Absolute Living

Absolute Living

MARCH 2022

MAKING MIRACLES HAPPEN

THE ABSOLUTE AGENDA

DR. MEREDITH PROVOST

A TASTE OF THE TROPICS EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE

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CONTENTS

12 18

THE ABSOLUTE AGENDA

26

A TASTE OF THE TROPICS

MAKING MIRACLES HAPPEN

32

EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE

PRESENTING THIS SPRING'S HOTTEST EVENT CALENDAR, AS ONLY ABSOLUTE LIVING CAN BRING YOU!

DR. MEREDITH PROVOST OF INDIANA FERTILITY INSTITUTE

MANELÉ CAFE AT CARMEL CITY CENTER OFFERS A BRIGHT AND REFRESHING MENU THAT WILL TAKE YOU AWAY.

HIT THE ROAD THIS SPRING TO ONE OF THESE FIVE GREAT—AND DRIVABLE—DESTINATIONS. Volume 16. Issue 02. (#169)

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SUBSCRIPTIONS For more information go to absolutelivingmagazine.com, call 317.509.3981, or email jpena@ absolutelivingmagazine.com. To sign up for Absolute Living's monthly newsletter, go to absolutelivingmagazine. com/newsletter. COMMENTS Contact us via social media or email us at jpena@absolutelivingmagazine.com

Absolute Living

Publisher / Editor JUSTYNA PEÑA

Marketing Director EDUARDO PEÑA

Assistant Editor MATTHEW HUME

Writer SUSAN SALAZ

Photography GABRIELLE CHEIKH NOEL JES NIJJER EDUARDO PEÑA

Art NICK PEÑA

Marketing Coordinator ISMAEL PEÑA

Circulation USPS & ABSOLUTE LIVING MAGAZINE

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Absolute Living Magazine is published monthly by Pena Group, Inc. Copyright by Pena Group, Inc. Absolute Living Magazine is a registered trademark of Pena Group, Inc.

The

Absolute

AGENDA

By Susan Salaz March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration Downtown indystpats.com With a parade showcasing floats, marching bands, bagpipers and Irish dancers, and a block party/beer garden with food, drink and entertainment, the 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is shaping up to be a full day of fun.

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March 5 (ongoing through October 23) Major Taylor: Fastest Cyclist in the World Indiana State Museum indianamuseum.org Visit the Indiana State Museum’s newest interactive exhibit to learn about bicycles, bike racing and the inspiring story of Marshall “Major” Taylor, Indianapolis native and first Black world-champion professional cyclist from the turn of the twentieth century.

March 12-20 Indiana Flower and Patio Show Indiana State Fairgrounds indianaflowerandpatioshow.com

March 19 Elegant Vintages International Wine Auction Conrad Indianapolis indianapoliszoo.com

Get excited for spring at the Indiana Flower and Patio Show, featuring local and regional experts in gardening, landscaping and design.

Throughout the week, visitors can enjoy informative presentations, promotional events and celebrity speakers, along with beautiful flowers and feature gardens.

Savor a gourmet dinner, fine wines and live entertainment at this black-tie optional event benefiting the Indianapolis Zoo. Guests can bid on an impeccable selection of wine from around the world and luxurious non-wine items in the live and silent auctions.

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March 19 Piercing Party Petite G Jewelers petiteg.com Up your ear game at the Petite G Jewelers Piercing Party, in conjunction with the Three Stories Jewelry trunk show.

Whether it’s your first piercing or your fifth, these parties are a great way to add some charm to your style.

March 25 Ray On My Mind: The Ray Charles Story The Palladium thecenterpresents.org With music and monologue interlaced to present the dramatic life and work of music legend Ray Charles, Ray On My Mind stars Kenny Brawner (as Charles), and includes an 11-piece orchestra along with the Raelettes trio supplying the sultry backup vocals.

April 7, 8 Lucie Arnaz: I Got the Job! Songs From My Musical Past Feinstein’s Cabaret feinsteinshc.com

April 1 Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour Gainbridge Fieldhouse gainbridgefieldhouse.com After a nearly two-year hiatus, the famed British poprock star is continuing a tour earmarked to be his last. With so many iconic songs, from “Benny and the Jets” to “Crocodile Rock”, the stage is set for an unforgettable evening of entertainment.

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With a distinguished career in television, film and on stage, the award-winning Lucie Arnaz (daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz) graces the intimate stage of Feinstein’s Cabaret at Hotel Carmichael for two nights of stories and songs.

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By Susan Salaz

Making Miracles Happen Dr. Meredith Provost of Indiana Fertility Institute Photography By Gabrielle Cheikh Noel | Artwork By Eduardo Peña

E

ven with years of education, in-depth training and dedicated specialization in the field of fertility medicine, Dr. Meredith Provost wants you to know that she is human, just like you and me—and that all doctors are. “We’re just real people living our lives and trying to help out,” she says. “We drive minivans, we have kids, we’re at the soccer games, too.” In an era when social media reigns supreme, Dr. Provost has taken an unlikely, yet timely approach to speaking out for this, and other causes she holds dear: TikTok. She uses the platform to break down barriers that sometimes stand between doctors and their patients with her smart and funny videos. She didn’t join for conversions or metrics (but if you’re curious, her introduction video has amassed almost 4 million views, with over 120K followers), and she doesn’t spend as much time online now as she did at the height of the pandemic. Still, the platform has offered her an opportunity to effectively connect with people she might not be able to otherwise. “I think it’s important to relate to patients and be able to meet them where they are,” Dr. Provost says, and right now, many of us are on social media.

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Dr. Meredith Provost has traveled the world studying medicine, but is happy to call Carmel, Indiana, home. If she isn’t in the office at Indiana Fertility Institute or in the operating room, the former D1 athlete is usually at the soccer field or basketball court watching her kids play.

Offline, Meredith Provost, MD, PhD is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology (otherwise known as a fertility doctor) at the Indiana Fertility Institute, helping a wide range of individuals and couples achieve their dream of having children. According to her partner, Dr. John Jarrett, who began the state’s first successful IVF program more than 35 years ago, Dr. Provost does her very best for each one of her patients, and is well liked because of it. “She doesn’t just plug them into an existing protocol or approach,” he says, “but formulates a plan for each couple that she thinks will optimize their chances of success.” Dr. Jarrett goes on to explain in today’s world—the age of computerized tele-medicine—it can be difficult to make real connections with patients and to get to know them on a personal level, but those individual relationships are crucial in the field of reproductive medicine. He says, “Dr. Provost has a unique talent and ability to bond with patients and let them know she really cares.”

She really does, and she always has.

Dr. Provost attended North Carolina State on a full D1 athletic scholarship to play volleyball.

Although she didn’t consider a career in the medical field until later in college, and even deferred her acceptance to medical school initially to pursue a master’s degree overseas at the University of Cambridge in England, Dr. Provost remembers writing in her scholarship essay to Cambridge that she wanted to work in women’s health. She ended up receiving the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and stayed in England for almost five years, completing a Ph.D. in the History of Philosophy of Science and Medicine. “Those years were so formative for me,” says Dr. Provost. “They gave me time and space to reflect on the larger purpose and historical space of medicine while traveling and

experiencing other cultures.” Upon her return to the states, Dr. Provost was once again accepted into medical school, and began training at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. It was during her first year of medical school, on rounds at a fertility office one day, that she became enamored with the field of fertility. “I felt such a passion for the patients.

These were people that were just wanting to do something good,” she says. From there she became laser focused in her career path, with intentions to become a fertility doctor.

Next, she spent four years at Banner – University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, for her internship and residency, then three years at Duke University, again in North

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Carolina, for her fellowship, along the way getting married and having two children. She admits that having kids of her own can be a sensitive thing in her field, but reveals that it also offers perspective, saying, “It makes me also realize how badly my patients want it, because I know what an amazing thing it is to be a parent.”

Dr. Provost knows the process of seeking fertility treatment is challenging, and not an anticipated or welcomed route on the journey to parenthood.

But one-in-eight couples experience infertility, and although the process is difficult, she aims to make it as easy as possible for each one of her patients and their partners, considering herself part doctor, part psychiatrist and part coach.

“My background as an athlete helps me coach my patients through hard stuff,” she explains, and she sees a lot of success and rewarding outcomes. “There is so much love in our field,” she insists, “and helping people in that place is just really special.”

For Dr. Provost, the field of fertility medicine combines her love of science and cutting-edge technology with surgery and a lot of counseling and compassion.

She recommends seeking the care of a fertility specialist after a year of trying to become pregnant if you are younger than 35, and after six months for those older than 35.

At Indiana Fertility Institute, Dr. Provost and Dr. Jarrett provide a broad range of men’s and women’s fertility care, from diagnosing diseases to cutting-edge fertility treatments to fertility preservation. It’s a constantly changing and evolving field, and that’s what Dr. Provost loves about it. She says, “Fertility is at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of what we can learn about the human body and how it functions, and make real time changes to get better outcomes.” She acknowledges that outcomes have improved so much over the past decade, and she is excited to see where they will be in another ten years. For now, though, Dr. Provost is happy meeting people where they are at, whether that is in the office, where she offers advice and treatment plans for patients on their fertility journey, or on social media, where she also offers advice, but is usually dancing in the process.

Follow @meredithprovostmd on TikTok for entertaining, educational and occasionally viral videos from Dr. Meredith Provost. For more information or to get started on your fertility journey, visit fertilityindy.com and follow @indianafertilityinstitute on Instagram.

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By Susan Salaz

A Taste of the Tropics Photography By Jes Nijjer

For an island escape without leaving town, visit the Manelé Cafe in Carmel City Center, where they serve up fresh and delicious fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I

n Hawaii, “Aloha” doesn’t just mean hello and goodbye, it also means love and affection, and it’s a way of life more than just a word. That is the vibe at Manelé Cafe. With surfboards on the walls and island music filling the air, you can check your winter blues and worries at the door, and say “Aloha” to an indulgent, yet healthy meal any time of day.

Craig Burnam, president of CLB Restaurant group (which includes nearby Matt the Miller’s and Tucci’s), grew up exploring the warm shores of Hawaii, and his passion for island life and culture inspired Manelé Cafe, named after Manelé Bay on the island of Lanai. He even flew Kevin Black, corporate executive chef for CLB restaurants, and other team members to the islands before opening, so that they could experience the Hawiian culture and ohana (sense of extended family) for themselves— and then bring the concept back in a genuine way. “This is an escape from reality, and we want to make it as authentic to the island as possible,” says Black.

A menu filled with bright and energetic flavors, always fresh and healthy.

Manelé Cafe offers four superfood-filled açaí bowls, brimming with house made granola, tropical fruits like guava and mango, nuts, shaved coconut and a scoop of the creamy açaí, papaya or kale-lemon sorbet.

This kind of dish can easily carry someone away with its rich and delicious, yet hearty and healthy, combination of colors and flavors. Black explains that açaí, originally found in Brazil, is one of the healthiest fruits out there—it contains antioxidants, high density vitamins and even protein. “It’s very popular with island cultures,” he says.

Rice bowls are another guest favorite, with protein choices that include pele ahi poke, garlic butter shrimp, kalua pork and more, topping jasmine rice, cauliflower rice or Hawaiian fried rice with crispy spam. While Black and his talented team want (promotional content)

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the recipes to be as authentic as possible— sourcing items like macadamia nuts and pineapples directly from the islands, they also aim to blend Hawaiian style with the midwestern palate, and use local producers, such as Fishers Sausage, whenever possible.

Light options like smoothies, salads and superfruit are enticing at Manelé Cafe, but the progressive menu doesn’t stop there. “We are continuing to evolve the concept based on guest experience,” says Black, adding that the fresh and healthy menu allows guests to feel good about their choices while still enjoying bright, energetic flavors and delicious food. New items include potstickers, dumplings and saimin, a Hawaiian version of ramen noodles, along with fresh seafood dinners. The cafe also features coffee drinks and baked goods. Try the malasadas, a Portuguese confection popular in Hawaii—small puffs of fried dough, filled with coconut cream, chocolate, guava or mango. Beer, wine and bubbles are also available.

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Find all of your Hawaiian-inspired favorites at Manelé Cafe, offering full-service dining, carry out, coffee and grab-and-go options at 703 Veterans Way in Carmel City Center. For more information visit manelecafe.com or follow @manelecafe on Instagram.

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Experience Adventure

By Susan Salaz

T

his spring, break away from routine retreats with a weekend to remember. With five destinations you can drive to in just a few hours, start planning now—because well-deserved adventures await.

Louisville, Kentucky Drive time: 2 hours Full of southern charm, the riverfront town of Louisville is an easy escape. Take a riverboat ride, sip your way through a bourbon tour, bike the Big Four Bridge into Jeffersonville, or for a quintessential thrill, don’t miss the annual Kentucky Derby horse race, happening this year on Saturday, May 7th. If you go, be sure to follow suit, fashionably speaking, with a fancy hat. We love the Formé Millinery Company, where owner and master milliner, Jenny Pfanenstiel (official milliner of the Kentucky Derby Museum) hand sculpts extraordinary headwear.

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Brown County, Indiana Drive time: 1 ½ hours With blooming redbud trees painting the roadside idyllic hues of pink and purple, spring is a beautiful time to hit the highways of southern Indiana. Most often thought of as a relaxing retreat, Brown County is also a premier destination for outdoor adventure. Rent a mountain bike from Brown County Bikes in Nashville and hit one of the many trails in the area, or kick your trip up a notch with a stop at eXplore Brown County for a zip-line tour through the tree canopy.

St. Joseph, Michigan Drive time: 2 ½ hours Spring Break is always better at the beach, and the shores of Lake Michigan prove you don’t have to go south to put your toes in the sand. With beautiful beaches, a quaint shopping district, a vibrant dining scene and a century-old hand-carved carousel, St. Joseph has something for everyone. Plunge down the towering dunes or test your hanggliding skills at nearby Warren Dunes State Park, and if it’s windy, thrill-seekers can get their feet wet with a kiteboard lesson from Tyler Spence at Stoke Riders kite school.

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Hocking Hills, Ohio Drive time: 3 ¾ hours With rolling hills and quiet grandeur, Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio offers visitors hiking trails that are otherworldly. With caves, stone tunnels, waterfalls and unique rock formations headlining the tour, Old Man’s Cave is not exactly a walk in the park, but the oneway loop is worth the effort. Afterwards, up your glamping game in an authentic treehouse at neighboring Hocking Hills Treehouse Cabins, where you can soak up the serenity of nature from a secluded wood-fired hot tub.

St. Louis, Missouri Drive time: 4 hours When planning a weekend in the “Gateway to the West,” a trip to the top of the St. Louis Arch should rank high on your itinerary, but for a full day of fun, be sure to visit City Museum. What was once a 10-story shoe factory is now a massive art installation and playground (complete with a 10-story slide) in the heart of downtown.

Featuring caves, a Ferris wheel, the St. Louis Art Center and local beers at the rooftop café.

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By Susan Salaz

Dreaming of Spring If you’ve spent all winter waiting to enjoy the outdoors again, now is the time to consider creating the landscape of your dreams.

S

oon enough, the daffodils and crocuses will push through the dirt in their annual debut, marking the long-awaited arrival of spring. Before a summer of mowing and pruning gets underway, there is plenty of work to do to ready your yard for the season ahead. While mulching and fertilizing are important to factor in, now is a great time to think about transforming your property to better suit your needs. When it comes to understanding your space, collaborating with a landscape professional is not only important, but can be the key to unlocking the true potential that lies beyond your door.

Turn your outdoor living space into an enviable retreat.

Pro Care Horticultural Services president, Lowell Rolsky, and the company’s award-winning team, create landscapes that pull people outside and beg to be experienced. “Right now, many people want to extend their living space and they want to be drawn outside.

They want the exterior to become more of the overall lifestyle of the home,” says Rolsky. Celebrating 50 years in business, Pro Care was designing and building enticing environments well before the surge in outdoor living space

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popularity, and remains committed to crafting lasting landscapes. A total service company, they expertly balance function and aesthetic in all aspects of landscape design, build and maintenance services, and strive to exceed expectations on every project.

For Rolsky, listening is crucial in order to truly understand the needs and desires of his clients, as well as to identify the goals of the landscape project. He emphasizes that every property has its own personality and its own unique assets, and what works well in one yard for one family might not be well suited for another. “Our goal is to educate, and then to give people choices and help them understand all of the opportunities available to them,” he says, adding that they offer a vast range of individually tailored services and builds.

Outdoor landscapes are meant to captivate all the senses, and so gardens, decks, pergolas, fire pits and outdoor kitchens are meaningful additions. “Within those spaces,” says Rolsky, “people like to attract birds and even bees. They like water noise.” Creating a focal point, then, such as a water feature, can make the landscape come to life and be a treasured addition that enhances the feeling of a garden oasis. “These are a nice escape from the sounds of the world,” he says, adding that the soothing sound of water is as relaxing as it is rewarding. Pro Care specializes in many types of water features, from natural waterfalls to fountains to fish ponds.

Swimming pool and spa environments are another highly requested service, and Pro Care rises to each challenge, considering space, shape and view, as well as external elements such as storage, pool house and lounging areas, melding every aspect of the landscape together to create a true retreat.

Don’t LIVE in the world and DREAM…LIVE in the world of your DREAMS with the help of Pro Care Horticultural Services. Find out more at procarelandscapers.com or by calling 317-872-4800.

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