your credit report - before you shop. You're entitled to get a free credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies every year. To get a copy of your credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that 5.2% of consumers had errors on their credit reports. These errors could cause you to pay higher loan rates. That’s why it’s important to identify and fix any mistakes on your credit report. Check each and every entry for accuracy and contact the credit reporting agency to dispute any errors.
2. Get pre-approval from your credit union or bank.
Knowing exactly how much you can afford as well as your interest rate and terms ahead of time gives you more bargaining power during price negotiations. This allows you to shop at your own pace with extra confidence. Pre-approvals are usually good for 30 days.
3. Do your homework. Many buyers make a huge mistake by buying the wrong vehicle. Research the one that's best for your current needs and your wallet. Don't be infatuated with a dream car that either costs too much or doesn’t work with your lifestyle or family size. Research and identify several suitable models. When researching cars; don’t forget to factor in gas mileage and safety ratings. Identify several makes and models that you like before you ever step onto a car lot.
4. Trade-ins. If you have an auto to trade in on your new car
purchase, you'll first need to determine what it's worth. Find used car values at nadaguides.com
5. GAP insurance and extended warranties. Dealerships
make a large portion of their profits by selling add-on services at a mark-up. Most credit unions offer GAP and extended warranties at hundreds less than the dealerships charge!
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Time to go shopping! With these tips in mind, it’s now time to shop. There are some differences between buying new and used. Make sure to visit several dealerships and test-drive a number of different vehicles. Spend some time inside the car checking out every interior function. Pay special attention to the comfort of the seats, dash controls and noise levels. You may want to bring along a favorite CD to find out if the sound system is up to your satisfaction. Then take it out for a spin. Check for major blind spots and see how it handles on the highway. If you don’t like the driving experience - keep looking. When shopping for used models, be sure to check out its past history. Don't run the risk of buying used cars with costly hidden problems. Whether you are purchasing from a dealer or an individual, find out as much as you can about the history of any used car. Using a car history report can be a great tool in evaluating whether or not to purchase a specific used car. Websites like carfax.com or dmv.org can provide you with detailed information about title history, accident indicators, service and repair information, recalls and more.negotiate
Making an offer: First, determine a fair price if you're buying a used car. There are price books and web sites like kbb.com and Edmunds.com that provide this kind of information. Before you begin negotiating, be sure to set a realistic low offer as well as a high price limit that you'd feel comfortable paying.
A bank or credit union can also help determine a reasonable price. Be sure and ask for the loan value for the model year, mileage, and equipment package you're considering. Also, before making an offer, don’t forget to consider the costs of tag, title, taxes and auto insurance.
Dealing with dealerships: If you're buying at a dealership,
let the salesman know that you have shopped around and are an informed buyer. Get multiple quotes before you buy and ask the salesperson to beat your best price. That makes him more likely to jump to the low end of their pricing structure. Be patient about the negotiation process. It takes time to arrive at an agreeable selling price. Be prepared to walk away if you can’t reach a price that’s right for you. At no time should a buyer ever tell the dealership what amount you are pre-approved for. Keep the negotiation process as simple as possible by negotiating the sales
price first and then your trade-in; if you have a vehicle to trade. If you are buying from an individual, let the seller know that you don’t like haggling. Explain to him that you are offering the exact amount you’re willing to pay!
The "out-the-door" price. Make sure your offer covers the
out-the-door cost, including any fees or service charges. That way if a dealership tries to hit you with a $100 documentation fee, you can politely refer to your previous discussion and ask that it be removed.
Financing the purchase. Once you have negotiated the price of
the vehicle, it’s time to talk financing. Since you're already pre-approved, you don't need dealer financing. Your lender will need a copy of the dealer contract or purchase agreement. You'll also need to sign some more paperwork including disclosure agreements, title paperwork, odometer statements and waivers. Do not sign any contracts if you have doubts about purchasing the vehicle. In most cases you have no legal recourse if you change your mind after signing the paperwork and drive the car off the lot. Take your time and read the contract carefully and be sure all the numbers match what you agreed to. Preparing ahead of time makes the car buying process faster and simpler, it also prevents you from making a bad decision that you might regret later.
| Living Well
by Natausha Spears, RN Dr. Philip Levy, is a successful European dermatologist who first coined the term, “Nefertiti Lift” in his 2007 article, which appeared in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. The publication described a new technique for re-contouring the jaw line using Botox. Today, there are numerous techniques used based on Levy’s published research.
“Turkey neck”—as it is affectionately called—is what happens when the skin under your chin becomes loose and starts to resemble a turkey’s wattle. It can happen as a result of aging, weight loss or in some cases, it runs in the family. This look drives some people crazy and it can add years to your face (or neck). What if you could correct it in just five minutes on your lunch break? Perhaps a face like, Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, instead of the turkey neck would be a good look. The "Nefertiti Neck Lift", named after the wife of an Egyptian Pharaoh, is a quick, nonsurgical option. Nefertiti was known for her great beauty, long neck and well defined bone structure. Queen Nefertiti's long slender lines are seen as a sign of beauty and are still admired in modern times. By placing multiple Botox injections along the lower jawline, including the thin sheet of muscle around the neck called, platysma, we are able ta marked improvement jawline definition could be achieved. There is visible ‘lift’ in the neck and jowl area and the horizontal necklace lines and vertical bands are also improved.
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The non-surgical, Nefertiti Lift only takes about five minutes. Most people go back to work immediately after the procedure, with no sign of bruising or swelling. Best results are seen in about 5-10 days. Combating age related changes of the face by massaging anti-aging creams into the skin or slathering on sunscreen to combat UV damage does help. But for a more permanent "lift" having some Botox or dermal filler injected to help create smoother, younger looking skin is the answer. The neck line is often over looked when so much emphasis is placed on the face. Don't forget the neck ages too. Many say the neck often shows our true age, even when the face looks much younger. Not everyone is a candidate for Botox injections, and a consult is necessary to determine if Botox is right for you. The Nefertiti lift is best for people with mild to moderate age related changes in the neck line areas. Those with severe elasticity issues and more severe wrinkling of the neck are most likely not candidates for this procedure. See advertisement below.
by Dr. Robert E. Cooper and the American Optometric Association Dry eye is a condition where there aren't enough tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health in front of the eye itself, on the surface know as the cornea. Keeping the cornea healthy provides clear vision. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have a poor quality of tears. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults. With each blink of the eyelids, tears are spread across the cornea. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter in the eye, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. Excess tears in the eyes flow into small drainage ducts, in the inner corners of the eyelids, which drain into the back of the nose. Dry eyes can result from an improper balance of tear production and drainage. Dry skin shows up as chaffed and flaky or as a wrinkle, but chronically dry eyes can lead to permanent damage. Many systemic diseases can cause or make dry eyes worse. Chronic arthritis, lupus, diabetes, and thyroid problems can aggravate dry symptoms. For women, dry eyes are more common after menopause. Due to hormonal changes, there’s an increased risk of dry eyes. A discussion with your family physician about a complete hormone panel or profile may be appropriate. At the same time a thyroid panel should be done as these two systems can interact in unintended ways.
Prevention Tips: Working on a computer can dry out your eyes. Studies have suggested that your eyes blink less when working on computer. Lower your computer screen in order to reduce the amount of dryness due to evaporation. Cut down on long drive times. Certain medications can dry out your eyes. These include antihistamines , decongestants and diuretics. Certain Food and drinks can dry out your eyes. Salty foods and high protein diets can dry out your eyes. Caffeine acts as a mild diuretic and cause dryness. Alcohol can dry out your eyes, so take in water with your libations. Also second-hand smoke can cause irritation to an already dry eye. Dry weather can irritate you eyes. So if the air has been cool and dry or if you’ve been out in the Oklahoma wind, you can experience dry eyes. The worst is cold air at high altitudes. Using artificial tears can help, especially if you use extended wear contacts or have had LASIK done. LASIK or contact lenses can make your eyes more dry. If your eyes tend to be dry, be reserved about having LASIK done. When wearing contact lens, limit your wearing time and follow the treatment suggestions listed here:
Drink lots of filtered water. Limit salty foods and caffeinated beverages When using artificial tears, look for a preservative-free brand. Limit the usage of “get the red out” types of drops Take essential fatty acids. Recent data suggest that the oil in flax seed (at least 1000 mg/day) delivers some essential fats and helps enhance tears. Tears contain oils. The bottom layer of tears is mucus, then a mixture of saline and protein. The uppermost layer of tears has the oil layer that limits evaporation. Use a humidifier and warm compresses with gentle eyelid massage twice a day for approximately six weeks to loosen up the oil glands in your eyelids. Microwave dry rice in a clean sock for a long-lasting warm compress! Use lid scrub pads, like Ocusoft lid scrub to clean your eyelashes and reduce the irritants that normal bacteria and environmental contaminants cause. Tear duct plugs are temporary and permanent plugs for the canals that drain tears out of your eyes. Sometimes plugging up the drainage can keep more tears in your eyes longer. Talk with you Eye Doctor about this option. Certain multi-vitamins can help if taken regularly. Ask your eye doctor about the various brands currently available, like Restasis eye drops or Lacrisert dissolving pellets. Both can be beneficial for beginning and intermediate dry eye patients. These are simplified suggestions that may help in dealing with the issue of dry eyes and the associated discomfort. Wearing your contacts longer can actually make eyes more comfortable and reduce the occurrence of scratchy red eyes. Thrive Oklahoma
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| Living Well
by Paul Fairchild In the middle of a frenzied day, back in 2009, Onawa Linden ducked into an Edmond Starbucks to take a break and have coffee with a friend, Ruth Ann Dryer. Linden was on vacation from Rwanda, where she and her husband enjoyed thriving careers as missionaries. Dryer was a veteran, and Linden was looking for the skinny about spreading the word of God far from home. Their coffee conversation turned to talking about war-torn Rwanda. Dryer dropped an interesting suggestion. Being the Regional Director of Body & Soul Fitness, which is a local physical fitness ministry, Dryer wondered out loud, what it would look like for the ministry to branch out into Africa. The instructors at Body + Soul teach students to love themselves by using the students’ love of God for motivation. After all, if you love yourself, you’ll take care of yourself. Doing it for God is doing it for yourself. The instructors select classes from a repertoire that includes aerobics, weights and everything in between. Classes start with prayer, and the music is the best Christian rock Linden can lay hands on. But at the end of the day, it’s still a grueling workout. Linden saw Dryer talking but heard God calling. A short time after returning to Rwanda, Linden took Dryer up on the offer to branch out. Packages arrived. Weights, bands, mats and other equipment piled up in Lindens small Kigali home until she hung her shingle out at Christ’s Church in Rwanda. Five years ago, pregnant with her third child, she started teaching seven classes, none with more than 12 students. Today, she and six other instructors grapple with class sizes of up to 50. Demand is high and Linden’s looking to start classes in other locations around Kigali. She’ll need more instructors, but God provides. “I was hesitant at first to become an instructor because I didn’t think I had what it takes,” says Youn Kyoung, who joined Linden’s church community when her husband took a job in Kigali. “But one day, I entered the gate to the church and God said to me, ‘You always come to my house to be served, but now your time has come to give back.’ That day I became an instructor.” The diverse community that gels around classes is a big part of the reason that Kyoung and Linden teach. Dozens of eth30 Thrive Oklahoma
nicities are represented and students come from countless religious traditions — Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, atheists and others. They all come together to sweat it out in the Rwanda heat in classes with titles like Power Strength and Dance Blast. “In Kigali, community is invaluable. Body and Soul is a safe, positive community that encourages health on all levels. That’s something I enjoy being a part of,” says instructor Francis Klinck. After only a few classes, Linden realized that fitness was bringing the community together, but something deeper would provide the glue. The women in her class didn’t just need fitness - they needed each other. The classes quickly grew as students shared pain and joy, prayed freely and worked hard to improve themselves in the church’s judgment-free environment. Body + Soul offers Boot Camp, too, but anybody who’s taken it knows it doesn’t get a fancy name. It’s Boot Camp. You’re either in or out. Today Linden talks like a pro trainer. She enthusiastically preaches the virtues of doubling up and combining aerobics and strength training in one workout. She could school a veteran circuit-training fan in her Boot Camp. She waxes poetic when she talks about jump ropes, boxing drills and free weights. She knows exactly what it takes to burn 400 calories. And how much longer to keep it going in order to burn 600. Rwandan student, Yvonne sees Body & Soul classes as the embodiment of Ephesians 1:19-20. It’s about maintaining the spirit of joy in an hour of trial. And that, she maintains, is pretty much all she’s doing during a workout. Alcoholism used to dictate everything in her life until she discovered Body & Soul. There she found a better way to feel good and discovered that God and friendships help her stay sober. Yvonne works out daily now - she has to. Today she’s an instructor. “I say it everyday, but it’ll be fun to see it in print — "It’s an honor that God chose me to start this amazing ministry here in Kigali. I’m not sure what the future holds, but what I know so far is that it’s been an amazing journey that I hope I get to be a part of for years to come. I know God’s got big plans for us here!”