Chicz - A magazine for FUN women - January/February 2020

a Magazine for FUN women!

January/Febriary 2020

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2 Chicz January/February 2020

A new year, a new decade

Inside this issue January/February 2020

There it is. A fresh, new calendar page to start 2020, as well as a new decade. A clean slate, a new year and a fresh start, and Chicz The Jeff Beach Diet 6 is here with new articles to help you fill that page with a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

He said, She said 9 There’s so much to learn in our first edition of 2020. We have ideas Real Chicz of of how to pair beer and wine with foods from Al Edenloff as well as a recipe for Swedish pancakes handed down through generations to Douglas County 4 Shelly Beaulieu. Tina McPherson Mommy and Me Crafts 21 introduces herself in her new column For the Food and drink Love of Coffee, Beer and wine pairings • 5 and Andy MellFor the love of coffee • 8 gren gives you How to make the perfect cup of coffee • 8 a few fun ideas Andy’s choice: holiday and winter cheer • 11 for holiday and Swedish pancakes • 12 winter cheer.

Make it meatless • 26 SWEDISH Rachel Kubik introduces us to PANCAKES a woman who uses adult colOutdoors oring books as a way to handle Birds • 14 EDITH LOVEJOY PIERCE her health issues in Real Chicz of Douglas County, and Sue Finance/Business McDougald brings you tips on Resolution: save more money • 17 how to travel on a budget.

The Power of Purpose: Women in Philanthropy • 20 Melanie Danner has some fun craft ideas to share Four tips for women who want to start a business • 22 with your children in Mommy and Me Crafts.

How to dress for a job interview • 22 Another new columnist, Apryl Putnam, will be bringing you tips on health and fitness, while Jen Home Jabas fills you in on women in philanthropy in The A new way of thinking about resolutions • 16 Power of Purpose.

Pantone’s color of the year: Classic Blue• 16 There are tips on saving more money from Jordan McMahon, and Betty Ravnik gives you a new way Wellness to think about resolutions.

Apryl’s advice: Change it up • 18 Add to that recipes for soup, tips for women who Massage therapy helps with stress • 18 want to start their own business, information you Sciatic pane during pregnancy • 18 need to know about heart disease and women, Heart disease: underdiagnosed issue in women • 19 and so much more.

Helper’s high: Why volunteering makes you happy • 20 Enjoy your reading!

“We will open the book.

Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”

Family

Lori Mork, Chicz editor

To advertise in Chicz call 320.763.3133

Jody Hanson, Publisher Lori Mork, Editor/Designer

Chicz is a publication of

Echo Press, 225 7th Ave. East Alexandria, MN 56308 ©2012 Echo Press

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A NEW WAY OF THINKING ABOUT RESOLUTIONS

16

The battle over screen time • 23 The language of love • 24 Valentine’s Day isn’t just for sweethearts • 24 Travel on a budget • 25

Entertaining

Puzzles and horoscopes • 28

Technology

THE BATTLE OVER SCREEN TIME

23

Photo tips: Camera modes • 10

Your writers

Chicz contributing writers • 30

Send your feedback to:

chiczmag@gmail.com January/February 2020 Chicz 3

real chicz of douglas county

A twist on adult

coloring books

By Rachel Kubik

Erin Weatherwax of Alexandria creates her art projects out of her home, in her kitchen. (Rachel Kubik / Chicz)

S

ome days, Erin Weatherwax of Alexandria finds it very difficult to move. Her body aches.

Weatherwax struggles with fibromyalgia and systemic inflammation. On top of that, she has depression.

One way she can relax while still moving somewhat is by creating unique art out of adult coloring books. She creates her art out of her kitchen in her home, the same home she grew up in.

She studied commercial art and was in the field of industrial art for a while before working in waste management and cleaning services, among other fields.

“Now that I’m medically re-

tired, I’ve got to do something,” she said.

She removes the pages from the book, uses colored pencils, markers or gel pens to fill in the picture and adds glitter over the whole page.

After she’s done, she frames them and hangs them in her home or gives them away to family and friends for Christmas, birthdays and just because.

She’s been making these projects for about a year and uses lots of different types of coloring pages, including mandalas, Native American and Irish designs, flowers, animals and more.

“I’ve always been into color,” she said.

Weatherwax colored as a child, before she could write.

And she likes using non-traditional colors for her artwork as well as for household items.

Her house is decorated with inspirations from all of the major holidays, including a purple Christmas tree and a string of orange lights in her front window for Halloween.

She gets her art done in chunks of time and can finish an entire coloring project in as little as five hours or as much as a couple of days. Here is how she does it so you can try it out yourself: Spray with acrylic. Weatherwax said she sprays the paper once or twice because that helps make the paper a

little thicker and makes for a grainy texture. The acrylic also protects the colors from smearing when the glitter is added.

Color the page. You can use gel pens, markers, colored pencils or whatever you like. Weatherwax likes to use bright, neon colors for her pages.

Add glitter. She finishes off her coloring pages with painting glitter nail polish over the pigments. This can sometimes make for a milky appearance at first, but then it dries and can look like metallic flakes, Weatherwax said.

Coloring pencils: Weatherwax uses a mixture of markers, colored pencils and gel A finished butterfly design created by Weatherwax hangs framed on her wall. (Rachel Kubik / Chicz) pens. (Rachel Kubik / Chicz)

4 Chicz January/February 2020

BE ADVENTUROUS

By Al Edenloff

With a brand new year, why not try something new with your wine or beer?

Be adventurous. Experiment around.

See if you can come up with something truly unique and delicious.

Have you ever tried mixing different kinds of beer? Yes, you’ll get eye rolls from beer sommeliers and you may encounter some flops along the way, but when the flavors strike a perfect balance you could have created something that will be your favorite beverage. Angels may sing.

Don’t believe it? Give this a try: Take a beer that’s infused with blueberries (there are a lot of them out there, from the mega beer brands to specialty craft beers). The sweeter the better. And then take a beer that’s lemony tart. Pour them into a big mug, using a 50-50 ratio and take a sip (no need to stir). The sweet blueberry balances perfectly with the tangy lemon, a yinand-yang surprise that makes for refreshing beer anytime of the year.

With that same kind of rebel attitude, test out some wine or beer pairings that you would never believe would work,

with these beer and wine pairings

such as this one, which offers a new take on a favorite football appetizer – tortilla chips and salsa. Most people would open up a Mexican beer or a pilsner or a lager while they’re dipping their chips. Break new ground with a Sauvignon Blanc. Yep, a white wine. The fruity highlights in the wine, notably the lime, pair perfectly with the salty chips and salsa while the tomatoes still shine through and take on a freshness that scores a touchdown.

Here are 10 other inventive beer and wine food pairings to try in 2020: •Salted popcorn with a robust porter.

•Sirloin steak with a light pilsner.

•A glazed donut with a coffee stout.

•Pickles with a sour ale.

•A white IPA and Skittles.

•A brut (very dry) sparkling wine with macaroni and cheese (especially with a soft creamy cheese like bechamel).

•Pinot Noir and chocolate ice cream.

•Ramen noodles and Pinot Gris.

•French fries and Merlot.

•Grilled swordfish with gasp!, a red wine, Pinot Noir.

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t u o g n i n di

The Jeff Beach Diet guide to I like restaurants, but I am not somebody who eats out a whole lot and rarely just for the sake of trying a new restaurant or food.

The Jeff Beach Diet also is more about breaking rules than following them, but on those occasions when I do eat out, here are some turn-ons and turn-offs when I look at a menu.

Turn-on: The bison burger I feel good about eating bison, the animal that provided for the indigenous people of what we now call North America before the animals were hunted to near extinction.

In what might seem like a backward way, eating bison helps ensure their survival.

If there is a demand by consumers for bison, that encourages bison ranchers to grow their herds and make sure that they are healthy.

But bison can be hard to find in the grocery store and it costs a substantial premium to beef. On restaurant menus, a bison burger is usually a little more expensive than a beef burger, but not like the price difference at the grocery.

So if I am going to order a burger, I try to make it a bison burger.

Turn-off: Fake meat I have no interest in plantbased fake meat or fake anything, really.

Nothing against vegans or vegetarians, but if you want to be a vegetarian, then just eat

The

JEFF BEACH

diet

Jeff Beach has spent a lifetime on the The Jeff Beach Diet and is still kickin’.

real fruits, veggies and grains.

Trying to make plants taste like meat just seems silly and probably less healthy than meat, if something healthy is what you are going for.

Turn-on: Walleye and seafood I have never really gotten into fishing, I think mostly for lack of patience and money.

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But I like eating walleye and fish and seafood in general.

Not only did I prefer that somebody else catch my fish, but I prefer that someone else cook it and not stink up my own kitchen with it.

Turn-off: Sushi Sorry, but I have never understood the appeal of sushi, especially for the price.

And don’t even bring up fake sushi.

Now, at some places, the Monte Cristo is basically a ham and cheese between a couple of slices of French toast.

But to me, a real Monte Cristo involves ham and turkey and deep-frying the sandwich, and deep-frying is something I file under “Don’t try this at home.”

My advice, don’t try the Monte Cristo at home.

Turn-on: The Monte Cristo A general rule for the Jeff Beach Diet dining guide is to not order something at a restaurant that I would make at home.

Another rule is, because I don’t eat out a lot, I usually don’t worry about how healthy or, in the case of the Monte Cristo, unhealthy a menu item might be.

January/February 2020 Chicz 7

Coffee is welcome on

frigid Minnesota mornings “How many cups of coffee have you had today?” Luke asked.

“None, plus 5,” Lorelai replied.

Any Gilmore Girls fans out there? Can you really talk about coffee and not quote Gilmore Girls?

Hi, I’m Tina and we are going to talk coffee. I love coffee. I post a coffee meme on my Facebook page Monday through Friday, and I’ve usually already had one cup before I do. Some “like” it, some “love” it, some “laugh” at it, some think “OMG is she posting about coffee again?”

Hey, what can I say, even my kitchen is decorated in coffee décor. I’m a native Texan who’s now lived in Minnesota for almost 20 years. During that time I’ve been an EMT with the local ambulance service, a 911 dispatcher with the sheriff’s office and now a records technician with the police department. And believe me I have coffee stories from each place. Come along as we explore the types of roasts, different ways to brew, what all those names mean of those “complicated” coffees that you get from the coffee shops and have some laughs along the way.

for the

of coffee

By Tina McPherson So, I guess we’ve established I love coffee; and I’ve been drinking it for a long time. I remember my parents drinking coffee every morning, and as a kid I’d sneak and drink the last drops in the cup if they didn’t finish it. The coffee brand, Maxwell House, had a slogan, “Good to the last drop.” I agreed, although my parents were Folgers people.

I remember the Folgers crystals instant coffee. Boil some water, drop in a spoonful of the aromatic, freeze-dried crystals and stir. We thought it was the best. Much smoother than when it was from the percolator that everyone used before that.

I always thought, “Could it get any better?” Oh yes it did! Along came the automatic drip method. It was in 1972 that Mr. Coffee was introduced. It was a machine that quickly heated the water, ran it through a basket lined with a paper filter with “auto drip” coffee grounds – yes, you had to make sure the can of grounds said “auto drip” on it – into the pot sitting below the basket on a heated plate.

While it was brewing, the house smelled heavenly. And after you poured your first cup, the heated plate kept that elixir of life piping hot.

Ahhhh, life was good after that first cup.

Why? Caffeine!

It goes through your system and wakes you up. The science of it has never interested me, I just know it works.

There’s caffeine in other drinks, but for me, my house smelling like coffee when I first come out of my bedroom, filling up my cup and taking that first sip, nothing compares.

Plus, as a bonus, it wakes up my brain so I sound less of an idiot after that first cup and its warmth is welcomed on a frigid Minnesota morning.

As Lorelai Gilmore said, “Everything in my life has something to do with coffee. I believe in a former life, I was coffee.”

And I guess I have to agree. So, here’s to filling your cup with a good ol’ cup of Joe. Happy Brewing!

How to make the

perfect cup of coffee

You don’t need fancy equipment to brew a great cup of coffee. Following a few simple steps using a basic cone and filter, you can make a perfect cup of coffee.

Use cold filtered water. If you don’t like drinking the water from your home, you won’t like coffee made from it.

Use two tablespoons of ground coffee to every six ounces of water (equals one cup on your coffee maker).

Make sure your water temperature is between 195205 degrees. After boiling

8 Chicz January/February 2020

water, let it sit for 30 seconds before using it. (Boiling water is too hot to make good coffee).

Use hot water to rinse your filter before brewing.

Use a good quality oxygen bleached filter.

To begin, pour only enough water over the grounds to get them damp, but not saturated.

After 30-45 seconds, pour the remainder of the water over the grounds. This lets the grounds “bloom” or puff up and allows them to release their flavor.

From Ask Chef Dennis – a culinary journey www.askchefdennis.com

He said...

By Paul Uhde All names have been changed to protect the wise and the foolish. The following is a text message exchange between a husband and a wife.

Husband (Known as H): Why do men and women handle things so differently when it comes to medical issues? Is it a mental thing for men? Is it because we all have been perfectly fine and healthy since we were 6 years old?

Wife (Known as W): Okay… What do we need to discuss?

I deal with it. Have a headache, I take something.

You don’t. You complain. Lol

...She said H: We believe that the pain will just go away.

W: But we don’t want to hear you complain all day long. Take some Tylenol and see if that helps.

We say we have a headache and you want us to get rid of it right away… We don’t complain as much as you do.

H: Why not whisky instead of aspirin?

And we don’t complain. We stoically handle it.

W: Because the hangover the next day makes you complain even more!

H: Are you saying that we’re whiners?

W: No, but men don’t handle pain as well as women.

H: Why do you think that is?

W: It’s proven… Women have a higher pain tolerance.

H: Where is your science?

W: The three kids who live here with us is enough science for me!

H: Okay. Lol. What can men do to change things?

hurts, do something! If you have an upset stomach, do something! Take something.

Use oils. See a doctor. But just do something! But not something that will give you a hangover so I have to hear about a new pain. Ha ha.

H: I’m going to be nice. I’m going to let you get in the last word.

W: Listen to your bodies for one! If you have something wrong, act on it! If your head

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January/February 2020 Chicz 9

composition PHOTO

TIPS

and the rule of thirds

By Lowell Anderson

It’s a brand new year and it’s time to take your photography to new heights. This year we’re going to leave the technical aspects of photography behind and explore composition, the element that really makes your photos unique and interesting.

That doesn’t mean that the technical isn’t important, because it really is the foundation that all good photography is

built on. However, the ultimate goal for many photographers is to internalize the technical aspects so they can concentrate mainly on the creative aspects, which are expressed in large part through composition.

There are many rules of composition - way more than we will cover this year. We’ll take a look at only a few of the most important and basic ones. Just remember, though, that rules are made to be broken. Once you learn to apply the rules, you can start to

Rather than simply placing the subject in the center of the frame, the rule of thirds states that the best place for your subject is along the dividing lines, or at the intersection of two lines.

By dividing the frame into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, you can determine the best place to place your subjects and other elements for a pleasing photograph. break them when you have a good reason to.

We will begin with probably the most important compositional element in photography: the rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds states that if you use lines to divide the frame into three equal sections, both horizontally and vertically, the best place to put your subject is either on one of those lines or (better yet) at the intersection of two lines.

However, that doesn’t mean your subject always has to be on one of those lines. It just means that as a general rule, your photos will be more interesting if you place the subject off center both horizontally and vertically, rather than dead center.

With some subjects, such as landscapes, there may be so many elements that it can be tough to determine what the main subject is. In these cases, you can try to place some of the main elements, such as the horizon, trees, flowers and the sun, on these lines to split the scene into thirds.

If you start to look for it, you’ll see the rule of thirds applied to many different mediums, such as graphic design, movies and paintings. Becoming more aware of how the rule is used in these situations will make it easier to apply in photographs also. After a while, the rule becomes second nature and you don’t really have to think about it.

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ANDY’S CHOICE:

Holiday and wnter cheer!

Trending right now are winter cocktail ideas. Currently some of the most Googled cocktails are the old fashioned, peppermint drinks, winter and holiday drinks. Although holiday cheer would ordinarily mean the joy or happiness that we spread and share with family and neighbors, here holiday cheer will be festive holiday cocktails.

Listed below in no particular order are fun and quick holiday/winter celebratory cocktail ideas.

OLD FASHIONED (you can use brandy or Canadian whiskey if you prefer) INGREDIENTS: 1 oz. bourbon or rye, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, 1 sugar cube (1 tsp sugar) Splash of water

PREPARATION: Place sugar in old fashioned glass and saturate with bitters, add a dash or a splash of plain water. Muddle, shake or stir until dissolved. Fill the glass with ice cubes and add whiskey. Garnish with an orange slice or a cocktail cherry.

Serve on the rocks.

PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE OR COFFEE INGREDIENTS: 1 oz. peppermint vodka 6 oz. hot chocolate or coffee PREPARATION: Make hot chocolate or coffee.

Pour peppermint vodka into hot chocolate or coffee.

Garnish with whipped cream and a mini candy cane.

PEPPERMINT MARTINI INGREDIENTS: 1-1/2 oz. peppermint vodka 2 oz. Irish cream

PREPARATION: Shake over ice, pour into martini glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg and hang a mini candy cane on the glass.

SEELBACH BOURBON CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL (Sparkling wine and bourbon) INGREDIENTS: 1 oz. Bourbon 1/2 oz. orange liqueur 2-4 dashes Angostura bitters Champagne, cava, prosecco or California sparkling wine PREPARATION: Pour bourbon, orange liqueur and bitters over ice, strain into champagne flute. Top off with your favorite bubbly and garnish with an orange twist.

Something even easier during this holiday season is beer. Shiner Bock Holiday Cheer.

“This old-world dunkelweizen is brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans – perfect for cracking open in front of a crackling fire” – Shiner Bock (shiner.com/beer/cheer) Holiday and winter traditions come in all shapes and sizes.

Our holiday and winter recommendations happen to include wine, liquor and beer! Enjoy responsibly and in moderation.

Put yourself in a celebratory mood and spread holiday cheer, perform random acts of kindness.

Cheers!

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January/February 2020 Chicz 11

T

By Shelly Beaulieu his recipe was handed down to every generation in our family. They were known as the comfort food by all who tasted them. As far back as I can remember, the tradition of making these for our family started with my great-grandma, Anna, down to her daughter, my grandma, Luella. When you married into this Swedish family you were expected to learn how to make traditional foods. So my mother, Donna, learned how to make them from my grandma. My mother then passed this down to my sister and myself. My job will be to pass this down to my children.

Everyone knows when we all get together, we will all be enjoying what my mother calls “Big Pan-a-cakes!”

Grandma

With love,

GRANDMA’S SWEDISH PANCAKES INGREDIENTS: 1 - 1 1/2 cups flour 2 cups of milk 3 eggs 6 Tbsp sugar 1 tsp salt 2 Tbsp melted butter

DIRECTIONS: Melt butter, add eggs, milk, salt, sugar and flour. Mix with mixer until blended.

Consistency will be thinner than most pancake batters. Use a griddle pan, drop down about 1 large spoon full of batter, immediately spread and thin mix out so it

is very thin, flip the pancake over and grill the other side. This is looks like a crepe or lefse. Traditional way is putting butter and sugar on the pancake and roll. Otherwise some of the family likes it with butter, homemade whipped cream and berries.

We’re looking for your submissions!

If you have a favorite recipe from your grandmother, great-grandmother or your children’s grandmother, we’d love to have you share it with us. And, if you have a photo of that person and a little story or history on the recipe or person, please send it along. Grandmothers have a way of leaving us with some wonderful memories!

12 Chicz Chicz January/February January/February 2020 2020

001778897r2

January/February 2020 Chicz 13

Winter

bird feeding basics

By Robin Trott U of M Extension Educator

No matter how busy we are, we always make time to check our bird feeders so our feathery friends will not be scrambling to find much needed food during the cold and stormy days ahead.

Winter is a time for repose and reflection, and many gardeners take to bird feeding to fill their need for color, texture and interaction with their landscape. If you are an old hand at feeding our winter visitors, or a newbie, these tips from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will guide you in feeder/feed placement and selection.

There are three main choices in food: large seeds, small seeds and suet.

Large seeds include black-oil sunflower, striped sunflower, safflower, peanuts, shelled corn, ear corn and cardinal mixes that contain sunflower, safflower and peanuts.

Northern cardinals, blue jays, blackcapped and chestnut-backed chickadees, house and purple finches, American goldfinches, evening and pine grosbeaks, gray and Steller’s jays, nuthatches, crossbills, and titmice all love sunflower seeds. Peanuts provide a nutritious diet for birds, including black-capped chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and blue jays.

Even northern cardinals will come to a peanut feeder. However, these feeds also attract mammals including squirrels and raccoons. Safflower seeds are not as attractive to these eating machines.

Cracked corn and milo attract house sparrows and starlings, which will discourage other birds from visiting your feeders, and are not recommended.

Small seeds include millet and Niger thistle. Millet sprinkled on the ground

14 Chicz January/February 2020

or in tray feeders will attract dark-eyed juncos, mourning doves, and American tree, fox, Harris’, white-throated, whitecrowned and golden-crowned sparrows.

Niger thistle will bring American and lesser goldfinches, common and hoary redpolls, house and purple finches, and pine siskins.

Many wintering birds also benefit from suet, suet mixes and peanut butter, including pileated, red bellied, red headed, downy and hairy woodpeckers; chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches.

Water is critical to overwintering birds.

Including a heated birdbath in your feeder set up will be an open invitation to a variety of birds. Do not worry about birds freezing if they bathe on a cold winter day. This water is primarily for drinking.

Include a variety of feeders: open or covered platform feeders, suet feeders, and cylindrical feeders will be attractive to a broad variety of birds. Place feeders close to protective cover and convenient

for viewing from a window. The best feeder sites are downwind from the shelter provided by conifers, ornamental grass plantings, cattail marshes or buildings.

To avoid giving raptors or cats an advantage in catching birds, feeders should be at least ten feet from the nearest cover where such predators could hide. Use several feeder clusters of three to four feeders per cluster and a ground-feeding site. Each cluster should include a variety of feeder types that offer larger seeds, smaller seeds, and suet.

Make sure you have a pair of binoculars and a good bird identification guide close to your viewing window, sit back and enjoy the show.

For more information about feeding the birds throughout the season, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/birdfeeding/index. html, or check out Wild About Birds: The DNR Bird Feeding Guide by Carroll Henderson.

What feeder should I use?

SUET FEEDERS

Constructed of wire mesh or plastic-coated wire mesh, suet feeders hold blocks of suet, and birds can feed easily by latching onto the wire.

Suet feeders attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, jays and starlings.

If you don’t want starlings at your suet feeder, buy one that is open only on the bottom, since they are unable to perch that way.

These feeders can be hung from a tree or bird feeder pole.

TUBE FEEDERS Birds such as sparrows, hang upside down, such as grosbeaks, chickadees and goldfinches and chickadees. finches are drawn to tube The design flaw in tube feeders, which keep away feeders is that the tube itself larger species like grackles extends an inch or more and jays. below the feeding ports and These feeders keep the allows seed to collect in the seed fairly clean and dry. If bottom, where it can grow you buy the style with the mold and bacteria. Make sure perches over the feeding to empty feeder completely ports, this allows for their before adding new seed. use by seed-eating birds that

TRAY OR PLATFORM FEEDERS Although they offer no protection against rain and snow, unless you purchase a covered feeder, tray feeders attract the widest varity of seed-eating birds, such as cardinals, juncos, grosbeaks, sparrows and blue jays.

Unfortunately, tray feeders can also attract squirrels, deer and raccoons. They are also suseptible to growing fungus and bacteria if they aren’t well drained.

If they hold too much moisture, the seeds can also start to sprout unless they have a screen on the bottom. Bird droppings can cause the bird seed to become soiled quickly.

To use a tray feeder, only put out enough seed that can be eaten in a day or two, and always shake out the bottom each time you add new seed.

January/February 2020 Chicz 15

Here’s a new way of thinking about

resolutions

By Betty Ravnik Senior InteriorDesigner

Those who know me will tell you I am passionate about the home and the land. Years ago I read an article in Money Magazine about saving money by buying quality furniture. Some people say cry once when you are buying quality and you don’t have to cry again when an item fails. This can be true with the best quality windows in your home to the quality of a pair of shoes. Anything, will last longer if quality is present.

Even if you tire of the item, if it is good quality it can be sold or donated to continue its life on earth. That is where the passionate about the land part enters the story. Keeping items out of the landfill is a great step in keeping our planet healthy.

I sell furniture, yet in my living room are two antique sofas. I have reupholstered one of them twice. Yes, I have new-

er furniture but they are well built and will be able to be upholstered or refinished when the time comes. So when I say a new way of thinking, I would like people to think about buying for life. It is absolutely possible in the furniture world no matter what the marketers are telling you.

Look at the interiors created by the top designers.

The rooms aren’t pulled off of showroom floors, everything new and matching. Instead they have been curated meaning taking the time to find the pieces that have the honor to cross your threshold. It is always more interesting when the furniture and accessories have a story instead of a “look” found in a furniture catalog.

As any designer will recommend, you should spend serious money on your comfort pieces. Keep the style simple and the fabric neutral so it will visually stand the test of time.

Saving for and purchasing

the best quality for the sofa and the lounge chairs is important because you want the furniture to live through the challenges and demands of your everyday needs. Quality upholstery should have hardwood frames and plenty of padding. Run your hands over the piece to ensure you don’t feel the hardness of the frame.

Higher quality upholstery will often have options in seat cushions to give you the optimal seating for your preference. Quality will be reflected

in the price. Look at these furniture pieces as investments.

With the other items in the room, from pull up chairs to tables, look at other places to purchase these items. It may be a unique furniture store, an antique store or thrift shop or even resale sites. Unique or antique pieces add to the story line plus give new life to someone else’s smart furniture purchase. There is no better time than 2020 to build your curated home.

PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2020: Classic Blue Selected by PANTONE as the color of the year for 2020, 19-4052 Classic Blue provokes the desire for a constant and stable foundation heading into a new decade.

This blue brings thoughts of the sky as the sun sets, bringing peace, tranquility and relaxation.

The Director of Pantone’s Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, said the selection “encourages us to look beyond the obvious, to expand our thinking, [and to] increase our perspec-

16 Chicz January/February 2020

tive and open the flow of communication.”

Interior designers are recommending adding Classic Blue by using a large piece of furniture, such as a couch or an accent wall.

You can include a blue vanity in a neutral bathroom, or change the feel of your kitchen cabinets by painting them blue.

An area rug in blue can give some division to an open-concept space, and pillows, vases and dinnerware in Classic Blue can all bring a pop of color.

Resolution:

COMMITTED TO

SAVE MORE

MONEY!

By Jordan McMahon Marketing Manager, Glenwood State Bank Does that New Year’s resolution sound familiar to you too?

I know I’ve said it numerous times over the years and, like many resolutions, it just doesn’t seem to stick! Why is that?

Why do we have such a tough time committing to our goals?

Personally, I believe it’s because we set big goals with big steps. What we really need, however, is small steps—small steps are a lot more sustainable. So, if the goal is to save more money, what small steps can we take to start growing our savings account? The simplest answer (sadly) is to spend less money.

SHOP ONLINE LESS. There’s no question, shopping online is extremely convenient – it’s too convenient, actually.

With just a couple of clicks, you can checkout and your items will magically arrive on your doorstep in 2-5 days. So, make it more difficult to buy the things you want; force yourself to physically go into a store (gasp!) and make your purchase. It will be good for you, your wallet, and your local economy!

THINK ABOUT IT. If you find something spendy you really want, don’t buy it right away!

Give yourself a few days – or weeks – to decide if it’s an impulse buy or a true “need.” In my mind, if I’ve thought about this particular thing more than five times over the course of a couple of weeks, then it’s not an impulse and buying it is likely justifiable.

DON’T PAY FULL PRICE. You and I both know almost everything goes on sale at some point in time. So, don’t pay full price! If you wait and watch for sales, you could stand to save a lot of money!

Patience is hard but, if you’ve come this far without it, you can probably wait a little longer. On the same note, look for coupons! There are several great tools out there that feed you coupon codes; use them! I always quickly check my source before I checkout; I’ve saved a lot of money I wasn’t planning to – which is a major win!

If you want to grow your savings account, choose a few small steps to get started.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day…” and your savings account won’t be either. Remember: small progress is still progress!

Family & Community FOR THE PAST 90 YEARS

A M E R I C A’ S

F LO O R

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Skin Care Massage 2100 Arrowwood Lane NW Alexandria, MN

320-759-5003

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January/February 2020 Chicz 17

Change it up!

Apryl’s advice:

By Apryl Putnam

I am a certified personal trainer and health coach in the Alexandria area. Overall, I have been a part of the fitness world for 20 plus years.

I’ve always had a passion for helping others achieve their goals. It’s so rewarding when you can see others’ transformations and know that you had a part in that.

Working out has always been important to me. It’s a stress reliever and something that I can do that allows me to challenge myself.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to health and fitness. There are so many things you can do when it comes to exercising. The beauty of

the fitness world is that there are a multitude of different exercise plans and platforms that you can implement into your daily routine, so that you do not become bored. The best thing you can do is to continue to change things up.

Given the importance that health and fitness has played in my life, I’ve now been able to incorporate it into my family’s life as well.

With my kids becoming older and more involved in sports, it has given me the opportunity to share my knowledge with them on how to fuel their body properly, as well as working with them on becoming athletes.

I look forward to sharing my knowledge over the next year.

MASSAGE THERAPY:

How it helps with stress

Stress causes your heart rate and blood pressure to rise and your muscles to tighten up.

This isn’t a problem when it’s temporary, but when stress and its effects become chronic, your health can suffer. Due to muscles remaining tense

at all times, chronic stress can lead to joint aches and pains, headaches, chronic back and neck pain and other issues.

The tricky thing about stress is that the physical and mental effects of it can create more stress.

But massage therapy

18 Chicz January/February 2020

helps to break this cycle by combatting the physical symptoms.

Massage techniques, which involve rubbing, stroking, stretching and applying pressure to the muscles, help return muscles to a relaxed state, reducing stressrelated aches and pains.

Moreover, massages tend to be a relaxing experience in general.

They typically take place in a peaceful environment and thereby afford the patient a sense of calm.

If you’re dealing with chronic stress, talk with your doctor about using massage therapy for treatment. For a safe and effective therapeutic massage, seek out a certified massage therapist.

SCIATIC PAIN DURING PREGNANCY:

what it is and how to treat it It’s no secret that pregnancy can be hard on a woman’s back. Oftentimes it’s a particular kind of pain called sciatic pain, or sciatica, and can be treated with physiotherapy.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, beginning at the lower back, extending down to the buttocks then branching out down the legs and to the feet. It manifests itself in different ways: numbness and tingling or else a sharp, shooting pain.

How is sciatica during pregnancy treated?

The treatment typically involves a combination of some or all of the following elements: •Specific stretches and exercises focused on decreasing pain, managing inflammation and restoring mobility and strength •Bracing or taping •Massages Along with developing an exercise routine to do at home, physical therapists provide tips for dealing with sciatic pain from day to day.

HEART DISEASE:

an underdiagnosed issue in women Despite increased awareness of heart disease in women, only 56 percent of women recognize that heart disease is their number one killer.

It’s the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., with about 1-in-16 women ages 20 and older having coronary heart disease, which is the most common type of heart disease. In 2017, it killed 299,578 women, or about one-in-five female deaths.

So, what are the symptoms of heart disease? Many may suffer from these symptoms, which can occur when resting or doing regular activities: •Angina – dull and heavy, or sharp, chest pain or discomfort •Pain in the neck, jaw or throat •Pain in the upper abdomen or back •Nausea •Vomiting •Fatigue Some women have no symptoms and are not diagnosed until having other symptoms or emergencies such as these: HEART ATTACK: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting,

extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness and shortness of breath.

ARRHYTHMIA. Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations).

HEART FAILURE: Shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen or neck veins.

If any of these symptoms occur, you should call 9-1-1 immediately.

RISK FACTORS High blood pressure, high LDL (low density lipoprotein), cholesterol and smoking are the main risk factors for heart disease.

Having diabetes, being overweight or obese, eating an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, drinking too much alcohol and high stress are lifestyle choices and medical conditions that also put women at risk.

REDUCE YOUR RISK KNOW YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE. Keepingyour blood pressure under control can lessen your chances of heart disease.

TEST FOR DIABETES. Discuss with your doctor whether or not you should be

tested for diabetes. If left uncontrolled, it raises your risk of heart disease.

QUIT SMOKING. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, learn ways to quit by talking with your doctor.

CHOLESTEROL IN CONTROL. Talk to your doctor about checking your cholesterol levels and ways to keep it in check.

LOSE WEIGHT. If you are overweight, learn to make healthy food choices.

Increase your activity level with exercise.

LIMIT ALCOHOL. Keep your alcohol consumption to one drink a day.

MANAGE STRESS. Find healthy ways to manage stress through exercise or meditation, and talk to your doctor about ways to keep your stress levels under control.

For more information, visit www.cdc. gov/heartdisease/women.

Information from cdc.gov

January/February 2020 Chicz 19

Back, left to right, Carol Meissner, Judy Backhaus, Lisa De Krey, Maria Haug, Corliss Stark; middle, Becky Zwilling, Sandy Susag, Sue Flynn, Chelsie Tatge, Patty Marriott; front, Jen Jabas, Kendall Brickweg.

THE POWER OF PURPOSE:

Women in Philanthropy

P

By Jen Jabas

urpose consists of the central motivating aims of your life — the reasons you get up in the morning.

There are many reasons I throw back the covers to welcome a new day. Getting my children to throw back their covers and stop snoozing past the alarm clock is one of them!

My primary purpose is to ensure that my family is fed and healthy, that my home is warm and secure, that my children get to school to learn and grow, and that I am able to go to work to provide for my family. These are the things that motivate me each day. I

make life decisions with these goals in mind. It give me a sense of direction and creates meaning in all that I do. Not only do I want all of these things for my family, but I want them for my friends, neighbors and for my community!

In my role at United Way, I observe the power of purpose in women making these differences in the health, education and financial stability of others every day! These philanthropic women have a desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of time and money to good causes.

Research done by the Women’s philanthropy Institute has shown the following:

•Women like to give collectively. There are many organized groups of women in our community who come together to give or volunteer for a good cause.

•Women give based on empathy for others. I have observed generous, kindhearted women listen to the needs of others with understanding and respond with compassion.

•Women inspire more women to be philanthropists.

I have listened to and work alongside women who volunteer for local non-profits and encourage and invite others to join!

•Women are more likely to give across income lev-

els and generations. There is no age or wage that defines the amazing philanthropic women who live and work in our community.

According to the Lily school of philanthropy, “Women are harnessing their growing wealth and influence to create a more just, equitable, and healthy society.” I am proud to say that this is true of the wonderful women in our community who are making a lasting impact in the lives of others and creating positive change in purposeful ways every day!

I look forward to what women in philanthropy will accomplish in 2020!

‘HELPER’S HIGH’: Why volunteering makes you happy

Common wisdom tells us that by giving, or giving our time, we receive something in return – tangible or otherwise.

True to this principle, very often volunteers affirm that volunteering makes them feel happy. This positive effect of volunteering has been called the “helper’s high.”

But what causes this feeling? Martin Seligman, the field of positive psychology’s leading figure and past president of the American Psychological Association, maintains that there are three types of happiness, or rather three kinds of happy lives: •Pleasant life or life of enjoyment •Good life or life of engagement

20 Chicz January/February 2020

•Meaningful life or life of affiliation Seligman outlines these modes of happy living in his books Authentic Happiness (2002) and Flourish (2011). The first mode of living involves the pursuit of pleasure and affords us only transient happiness. The second involves engagement in tasks in which we feel adept and is a source of durable happiness. The last involves participation in something larger or more permanent than ourselves and is also a source of durable happiness.

It’s the third type of happiness in Seligman’s model, that which derives from a “meaningful” mode of living, that is relevant to volunteering.

For Seligman, this happiness

stems from a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose.

According to both a large body of research and volunteers themselves, volunteering frequently generates these very effects.

Volunteers obtain a sense of belonging from engaging

with their community and expanding their social network, and a sense of meaning and purpose from their perception that they’re making a positive difference. Hence the sense of happiness, or this “helper’s high,” that so many volunteers report feeling.

By Melanie Danner

PAPER PLATE FANS (Pinterest)

FELT POCKET HEART

SUPPLIES: Paper plates Jumbo craft sticks Paint Sharpie Scissors Glue/glue gun

(Pinterest)

SUPPLIES: Felt Poly-fil Pen/pencil Scissors Fabric glue/glue gun

INSTRUCTIONS: Cut a paper plate in half.

Draw a small half circle in the center of the straight edge of the plate.

Paint the plate and two jumbo sticks and let dry.

Glue jumbo sticks to the back of the plate.

Prepare to have a FAN-tastic time!

FELT FRIENDSHIP HEART (Pinterest)

SUPPLIES: Felt Googly eyes Pen/pencil Scissors Fabric glue/glue gun INSTRUCTIONS: Draw hearts of different sizes and cut out.

Glue a small heart on a larger one.

Add googly eyes and give to someone you love.

INSTRUCTIONS: Draw two hearts of equal size and cut out.

Glue hearts together leaving a small opening and let dry.

Once dry, stuff the heart with a little poly-fil and glue opening shut.

Let dry and keep in a pocket or share with a friend.

PAPER LANTERN (Pinterest)

SUPPLIES: Craft paper Flameless candle Ruler Pen/pencil Scissors Stapler

INSTRUCTIONS: Fold paper in half lengthwise.

Draw a 1/2-inch line opposite of the folded side across the top.

Draw 1/4-inch lines from the fold to the 1/2-inch line across the paper.

Cut the 1/4-inch lines from the fold to the 1/2-inch line.

Open paper and roll into a tube.

Staple top and bottom.

Push down slightly to fan out.

Set over a flameless candle and enjoy!

January/February 2020 Chicz 21

4

tips for women who want to start a business

Entrepreneurship among women in America is on the rise. Of the nearly 27 million Americans that are self-employed, more than a third are women.

While starting your own business is challenging, it can also be very rewarding. Here’s some advice every woman who wants to be an entrepreneur should follow.

1

Find out what resources are available. Federal or state funding and grants may be available for launching your business. Other organizations may also offer financing.

Mentorship programs are another type of resource that may prove valuable.

Business organizations at regional and national levels should also be explored.

Many provide workshops and offer free resources for women starting businesses.

2

Network with other entrepreneurs. The connections you make with other entrepreneurs will play a big part in your success. Join business associations in your area to meet them.

The connections you make with other women entrepreneurs are likely to be particularly valuable.

3

Never stop learning. Take all the steps necessary to become an expert in your field. Enroll in classes, attend seminars, go to conferences and read everything you can about your industry.

4

Persevere. Owning your own business is hard work. Most people aren’t overnight successes and instead work for years to achieve their goals.

Perseverance is the most important characteristic a businesswoman can have. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks.

Instead, learn from them and use them to make yourself and your company stronger.

The path to success for the entrepreneur isn’t usually a straight one. However, passion, hard work and believing in yourself will help you overcome trials and get you through challenging times.

How to dress for a job interview The way you present yourself during a job interview has a direct impact on the outcome. Your choice of clothing, makeup and even perfume can influence your chances of landing the job for better or worse. Are you wondering what to wear to your next interview? Here are a few ideas to help you make a wise choice.

A job interview isn’t the best time to demonstrate your eccentric style.

Therefore, regardless of the position you’re applying for, always go with a professional outfit. In the business world, a tailored suit remains a classic choice. If you’re interviewing for a job in the fields of health care or education, opt instead for a comfortable but sophisticated look that includes a skirt or a pair of pants (not jeans!) and a nice shirt.

22 Chicz January/February 2020

If you’re in the creative industry (advertising, communications, arts, etc.) wear a tasteful outfit that showcases your personality. Ripped denim, cargo pants, sweat suits, low-cut shirts, short skirts and sequined fabrics are never appropriate.

As for shoes, opt for a closed pair instead of an open sandal, and make sure they’re well polished. Lastly, leave your stiletto heels and running shoes at home.

Finally, choose your accessories with care. A simple scarf or necklace can complete a look without the need for further embellishment. Last but not least, opt for a natural style of makeup and a discreet perfume that won’t risk distracting your potential employer.

raising chicz

The battle over

SCREEN TIME

By Cheryl Graham

I am so thankful to live in the technological era that we do. Immeasurable knowledge and vast resources are at my disposal with the click of a mouse or swipe of a finger. We have access to thousands of movies without the burden of storing thousands of DVDs. Yet there are times that I’ve very sincerely loathed the day that handheld devices were born into this world. These moments usually follow the high-decibel meltdown of a game-addicted child or the forty-ninth plea in a fifteen-minute period to obtain possession of said device.

As parents in the modern world, we are inundated with reminders that screen time must be limited for the health and development of small minds and bodies. Gone are the days of the electronic babysitter, where children could guiltlessly be al-

lowed to soak up hours of cartoons and family sitcoms. As a logical and educated parent, I understand the importance of this concept; as a working mother of three extremely persistent children, I sometimes wish to turn the clock back a few decades.

Our pediatrician recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time a day. This may seem like an ample amount of time, but when you factor in videos, typing classes, and the iPad time kids already have at school along with online tutorials and/or lessons required at night as homework, that two hours dwindles quickly.

This is how I find myself on a Thursday evening, while trying to fold a load of laundry and tackle dinner dishes, battling internally and ultimately racked with guilt. When my child asks (after having dutifully watched their math tutorial and completed the subsequent online homework) to unwind for the evening by watching a show, I usually cave; I

mean, hasn’t she earned it? I fully appreciate how technology has improved the effectiveness of our schools and is an integral part of learning and preparing our kids for the future, but I fear that we’re trending toward a time in which parents must choose to forgo the advice of pediatricians or disallow any recreational screen time.

There you have it folks; amidst all the technological wonders of the word, the struggle is real. We fight our children for access to devices, are in a screen time turf war with teachers, and are internally conflicted on if/when it’s ok to break the two-hour rule. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. We also have to be concerned about internet content, online predators, malware, device costs – the list goes on. In my first series of Raising Chicz articles, my goal is to find a balance and outline ways in which we as parents can win the battle over screen time.

FROST BITES

OUR IRAs DON’T

Invest now in your retirement with an IRA. American National Bank of Minnesota has a selection of products to meet your retirement plans with a number of tax benefits.

Supplement your 401(k) with one of our IRA products: Traditional | Roth | SIMPLE | SEP When you reach the age of 59 1/2 you will have the option to begin withdrawing funds from your IRA. Our experienced, professional staff will work with you to select the distribution option that best fits your lifestyle.

To set-up an account, visit anbmn.com, stop by our Alexandria location, or call 320.762.5330.

January/February 2020 Chicz 23

the language of love

Flowers are the gold standard of gift giving for Valentine’s Day, but do you know what your blossoms mean?

Make sure your Valentine knows exactly whatshe means to you. Here’s the symbolism behind several of Valentine’s Day’s special blooms.

ROSE A classic choice for Valentine’s Day, roses can express different things depending on their color.

RED symbolizes a deep, passionate love, which is why they’re ideal for a romantic partner.

PINK roses symbolize appreciation and make for a milder gesture than red ones.

They’re a nice choice if you don’t want to overwhelm a new love interest.

WHITE roses stand for purity and innocence, making them a great choice for a friend, daughter or other relative.

TULIPS Beautiful but understated, tulips are a wonderful alternative to roses and also hold various meanings depending on their color. In particular, red tulips are a symbol of passion and love. And because they last longer than other cut flowers, tulips also represent the longevity of your relationship.

LILIES These flowers, specifically the white ones, are associated with royalty and will express to your loved one that they’re a king or queen in your eyes.

GERBERA DAISIES Daisies are widely known for their representation of pure beauty, innocence and honesty.

which makes them an ultimate gift for both significant other as well as for family members and friends. There’re literally thousands of various types of orchids to select from.

CARNATIONS Carnations are translated as “fascination”. These flowers make a longlasting and worthy Valentine’s Day gift as they come in a true rainbow of colors or can be easily dyed any tone you prefer. Carnations have a rich history, most widely known for being used in Greek ceremonial events. It is believed that the word “carnation” derives from the word “coronation”.

ORCHIDS Orchids tell about your love and appreciation of your Valentine’s beauty,

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for sweethearts

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show those you’re closest to how you feel, whether they’re your friends or family members.

CELEBRATING WITH FRIENDS Why not use the holiday to celebrate the bonds of friendship? Avoid pricey, romantic restaurant options and instead consider: •Throwing a potluck party at home

24 Chicz January/February 2020

•Heading to a local diner for a down-to-earth dinner •Hitting the town and dancing the night away •Singing some tunes at a karaoke bar When deciding what to do, make sure to choose something that will be fun for your entire group.

CELEBRATING WITH FAMILY Valentine’s Day is also a great time to connect as a family. You could:

•Head to the cinema for a family movie night •Have a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant •Go bowling •Try out laser tag

•Work together to beat an escape room Depending on the ages and interests of your family members, the right way to celebrate will vary.

Travel on a budget

By Sue McDougald

Traveling: we travel for vacation, we travel for family.

When it comes to traveling and exploring, our budget can impact our itinerary. What tips can get us get more bang for our buck?

Fortunately, there are some things we can do to save money. I love to travel, and I try to make the planning process part of the fun. I’d like to help your vacation/travel dollar go further.

After you have a destination in mind, the planning begins.

If you are a AAA member, request travel books/maps. If you plan to stay overnight on the road, my favorite hotel booking app is the Hotels app.

For both iPhones and android, you can find all these apps in the App Store.

Once you call the number on the Hotels App and register,

for every ten nights you stay, you get a free night, all you pay is the tax (FYI – when you redeem your free night apply the complete amount, it doesn’t carry over). If you wait until the afternoon of your stay to book your room, you can get deep discounts for empty rooms.

We always choose a hotel (when possible) that has free breakfast. That’s one less meal to buy.

Ask for an upgrade when you check in. We’ve gotten many nice upgrades by politely asking.

Do some research to see what gasoline chains are popular in your travel area since you can save cents per gallon with their reward card.

Most reward cards can be applied for at the gas station, but many also have apps.

If you like the National Park system like we do, seniors

New at

can buy a lifetime pass for admission.

The time of year affects your vacation dollar. Off season is less crowded and less expensive. Airbnb and VRBO are an excellent option for rental, both long and short term. There will be cleaning fees and damage deposit with both but it’s a great option, especially for longer stays. If you stay for 2 weeks/month, usually there’s a price break.

I use Groupon for tickets for tours and sightseeing.

For air travel, Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest

day to fly with Fridays and Sundays being the most expensive. If you look at sites like Expedia, Priceline, Hotwire or Kayak for flights/ rental cars/ hotel packages, you can get some very good last-minute deals. Remember, companies would rather fill empty spots for less. This holds true no matter if you use Groupon, Hotels, or Expedia. If you can be flexible, you can get amazing deals. All love amazing deals for their travel dollar.

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Make it

meatless!

MINESTRONE SOUP

INGREDIENTS: 3 Tbsp. olive oil 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped carrots 1/2 cup chopped celery 1 small zucchini, chopped 1 tsp. basil leaves 1 tsp. oregano leaves 1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1 15-oz. can tomato sauce 1 14-oz. can stewed tomatoes, undrained 6 cups good quality chicken broth 1 15-1/4-oz. can kidney beans, drained 1 cup shredded spinach or cabbage 1 cup pasta, uncooked Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS: Saute garlic in olive oil for 2 minutes. Add onions, celery and carrots. Stir around until tender (about 8 minutes). Transfer saute mix to large soup kettle. Add zucchini, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes (broken up), chicken broth and kidney beans. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add spinach and pasta. Simmer another 12 minutes or until pasta is tender.

Serve in bowls and top with Parmesan cheese.

NOTE: I cook my pasta separately and add at the last minute, heating until pasta is warmed up. It keeps the soup from getting too starchy.

By Lori Mork Soup makes a wonderful wintertime meal and the variety is unlimited. From spicy tomato and broth-based soups to thick, creamy concoctions, there’s a soup for every taste – and none need to rely on meat to make them great.

My favorite meatless soup is minestrone.

Full of flavor and heaped with vegetables and pasta, it makes a filling and delicious meal. Give it a try, or whip up one of the other recipes and see what I mean.

TOMATO BISQUE SOUP INGREDIENTS: 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil (add more or less, to taste) 3/4 cup cream White pepper and salt, to taste DIRECTIONS: Mix all ingredients into a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Heat until scalding, but don’t let it boil.

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WILD RICE SOUP INGREDIENTS: 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock 1 cup uncooked wild rice 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, sliced 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 medium carrots, diced 2 ribs celery, diced 1 lg. (about 1 pound) regular or sweet potato, peeled and diced 1 small white onion, peeled and diced 1 bay leaf 1-1/2 Tbsp. Old Bay seasoning 4 Tbsp. butter, divided 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1-1/2 cups milk Salt and pepper, to taste DIRECTIONS: Heat 1 Tbsp. butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.

Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes,

stirring occasionally, until fragrant.

Add in the stock, wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, celery, sweet potato, bay leaf and Old Bay seasoning. Stir to combine and continue cooking until it simmers.

Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until the rice is tender, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, prepare your cream sauce in a separate saucepan on the stove. In it, cook 3 Tbsp. butter over medium-high heat until melted.

Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.

Slowly add in the milk and whisk until combined. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture nearly comes to a simmer and is very thick.

Add the cream sauce to the soup; stir gently until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm.

Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

CHEESY POTATO SOUP INGREDIENTS: 2 cups diced potatoes 1/2 cup diced celery 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup flour 2 cups milk 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Velveeta 1/2 cup grated carrots, optional

p o h S p o ne St

We are your

Ofor all your needs!

DIRECTIONS: Cook potatoes in water until tender; drain.

In small saucepan,melt butter and cook celery, onion and carrots until tender. Add flour and cook until smooth, about one minute.

Slowly add milk; cook until thickened. Add grated cheese and stir until melted.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

If soup gets too thick, it can be thinned by adding more milk.

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January/February 2020 Chicz 27

CROSSWORD

CHILLY WEATHER WORD SEARCH

CLUES ACROSS 1. Recurring TV show 7. Throws out 13. Iberian Peninsula microstate 14. Gossip 16. Atomic #20 17. Ivy League institution 19. Of I 20. ‘He Is __!’: Scripture excerpt 22. Musical genre 23. Heavy cavalry sword 25. Ancient Olympic Site 26. Satisfies 28. Popular flower 29. Shared services center 30. Drain 31. A way to attack 33. Urban Transit Authority 34. Spiritual leader 36. Postponed 38. N. American plant with edible purple-black berries 40. Gazes unpleasantly 41. Gets up 43. Capital of Ukraine 44. Returned material authorization (abbr.)

45. Golf score 47. Superhigh frequency 48. Swiss river 51. Felons 53. Succulent plants 55. Soluble ribonucleic acid 56. Deliberately setting fire to 58. Infamous singer Zadora 59. Anwar __, Egyptian statesman 60. Influential sports mag 61. Aromatic Mediterranean plant 64. Sixth note of a major scale 65. Unit of explosive power 67. Large watertight chamber 69. Popular street 70. A way of watering

SUDOKU

AIR MASS ALTITUDE ARCTIC BAROMETER BLACK ICE BLIZZARD CLIMATE COLD CONDENSATION CRYSTALIZATION DEGREE FOG 28| Chicz 28 CHIC January/February 2020

FREEZING FRONT FROSTBITE FROZEN GALE HYPOTHERMIA MERCURY SNOW TEMPERATURE VISIBILITY WINDCHILL WINTER

CLUES DOWN 1. Mollusks 2. -__, denotes past 3. Anchor ropes 4. Large Middle Eastern country 5. To make a mistake 6. Ancient governor 7. Extents 8. Chinese surname 9. NYC subway ‘residents’ 10. Essential oil used as perfume 11. A way to treat injuries (abbr.)

12. Session 13. Units of land areas 15. Goes over once more 18. Where wrestlers work 21. Italian islanders 24. Avenue 26. __ Adams, U.S. President 27. Rest with legs bent 30. Type of flour 32. The Golden State (abbr.)

35. More (Spanish) 37. Stinging, winged insect 38. The use of irony to mock 39. Arsenals 42. Pouch 43. 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet 46. Violent seizure of property 47. Restrict 49. Something comparable to another 50. Punishment device made from stems 52. Soul and calypso songs 54. Formerly OSS 55. Athabaskan language 57. __ bene: observe carefully 59. Six (Spanish) 62. Read-only memory 63. Chinese philosophical principle 66. American conglomerate 68. Tin

HOROSCOPES for January

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 A budding relationship appears to be on the cusp of taking the next step. Your relationships are your own, so don’t be afraid to slow down if things feel like they’re going too fast.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 The week ahead should be fairly positive for you. This lifting of weight will inspire newfound freedom to embark on interesting projects or pursue new interests.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 You may be looking for fulfillment in your love life or Now is the time to institute a change to your daily rou- your career this week. Some measure of liberation will tine if that’s been on your mind. Planetary energy is occur in the days ahead. pushing you on a course of self-discovery.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 As the days unfold, you may find yourself feeling more GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Small influencers in your life may be imperceptible, creative and perhaps a bit more rebellious in your but they are slowly turning the wheels of change and thinking. It is okay to want to set out on a new path. you’ll soon be able to realize what is in store.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Oftentimes you are a master of taking a difficult sitCANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Connect with your spiritual foundations. They will be uation and turning it on its head immediately. Those your guide through a week that figures to have its unique skills may be put to the test this week. share of ups and downs. Faith will help you ride it out.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 A reorganization will occur in your life. This may involve physically moving things around the house or an intellectual reorganization that produces a new perspective.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Good times with the ones you love do not have to take a back seat to professional goals. Find a way to strike a balance, even if it means delegating more often.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Even if you have a mind to help the ones you love, those people have to be receptive to your assistance.

Give them a chance to come around.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Don’t let others talk you into something you don’t want to be involved with. Stand your ground or walk away.

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contributing writers Shelly Beaulieu

Shelly is the advertising manager for the Echo Press. She enjoys DIY projects as well as spending her free time with her husband Tom and her mother and nine grand children!

Betty Ravnik of Alexandria is the owner of Ravnik & Co, (a gift, furniture and home décor store) previous interior design instructor and avid gardener.

Betty Ravnik

Lori Mork of Lowry is a mother, grandmother and dabbler in all things food, photography and decor related.

Lori Mork

Jeff Beach

Apryl Putnam is a mother of twin boys. She loves anything fitness related, singing, baking and watching her boys play sports.

Andy Mellgren is the Director of Operations for Plaza and Downtown Liquor.

Apryl Putnam

Al Edenloff

Sue McDougald

Jen Jabas of Alexandria, MN is the Executive Director at United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties. She loves her family and community and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their two sons.

Paul Uhde

Sue is a mother and grandmother who loves gardening, reading and exploring new places. One of her favorite destinations is America’s national parks; adventure is calling.

Tina McPherson is a mother and grandmother originally from Texas and is learning everyday how to live her life to the fullest in Minnesota.

Coffee helps.

Tina McPherson

a Magazine for FUN women!

30 Chicz January/February 2020

Jeff Beach has spent a lifetime on the The Jeff Beach Diet and is still kickin’.

Rachel Kubik is a news reporter for the Echo Press.

Al Edenloff of Alexandria and his wife, Celeste, were married in the heart of California wine country and enjoy sipping wine on their weekend date nights.

Jen Jabas

Lowell Anderson

Rachel Kubik

Andy Mellgren

Lowell Anderson is a photographer at the Echo Press newspaper.

Paul lives in Miltona with his long suffering wife, Katie, and their three wonderful children. He enjoys whisky, craft beer, and sports.

Cheryl Graham is an avid reader, remodeler, and DIY fanatic; she resides in Glenwood with her husband & daughters.

Cheryl Graham

Jordan McMahon is the marketing manager at Glenwood State Bank.

Jordan McMahon

Robin Trott

Robin Trott is a University of Minnesota Extension Educator

SUPPORT THESE LOCAL MERCHANTS

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What: When: Where: Why: Who:

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January/February 2020 Chicz 31

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32 | CHIC