Twenty Something Magazine - November 2012

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Twenty Something November 2012


Jamy Green Hair Artist Duncan Brothers Salon 405.550.0690

Angela Hamilton Hair Designer Elevation Salon 405.659.5212

Samantha Lamb Feature Writer

Jessica Bohne OneHealthyBod Monthly Workout

Kealey McIntire Feature Writer

Jennifer McLaughlin www.JenniferMcLaughlinMakeup.com

Alex Mendez-Kelly Makeup Artist Feature Writer

Steve Clausen OneHealthyBod Monthly Workout

Intern: Christopher Turner

CONT


Bethany Young Editor-in-Chief Co-Creative Director Photographer

Kelsey Self Fashion Director Co-Creative Director Stylist

Sarah Ethridge Music Writer

Denver Duncan Feature Writer

Meagan Owen Feature Writer

Chad Cosper Videography DCMGMT Creative, Inc.

Jeff Ragan Health Writer

Amber Fike Makeup Artist 405.473.9145

Whitney Lynn Feature Writer

Emily Davis Decor Writer

TRIBUTORS






Fashion



Fashion

These Boots Were Made for Walkin’ With the fall season in gear, it is a great time to get out one of my personal favorite fashionable pieces, boots! As you might know, boots are always in trend for fall weather because they keep not only our feet warm, but are very stylish as well. Whether it’s a mid-calf or an over-the-knee boot, they can surely add a fall touch to any outfit you wear.

There are a variety of boots that can fit each fashionistas personality. Ankle boots, or ‘booties’ in the fashion industry, are a great way to go. These are boots that do not go above the ankle. Ankle boots come in a variety of heel sizes. The most popular and stylish-type of ankle boots are the heeled and wedged boots. These boots are popular amongst the industry’s fashionistas because it is a unique shape to the very common, everyday boot. The best thing to wear with a pair of ankle boots is skinny jeans, tights, or long length leggings. For those zesty but not freezing nights, ankle boots are a great bet to go with your party dresses. Giuseppe Zanotti, in my opinion, makes some of the best ankle boots in the industry, so check him out if you are interested in a variety of chic styles. The most wearable style of boot for season after season is the flat-heeled boot. Maybe I am being a little biased towards these boots (given that I have a lot of flat boots), but one cannot deny the ease and comfort a flat boot offers an outfit. If you think about it, you can either dress down or up with flat boots. If you like to dress casually, pair flat boots with your skinny jean, a simple tee, and a cardigan. If you like to dress up, pairing flat boots with tights or leggings, like ankle boots, with a chic dress and cardigan is a great way to still feel dressed up. Vince Camuto makes great flat boots. So if you think that flat boots are your best bet for fall, see what he has to offer. The most common pair of boots is your everyday heeled-boots. These boots are usually mid-calf to knee high in style. Most stores are going to sell this boot because this is a versatile boot for transitional dressing. You can wear these boots basically anywhere you want. They are great for work, but can also be great for just wearing with whatever and wherever you want to wear them. You can walk into any retailer and pick up a pair of heeled-boots. Whatever type of boot you choose, you are going to feel very much in fashion and on trend because fall is the perfect time to show them off! Just make sure that you feel comfortable enough to wear them and own your look!

Written by Whitney Lynn


Rachel Zoe Fall 2012


Beauty

Fall Skin

It is now Fall and it is time for full on exfoliation and moisturization. Get that over-tanned, tan-toweled, fake bake, spray tan orange hue off your skin! Sometimes, subtle changes like going from foamy cleanser to a creamy cleanser is all you need. But for most of us, we need something a lot more skin deep than that. The best way to get started for the season to come starts in the shower. Of course I like to go balls to the wall when it comes to exfoliating in the shower. For most people, a sugar or salt scrub in a dry shower then rinsed off is all you need. Or try the dry shower with a scrub brush. I on the other hand enjoy using a scrub brush with the scrubs and get a lot of exfoliation. If my skin doesn’t tingle and turn bright pink then I’m not doing a well enough job. Delicate types can try shower gel with one of those scrunchies, and that might do the trick. Or you can try those massage gloves that have a little bit of grit to them. It’s best to give yourself a good scrub down at least once every one or two weeks to get old skin off so that more moisture can get in. This is, after all, the main goal of sloughing. Then again, there are wonderful body treatments at most spas around town and resorts. These are especially helpful for all of those hard-to-reach places. Now for your face. You might want to consider having a professional help you in this department. The peel, whether it’s glycolic, AHA’s, lactic or enzymes, is a great way to get old skin off your face and neck. If at home, use your products on your face in a steamy shower to get a deeper scrub. I love to recommend peels for thirty days to get you started. Don’t ignore your hands, cuticles, and wrists as they also get really dry and flaky this time of year. Now for the best part. Lotioning up. Here is a great skin 411 trick to know. In the summertime, using a lotion is perfect. Why, you ask? Your skin is warmer in July because of the hot summer weather. Therefore, your blood is closer to the surface of your skin, aiding hu-

mectants found in lotions to easily absorb into your skin. One of the biggest reasons to choose a body cream or body butter this time of year is you have to massage it more into the skin. Your body core temp is trying to keep you warm inside by pulling all your main circulation to your core. Warming up the product on your skin not only helps make the product easier to apply, it also gets your circulation going. Getting that blood close to the surface will help all those emollient ingredients dig in deep and keep you well moisturized. Here again, if you choose a pro, part of the body treatment should always be followed with moisturization as part of your service and is not considered ‘extra.’ I would like to end this little ditty with some great local products made right here that are really fantastic for everything mentioned. Eight, a local body line, has one of my fave body scrubs of all time. It’s the ginger lime combo, reason enough to love if you ask me, but it has the best equal oil to scrub ratio around. She also has a body brush and some great lotions. Another great Oklahoman-made product is Body Buddy. Perfect for all your scrub and lotion applications in all those hardto-reach places. All these products make great gifts for fam and friends as well as for you. In addition, you’re helping out your community. These products can be found at The MakeUp Bar as well as many other fine local shops across Oklahoma. Keeping with the thankful season upon us, I would like to personally thank Bethany and Kelsey for their vision and for allowing me to share with you whatever little advice I have that might help you feel or look better. On a broader note, I’d like to show thanks for all the wonderful years I’ve had in this business surrounded by so much talent and passion, all the while getting to do what I love. For my amazing family and close friends. Thank you and God Bless you all.

Written by Alex Mendez-Kelley Owner of The MakeUp Bar



Feature

Craving Cozy

Around this time of year, I start to crave coziness. In my wardrobe, this means sweaters and boots, but I also crave coziness in my home. How do you accomplish this? By mixing in a few ‘seasonal’ items here and there. It doesn’t have to be anything major, but adding a few wintry elements in your home can go a long way. Here are some great items that can help cozy-fy your space. Plaid/Tartan One of the best things about winter is the addition of some of my favorite patterns. To me, nothing says ‘cozy’ better than the addition of a plaid/tartan throw to your bed or couch!

Image source: Barrie Benson


Candles Scent is one of the biggest game changers for how a home feels. My fall/winter aromas of choice are pumpkin and evergreen. Adding a candle to your coffee table adds not only scent, but chic as well!

Image source: SAS Interiors

Image source: The Glamourai

Velvet There is not a cozier fabric than velvet. An easy way to add a touch of this extra luxe textile to your own home is through throw pillows. It will give your couch a little pick-me-up as well!

xoxo, Emily

Gold/Brass I love gilded items all year round, but something about them feels very holiday to me. Hammered brass bowls are a perfect home for a great candle, a stack of family pictures, or to hold a bunch of pinecones to make a table centerpiece. Or if you are really into gilded items, a brass deer sculpture makes a great conversation piece! Image source: Canadian House and Home


Fashion

Street Style Photography: Bethany Young Makeup: Amber Fike Hair: Jamy Green Styling: Kelsey Self Clothing: Blue Seven and Isabella Model: Heather C of Tabb Models




Taking street style to another level. Whether it’s the shoes, the shirt, the fringe or the fabric, it is always encouraged to make a statement when going for a night out on the town.










Music

What We’re Li Artist of the Month: Julian Casablancas

If his name or voice sound familiar, it is because you’d be living in a closet if you’ve never heard them. Julian Casablancas is the lead singer of The Strokes, the band that brought back the grungy sound of the 90s in a much cooler way. When The Strokes went on their hiatus, each member went their separate ways and did their own thing. Julian Casablancas has been very successful. Songs like “11th Dimension” and “Out of the Blue” have been his biggest hits and showed a fun and much more dance-worthy side to the rocker we’ve grown to love. Casablancas was sort of born into the limelight since his Dad owned an elite modeling agency in NYC and his Mom was Miss Denmark in her prime. His parents eventually divorced, but his stepfather introduced Julian to artists like The Doors and provoked an interest in music. The rest is history after he met his soon-to-be band mates and created extremely influential music for the early 2000s. As many band leads, he took his own route to success when their band rested for a while. Casablancas released his own album November 3 of 2009, called Phrazes for the Young and worked with several artists like N.E.R.D., Pearl Jam and Santigold. He’s done a great job at remaining smart in his work. He’s kept it original enough to be able to call it his own, experimenting with synthesizers and faster beats, but balanced it out with just enough pop to keep us listening… and dancing.


istening To... Album of the Month: Father John Misty, Fear Fun

I know you’re all probably expecting me to write about Mumford and Sons, but don’t hate me for not being their biggest fan. Most of the time I want to make you aware of new music anyways, and since they’re beating Justin Beiber on the charts, I didn’t really see the point in informing you of the obvious. So, here’s to learning something.

Father John Misty continues on the theme of a band mate going his own way and making a name for himself. Just like Julian Casablancas did it with The Strokes, Josh Tillman did it with Fleet Foxes. He was their drummer from 2008-2001 and decided to make his own band. Fear Fun was released May 1 of this year and I am just now listening to it. Tillman does a great job at making it sound so easy. His work does not sound exactly like Fleet Foxes, but he took away just the right amount of harmonies, soft guitar-strumming and emotional vulnerability that make these folksie musicians so appealing in the first place. Songs like “Funtimes in Babylon” and “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” speak for themselves as clearly he’s singing from the heart. He apparently tried writing a novel preparing for this album to get his storytelling on point. It worked. Please listen to this album to hear quality music that embodies the right amount of folk, love and country.

Song of the Month: “Nuclear Seasons,” by Charli XCX This is just one of those songs that you’ll instantly love. Compared to Lykke Li, Robyn, and M.I.A., Charlotte Aitchison, aka Charli XCX brings us a darker side of electropop at the mere age of 20. She’s from Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and proves that talent knows no age since she’s been an active artist since 2008. I had heard this song several times on the radio, but I knew I wanted to write about this girl when I heard it again on Gossip Girl. I don’t even watch that show, but I know Alex Patsavas, one of the best music supervisors in the world, only chooses the best, so I always trust her. There’s not too much to explore from Charli XCX as an artist, but keep an eye out for her and I’m sure she’ll pop up again somewhere. After all, she did start her own band on the playground when she was seven.

Written by Sarah Ethridge


Feature

Tw Photography: Bethany Young


wenty Something Guys


Meet our November Twenty Something Guys, the men behind Fraternity Advertising. All of you attended Oklahoma Christian - Was it there that you met and thought, “Hey, lets start a business.” Or was it something else? Drake: The company is the original brainchild of Kris and I, although the company was started under a different name. He and I were discussing what we wanted to do after graduation and I suggested that we start a web design firm. Kris would design and build the sites and I would handle all the sales and strategic planning. When we launched we quickly realized that many of the companies we were building websites for needed help with other creative services too (branding, graphic design, video production, etc.), so we needed to grow to meet the demand. We met Jacob and Daniel through Kris’ network of friends. Their passion for their work was evident and they each were religiously devoted to improving their skills. Once we were all together in January of 2012, we decided to create Fraternity. Jacob came up with the name, Fraternity, after days of brainstorming and we all knew it was gold. It had the perfect mix of strength, tradition and fun we wanted to resonate throughout our company. Jacob put lots of time into crafting all of the brand elements. We really wanted something that could stand out in the marketplace. Rather than the modern day “frat” we’re alluding to the fraternities of old (think nineteenth century Oxford, Yale, or Masons). Once we had the brand created, we were able to build around it.

Aside from being young and well dressed, what sets your group apart from the other agencies here in the city? Jacob: I think there are several things the help us stand out from the competition. One of the biggest things is the stark contrast between each of our individual approaches to creative thinking. I tend to see the big picture creatively when it comes to the work we do. As the creative director this allows me to have a vision for each project as a whole. Kris’ creativity comes from his skills as a communicator. He knows our clients well and ensures that we meet their expectations. Daniel is very innately creative, and his background in development (something that is very structural) enables him to assist in laying a solid foundation for every project. Drake loves numbers and studied finance in school, so his perspective is very pragmatic, strategic, and results oriented. While all of us are different in many ways, we each bring something to the creative process that is not represented elsewhere. Conjoining the freethinking creativity of Kris and I with the creative structure and foundational approach of Daniel and Drake brings depth and character to our projects. We are all very different, but once you combine each of those personalities into one brainstorming session, the results are awesome. Do you ever find the need for some female input? If so, where do you turn? Jacob: The female perspective is always important to us. Daniel and I are both married to very intelligent, creative women, so we always bounce our ideas off of them when we are at home. Other than that we ask a lot of our female friends for their perspective on things we come up with.


Kris Murray Age: 25 Hometown: Edmond, OK Favorite local restaurant: Red Prime Favorite place to shop in OK: Shop Good



Jacob Weaver Age: 25 Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK Degree: B.F.A. Graphic Design Favorite local restaurant: Gopuram Indian Cuisine Favorite place to shop in OK: Cole Haan Outlet


Drake Scifers Age: 24 Hometown: Fresno, CA Degree: B.S. Finance Favorite local restaurant: Bolero or Red Prime Favorite place to shop in OK: Spencer Stone


What are your specific roles and strengths within the group? Drake: I focus on the business side of the company and do a lot of strategic planning. Since I have a background in finance, I make sure all of our internal decisions and ideas for clients benefit the bottom line. Kris and I also spend most of our time developing new business and partnerships. I really love learning and have been really blessed to have so many great mentors. I’ve been able to compensate for my young age by spending as much time as possible listening to the wisdom of people who are much smarter and far more experienced than I am. There is no way our company would be as successful as we are today if it weren’t for them. Daniel: As the Director of Development at Fraternity Advertising, my primary role lies in the construction and oversight of both our in-house and client-funded mobile applications, websites, and software projects. As such I am Fraternity’s resident software engineer, though to keep things within the lexicon of the general public, I will refer to myself here as a programmer. Though a programmer by trade, I am at heart a storyteller. Writing code to me is akin to writing a novel. I thoroughly enjoy utilizing the creative and technical energies necessary in the writing of software and building of applications. While not writing novels of code, I contribute to our weekly team brainstorming sessions, where we collectively produce our best ideas.

my job to make sure the client’s desires are translated into the best possible project. The best way to help our clients succeed is to be in constant contact with them before, during, and after projects are completed. Working with Drake, I also maintain a lot of our client relations. Most of our business comes from word-of-mouth, so it is very important that every client is happy with the services we provide. A big part of making sure that happens is good communication. I also take it upon myself to play Rebecca Black’s Friday every week. Jacob: As the creative director I handle all of the design work that comes through the business. I lead brainstorming sessions and direct each project from concept to completion. My job is to make sure the work that comes out of Fraternity is innovative and adheres to our standards of excellence. My strengths come in the form of my creative vision for the company and the projects we handle. I have gained experience with helping build small startups over the last couple of years, and it has taught me that growing a solid brand is vital to the success of your business. Through simplicity, and a do-ordie work ethic, I strive to build Fraternity as a brand known for its clean, modern work.

Tell us about a few of your favorite projects you have done or are looking forward to working on. Drake: We have several projects coming up that we are really excited about, but can’t really talk about yet. But I would have to say my two favorite projects were Bolero Kris: My educational background is in and The Caliber. For Bolero they handed us Electronic Media. This gives me a comthe reins to manage all of their marketing prehensive understanding of all the types and advertising. After all was said and done of services we provide at Fraternity from we were able to increase their sales by 33% development to design. As Managing Director, my main role is to work closely with and based on what they paid us give them a 600% return on investment. But maybe our team to make sure projects meld together and are delivered in a timely manner. that’s just because I like numbers. Every project has a lot of moving parts. It’s


The Caliber video we did was a lot of fun because the space and everything in it is so interesting. Telling the story of something so awesome was completely exhilarating. We were given a lot of creative freedom on the project and I think the result is outstanding.

We’re also dedicated to making our client’s investments in advertising provide measureable returns.

Over the next year, what direction do you see Fraternity going? The outlook for Fraternity is strong. We’ve doubled our revenues in year 2 and our Daniel: We flew out of the box with a real conservative projections have us doubling whizbanger of a project. Colliers Internarevenues again in year 3. We’ve been blessed tional was expanding into Oklahoma and with the support and validation of MVP’s chose the firm of a local real estate magnate. in both the business and creative sectors of Said magnate both funded and utilized Oklahoma City, and we are all excited to Fraternity to generate the content for a see what next year has in store for us. One full rebranding campaign as well as touchof the main currents of next year will be friendly web applications to store and upthe branching off of the development side date hundreds of properties and personnel of the company and thus the creation of in what at the time was a state-of-the-art sister companies - Fraternity Advertising campaign. From that explosive start we and Fraternity Development. This separamoved on to greater heights and grander tion of concerns will give us a clear edge projects, leading to a personal favorite. The in the mobile and web application markets valve app is an ongoing project, which specs in particular by allowing us to secure and out (using complex equations) and generallocate proper funding to both sides of the ates 3D models of butterfly valves, which company, growing them in tandem. We are field engineers can then purchase through currently being courted by several potential the app. Another great project was a sucinvestors who are interested in Fraternity cessful on-going social media campaign we brand. We are all very excited to see how did for Lower Bricktown restaurant Bolero. our future plays out, as well as what God Speaking of Lower Bricktown, another has in store for our company. We’ve learned Fraternity favorite is the creative work and that despite our best laid plans, it is difficult website that we did for Lower Bricktown. to tell what the future holds or down which path it may lead. The one certain thing is What type of people can benefit this: it’s going to be a wild and exciting ride. from hiring you? Honestly any business can benefit from our services. Advertising is one of the basic legs of any successful business. One of our greatest skills as a company is our ability to adapt to our clients needs and identify the best way to tell their story. We’ve worked with clients in oil and gas, real estate, health and beauty, Christian start-ups and education, so we’re well versed in many different sectors. One of my favorite things about our industry is getting to learn the intricacies of different industries.


Daniel Long Age: 25 Hometown: Atlanta, GA Favorite local restaurant: Saii Asian Bistro Favorite place to shop in OK: Ralph Lauren Polo Outlet




Fashion


The dresses by Oklahoma fashion designer Sherri Hill were featured in this year’s VisionFest Fashion Show put on by OklaVision and Twenty Something Magazine. The moment these ladies stepped into their dresses they transformed into the most exquisite and head turning party goers in attendance. You too can steal the show! Stand out in any of these show stoppers, all available at Serendipity. Hair: Malorie Avaline and Lindsey Don Makeup: Chelsey Cobbs and Natasha Shipley Hair and Makeup Direction: Jennifer McLaughlin Photography: Bethany Young Styling: Kelsey Self Models: Christine B, Alex E, Safi I, Nicole M of Anthony David Agency











The second fashion show at this year’s VisionFest featured looks from local stores. With the holidays just around the corner there are plenty of events and gatherings you need to look fabulous for! No matter the occasion, local boutiques have some wonderful items in stock. Dressed up, dressed down, or dressed to impress, kick it up a notch this season and support your favorite local shops! Hair: Angela Hamilton and Rachel Halbert Makeup: Anastasia Strattan and Tara McKinney Hair and Makeup Direction: Jennifer McLaughlin Photography: Bethany Young Styling: Kelsey Self Clothing: Gil’s, Isabella, Funky Monkey, Shop Good Models: Ashley Liddell, Sheri Shoemake, Alexis Banks and Marissa Viestenz









The final fashion show at OklaVision’s VisionFest featured designs from world reknown designer, Margaret Roach Wheeler. She is of Chickasaw-Choctaw descent, and we enjoyed getting to know her work. Hair: Jamy Green and Moriah Wampler Makeup: Shauna Giles and Mikala Ewald Hair and Makeup Direction: Jennifer McLaughlin Photography: Bethany Young Styling: Kelsey Self Models: Paige, Alicia and Samantha of Tabb Models






Beauty

Hair Tips

You listen to the dentist when he tells you the best way to avoid cavities while whitening your teeth. You even listen to the shoe salesman who tells you the five-inch pumps you keep trying on are SO comfortable. So listen to this good advice from the person that knows your hair best, your hair stylist. While undergoing a hair transformation this past month, I chatted with great friend and hair stylist Jason Broddle at Schardein and Co. Salon about his best advice, his hair pet peeves, and his favorite products. First a bit about Jason. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Broadcasting from Oklahoma State University, he ventured to Oklahoma City in hopes of becoming a graphic design guru at a local PR firm. Jason soon realized that he would rather pursue his dream of becoming a master at cut and color. You never stop learning, right? He studied Academy of Hair Design in Oklahoma City, the only Vidal Sassoon affiliated teaching academy in Oklahoma. He now resides at Schardein and Co. under the direction of Steve Schardein. After talking just a few minutes about general hair care, I learned that he and other stylists care about your first impression just as much as you do! He said, “I don’t understand why some women pay hundreds of dollars on outfits worn once or handbags carried only a few times, but are not willing to invest in their hair. After all, it’s always on your head, you can rarely hide it, and it is one of the first things people see when they meet you, professionally or personally.” Confession: As a blonde that swung in, oh, every 10-12 weeks, rarely wanted even a trim, and said buyer of those outfits worn once, he got me. He said that it wasn’t about the money you spend on your service, but rather the quality of service and quality of product you use that make your hair color last longer and stay healthier. Just a few tips this hair stylist wants you to know: Trims: For all of you long haired girls, don’t skip your trims when you need them! Confession: I know I am certainly guilty of wanting to skip it just in favor of my hair looking longer but it turns out, I’m not fooling anyone. Thermal Protection: You should never use any heating tool, be it a hair dryer, flat iron or curling iron without first applying a thermal protection. Teasing: Tease only with purpose. Also, tease ahead of where you want your volume. If you want a bump at the crown, start a few inches in front so it will build at the place you want it. Major Change: When doing a drastic color change, consult with your stylist and develop a hair plan for multiple applications over time. Don’t trust a consultant who says he can take you from black to blonde in one application; your hair will be mad. Quality Products: Invest in a quality shampoo and conditioner. You wouldn’t take your Mercedes to Wal-mart for an oil change, would you? So don’t spend the money to get great color but then buy an inexpensive shampoo that will rip your color out.


Favorite Professional Product Picks:

My own hair transformation!

Written by Meagan Owen


Health

Baby Food, Bugs Bun 10 Foods I’m T

The importance and impact that food has on our lives can’t be understated. Yes, it helps do that semi-important thing of keeping us alive and functioning by nourishing and fueling our bodies, but it is the emotional, not the physical, that has the greatest impact for me. Sure, the fuel provided to sustain the active lifestyle I live is greatly appreciated, but it’s just the physical means to a greater emotional end. The emotions, experiences, and memories that transpire from or around food are what I love the most. Whether it’s an extremely tasty or enjoyable dish, a weekly food routine with friends, or memories of grandma’s favorite recipe growing up, we all have been positively influenced by food through our lives. So, in honor of November’s flagship holiday of Thanksgiving, I’ve decided to start the month off right by sharing all the foods I’m thankful for and why. Hopefully this will help you reflect on some great memories you have attached to certain foods and realize what foods have helped mold you into the person you are today. If not, I hope it impacts how you view food going forward. So next time you sit down to eat, enjoy, experience, and give thanks! #1 Baby Food – My very first food. Without eating this mush that I can’t even remember, I would have starved to death! #2 Carrots – Thanks to Bugs Bunny I developed a strong liking at an early age. What may have started as a prop to go with my “Ehh! What’s up Doc?” impersonation turned out to be something that helped greatly improve my eyesight with all the beta-carotene I was consuming. Genetically my family has bad eyes, as everyone else has glasses or contacts except me. Coincidence? I think not. #3 PB & J – A lunchtime childhood staple. Provided great energy for my youthful exuberance to play outside all day. Also the source for my love of peanut butter. I was a crust on guy. My sister was crust off. Still can’t figure out what she had against the crust! #4 Any and All Things Breakfast – Eggs, pancakes, waffles, whatever. If it has to do with breakfast, I love it and would eat any time of day. Growing up I looked forward to Thursday nights because we’d have breakfast for dinner and watch “Friends”. Nothing like mom’s eggs, English muffins, and Jennifer Aniston. Yummy.


nny, Babes, and Bites Thankful For

#5 Pizza – Seemingly the most social of foods, pizza was a staple at team sports functions, family/friend gatherings, or any type of parties. A personal favorite, I could hold my own in a competitive eating competition. Also most likely to put me in a food coma. Coincidence? I think not. #6 Cookies – Every day I’d got home from middle school and indulged in an entire sleeve of Chips Ahoy or Oreos and milk. How I’m not 600lbs. with a severe case of diabetes I don’t know. Thank you young person’s metabolism. #7 Chili – A true cold weather classic. Great memory of my dad’s Frito chili pie. Hands only, no utensils. None… unless you consider Frito Scoops utensils. #8 Steak – Playing word association with food and someone says “man”, I say “steak”. A manly man’s meal. So manly we form steak clubs and call it “Steak Club”. Can’t beat the camaraderie, conversation, and grade A goodness. #9 Spinach – Another rabbit food of mine. Spinach really helped springboard me into healthy eating habits post college. Quick, easy, and can be covered and mixed with anything. #10 Kize Better Life Bites – #10 on the list but #1 in my heart. My own creation and current favorite food. It’s made healthy eating easier and more enjoyable without having to sacrifice time, taste, or health. It’s helped me get more out of life, pursue a dream and start a business, while providing me a platform to help others do the same. A real win win!

Written by Jeff Ragan Founder of Kize Concepts Inc.


Feature

Routine Switch

I used to go to the gym and leave my hair down while I worked out. I was either too lazy to put it in a ponytail or I didn’t think it was necessary. I recently did a couple of workouts with my favorite trainer at Xtreme Truth Fitness. The sign on the door should read, ‘no shirt, no shoes, no hair elastic, no workout’. I was moving in ways that I hadn’t moved since my college basketball days and sweating just as badly from the first exercise to the last. Less than five minutes into the workout, I realized there would be no exercising here with my hair down. As a lifelong fitness fanatic and former figure competitor, I schedule my entire day around when I can get in my workout. Yes, this is a great habit I have formed, but the negative side of having been a consistent exerciser for more than fifteen years can be summed up in one word: complacency. After my workout at XTF, which was filled with kettle bell movements and plyometrics and all sorts of other crazy, yet fun things, I realized that I had been in a rut. I would go to the gym and do twenty minutes on the treadmill or elliptical, then do my three sets of eight to ten repetitions with free weights. I started skipping out on stretching at the end to save some time and I’ve since taken up Yoga to gain back my very poor flexibility. No really, I’m worse than the 50-year-old man in the class! The gym was still a place where I could go and lose myself in my I Heart Radio play list and relieve some stress, but it was effortless and mindless. I had lost my workout mojo. Forming good habits is great, but sometimes we all need a new perspective, which is gained by looking at something from afar or switching up your routine. If you’re feeling backed into a corner at work, try taking a day or two off to really think about whether you’re ready to make a career move. If your college courses aren’t captivating you, talk to a professor to see if you should continue down that major’s path. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and try something new! Years down the road you don’t want to be doing the same eight sets of ten repetitions that you’ve been mindlessly doing for the past fifteen years. I didn’t even realize how nonchalant I had become until my XTF experience. After changing up my routine, my eyes have been opened and so have my sweat glands! I work out with more conviction than I have in years and everyday I try to incorporate something different. I’m feeling stronger and better, emotionally and physically (plus, I’ve lost my last little bit of baby tummy that my nine-month-old blessed me with)! I can’t always exercise with my trainer, but I’ve realized I can’t rely on someone else to help me reach my goals. You won’t see this girl at the gym with her hair down, and if you do, you’ll know it’s only because I was too lazy and not that it wasn’t necessary. Written by Kealey McIntire





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