At Quality Custom Home Interiors, we are a husband-and-wife team passionate about helping homeowners transform their spaces into something truly special.
With years of experience in design and remodeling, we combine our unique skills and a shared vision to bring your dream home to life. Our journey started with a love for creating beautiful, functional spaces, and we take pride in working together to ensure every project reflects our commitment to quality, attention to detail, and personalized service. We offer a range of home remodeling services, including custom kitchen and bathroom renovations, elegant living room upgrades, and personalized bedroom transformations. Whether you’re looking to refresh a single room or redesign your entire home, we combine expert craftsmanship with tailored design to create spaces you’ll love.
Dr. Chante is an EMDR therapist who promotes and exudes authenticity in her work. Dr. Chante loves what she does, is honored to be a part of the healing process, and wants everyone to be able to move forward into a life they love living. Healing is possible. Dr. Chante loves seeing people grow!!!
We love our annual Thankful issue and that this month brings the start of the holiday season. Up first - Thanksgiving; a day to gather with friends and family, a day for a special - and often traditional - meal, and a day marked to let us reflect on the many things that we have to be thankful for.
While the many benefits of acknowledging our gratitude are palpable, it is truly so easy for me to get caught up in the busyness of every day and miss noticing the many, many things I am thankful for. The usual big things: family, home, health and friends. And also the seemingly small things: cooler days, gathering for football, the perfect cups of coffee, or a game night filled with laughter.
This issue shares stories about BEING GRATEFUL + THANKSGIVING + FOOD. My oldest was the tester of the mini stuffing waffles that we shot. While he's not a huge dressing fan (what?), he loved these. I plan to incorporate them into our celebration as an appetizer. A unique spin on a classic should be a great hit.
We can't miss acknowledging that this is our Third Anniversary issue. I appreciate this chance to express our true gratitude to our advertising partners, who are champions of our community and invest to help bring this magazine to fruition. To our engaged readers, who have cheered us on and enjoyed the numerous stories that cover a variety of topics that are always meant to be filled with heart and hope. And to our incredibly talented editorial team, who collaborate and contribute their specialties to bring our pages to life.
We look forward to what our fourth year will bring- new partners and even more inspiring stories for you to connect with.
Cheers to an abundant November!
SHERRY YORK, PUBLISHER @AHWATUKEECITYLIFESTYLE
November 2024
PUBLISHER
Sherry York | sherry.york@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Beth Del Ville | beth.delville@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Alison Stanton, Kris Ann Valdez, Alison Bailin Batz, Beth Del Ville, Angela Broockerd, Leanne Parker
In our recent article, “Home Kitchens, Big Dreams” from our October issue, we mistakenly listed the incorrect Instagram handle for Oma’s German Kitchen. The correct Instagram handle is @OmasGermanKitchen . She can also be found at Facebook.com/ OmasGermanKitchen. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
SGIVING HOSTING
T H A N K
Let’s face it: hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be stressful. Between grocery shopping, house cleaning, cooking and baking, it’s no wonder the day devoted to giving thanks can feel a tad daunting.
Here’s some very welcome good news: whether this is your first holiday hosting rodeo or you’ve stuffed many a turkey over the years, you can knock out most of the Thanksgiving meal prep work in advance – some of it two weeks before the big day. To make this year’s Thanksgiving meal easier and more enjoyable, consider the following timeline of tips.
TIPS ON MEAL PREPPING FOR LESS STRESS
ARTICLE BY ALISON STANTON
H A C K S
2 WEEKS BEFORE 4-5 DAYS BEFORE
Create your Thanksgiving menu.
Print out the recipes you plan to use – this will be much easier than constantly tapping your phone to prevent the screen from going dark or scrolling when your hands are covered with flour or onions.
Using your menu and printed out recipes as a guide, compose a complete shopping list.
Double check your supply of herbs and spices to see what you have on hand – even the ones you are pretty sure you have enough of, like salt and pepper (this tip comes from personal experience!).
Shop for all non-perishable and frozen food items. Basically, if it doesn’t need to be stored in the fridge, or if it doesn’t have a short shelf life, it’s going in the cart.
Plan three easy and tasty dinners for the days leading up to Thanksgiving and purchase those ingredients during your shopping trip. Or plan at least one night of takeout.
Clean your home completely, enlisting family members to help. Then, as the big day approaches, you can touch up as needed.
Finish your grocery shopping for fresh vegetables like potatoes, onions and carrots and other items not purchased earlier.
Go through your fridge and toss any old, expired condiments, leftovers and mysterious food items that no one is eating. This will free up valuable real estate for your various dishes.
Pre-measure herbs and spices for your recipes and store them in labeled small plastic bags with the name of the dish they are for and what’s in the baggies. You can also do the same for any flour, sugar or other non-perishable ingredients you’ll use in your dishes.
2-3 DAYS BEFORE 1 DAY BEFORE
Wash and chop all veggies and place the prepped produce into plastic baggies or airtight food storage containers. If some recipes call for “minced onion” and others require “chopped onion,” label the bags accordingly.
Set the table, and include the empty serving dishes. This will help you figure out ahead of time where the larger dishes can go (and if they will all fit!) Add Post-It notes to the empty dishes to remind you what will go in what. Use a clean sheet to cover everything and keep it all dust-free until Thursday. You can also do this for a buffet.
Gather all needed serving spoons and other serving pieces.
Do a quick clean and tidy around the home; for instance, run the vacuum and shine up the bathrooms.
If you haven’t already done so, bake your pies, or, at the very least, prepare your pie dough. Wrap the dough in plastic and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake the pies.
Make the mashed potatoes. Bonus tip: on Thanksgiving, put the potatoes into a slow cooker and heat them up using the “warm” setting.
Prepare the gravy. If you have a second slow cooker, it too can be warmed up this way on Thanksgiving. This will also help free up pots, pans and burners on the stove!
Set up a separate drink station where guests can help themselves or someone can serve them away from the kitchen. Stock it with glasses of different sizes, napkins, bottle and can openers and straws.
Oh, So Grateful!
Thoughtful reflections from thankful kids
ARTICLE BY BETH DEL VILLE
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and feasting. But what do young kids really think about this beloved holiday? To find out, we asked a group of curious children about the meaning of Thanksgiving, their favorite traditions, and the things they’re most grateful for. From colorful thoughts about the meaning of “thankful” to heartfelt expressions of gratitude, these kids’ answers are sure to warm your heart.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THANKSGIVING?
Celebrate with everyone.
— Piper (4)
WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?
I am grateful for family and games.
— August (7)
HOW DO YOU SHOW YOUR PARENTS THAT YOU’RE GRATEFUL?
I say thank you and give them lots of hugs and kisses.
— Zoe (7)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD AND WHY?
That’s a tricky onecan I say everything? But probably stuffing because I love bread and my grandma makes it, so it’s extra special.
— Hudson (10)
IF FEELING GRATEFUL WAS A COLOR WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Lavender with sparkles and glitter and shimmering pink stars.
— Olivia (9)
WHO IS THE PERSON YOU’RE MOST GRATEFUL FOR AND WHY?
The person I’m most grateful for is God because he made everyone I love.
— Marley (6)
IF LOVE WAS A FOOD WHAT WOULD IT TASTE LIKE? It would taste like Kit-Kats!
— Hailey (5)
WHY ARE YOU GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN AHWATUKEE? Because we have family everywhere.
— Hudson (7)
MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT
Each Christmas season, City Lifestyle gifts a signi ficant amount to those who could use a little extra suppor t. But we need your help to find them. Do you know someone facing tough times? Your nomination could make all the difference. Scan the QR code to nominate.
A T I O N S OPEN NOV. 27 DEC. 10 thru
Founder of The Joy Bus Di
FOOD FIGHTERS
The Joy Bus Diner delivering hope, healing to those battling cancer one meal at a time
ARTICLE BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
DEBBY WOLVOS
This Thanksgiving, The Joy Bus founder chief executive officer Jennifer Caraway has more to be thankful for than ever. That is because the nonprofit, which was founded by Caraway in 2011 as a means to provide cancer patients with healthy meal deliveries, will soon move into a new 6,700-square-foot space that will give the organization the ability to make up to 2,500 home visits per week to local cancer patients by 2026.
GETTING STARTED
Arizona native Caraway has been involved in the restaurant scene since she was a teenager, something that continued during her time attending Northern Arizona University in the early 1990s.
“From 1991 to 2003, I traveled across Arizona, Oregon, Mexico, and even Spain both working in and then eventually owning restaurants,” said Caraway, who moved back to the Valley in 2003, where she reconnected with a long-time friend – Joy – who was battling ovarian cancer.
Caraway found the best way to get in a quick visit was by making food and bringing it to Joy.
“When heading to Joy’s one day, I got to thinking about all of the cancer patients who did not have a support system, and I was motivated to action,” said Caraway, who contacted a case manager and asked her to refer patients who needed healthy meal delivery services, which Caraway personally provided.
By 2011, the program was growing quickly, so much so that Caraway formally incorporated The Joy Bus as a 501c3 nonprofit with a vision to turn her project of passion into a viable option for cancer patients across the Valley.
“We lost Joy in early 2012, so she never got to see the vision come to fruition, but we feel her in everything we do,” said Caraway.
And The Joy Bus does a lot.
Over the past decade-plus, Caraway has grown the program from dream to reality, easing the burden of those battling cancer
by providing healthy meals specified to meet patients’ needs, delivered by volunteers who are often cancer survivors themselves. In 2015, the organization made national news when it was able to secure a commercial kitchen and open The Joy Bus Diner.
“In addition to traditional fundraising, we support The Joy Bus through this diner, which is open several days a week for breakfast and lunch,” said Caraway. “One hundred percent of proceeds from The Joy Bus Diner support our meal delivery efforts.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Thanks to support from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Goodman’s Furniture, HKS Architects, and others, The Joy Bus and The Joy Bus Diner should be moving to their new home by year’s end.
“The space will – of course – offer a larger diner, but also at full buildout, an organic food pantry available free of charge to all cancer patients in Maricopa County; culinary program providing training, certification, and job placement to young adults who have been personally affected by cancer; and a teaching kitchen for cancer patients and their support systems,” said Caraway.
Never one to rest on her laurels, Caraway will also release a charity cookbook in 2025.
For more information, visit TheJoyBusDiner.com.
Our organization has been Inspiring Hope in Arizona since 2007. Our 24/7 crisis line answers 40,000+ Crisis Calls a month with all crisis calls answered in 9 seconds or less.
Thanksgiving Leftover Mash-Up
TURN HOLIDAY LEFTOVERS INTO A FUN, SAVORY WAFFLE LAYERED WITH ALL THE FLAVORS OF THANKSGIVING
ARTICLE BY BETH DEL VILLE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE SLEZAK
Festive
Savory Waffle
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups leftover stuffing
• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup turkey (sliced or shredded)
• ½ cup turkey gravy
• ½ cup cranberry sauce
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook the waffles: Heat a waffle iron to medium-high heat. Put ½ cup of the stuffing onto the waffle iron and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Repeat with the remaining stuffing.
2. Assemble the waffles: Place a waffle on a plate. Top with a layer of mashed potatoes, then leftover turkey, and finally, a drizzle of gravy and a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Serve immediately.
ARTICLE BY KRIS ANN VALDEZ
A Grateful Heart, A Happy Life
Unlocking the power of thankfulness and simple ways to incorporate it into your daily life
On the surface, Thanksgiving is a time spent feasting with loved ones, but at the heart of this holiday is a profound sentiment: holding space for gratitude. While many people think of appreciation as simply expressing thankfulness, it’s more complex than that.
Nicknamed the “father of gratitude,” Robert Emmons, Ph.D., a leading scientific expert on the subject, defines gratitude as recognizing and appreciating the positive things in our lives that come from sources beyond ourselves. In short, it’s not a fleeting emotion, but a mindset , a conscious choice not controlled by external circumstances.
“Gratitude heals, energizes and changes lives,” Dr. Emmons says. “It is the prism through which we view life in terms of gifts, givers, goodness and grace.”
THE MANY BENEFITS OF GRATITUDE
Studies in the last two decades demonstrate how being thankful has the power to improve quality of life, both mentally and physically.
Emotional and Mental
• Self-esteem and satisfaction: Those who have a grateful mindset often report higher satisfaction with life, strong social relationships, and higher self-esteem, according to a review of 70 studies out of the University of New England.
• Contentment: One study found those who practiced cultivating a sense of appreciation focused more on accomplishing goals and nurturing healthy relationships and less on materialistic things.
• A tool for anxiety/depression: Practicing thankfulness cannot cure depression and anxiety, but brain scans have shown it produces more dopamine, and other feel-good hormones.
• Emotional regulation/decision-making: A study that looked at brain activity of those practicing gratitude found that participants had improved emotional regulation and decision-making skills.
Physical
• Stronger immune systems and better sleep: One study found gratitude strengthens the immune
system, and another found it promotes good sleep patterns, which go hand in hand. Also, thinking positive thoughts right before falling asleep also aids with good sleep!
• Pain tolerance: Focusing on being thankful can lessen an individual’s pain sensitivities.
• Longevity: A grateful mindset extends lifespans. One study also found an all-women participant group with an optimistic outlook on life had only a nine percent chance of developing heart disease.
• Health-consciousness: Individuals with grateful attitudes tend to be more health-conscious, says Emmons, resulting in fewer unhealthy habits.
Social
• Romantic relationships: Couples who express and receive appreciation often report a better relationship.
• Friendships: Friends who show appreciation improve their bonds and have an easier time communicating and viewing each other positively.
• Families: When families practice gratitude together, they feel more protected against stressors as hardship arises, such as ill parents.
• Attracting more relationships: Showing appreciation attracts new friends, a study in the journal Emotion finds.
GRATITUDE IS A PRACTICE
During the holidays, people often express heightened awareness of sadness and anxiety. While it may
CONTINUED >
“At the heart of this holiday is a profound sentiment: holding space for gratitude.”
be more difficult to feel thankful in trying circumstances, practicing it is an attitude that trains our brains to be more attuned to positivity. In fact, it works as a coping tool against negative thinking patterns.
A study from The Journal of Happiness Studies recommends spending fifteen minutes a day, five days a week (for at least six weeks) meditating on gratitude to promote a lasting change in perspective. However, even allotting small portions of each day or week to
this practice has holistic benefits. Although it may feel contrived at first, many people report that it becomes habitual, or part of their thought process, with patient dedication.
A MORE FULFILLED LIFE
Thankfulness is not just a holiday tradition, but a powerful daily perspective tool to create a happier, healthier and more fulfilled life.
Tips for Cultivating Gratitude
• Keep a journal: Write details of positive experiences to condition the brain to choose thankfulness.
• Visual reminders: Looking at pictures of your loved ones or cherished things reinforces your appreciation.
• Letters and notes: Writing a thank-you note once a week significantly improves health, even if it’s never sent, or just a mental note!
• Prayer/meditation: Vocalize and ponder reasons to be grateful.
giving dip -
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD I PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Fall is synonymous with gathering with friends and family and enjoying time together. Whether it is for Thanksgiving, a football watch party or a simple fall gathering, these easy appetizer dips are the perfect shareable snack to share.
fig & honey brie
The perfect cheesy fall dip that is both savory and sweet. The chopped pecans add a subtle crunch that makes this irresistible.
ingredients:
• 8 ounce brie wheel
• 1/3 cup fig spread or jam
• ¼ cup pecans
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley
directions: Place brie in a baking dish. Spread the fig spread on top of brie and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Drizzle with honey. Add fresh herbs, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with pita chips or crackers.
garlic herb feta dip
This savory dip is quick and easy to assemble and is perfect to serve with fresh veggies or crackers of any kind.
ingredients:
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 whole garlic bulb, roasted
• 1 ¼ cup feta cheese
• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon dill
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
directions:
First, cut the head off of the top of the garlic bulb, and drizzle olive oil on top. Wrap in foil, and place it in an oven heated to 425 degrees. Roast for 30 minutes or until soft. Squeeze roasted garlic into a bowl, and set aside. Next, add the yogurt, feta, lemon juice, salt, pepper and water in a blender and lightly blend. Add the roasted garlic and blend until smooth. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables. Enjoy!
ON Fall Fun STALKING up
Cornhusk Centerpiece
When life gives you lemons, or cornstalks as it seems, make something beautiful! The holidays can be stressful. Your table centerpiece doesn’t need to be.
To create this cornhusk centerpiece, simply remove the dried tops of the cornstalks, arrange them in a vintage soup bowl adding a few ears of corn to give more stability and visual interest. Add preserved pinecones for guests’ place settings and you have the perfect touches for your table. Pinecone instructions can be found at SilvertoothHome.com/blog/pinecones-leaves
LeAnn’s Cornhusk Styling
• White Dishes & Platters
• Gold Charger Plates
• Woven Placemats
• Rust-Orange Napkins
• Thanksgiving Crackers
• Cornhusk Centerpiece
• Pinecone Guest Cards
• Real Pumpkins
BY
LeAnn can’t wait to see what you create for your own fall table. Tag her on IG @SilvertoothHome and #SilvertoothHome so she can share.
PARKER
NOVEMBER 2024
At Jungle Roots, we’ve been providing topquality pediatric and orthodontic care to our community for over 20 years. Our caring specialists ensure a fun, safe, and calming environment focused on patient comfort. ABOUT
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
NOVEMBER 9TH
Ahwatukee Car Show
Ahwatukee Community Swim & Tennis Center | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Rev your engines and check out the cool cars on display at the annual Ahwatukee Car Show. Spectators are free and can enjoy food, music, a silent auction and raffles. Proceeds benefit Dogs 4 Vets. Trophies awarded in several categories. AhwatukeeCommun ityCenter.com/Car-Show
NOVEMBER 23RD
Light Up Ahwatukee Holiday Festival
Desert Foothills Park | 10:00 AM11:00 PM
Light Up Ahwatukee is hosting the beloved 27th annual family-friendly event for the Ahwatukee community. The event features holiday arts and crafts shopping, food and drinks, and entertainment, along with inflatables and Santa’s Village with complimentary family photos from 12 - 5:30 p.m. Returning this year is the motorcycle parade, which will take place at dusk. For more information, visit LightUpAhwatukee.org
NOVEMBER 29TH
Tukee Trot 5K Run and Walk
Pecos Park | 8:30 AM
Join your friends, family and neighbors for this festive post-Thanksgiving Day event! This fast 5K course is also USATF certified to an official 3.1 miles/5K for those looking to post a speedy race time. Participants receive a t-shirt, finisher medals, chip-timing, age-group awards along with post-race refreshments and more. The event also features a free one-mile Kid’s Quail Family Run, which includes a finisher’s medal. RunSignUp. com/Race/AZ/Phoenix/TukeeTrot5K
