Chicz - A magazine for FUN women -March/April 2020

a Magazine for FUN women!

March/April 2020

TM

Working wonders out of

WOOD

Spring

REFRESH

2 Chicz March/April 2020

Inching toward spring

Inside this issue March/April 2020

Days are beginning to get longer as the seasons slowly inch toward Real Chicz of spring, and it’s time to look ahead to warmer weather, something I’m Douglas County 4 sure you’re all looking forward to!

The Jeff Beach Diet 8 Spring is the time that Photo Tips 10 many of us start to give our homes a deep cleaning and Mommy and Me Crafts 22 look at changing up the decor, so we here at Chicz have brought you some Food and drink ideas to make that job easier.

Bake those potatoes in an air fryer • 8 Check out our cleaning For the love of coffee • 9 tips for your Marvelous mushrooms • 14 home and Andy’s Choice • 19 interior One more reason to drink beer • 21 designer Betty SPRING OUR L. M. MONTGOMERY Easter COMMUNITY Ravnik’s FORWARD Make your own Easter tree• 20 ideas for Bird nest cookies • 20 refreshing the look of your home. There are Spotlight on Easter eggs • 20 also tips for creative storage and some special cleaning Robin’s egg blue dye • 25 disinfectants that are non-toxic.

Spring also revives people’s drive to improve their Home health and Apryl Putnam explains high intensity interval Cleaning tips for your home • 12 training in her column Apryl’s Advice. There are some Spring cleaning: Don’t forget these places • 12 tips on getting your golf swing in shape.

Spring refresh • 16 Jen Jabas gives you insight into springing our comStorage solutions for your home • 16 munity forward and in Real Chicz of Douglas County, Hottest trends in spring interior design • 17 Celeste Edenloff brings you the story of a woman 3 non-toxic disinfectants • 27 whose creative soul led her to woodworking.

Jeff Beach brings you a recipe for twice baked ROBIN’S EGG BLUE DYE potatoes in the Jeff Beach Diet and Tina McPherson Wellness continues educating us on coffee in For Love of Apryl’s advice: Try HIIT for optimum calorie burn • 18 Coffee.

Are plant-based diets bad for athletes? • 18 These and so many more articles are just waitGet your swing ready for spring • 24 ing inside for you to read.

A beginner’s guide to golf etiquette • 24 Enjoy!

“March came in that winter like the meekest and mildest of lambs, bringing days that were crisp and golden and tingling, each followed by a frosty pink twilight which gradually lost itself in an elfland of moonshine.”

7

25

Community

Lori Mork, Chicz editor

Investing in Impact: Spring our community forward • 7 GET YOUR SWING READY FOR SPRING

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

Send your feedback to:

chiczmag@gmail.com

24

Family

4 jobs you can do from home • 6 Pros and cons: Sharing a bed with your dog• 11 The educational app trap • 23

Entertaining

Puzzles and horoscopes • 28

Technology

Gadget gifts for 2020 • 26

Your writers

Chicz contributing writers • 30

March/April 2020 Chicz 3

real chicz of douglas county

Working wonders out of Alexandria woman’s furniture business takes off

A

By Celeste Edenloff

s a teenager, Jill Arnquist would spend time working with her mom, tearing down old barns for the wood so that the two of them could make crafts. The mother-daughter duo would go to craft shows to sell their pieces of art.

Arnquist said she and her mom, Kathy Panek of Thief River Falls, “got good at going to craft shows” and even made a custom display to showcase their products.

“That’s how I got started. It was me and her together,” said Arnquist, who now owns her own hand-crafted, custom wood furniture business in Alexandria.

“It’s all my mom. She had me cutting wood early on and I loved it.”

Bord is the name of Arnquist’s familyrun business which was started in 2012 simply out of a love for working with wood.

Arnquist’s family includes her husband, Adam, and their three daughters, Lilly, 14; Emma, 12; and Ava, 10.

And although Adam works at his family business in Alexandria, Arnquist Carpets

4 Chicz March/April 2020

Plus, he still helps out at the shop, as do their children. The girls pitch in quite often and are very good at sanding the wood used for their mom’s custom-made pieces.

The business started in the couple’s garage when the family lived in a residential neighborhood in the Twin Cities metro area. When asked where the name for her business came from, Arnquist said the idea started when she, her husband and a neighbor did some Google searching.

“I have to give credit to my husband because I think he is the actual person who found the word,” said Arnquist. The word “bord” is Swedish for table.

That name stuck and her business, Bord, was created. She added that one

of her friends designed the company logo and another one created her initial Facebook header.

GROWING HER BUSINESS About six years ago, the family moved to the Alexandria lakes area and Arnquist had a shop built next to their house for her to work out of.

Arnquist was familiar with the area as her husband is from the Hoffman area and she went to Alexandria Technical and Community College for interior design. Her intentions were to work in kitchen design, she said.

“I had to wear high heels and skirts and that just wasn’t me,” said Arnquist, who was dressed in work boots and jeans.

Seeing the reaction on my customers’ faces is what makes it all worth it. I, too, love seeing the finished product. I love the whole process, but it’s so fun to see it when it’s done.

JILL ARNQUIST Furniture builder

After realizing interior design wasn’t the road she wanted to take, Arnquist started making furniture. She learned how to weld by watching YouTube videos and from her husband.

The two of them teamed up and the business took off.

Metal was popular at that time and Arnquist started making custom tables with metal hairpin legs. This style was popular in the 1940s and then resurged again nearly 10 years ago, she said.

She would ship her custommade hairpin legs all over the world, including many European countries. Many customers just wanted the legs and then they would use their own tops to make tables.

Since that time, her business has grown. She now makes custom-designed sofa tables, coffee tables, end tables, benches, stools, desks, dining tables, bookshelves and conference tables to name a few. And locally, her work can be seen at Copper Trail Brewing Company and First Lutheran Church, just to name two.

Last summer, she worked

on items for First Lutheran Church, which recently moved into its brand new location.

Arnquist made conference tables, bistro-style tables, the baptismal font, lectern and pulpit for the church.

Although she no longer lives in the metro area, Arnquist still does a lot of work for clients in the Twin Cities. She recently made 34 tables for a law firm in Minneapolis and is now working on custom pieces for some of the firm’s employees.

“Seeing the reaction on my customers’ faces is what makes it all worth it,” said Arnquist. “I, too, love seeing the finished product. I love the whole process, but it’s so fun to see it when it’s done.”

She loves to make items that people can use and enjoy every single day.

LOCALLY SOURCED All the wood that Arnquist uses is sourced through a local mill, she said, unless someone has reclaimed wood they want her to use for an item.

Her favorite wood to work with is ash. She loves the grain

of it and how it looks with different colors of stain.

And although she likes maple, she’s not the biggest fan of it because it’s such a hard wood and can be difficult to work with.

White oak and walnut are two types of wood that are currently really popular and she has used them in several of her pieces.

When it comes to design, Arnquist said she’ll talk with the customer and ask them if they have any ideas in mind. She’ll ask them to share pictures they might have found in magazines or on the internet.

“Sometimes I’m doing the designing and sometimes I’m making it exactly like what the customer showed me,” she said.

It is best if people know the exact dimensions of the item they want. There can be so many variables – height, width, thickness of the tabletop, etc.

“I want to be sure I am on the same page of what my clients are looking for,” she said.

Although people can go to her shop, the majority of

her clients never do. In fact, there have been times she hasn’t even met a customer in person. Some customers who aren’t home on delivery day just remotely open their garage door when she arrives and she leaves the item for them.

It typically takes about six weeks to complete a project, unless it is a large order.

After the design process is done, Arnquist will start on the metal bases so she can get them to the powder coater while she works on the wood portion. She’ll cut the wood that’s needed and planes it.

After that, it is glued and put on the clamp rack. When that process is done, the piece is sanded and stained and then finally sprayed with a clear matte finish.

For Arnquist, the best part of the process is when she gets the metal base back from being powder coated and she gets to put the top on its base.

“That is the funnest day of the whole process,” she said.

“That is satisfaction. Putting the table together and seeing the completely finished product. I love it.”

4 jobs you can do from home

Telecommuting has many advantages to offer, including a better work-life balance, increased productivity, reduced transportation costs and greater flexibility in hours worked. Here are four jobs you can do from home.

use by working as a translator or interpreter. If you have a background in a particular discipline or industry, you can draw on it to market yourself as a specialized translator.

There are many translation opportunities in both the private and public sectors.

VIRTUAL ASSISTANT A virtual assistant provides a host of creative, technical and administrative services in corporate, legal, medical and other settings. What’s great about marketing yourself as a virtual assistant is that you can tailor your offered services to what you’re good at. That said, the greater your skillset, the higher your earning potential will be.

WEB DEVELOPER/ DESIGNER These days, almost every company and public organization has a website, and they need people to create, maintain, modify and update them.

In addition, web design and development skills are easy to combine with other areas of expertise, such as advertising and graphic design.

TRANSLATOR Knowing more than one language can be a marketable skill, one you can put to

BOOKKEEPER/ ACCOUNTANT This is a perfect occupation if you want to work from home,

either full or part time. You’ll probably have to meet clients from time to time and you can expect a busier schedule during tax season.

While there are many opportunities to secure remote

jobs, be on the lookout for work-from-home scams, which have become more common in recent years. Be sure to research anyone you work for and to seek out employee reviews online.

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INVESTING IN IMPACT:

Springing our community forward

By Jen Jabas

W

hen you invest, you put time or money into something, hoping that there will be returns greater than what was originally put in. Most often we think of investing our money with the goal of receiving more money in the future. This can be done in several ways…stocks, bonds, maybe even cryptocurrencies! For more information about any of these…I’m not your gal!

Let’s look at some other ways we invest: •We invest in our home through improvements such as new flooring or landscaping that can increase the value over time.

•We invest in our health by eating healthy and exercising regularly which can allow us to feel better and achieve more.

•We invest in our education that can lead to employment and financial stability through income.

•We invest in building lasting relationships which can provide

support and companionship for years into the future.

What about investing for impact in our community?

We can invest in our community in many of the same ways! We are able to create opportunities for a better future through amazing local nonprofits and human service organizations. Our money, time, energy, and compassion will reach beyond one person to touch the lives of many.

Every spring I have the opportunity to listen to and learn about the programs offered by local non-profits through United Way grant proposals. I am always blown away by the incredible work that is being done right here in our community!

It is through and with amazing volunteer and donor support, that collectively, thousands of individuals can invest in providing grants to support these efforts.

You can invest for impact by: •Volunteering time to help those in need of assistance •Making a donation to a non-profit to help further their mission

•Raising awareness support for a cause

to

increase

What kind of investor are you? Whether you are the type of investor who has an active hand in serving our community or the investor who can financially support the work of others, YOU are making an impact! You may never know how much your gift of time or money can turn someone’s life around but for that individual or family you can make all the difference!

When you invest for impact in your community you can ALWAYS count on greater returns than you originally put in.

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Bake ‘em twice to turn plain potatoes into treat

By Jeff Beach What is twice as good as a baked potato bar?

A) A multiple choice question B) A crow bar C) A potato joke D) A twice-baked potato bar Well there are probably a lot of possible answers but the answer I was looking for is D: the twice-baked potato bar.

Now twice-baked potatoes are more work than your standard baked potato bar, but they are also exactly twice as good.

You can make the basic twice-baked potato recipe below but you can also add whatever toppings sound good to you: chopped mushrooms, crumbled bacon (please, no fake bits), broccoli flowerettes, leftover taco meat, chunks of hot dogs or sausage.

Make a variety of potatoes (it is the spice of life) and put a couple different tater types on your plate.

And the leftovers are easy to reheat for a quick lunch.

TWICE-BAKED POTATOES INGREDIENTS: 4 large russet potatoes bigger the better 1/3 cup sour cream 4 Tbsp. butter, cut into small chunks 1 scallion, chopped (use 2, if you dare) 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning (or salt and pepper to taste) 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese DIRECTIONS: Preheat to 400 degrees.

Bake potatoes directly on oven rack for about 1 hour, piercing here and there with a fork about 20 minutes into the baking time.

While potatoes bake, mix together sour cream, chunks of butter, scallions and seasoning in a large bowl.

When potatoes are done, use an oven mitt to remove from the oven, then cut in half lengthwise.

Reduce oven temp to 375 degrees.

Use a spoon to scoop out cooked potato from the skin and into the bowl with the

Clockwise from the top: A basic twice-baked potato; with broccoli; with hot dog; with mushrooms.

The

JEFF BEACH

diet

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

sour cream mixture. Be careful not to scrape too closely to the skin so the potato half keeps its canoe shape. A grapefruit spoon is a useful utensil for this step.

Use a fork or masher to mix potato together with sour cream mixture. Then scoop the potato back into the potato skins. Then top with whatever toppings you have chosen and cover with shredded cheese. Or skip the other topping and just use the cheese.

Place potato halves on a baking sheet and return to the oven. Cook until done, about 20 minutes.

And for dessert, here is the potato joke: Why was the potato slow to get into the oven?

He was a hesi-tater.

Bake those potatoes in an air fryer Air fryers, which are essentially a convection, or air-circulated oven, are extremely popular right now. Here’s an option for making twice baked potatoes in this new appliance.

TWICE BAKED POTATOES INGREDIENTS: 3 baking potatoes 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil 1/2 Tbsp. salt 3 Tbsp. sour cream 2 Tbsp. butter 1 scallion, chopped Salt and peper, to taste 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, bacon, cooked broccoli, mushrooms, etc.

8 Chicz March/April 2020

DIRECTIONS: Wash and dry potatoes, then rub them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Put potatoes in air fryer basket, making sure to leave space around them for air to circulate.

Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, turning over after 15 minutes. Test for doneness. Cook for 10 minutes more if necessary.

Cut potatoes in half and scoop out the insides from the skin, reserving the shells.

Mix together sour cream, butter, scallion and seasonings. Add potatoes to mix and mash together until you reach your desired consistency.

Spoon filling into potato shells, return to fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.

Top potatoes with cheddar cheese and other toppings, as desired. Cook for another 2 minutes at 400 degrees to melt cheese.

Experiment to find your for the

of coffee

By Tina McPherson

One of my favorite memes talks about why people don’t drink coffee. It asks what people do instead, like get an appropriate amount of sleep, which makes no sense to me.

Who really gets enough sleep that they don’t require caffeinated coffee?

When I sent that meme to a friend of mine who doesn’t drink coffee, he said that yes, he does get enough sleep and that he drinks orange juice instead.

Really? Insert big eye roll here.

It’s hard to explain to a non-coffee lover how that first taste of coffee in the morning goes all the way through you and how it just hits the spot.

To a newbie, though, how would they decide what type to drink? Back when we only had a percolator and a Mr. Coffee, my family really only had a few choices and it was brands, not roasts.

Today, besides the numerous brands of coffee, there are also

favorite roast

different types of roasts – dark, medium, light. But how do you choose?

Coffee beans start out green and depending how long they roast will determine what shade of brown they are. The longer a coffee bean roasts, the darker brown, or almost black, it will turn. In a lighter roast, the beans are a softer colored brown. And the darker the roast, the more robust the coffee will taste.

Super dark roasts can really pack a punch.

Personally, I like medium roast. However, I have recently discovered blonde roast, which means the beans are not roasted very long and the beans are light in color. However, my alltime favorite blend is Reindeer Blend from Caribou Coffee, which is actually a darker roast.

When it comes to the beans themselves, there are basically two types – Arabica and Robusta. To make it simple,

Arabica has less caffeine and a smoother taste. And, more expensive. Robusta is a harsher flavor but also has a bigger kick of caffeine and is cheaper.

When I was a 911 dispatcher, I worked many night shifts. Coffee got me through them. We had pre-filled coffee pouches for our coffee maker. Some liked more than one pouch, but I preferred just one. We even had one person who would use two pouches. I tried it once and I don’t think I slept for a day or so.

Newbies to the coffee world should experiment to see what they like best. When going to a coffeehouse, feel free to ask the barista about the different blends that might be offered.

Most baristas know their coffee and are happy to educate their customers. And usually, they will even provide samples.

While finding your preference, just remember to enjoy the experience – one sip at a time.

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March/April 2020 Chicz 9

composition: PHOTO

TIPS

Space and movement

By Lowell Anderson

One of the most basic ways to quickly improve your photography is by getting closer to your subject. By getting close, you can eliminate distractions and clearly communicate what the photo is all about.

But knowing when to leave some space around your subject is also an important compositional element. This particularly applies if your subject is moving, in which case you generally want to leave space

for the subject to travel in that direction. Without this space, the subject appears to be in danger of running into the edge of the frame, which tends to stop the appearance of motion and make the photo look awkward.

In addition to leaving some room for actual motion, it can also be important to leave room for implied motion, such as if a subject is pointing or looking to one side. If someone is looking at something, a part of us just naturally wants to see what it is they are focused on. That doesn’t mean you have to necessarily show

Because the runners are moving from right to left, leaving some space on the left side of the frame for them to move into creates a stronger and more pleasing photograph.

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Although the subjects of this photo are not moving, their bodies are turned to the right toward the street, so leaving some space on that side gives a sense of place and creates an effective composition. what the person is looking at, just that there should be some space for our eyes to travel in that direction.

It can also be important to leave some space for the eye to move from one element of the photo to another. For example, the main subject could be looking at another person who in turn is looking down at another object.

This compositional rule of leaving space applies equally no matter what the direction of the movement. If the movement is going up, leave some extra space at the top. If the movement is to the right, leave some extra space on the right side.

Even without movement, there are times where leaving some extra space might be appropriate. Sometimes

showing the subject in a wider space or environment might be more important than simply showing the subject alone and close-up.

Probably the easiest way to understand this rule is just to look at a bunch of photos that have movement in them and see how much space was left and where it is located.

As always, once you become familiar with this compositional rule, you may want to break it from time to time depending on the situation and what you are trying to convey in the photograph.

In the end, deciding how much space to leave and where to leave it boils down to one simple question: Does the space serve a purpose or is it just empty and unnecessarily?

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PROS AND CONS: Sharing a bed with your dog There’s no consensus about whether or not it’s safe or healthy to share a bed with your dog. Some animal behaviorists claim it isn’t a good idea, while others say there’s no problem with the practice.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine if you’re comfortable sleeping with Fido. Here are some pros and cons that may help you decide.

PROS Being close to their pets makes people happier and calmer, which can translate to better sleep. Furthermore, you may feel safer knowing that your dog is right by your side if there’s a middle-of-the-night emergency. And if you tend to get cold, dogs make great bed warmers.

CONS While it’s rare, dogs can transmit certain diseases to humans. Unfortunately, sharing a bed makes it more likely that you’ll get sick from your canine companion. In addition, sleeping next to your pooch can exacerbate allergy symptoms because allergens tend to stick to their paws and fur. Finally, dogs that have a tendency to be dominant may become even more so when sleeping in bed with their owner.

If you do decide to allow your dog to sleep in your bed, take some steps to safeguard your health. Bathe your dog at least once a week and schedule regular visits with the veterinarian to ensure that your pet is healthy and up to date on its vaccinations.

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March/April 2020 Chicz 11

Cleaning tips for your home

FINGERPRINTS ON APPLIANCES If you can’t get rid of the fingerprints on your stainless steel appliances, try a drop of oil – olive or baby – on a. paper towel.

Buff the oil into the surface and wipe the excess off with a clean paper towel.

CLEAN SHOWER DOORS Use a Brillo pad to clean the soap scum and water spots off glass shower doors. It won’t scratch the glass. Use Rain-X Original Glass Treatment every three months to help repel water spots.

FREEZE TO REMOVE Remove odors from sports equipment that can’t be washed, such as helmets, by placing the item in an extra large zip top bag. Put items in the freezer overnight.

The cold air will kill the bacteria and remove the smell.

Freezing items can also remove sticky residue from synthetic materials or wax from table linens. Freezing hardens the wax and it can be scraped or picked off.

GREASE STAINED LAUNDRY Use a piece of white chalk to rub on grease stains to absorb oil before washing. Launder as usual. This should work for cooking oil, salad dressing and butter.

If you don’t have chalk, try using cornstarch sprinkled over the stain. Let it set for 10 minutes, then wash.

WATER SPOTS White vinegar can help remove water spots and mineral deposits from faucets and fixtures.

Saturate a paper towel or microfiber cloth with vinegar and place it on the spots. Let sit for 5-15 minutes, then wipe away.

CLEAN WINDOWS Add one teaspoon of cornstarch to a cup of white vinegar to clean windows.

The cornstarch is a natural abrasive

that helps clean the grime and leaves windows streak free.

COFFEE CUP STAINS That stain on the interior of your coffee cup can easily be cleaned with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

Wet the eraser and wipe away the stain.

SPRING CLEANING:

Don’t forget these places!

To guarantee that this year’s spring cleaning is a success, target these often-neglected areas of your home.

Refrigerator. Remove everything from the fridge and throw out anything that’s past its expiration date. Take out shelves and drawers, scrub them using warm, soapy water and then replace them. Don’t use bleach or other strong cleaning products that shouldn’t come into contact with food.

12 Chicz March/April 2020

Bedding. Wash your duvets, comforters and pillows in the washing machine using the gentle cycle. Run the rinse cycle twice to be sure all the soap is removed. If your machine isn’t big enough to fit a comforter or duvet, or you want to do it all at once, head to a local laundromat.

Blinds. Dust vinyl, aluminum or wood blinds with a vacuum or a microfiber duster on both sides. If there’s a buildup of dirt, wash with a sponge and a solution of water and vinegar.

Fabric shades can be vacuumed or brought to the dry cleaner.

Walls and ceilings. Remove cobwebs caught in the corners using a vacuum and wash the ceiling with an extendable sponge mop and slightly soapy water. Continue by cleaning the walls in the same way and giving the baseboards a good scrub.

Once you’re done, make it a point to re-clean these areas every few months.

This will ensure your home is tidier throughout the year and minimize the amount of work to be done next spring.

March/April 2020 Chicz 13

mushrooms Marvelous

By Lori Mork

I love mushrooms, both cooked and raw, and enjoy every kind I’ve ever had. Buttons, crimini, portabella, shiitake, morel or even oyster – mushrooms can add an elegant touch to almost any dish.

But did you know that these little fungi are also good for your health?

It’s true! Filled with Vitamin B and D, dietary fiber and potassium,

mushrooms are a great way to add antioxidants – and flavor – to your diet, as well as fighting heart disease and weight gain.

Mushrooms are so versatile. You can toss them in a salad, drop a few on your favorite pizza, or saute them to top your grilled steak. Try some today.

MUSHROOM ROLLS INGREDIENTS: 1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms 1/4 cup butter 3 Tbsp. flour 3/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. MSG (optional) 1 cup cream 2 tsp. chives, chopped 1 tsp. lemon juice 1 loaf sliced bread DIRECTIONS: Chop mushrooms; saute in butter. Blend in flour, salt

and MSG. Stir in cream; cook until thick. Add chives and lemon juice.

Remove crust from bread slices. Roll out bread thinly and spread with mushroom mixture, then roll up. Freeze rolls.

When ready to serve, defrost rolls and cut into thirds. Toast on all sides in 400 degree oven.

CHICKEN AND MUSHROOMS INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. chicken breast 1 Tbsp. olive oil 2 cups baby portabella mushrooms, sliced 2 tsp. lemon zest (about one lemon) 3 Tbsp. lemon juice 3 sprigs thyme 1/4 tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper 1 cup chicken broth, divided 3 Tbsp. butter DIRECTIONS: In large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms, lemon zest, lemon juice and thyme; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms become golden brown and reduced in size by half.

Pour half the chicken broth into the pan and scrape the

bottom of the pan to release the brown bits. Pour into bowl; cover and set aside.

Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.

Increase heat under skillet to medium high. Add chicken and cook until chicken reaches 160 degrees internally.

Remove chicken from pan and cover to keep warm.

Add mushrooms back into pan; add remainder of chicken stock and scrape brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

Add the butter. Cook the sauce until butter is completely melted. Add in any chicken juices that may have accumulated from the resting chicken.

Serve chicken on plate and top with mushroom sauce.

You can also serve this over rice or potatoes.

Ways to enjoy mushrooms Did you know?

In a 2019 study, researchers at the National University of Singapore found that eating two 3/4 cup servings of cooked mushrooms per week may reduce your odds of mild cognitive decline.

14 Chicz March/April 2020

Sauté. Lightly oil pan and heat on high. Add single layer of sliced mushrooms; cook until reddish brown, turn and cook until the other side is the same color.

Grill and Broil. Lightly brush caps and stems of larger capped mushrooms, such as portabella, with oil, and season. Grill or broil

4-6 inches from heat for 4-6 minutes on each side, brushing once or twice.

Roast. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush mushrooms with oil. Place mushrooms in shallow baking pan in oven. Cook until brown, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.

CHICKEN CREPES MORNAY In 1978 BI (Before Internet), I found this recipe in a Seventeen magazine and have held onto it ever since.

INGREDIENTS: Crepe batter: 1 cup flour 1/8 tsp. salt 3 eggs 1-1/2 cups milk Melted butter or peanut oil Chicken filling/Mornay sauce: 6 Tbsp. butter, divided 1/4 pound mushrooms, chopped 6 medium scallions, chopped

2 Tbsp. chopped parsley 2 cups shredded cooked turkey or chicken 1-1/2 tsp. salt, divided 4 Tbsp. flour 2 cups milk 14 tsp. pepper 1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 3/4 cup light cream 2 Tbsp. melted butter 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs DIRECTIONS: Beat flour, salt and eggs with mixer to form a thick paste.

Slowly stir in milk; beat until smooth. Let stand at room

temperature for one hour.

Batter can keep overnight in fridge.

Heat 7-inch crepe pan or small skillet with sloping sides over medium-high heat. Brush pan lightly with melted butter or oil, then pour in 2 Tbsp. of batter. Quickly tilt and turn pan so batter covers bottom completely.

Cook over medium heat for one minute or until top of crepe is dry and bottom is lightly browned. Lift the crepe with a spatula and turn onto the other side. Cook until second side is lightly browned.

Slide crepe onto waxed or parchment paper. Repeat process, stacking crepes between waxed paper. Makes 18 crepes. (Crepes can be wrapped then refrigerated or frozen for later use.)

Set aside 8 crepes for use.

Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add chopped mushrooms, scallions and parsley and saute until tender. Mix in shredded chicken or turkey and 3/4 tsp. salt. Set aside.

In another saucepan, melt remaining 4 Tbsp. butter over medium heat. Using a whisk, stir in flour until completely smooth. Slowly pour in milk, stirring rapidly so lumps don’t form. Cook over medium heat until it boils and thickens. Add remaining 3/4 tsp. salt and pepper.

Stir in grated cheeses and heat until cheese is completely melted.

Add one cup of Mornay sauce to chicken mixture to bind the chicken. Set aside remaining sauce to top crepes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lay crepes out flat and spoon 1/4 cup filling over the center of each crepe. Fold one side over, covering most of the filling, then fold over the other side. place in 8 x 11� baking dish.

Pour Mornay sauce over crepes. Mix melted butter and bread crumbs together and sprinkle on top of sauce.

Bake for 20-30 minutes until bubbly. Makes 4 servings.

March/April 2020 Chicz 15

Spring refresh

By Betty Ravnik Senior Interior Designer

Spring is in the air, so let’s refresh your home.

I love area rugs for many reasons. They add color and pattern to a room plus create coziness in the space. Another reason is they can be moved and removed to give another feel to the room. One of my favorite things to do in the spring is to remove some of the area rugs. It is like giving the space room to breathe.

I love the look of bare floors come spring! If that is too much of a change think about replacing the rugs for the warmer months with natural fiber rugs like cotton or sisal.

It will change how you feel about your home.

Other ways to change the home without repainting is to change out the artwork or just move them from one room to the next. Since you are doing spring cleaning anyway why not take everything off of your bookcases/shelves and change out the items to

reflect the change of the season. Decluttering surfaces and shelves gives an airy feel to usher in spring optimism.

Don’t forget your pillows. I just had a client order some fresh green and white pillows to replace her wintery plaid pillows. You can do this in the living room, bedroom and even entry or kitchen if you have a bench. Change out your bedding from sheets to bedspreads and duvet covers.

Utilize fabrics in colors that reflect the outdoors in spring.

Think bright, crisp and clear!

Don’t forget materials like cotton and linen which give the look and feel of the warmer weather to come.

In the bathroom switch out your towels, candles and even the shower curtain to match the season change.

Throughout the home open up the window treatments and add mirrors to reflect the light back into the room.

Look around your home.

Are there items you have displayed that don’t serve their purpose? Remove or refresh is a good way to welcome spring into your home. Refresh by adding pops of color that instantly change the feel of your room. Add spring color in your accessories from picture frames to vases.

Lastly, think about flowers.

Add fresh cut flowers in all rooms including the bathroom! From the wonderful smell to the visual beauty, flowers are an optimistic reminder that Mother Nature is putting to bed another Minnesota winter.

Storage solutions for your home Did you finish your spring cleaning only to realize you need more storage space?

Here’s a room by room look at some of the best solutions available.

KITCHEN Install hidden trays under your cabinets to hide chargers, coffee pods and other essentials. In addition, placing pull-out shelves in cupboards will make it easier to organize your items.

BATHROOM Store your cleaning supplies on a Lazy Susan to make them easy to find when you need them. Use baskets to hold things like bath towels or toilet paper.

LIVING ROOM Put a bowl on the coffee table to stylishly corral remote controls, magazines and other items. Additionally, a storage ottoman is perfect for holding throws and pillows.

BEDROOMS Take advantage of the space under your bed by adding drawers or using under-thebed storage boxes.

16 Chicz March/April 2020

GARAGE Install overhead racks near the ceiling. This allows you to incorporate storage in the garage without sacrificing parking space. Use this area to hold stuff you don’t need to access often, like seasonal decorations and sporting gear.

WORKSHOP, OFFICE OR CRAFT ROOM Mount a pegboard above your work area and use it to organize your tools or supplies. By hanging things on the wall, they’ll be easier to find and you’ll free up some room.

s d n e r t t s Hotte

in spring interior design

Are you thinking about redecorating? Then take inspiration from this season’s hottest design trends.

Here’s what to look out for this spring.

Cool colors. Coastal hues will rule this season. Breezy blues, muted greens and pale pinks go perfectly with bold saffron accents.

If you prefer neutral hues, opt for cool-toned grays over the warmer beige or greige tones that have been popular in recent years.

Wood accents. Natural wood is everywhere, from furniture to accessories. This season, the look is natural, not painted. Structural elements like exposed beams are also big. Opt for darker woods like walnut or teak over pale pine or maple.

Botanical prints. While florals are ubiquitous most spring seasons, this year, leafy, tropical prints dominate. Wallpapered accent walls look fresh with a cheery palm motif and traditional sofa shapes are given a modern update with feathery fern upholstery. If you’re not ready for new furniture or wallpaper, consider framing some vintage botanical prints.

This season’s most popular colors and patterns may be trendy but they’re also timeless. When you incorporate them into your home decor, you can be sure they’ll look great for years to come.

March/April 2020 Chicz 17

Apryl’s advice:

Try HIIT for optimum calorie burn

By Apryl Putnam

Many people think you have to spend hours doing cardio at the gym in order to burn calories. I’m here to tell you that this is simply not the case.

Have you heard of HIIT? The word HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training.

Here are some of the benefits:

TUNE AND BOOST YOUR METABOLISM. One of the main reasons your body continues to burn calories after HIIT is that it boosts your metabolism. Studies have conclusively found that your metabolic rate is increased for hours after you finish exercising.

TIME EFFICIENCY. HIIT is the perfect solution if you want time efficient results from your workout. Just ONE 15 MINUTE HIIT session has been proven to burn as many calories as an HOUR on the treadmill!

IMPROVE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION. Aerobic fitness is the traditional method for increasing the ability of your muscles to use oxygen (oxygen consumption). Yet, HIIT has been proven to achieve the same results in a shorter amount of time.

NO EQUIPMENT NEEDED. HIIT workouts don’t require expensive gear or gym memberships. As they utilize the weight of your body to create resistance, all you need is some open space.

BURN CALORIES AFTER YOU FINISH YOUR WORKOUT. As you work out, HIIT puts your heart into overdrive. Your heart cannot deliver enough oxygen to your muscles, and it puts into debt for oxygen.

This triggers the recovery cycle of your body, burning fat and calories up to 24 hours after you finish your workout.

So, as you can see, HIIT is the way to go! Who doesn’t want to spend less time in the gym, still be able to burn just as much calories, if not more calories, in a

LOSE FAT, NOT MUSCLE. Studies have proven the muscle-wasting properties of low-intensity cardio. HIIT uses your body as weight training to build muscle, while effectively shredding your body fat!

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A HIIT WORKOUT: You will do each exercise for 45 seconds, and then rest 15 seconds in between before moving onto the next exercise. Once you have completed all of them, start from the top again. Repeat three times.

•Jumping jacks •Squats •Push-ups •Wall Sit •Tricep Dips •Lunges •Plank •Chair step-ups •Crunches •Mountain climbers shorter amount of time, then if you were on a cardio piece of equipment for an hour or more. It’s a WIN WIN!

Are plant-based diets bad for athletes?

Adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet will not impede an athlete’s endurance. In fact, all the nutrients an athlete needs can be obtained from a plant-based diet.

Carbohydrates. Everyone needs carbohydrates, but athletes rely on them more than most people, because carbs easily convert into glucose and energy.

Most carbohydrates come from plantbased foods such as whole grain breads and pastas as well as beans, rice, oats and fruits.

18 Chicz March/April 2020

Protein. Athletes need protein to help repair muscle and optimize the formation of glycogen, a complex molecule used in long-term storage of glucose. Many carbohydrate sources are good sources of protein, as are eggs, dairy and various forms of soy, including tofu and textured vegetable protein.

Micronutrients. Zinc, iron, calcium, iodine and vitamins D and B12 can be difficult to obtain in sufficient amounts without consuming animal-based foods.

While lentils, pulses, tofu and cashews are great sources of iron and zinc, their high fiber and phytic acid content makes them harder to absorb. This is resolved by consuming foods rich in vitamin C. Calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 are easily obtained from fortified almond or soy milk. Okra, bok choy and kale will also provide a lot of calcium, while mushrooms such as maitakes and Portobello are rich in vitamin D. Finally, supplements are your best bet for iodine.

ANDY’S CHOICE:

into Irish whiskey and Irish cream

By Andy Mellgren Irish whiskey was one of the earliest distilled drinks in Europe, arising around the 12th century, and was the most popular spirit in the world. Although its popularity fell between the 1920s-1960s it began a resurgence since the 1990s and continues to be the fastest-growing spirit in the world each year for the last 20 years.

Irish whiskey has a smoother, slightly sweeter finish as opposed to the smoky, earthy overtones common to Scotch whisky. The word “whiskey” (or whisky) comes from Gaelic “uisce beatha,” meaning “water of life.”

The Irish Whiskey Act of 1980 defines the basic requirements for Irish whiskey. Irish whiskey must be distilled and bottled on the island of Ireland

(comprising the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) from a mash of malted cereal grains, most commonly barley.

The finished product must hve a minimum alcohol – by volumn – content of 40 percent or 80 proof. All Irish whiskeys must be aged a minimum of three years in barrels. They can be aged in new or previously used sherry, bourbon, or rum barrels.

SOME COCKTAIL IDEAS Choose any brand and call it by name or refer to it simply as a Whiskey and Ginger, a shot of Irish whiskey topped with ginger ale. If you make the switch to ginger beer, you will have made a snappy Irish buck.

IRISH GOLD Start off with a shot of Tullamore Dew (or any brand). Add peach schnapps and just a

hint of orange juice to give it a fruity twist. Then finish off with your favorite ginger ale.

ZESTY IRISHMAN Irish whiskey and Drambuie with triple sec and fresh lemon, topped with a splash of ginger ale. It really is zesty and ideal for those times when you are in the mood for something that is definitely not boring.

IRISH CREAM Irish cream is not a traditional Irish product, the first version invented by a creative ad agency working for International Distillers & Vintners’ Dublin office in 1973. Bailey’s

was introduced in 1974 as the first Irish cream on the market.

Irish cream is simply an Irish whiskey with cream. Often with hints of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and almond.

Seems like Irish cream was made for coffee! The original Irish coffee is quite simply black coffee, whiskey, sugar and cream.

Irish cream is easy on its own with ice, in coffee, hot chocolate, poured over ice cream or mixed with Guinness.

Mix Bailey Irish cream with Jameson whiskey in a shot and drop it in a glass of Guinness stout and enjoy!

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Easter tree Make your own

Decorating trees with eggs is a German custom called Ostereierbaum, meaning Easter egg tree. Easter trees are also a Swedish tradition known as Påskris, where all kinds of ornaments are strung on trees.

DIY

An Easter tree is fun way to decorate for the holiday and one children can easily help with.

Fill a vase with small tree branches or faux branches, using pebbles and water to anchor the live branches or floral foam to keep the faux branches from shifting or tipping over the vase.

To make the egg decorations for your tree, you will need to carefully poke holes in the top and the bottom of fresh eggs, making the bottom hole just a little larger than the top. To help keep the egg shell from cracking, place a small piece of tape over both ends.

Hold eggs carefully over a bowl with the larger hole at the bottom, then blow through the small hole.

Birds Nest Cookies

INGREDIENTS: 1 12-oz. bag milk chocolate chips 1 12-oz. bag butterscotch chips 1 12-oz. bag chow mein noodles Egg shaped candy such as M&M’s, jelly beans or chocolate eggs

INSTRUCTIONS: Put both bags of chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave on 50 percent power for one minute. Stir

and repeat until all chips are melted.

Remove from microwave and stir in chow mein noodles.

Drop mixture by large tablespoonfuls onto wax paper. Mold into a bird nest shape.

Top with 2-3 egg shaped candies. Let harden.

If you don’t like butterscotch chips you can use a second bag of chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.

Once the eggs are all empty, carefully wash the shells with soap and water and allow to dry. You can also soak them in vinegar and water.

You can then dye the eggs, paint them or decorate with ribbon and glitter.

Cut a piece of narrow ribbon about 12” long, folding it in half and tying the ends into a bow or a knot. Then use an embroidery hook, long needle or a piece of floral wire to gently pull the ribbon through the egg, letting it rest on the bow/knot. You can also use embroidery thread and a small button, and allow the egg to rest on the button.

You can save the inside of the eggs for cooking.

Spotlight on Easter eggs

Here are a few ways to highlight eggs in your Easter celebrations this year.

DECORATE THEM. There are many ways to decorate your eggs for Easter. Create your own designs with paint and a fine paintbrush. Or wrap elastic bands around your eggs and dip them in dye to create a graphic look.

PLAY WITH THEM. If you have kids, a classic Easter egg hunt is a must. For a fun twist, make it a scavenger hunt complete with clues leading them to one big prize.

If you’re looking for games people of all ages can enjoy, try racing while balancing an egg on a spoon, competing to see who can push an egg the furthest using just their chin or nose, or teaming up and tossing an egg back and forth. The team that keeps their egg whole the longest, wins.

EAT THEM. Finally, don’t forget to eat them. Boiled, baked, fried and whipped into an omelet are just a few classic ways to prepare eggs. Or, make a quiche or frittata for a refined Easter brunch dish. Also, if you or someone in your family has a sweet tooth, don’t forget to stock up on egg-shaped chocolates and candies for the occasion.

20 Chicz March/April 2020

By Al Edenloff

One more reason to drink beer Cheers! National Beer Day is Tuesday, April 7.

President Franklin Roosevelt took the first big step toward ending prohibition by signing a law on April 7, 1933 that allowed people to brew and distribute beer in the U.S. Here are five ways to celebrate: Try something new. Instead of sticking with your tried and true favorite brand of beer, why not expand your horizons? Unless your beer mug has been buried in the sand the last decade, you’d know that all kinds of craft beers have invaded the beer market, offering unique wheats, sours, ales, stouts, porters and more.

Pick one or two that sound intriguing and invite a few friends over for a beer tasting.

Tour a brewery. There are two breweries in the Alexandria area and several more within 45 miles. Most breweries are more than willing to take you through the process of how they brew. If you’re not sure exactly what to order, tell your beer-tender what kind of style of beer you like or don’t like. Better yet, order a flight to sample and compare several different brews.

If you don’t want to make the leap to a craft beer, check out what the major distributors

are doing. Taking the cue from the rising craft beer market, they’re adding new product lines all the time. One 175-year-old beer distributor, for instance, introduced a “hard coffee” malt last year. Some diehard beer drinkers will argue that since it doesn’t taste like a beer, it’s not really a beer, but the lines are blurring more and more these days. Explore on your own and join the debate.

Make it a meal. Just like wine pairings, beer goes well with many kinds of food. Here are some good ones to try, according to the Brewers Association: blonde ales with chicken or brats; a pale ale with a burger; a porter with roasted or smoked foods; a classic pilsner with salmon and red ales with spicy foods.

Throw a beer party. Make it a kegger or have people bring their own beer. Play some board games, or if it’s nice out, set up a bean bag tournament. Since April 7 is on a Tuesday, you could plan a gathering for the weekend before or after. Just remember: Drink responsibly and have a designated driver. You’ll want to be around for next year’s National Beer Day.

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EASTER BUNNY BASKET (Pinterest)

SUPPLIES: Craft paper Pen/pencil Scissors Glue

By Melanie Danner

INSTRUCTIONS: Draw a bunny with long arms.

Cut out bunny.

Draw a face on bunny.

Glue arms to bottom of feet.

Let dry and fill with a sweet treat.

CRAYON JEWELRY SUPPLIES: Crayons Pendent Shapes Cheese Grater Bowls Cookie Sheet Parchment Paper Oven Clear Glue/Nail Polish INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven degrees.

to

(Pinterest) Place pendants on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Grate crayons into bowls.

Add to pendants.

Bake for 2 minutes and let cool.

Fill top of pendants with clear glue or nail polish and let dry overnight.

Add to a chain for a pretty 350 necklace.

CRAYON ART (Pinterest)

SUPPLIES: Crayons Canvas Glue Gun/Tacky Glue Hair Dryer

22 Chicz March/April 2020

INSTRUCTIONS: Glue crayons to canvas.

Heat crayons with hair dryer and tilt canvas in different directions to create art.

raising chicz

The educational

APP TRAP

much to the amazement and delight of my girls. My one condition was that they As I peered over my kindergartner’s only use an educational app. Life was blonde ponytail to the tablet she clutched good - my kids got an extra few minutes in her dimpled hands, I grinned like the with the devices they adore, and mom Cheshire Cat. My typical response to got an extra few minutes to tackle the seeing my kids’ faces engulfed in the chore list guilt free.

By the time report cards came home, blue glow of a hand-held screen is a deep mom-scowl, but this was different. we’d been humming along with the new My oldest had found a new app, an routine for weeks. I ripped open the educational app – and she shared it with seal on the pale envelope inscribed with her sisters. I had just witnessed my six- my kindergartner’s name in delighted year-old correctly solving double-digit anticipation. She was subtracting doublesubtraction problems in order to give digits after all – I wanted to surround her on-screen avatar the magical powers myself in more good-mom vibes posthaste. There it was: Adds and Subtracts needed to defeat evil stone monsters.

I allowed myself a moment to bask at Grade Level: (4) Exceeds Expectations. in the bliss of successful motherhood I beamed. As I continued down the page, and wondered if my pediatrician (along my smile disappeared. Can write numbers with countless experts) was wrong to 1 -10: (2) Completes Inconsistently. At that suggest such rigorous limits for screen moment, a conversation I’d had with a time. Maybe I didn’t have to be such teacher friend of mine flashed into my an ogre when it came to parceling out mind.

“Kids spend so much time with devices device minutes, always so precious to my offspring. In the following days, I these days that many of them start school loosened up screen time rules a bit, lacking basic fine motor skills like how

By Cheryl Graham

to hold a pencil or use scissors,” she’d told me.

Just like that, good-mom vibes became bad-mom shame. Of course my daughter’s ability to write numbers wasn’t on par with her ability to add or subtract them; THAT skill wasn’t in the app. If I hadn’t been so ready to justify the extra screen time on the grounds that it was productive, I may’ve realized it sooner.

Lesson learned. Educational apps can be a phenomenal learning tool – if you don’t do what I did and dupe yourself into thinking they can replace more traditional forms of skill development.

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March/April 2020 Chicz 23

Get your swing ready forspring With golf season nearly ready to open in the Midwest, it’s time to shake the rust off your clubs and prepare to head for the tee box. Improving your swing can maximize the distance off the tee and give you confidence out of the rough or on the putting green. Check out these tips to give you a head start on your season.

OUT OF THE ROUGH

Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself playing from the rough, or the edge of the fairway. If the grass isn’t too thick or long, your shot should travel farther, so select a club that will keep you from hitting too hard. More grass will cause your shot to have less distance.

During your swing, choke up on your club about an inch on the grip. Keep your weight on your front foot and take your backswing only about 3/4 of the way back.

OFF THE TEE

ON THE GREEN

One key to a good swing is to keep from swinging too hard. You should make a complete turn with your hips on your backswing, then lead with your lower body when swinging forward. Pull the rest of your body through the

Keeping your body still and your club face square to the hole is essential when putting.

Make sure to use only your arms during your swing since you aren’t trying to generate power. You will also need to judge how fast the green is playing in order to determine how hard to hit the ball.

swing with your hips and legs.

A successful tee shot is also determined by your lower body movement, so start your preseason conditioning with lower body exercises like running and weightlifting.

A beginner’s guide to golf etiquette

Etiquette is fundamental to the game of golf. Before playing your first round, be sure to have a good grasp on the basic dos and don’ts.

Understand the rules. It’s a good idea to first familiarize yourself with the rules of the game as outlined by the United States Golf Associa-

tion (USGA). In addition, you should learn the specific rules and regulations of the course you’re playing. These are often printed on the scorecard and posted in the clubhouse or pro shop.

Follow the dress code. Wear a collared shirt with either khakis, golf slacks, a golf skirt or golf shorts. You’ll also need golf shoes. Some clubs have a more specific dress code, so always check in advance.

Be respectful to fellow golfers. Show consideration to other players on the course by following these conventions: •Be punctual. Arrive promptly for your tee time to avoid holding up the group behind you.

24 Chicz March/April 2020

•Care for the course. Replace divots, repair ball marks, rake bunkers and keep golf bags and carts off tees and greens.

•Don’t move or talk when another player is hitting the ball.

•Make sure your phone is off or set to silent.

•If your ball is in danger of hitting someone, yell “fore.”

•Allow the player who’s furthest from the pin to play first.

•Respect the pace of play. If your group is slow, allow the golfers behind you to play through.

•Don’t step in another player’s putting line, as you could leave an imprint on the green.

Robin’s egg blue dye ! d e r i p s n I U sing red cabbage – yes, red cabbage – you can make these beautiful robin’s egg blue Easter eggs for your get-together.

DIRECTIONS: Roughly chop head of cabbage; put in large pot with 5 cups of water.

Bring to a boil and simmer 30-45 minutes.

Allow cabbage to cool completely.

Strain cabbage out of the liquid dye.

Stir in 4 Tbsp. white vinegar.

Place eggs in deep baking dish.

Pour dye over eggs. Each egg must be completely under the dye and not touching each other.

Leave the eggs in the liquid for 1 hour. Eggs will be a light blue.

Leave them in for up to four hours, depending on the deepness of the color desired. If you wish an even darker color, leave the eggs in the dye overnight in the fridge. Although the dye may look purple, the eggs will come out blue.

SUPPLIES: 1 dozen white, hard boiled eggs 1 head red cabbage 4 Tbsp. white vinegar Edible metallic gold paint Thick bristle paintbrush or old toothbrush Dry the eggs completely.

If you wish to add gold speckles, spray them with edible gold paint by dipping a dry bristle brush or old toothbrush in the gold paint.

Run your index finger over the bristles while holding the brush over the eggs. The gold paint will spatter over the eggs.

Let the eggs dry completely before painting the opposite side.

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GADGET GIFTS

By Lori Mork

I

for 2020

’m an unapologetic gadget geek. Nothing thrills me more than the latest tech trends, especially anything related to personal computers, cameras, tablets, phones, TVs or watches. Drop a new gadget in front of me and I can spend hours checking out all the fun things it is capable of.

I spent some time recently checking sites online to find out what some of the newest and most fun tech for personal use might be in 2020. There were so many new products that have and may still be introduced in 2020, but here are a few of my favorites.

PIX DIGITAL CUSTOMIZABLE BACKPACK With an LED screen on the back, you can create nearly any design imaginable on your backpack, and it’s completely waterproof.

Once it’s plugged into its power pack, you can pair it with your smartphone and display images, animation, designs and even games.

The Pix Digital Customizable Backpack costs around $250.

ZEPP 3D GOLF SWING ANALYZER If you’re a golfer, this tech is for you.

This golf swing analyzer will measure your swing for club speed, backswing length and so much more, giving you instant evaluations.

The cost of this little unit runs around $150.

With a magnetic attachable keyboard, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold is a 13.3-inch is a fully functional PC with a folding OLED display that is more of a laptop than a tablet. It runs on Windows 10 and the display is stylus enabled, can fold down to the size of a hardover book and weighs in BOSE BLUETOOTH AUDIO at under two pounds. With a cost of SUNGLASSES These Bose sunglasses connect to around $2,500, it’s a little pricey, but it certainly is a bluetooth and can play music near your fun product. ears and still keep those around you from hearing it. Best of all, the lenses are scratch- and shatter-resistant, and come in a variety of lens colors and frames. The sunglasses cost around $200.

PHILIPS SMARTSLEEP LIGHT THERAPY LAMP If you struggle to wake up in the mornings or have a hard time settling down to sleep, the Philips Smartsleep Light Therapy Lamp might be the solution.

This lamp has a relax and breathe function to help you fall asleep and a lamp that slowly gets brighter, simulating a sunrise. I own an earlier version of this lamp, and it really works for me.

The cost of the lamp runs around $200.

EMBER TEMP CONTROLLED SMART TRAVEL MUG Hate cold coffee when you’re driving?

Check out this great tech. Ember’s smart travel mug is battery operated and can be temperature controlled by a smartphone with its own app. The cost for the AWAYTRAVEL mugs is about $180.

CHARGING CARRY-ON KODAK LUMA PORTABLE This bag actually comes with a POCKET PROJECTOR TSA-approved (and easily removable) How much fun is this! You battery that will charge up your can bring movies with you devices when you’re traveling, but wherever you are with Kodak’s carries a hefty price tag of more than pocket movie projector. The $200. If you’re looking for something projector plugs into your in a lower price range, there are computer, Mac, cable box several carry-ons with USB ports that or gaming console. This unit enable you to plug in your own runs between $175-$200. battery charger and there are several chargers that are TSA-approved.

26 Chicz March/April 2020

LENOVO THINKPAD X1 FOLD

APPLE AIRPODS PRO With no wires and a noise-cancelling feature, the Apple AirPods Pro are just what you need, especially when flying.

The pods stay in your ears with comfortable silicone ear pieces. They are also water resistant, charge faster and last longer than the original AirPods.

The are also capable of being charged wirelessly on a charging pad. They come at a cost of around $250.

SAMSUNG ODYSSEY G9 MONITOR With its 49-inch display and curved design, the Samsung Odyssey G9 monitor is perfect for gaming. The monitor has a 1440p resolution and supports AMD’s FreeSync 2 and Nvidia’s G-Sync. It costs around $1,000.

SONY EXTRA BASS PORTABLE SPEAKER Small, but powerful, the Sony Extra Bass Portable Speaker is bluetooth enabled and has a battery life of up to 16 hours. It’s also waterproof and comes in different colors. The cost is around $60.

3

non-toxic disinfectants

Kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities and other surfaces need to be kept clean. Here are three non-toxic disinfectants that’ll kill germs without harming you or the environment.

ACCELERATED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. You’re probable familiar with hydrogen peroxide, a disinfectant that breaks down into water and oxygen. Accelerated hydrogen peroxide contains stabilizers and compounds that reduce surface tension, increasing both its germ-killing properties and shelf life.

PLANT-BASED DISINFECTANTS. Botanical disinfectants have been on the market for a while. One example is thymol, an oil extracted from thyme that’s used in a variety of household cleaners. It’s been found to have very little environmental impact.

SILVER DIHYDROGEN CITRATE. The antibacterial properties of silver have been known for a long time. Silver ions combined with a citric acid solution is commonly used as a non-toxic antibacterial agent in cosmetics, but it could also serve as a household cleaner.

Keeping your home clean doesn’t need to involve potentially toxic chemicals, even when it comes to the surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen.

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March/April 2020 Chicz 27

CROSSWORD

FOOD SERVICE WORD SEARCH

CLUES ACROSS 1. No longer on the market 5. W. African language 9. A way to open 11. A type of pigeon 13. Japanese warrior 15. Pelvic areas 16. No seats available 17. Not working 19. In a way, soaks 21. Growing outward 22. Ritzy local __ Air 23. Telegraphic signals 25. Metric units 26. Large wine cask 27. Fiber from the husk of a coconut 29. Gets up 31. French river 33. Witnesses 34. They make great neighbors 36. The sun does it 38. Used to store ashes 39. First Chinese dynasty 41. Network of nerves 43. Word element meaning ear 44. Metric unit of length (Brit.)

46. Tributary of the Danube 48. Off-limits 52. Appeal earnestly 53. It’s good to have them 54. Commercial flying company 56. Acted out in protest 57. Took to the sea 58. Cuckoos 59. Drove fast

SUDOKU

BAR-BACK BEHIND BISTRO BUS COOKED COVER DISH ENTREE ESTABLISHMENT EXPEDITE GRATUITY HOUSE 28 CHIC March/April 2020 28| Chicz

KITCHEN LINE PREP RESERVATION SEATED SHIFT STAFF TAB TICKET TURNOVER WAITER WAITRESS

CLUES DOWN 1. Trapped 2. About osmosis 3. Romanian monetary unit 4. Form of Persian 5. Cold wind 6. Leave out 7. Small vehicle 8. A little off 9. Soviet Union 10. A narrow path or road 11. Contrary beliefs 12. One who speaks Gaelic 14. Private school in New York 15. Jackson and Townshend are two 18. Soldier in an airborne unit 20. Taken illegally 24. Capital of Valais 26. Male reproductive organs 28. State capital 30. One with supernatural insight 32. Starts all over again 34. Jai alai arena 35. Star Wars antagonist 37. Freestanding structure 38. The ideal place 40. The extended location of something 42. Made level 43. Distinctive smell 45. Greek goddess of discord 47. Got older 49. Type of monkey 50. Travels to 51. Geological times 55. Edge

HOROSCOPES for March

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Having friends in high places can open doors to some unique places. But you can only keep those doors open through hard work.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 The strong force of your sensitivity may surprise you.

Just try not to let emotions cloud your judgment on the professional front.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 You tend to give freely without worrying about the bottom line. But today’s stars flash warnings that you may need to keep a tight hold on your cash.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Widen your social network to have the best opportunities for success. New people can provide useful information and approaches you never imagined.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Single Virgos will have plenty of opportunity to be flirty and fun. But even those in relationships can get in on the action, putting romance to the forefront.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 It is never a good idea to enhance the facts. However, you can be enthusiastic about your efforts and what those efforts may lead to. Stand behind your work and opinions.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Others may see you as the advice guru. That is a role AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 you excel in, but you must balance the extra counsel- No matter how busy your schedule may be, carve out some time to take care of some financial issues that ing work with your existing responsibilities. have cropped up in the last few weeks.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 There is no need to keep a calm facade if you are expe- Someone who lays on the flattery can win you over in PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 riencing some anxiety. Be honest with those closest to an instant. But once you delve deeper, you may grow Take a new approach to a similar task and you may suspicious. Accept praise but don’t let it cloud your come away with something surprising. Take that leap you and you’ll benefit from their feedback. of faith. vision.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Surround yourself with people who can help advance your career. The changing landscape of your job means you need to be open to all possibilities.

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320-762-1528 • stevenmtrautwellsinc@yahoo.com 754 Cross Country Lane • Alexandria, MN 56308 March/April 2020 Chicz 29

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

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

Lori Mork

Betty Ravnik

Al Edenloff

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

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.

Celeste Edenloff

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

Jeff Beach

Apryl Putnam

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

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.

Andy Mellgren

Lowell Anderson is a photographer at the Echo Press newspaper.

Celeste is a reporter for the Echo Press. She enjoys perusing her social media accounts, running and participating in races with her husband, Al.

a Magazine for

Cheryl Graham

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

Melanie Danner of Alexandria is an at-home mother and craft lover.

Melanie Danner

a Magazine for FUN women

!

FUN women!

a Magazine for FUN women!

TM

Financial Resolutions

30 Chicz March/April 2020

Mommy & me

PHOTO TIPS New Year’s

July/August 2019

March/April 2019

a Magazine for FUN women!

January/Febriary 2019

TM

TM

CRAFTS A new wine for a

NEW YEAR

WhyLive drink your life

OUTDOORS TEA?

2019

Savor summer with

WATERMELON

SPRING FASHION

Whip up a wine

SPRITZER

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Shop Alexandria Creative Touch 516 Broadway, Alex 320-762- 8786 111 6th Avenue West, Downtown Alexandria 320-762-0309 • 800-58-5336

DOWNTOWN ALEXANDRIA • LITTLE FALLS

320.763.5157 • M-F 9-7; SAT. 9-5:30; SUN. 12-4

“Come in for our prices, Come back for our quality.”

High quality name brand items at thrift store prices clothing, purses ,shoes, jewelry, household, misc. items, furniture and so much more.

Mon- Fri 9 AM - 5 PM • Sat 9 AM - 2 PM

Klothes Kloset Thrift Store 660 Nothside Dr. NE, Alexandria • 320-763-9888 Owned & operated by Runestone Area Education District (NON-PROFIT)

Women & Children’s Clothing, Shoes, Accessories and Household Decorative’s

LARGE SELECTION OF MINNESOTA TEES & SWEATSHIRTS • FUN APPAREL • JEWELRY • GIFTS & CARDS

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418 N. Broadway, Alexandria • 320.762.1538 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5

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• ANTIQUES • COLLECTIBLES DIV • REPURPOSED TREASURES DENA • FURNITURE • DÉCOR OPEN 320.759.2300

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The

Blue Rooster

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1001 Hwy 29 N. - Alexandria, MN Hours: Thurs. - Sat. 10 am - 5 pm 320.219.7069 Sue: 952-484-5701 Bill: 612-298-9444 www.blueroostershoppe.com

Vintage ❦ Repurposed Furniture ❦ Home Décor ❦ Gifts

Where you will find your one of a kind item

Velkommen!

609 Broadway, Alexandria 320-763-8300 • www.ravnikandco.com

Yesterdays Antique Store

Two levels of furniture, pottery, jewelry, glassware, primitives and unique home décor.

517 Broadway, Alexandria, MN 56308

(320) 762-8990

M-F 9-6 *Sat 9-5:30 * Sun 12-4

Featuring Imports from all Scandinavian Countries 604 Broadway, Alexandria • 320.763.6363

www.scandinaviangifts.com

What: When: Where: Why: Who:

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March/April 2020 Chicz 31

Do you want more time to enjoy Spring?

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On-The-G o

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Phone: 320-763-3446 Email: onthego@rea-alp.com Fax: 320-762-0657

On-The-Go Service Hours Monday-Friday 8:00am - 2pm

Home Delivery Fee Schedule

$5.00 to shop the order Plus: 0 to 2 miles: $5.00 | 3 to10 miles: $10.00 11 to 20 miles: $20.00 Example: $5.00 shopping fee +10 miles delivery = $15.00

Crazy Fresh produce and specialty items make it easy to stay on top of your busy schedule and keep healthy eating a priority for you and your family. All products are guaranteed freshcut daily and ready-to-eat.

Open 6am-Midnight | 7 days a week!

320-763-3446 • www.ELDENS.com Corner of 3rd & Nokomis, Alexandria

Only store in town that is LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED