Canton, OH March 2024

March - Home & Design Issue

Home. So much contained in that little four letter word. Home is our grounding. Our base. Our launchpad. It’s where we start and end each day. And while the particulars look different for each of us, the meaning and value it holds for all of us is undeniable.

Author Wendy Wunder said, “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.”As we thought about home - we wanted to highlight what makes it special to our readers. That of course includes the food and drinks, the aesthetic and design, but most importantly - the people.

We feel like the lucky ones as we got to learn more about the businesses and individuals that comprise this city and hope the small lens into their lives and work brings people in this community together.

As you flip through the pages of this issue, we hope you’ll feel encouraged and connected to the people around you - in your city, neighborhood and most all of - your home.

Every month, we hear from readers who keep this magazine for longer than just the month labeled on the cover. They say they hold onto it for months as coffee table art or an accessory in their home. We feel proud to create a resource that is valued in our community and strive every month to deliver the value you expect. Thanks for letting us be a part of your home.

Happy March!

KATHERINE BODE, PUBLISHER @CANTONLIFESTYLE

Handmade Soap

Add a spa-like feel to your home with this refreshing soap recipe that's simple to make at home.

ARTICLE BY ANGI HOCKETT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

The art of soap making has come a long way since our grandmothers’ day. All the nourishing oils, beautiful colors, scents and exfoliants would have been a dream to her. Today, it is easy to custom make soap for any skin type. Adding oils such as avocado, olive, jojoba, and argon are just a few ingredients to make a rich smooth bar.

Not only do handmade soaps get super-fatted oils to add moisture, they can also include some amazing exfoliants, additives and scents. A few of my favorites are honey, aloe juice, goat’s milk, activated charcoal and clays.

If you want to get started making soap try this simple pour and mold recipe.

ingredients

•2 lb. goat’s milk melt-and-pour soap

•1 lemon rind, zested

•3 tablespoons of dried lavender buds

• 2 tablespoons of honey

•15 drops of lavender essential oil

•6 drops of lemon essential oil

• Jar or bowl for melting soap base

• Silicone mold

directions

lavender honey

lemon soap

Chop soap into smaller pieces. It will melt faster this way. Place in bowl and microwave (or double boil). Be careful to watch soap and not let it burn.  If you are using microwave, heat in 30 second increments, stirring frequently. Once soap is melted add your essential oils first. Once essential oils have been added and mixed thoroughly, add the lavender buds, lemon zest and honey. Have your mold ready to go, on a flat, even surface. You’ll want to move quickly before the soap cools too much. Mix everything thoroughly again, and pour mixture into mold. Let the soap cool for 2-3 hours until bars are completely solid. Wrap or package however you like.

Recipe from Sisoo.com

ZONE BLUE

What’s the secret to a happy, healthy, and long life? Believe it or not, it’s actually quite simple: There are no secret ingredients, no sizable expenditures, and absolutely zero manufactured elements of any kind. Dive in with us as we share insights from our interview with the internationally renowned Blue Zones Founder, National Geographic Explorer, and award-winning journalist who is revolutionizing the way Americans make choices that can lead to living your best life.

“GET YOUR HANDS ON A PLANT-BASED COOKBOOK, PICK A DOZEN RECIPES, AND COOK THOSE WITH YOUR FAMILY ON SUNDAYS.”

For over twenty years, Dan Buettner has been fully committed to studying the health and longevity of Americans as well as influencing the proper and attainable health-centric environments our communities should embody. What started with identifying five “blue zones” around the world where people are both living longer as well as enjoying a higher quality of life in their elder years has now also evolved into proactively creating eco-systems where our communities engage in setting the standard for clean health.

If you haven’t subscribed to watching “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” streaming on Netflix, do yourself a favor and soak up the well-documented views into how Ikaria, Greece, Loma Linda, California, Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan, and Nicoya, Costa Rica exemplify the basis behind the Blue Zones truth and have since inspired Dan and his team to further extrapolate how we can manufacture healthy blue zone lifestyles in virtually any city and within our homes by way of intentional adaptation.

Most of us are well aware of the “American way of life” we reside in, that being one of convenience in all shapes and forms. We excel in offering the most fast food options in any country. We rank at the top of the most cars per household. We embrace a sedentary at-home lifestyle. And, for many of us, it stems from our childhood to no-fault of our own; comfort foods and Friday night pizza deliveries, complacent recliners and cushy car commutes. In short, however, now more than ever we categorically live in a country where processed foods and ultra-convenience, unfortunately, translate to life-threatening health diseases and a lack of organic joy.

What is the best news of all? All of these characteristics are wildly easy to overcome with effortless, yet conscious pivots to making better decisions with our time, our food, and our focus. Ask yourself: Are you driving or walking? Are you connecting socially? Set your sights on avoiding the majority of processed foods and start eating a largely whole-food and plant-based diet that will (statistically) give you another 10-12 years on your life.

In place of your toaster, keep a fruit bowl on the counter. Create a low-level junk food drawer. Stop buying processed meat, potato chips, sweetened snacks like cookies and candies, and worst of all, sugar-sweet beverages, and start buying more beans, nuts, grains, and tea.

“Am I going to tell you to never have these? No, people deserve to treat themselves. But you’ll do yourself an enormous favor if you just don’t bring those into your home. If you want to go out for those treats, go ahead,” Dan says.

“Simply just don’t bring them home, and you’ll cut out 70-80% of consumption right there.”

Buettner’s first cookbook, The Blue Zones Kitchen, is a fantastic resource featuring ingredients and cooking methods that can increase longevity, wellness, and mental health. The recipes also include lifestyle tips such as proper portion sizes and the best times to eat dinner. Plus, check out his additional seven books that dig deep into the exact foods you should eat to how your circle of friends and family can influence your quality of life.

Who do you hang out with? Happiness is contagious. “The Blue Zone approach is to go through your contact base and think of some friends whose recreation is pickleball, biking, or gardening. Who will care about you on a bad day and have a meaningful conversation? Identify one or two friends who are vegan or vegetarian and show you how and where to eat whole foods. Actively invite them out for lunch, and bring them into your social circle: this will have a bigger, long-term impact on your behavior than any new diet or exercise, and it costs you zero. Plus, there is a ton of data that shows it works, and it’s long-term.”

“We are marketed the idea that if we change our behavior by exercising more, taking the right supplements, trying this longevity or that anti-aging hack, that we will lose weight and get healthy, yet it never works for the longterm,” says Dan. The Blue Zones approach is not trying to change your behaviors, it is asking you to change your surroundings…your eco-system.

Every time you go out to eat, you will consume an extra 300 calories that are laden with more sodium, sugar, and oil than eating at home. “Get your hands on a plant-based cookbook, pick a dozen recipes, and cook those with your family on Sundays. If you make the effort to cook it with your family, you will gain the skills and learn to make some good and whole food plant-based recipes.”

And, we would be remiss not to attend to the travelers at heart who would love to indulge in a luxurious resort paired with the facets of an actual Blue Zones destination. Dan highly recommends seeking out Silvestre in Nosara, Costa Rica where the experience offers wellness programming, fully-equipped kitchens, and outdoor activities that will fuel your inspiration for a healthier life.

Tap into Dan’s wisdom that is creating a new category of places that are not merely the legacy of a healthy culture, but more consciously created by enlightened individuals that are intent on supercharging healthier communities!

Follow @DanBuettner and @BlueZones for full insights and visit BlueZones.com to shop exclusive products.

TONE + TEXTURE

STYLE YOUR HOME IN TONES AND TEXTURES WITH DESIGN HELP FROM HOUZZ INTERIOR DESIGN EXPERTS

ARTICLE BY NICOLETTE MARTIN

WOVEN + KNOTTED

LIVING BOHO-CHIC WITH WOVEN TEXTURES AND MACRAMÉ

Decorate your space with handmade textures such as the modern, maker revival of 1970s macramé and year-round tropical feel of wicker. MACRAMÉ Made through knotting instead of weaving, macramé can add a unique touch in many various ways. Houzz contributor Laura Gaskill suggests incorporating it as nursery decor, plant hangers, wall hangings and modern fiber arts. WICKER According to Houzz contributor Yanic Simard, “the best way to really embrace the luxury-cottage appeal of wicker and rattan is to combine different forms of the two in one space... Look for other unexpected places to add a natural twist to your home with a new material woven into your palette.”

AGAINST THE GRAIN

TIPS FOR DECORATING WITH NATURAL MATERIALS

Houzz contributor Katie Treggiden offers many ways to incorporate natural materials and natural-state timber into your home, including using wood to cover one wall in a home for a pleasing accent wall; featuring your firewood as a striking, stacked display; and mixing different types of wood and different finishes in the same space. “A simple way to incorporate the wood trend is to expose structural wooden beams already present in your home,” Katie says. “Instead of painting them or boxing them in, leave them raw or give them a coat of wax to enrich the tones.”

BRIGHTS + WHITES

ADDING TASTEFUL POPS OF COLOR TO YOUR WHITE ROOM

Do you feel like your all-white room is missing something? Houzz contributor Kelly Porter bets what’s missing is energy.

“The best way to add a spark to any space,” she says, “is with bright color.”

Kelly says green is one of the easiest colors to live with, looking organic even in its more vivid tones.

“When searching for the perfect bright green, think springtime—fresh green grass and newly sprouted leaves,” she says. “These greens have lively undertones that will look comfortable and warm in your white space.

Other colors Kelly recommends adding as accents are yellow, royal blue, orange, bluepurple, red-purple and sky blue.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

GATHER AT THE TABLE

Setting time aside to gather as a family around the dinner table is a great way to connect without the distractions from the things that pull us away from the ones we love. Both the Maple Harvest Salad and Beignets can be prepared in advance for the busy families on the go. Enjoy!

maple harvest salad

INGREDIENTS Serves 1

• 1 portion Honey Roasted Cauliflower (3 oz.)

• 2 oz. Pomegranate seeds

• 3 oz. chopped Kale

• 2 oz. thinly sliced Brussel Sprouts

• 5 oz. Maple Molasses Dressing

DIRECTIONS

Toss all the ingredients, aside from the pomegranate seeds, into a large mixing bowl. Pour in the maple molasses dressing and lightly toss everything together, until everything has been coated in the dressing. Place on the middle of a plate, in a mound, sprinkle the pomegranate seeds over the salad.

INGREDIENTS

Honey Roasted Cauliflower (Yields 5 - 6 portions)

• 1 lb. of Cauliflower Florets

• 2 oz. Salt

• .5 oz. Black Pepper

• 8 oz. Honey

• 8 oz. Oil

DIRECTIONS

Chop cauliflower into small floret pieces. Combine everything together and toss until the cauliflower is evenly coated, roast in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 mins.

INGREDIENTS

Maple Molasses Dressing (Yields 1 quart, 8 servings)

• 4.5 oz. Apple Cider Vinegar

• 3 oz. Maple Syrup

• 3 oz. Molasses

• 0.5 oz. Mustard

• 11.5 oz. Soy Milk

• 10.5 oz. Olive Oil

chicken parmesan

INGREDIENTS

• Chicken Breast

• Spaghetti

• Marinara Sauce

• Fresh Mozzarella slices

• Panko Breading

DIRECTIONS

Bread the chicken breast in the panko breading, then fry at 350 degrees F, until the internal temperature reaches about 170 Degrees F. In the meantime, slowly reheat the cooked spaghetti in the marinara sauce, once hot, set aside. After the chicken breast reaches the 170 degrees internal temp, spread the mozzarella onto the chicken breast and melt in the oven for about 3-5 mins. Twist the spaghetti into a nest, and place onto the plate. and place the chicken breast over the top of the pasta.

INGREDIENTS

Marinara Sauce (yields 8 - 10 servings)

• 1 #10 Can Crushed Tomatoes

• 1 lb. Onions, Diced

• 1/2 lb. Carrots, Diced

• 1/2 lb. Celery, Diced

• 1 oz. Garlic Cloves

• 1/2 oz. Dried Basil

• 2 Bay Leafs

• 500 ml Red Wine

• 4 oz. Water

• 2 oz. Sugar

• 4 oz. Oil

• 1/2 oz. Dried Oregano

• 2 grams Crushed Red Pepper

• 1/2 lb. Parm Cheese

• 1/2 oz. Black Pepper

• 8 oz. Tomato Paste

DIRECTIONS

In a large stock pot, preheat the oil until it reaches the smoking point. Add the diced vegetables and begin to sweat on high heat, once translucent, add the sugar and allow vegetables to brown and caramelize. Once Caramelized, add tomato paste and allow to brown. Deglaze with the red wine and reduce by half. Add canned tomatoes, spices and herbs, and the water. Allow to simmer over medium heat for about 1-2 hours. Transfer to a blender and blend on high speed until fully mixed, manually whisk in the parm cheese.

beignets

INGREDIENTS

• 16 oz. Butter

• 32 oz. Water

• 32 oz. Flour

• 16 Eggs

• pinch Salt

• pinch Sugar

DIRECTIONS

Bring the butter and water to a boil, incorporate the flour, salt, and sugar and fold over until the batter forms into a cohesive ball, with no patches of dry flour. Allow to cool for about 10 mins before throwing the batter into a stand mixer. With the paddle attachment slowly incorporate the eggs, one at a time, until the batter has absorbed all the eggs. Scoop into one ounce balls and fry in preheated oil at 325 degrees F, rotating the beignets for about 15 mins. Allow to cool and let the steam hollow out the inside of the beignets. Stuff with your choice of filling and sprinkle with powdered sugar and place on to a plate.

INGREDIENTS

Chocolate Mousse -

Yields 5 - 6 servings

• 1-8 oz. Vanilla Pudding Mix

• 8 oz. Heavy Cream

• 32 oz. Milk

• 12 oz. Dark Chocolate

• 1/2 oz. Vanilla Extract

• 8 oz. Cool Whip

• 16 oz. Dark Cocoa Powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt the dark chocolate into the heavy cream over a double boiler on the stovetop over medium high heat. Once mixed, allow 10 minutes to cool.

2. Meanwhile, mix all other ingredients together using a stand mixer until well combined. Slowly incorporate the melted dark chocolate/heavy cream mixture until well combined. Using a spatula, place chocolate mousse into a piping bag.

This is one of my constant “go to” DIY projects. It’s fast, it’s easy and it looks oh so professional. I love displaying photos, but I don’t necessarily love a lot of photo frames. These canvases create a crisp, clean look... All in about 30 minutes! Let’s get started.

DIY Photo To Canvas In A Snap

ARTICLE BY ANGI HOCKETT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

STEP 1:

First things first, grab your supplies.

• Photo on photo paper

• 1 ½ inch thick wrapped canvas

• Mod Podge in Matte finish

• Black spray paint in Satin finish

• Clear spray paint in Satin finish

• 4 inch or 6 inch foam paint roller

• Small paint tray

Place your photo on the clean, dry canvas to make sure it fits correctly. Trim if necessary.

STEP 2:

Spray paint the canvas sides and a little of the top with the black spray paint. It is VERY important to let this dry completely.

STEP 3:

Using your foam roller, roll Mod Podge over the entire top of the canvas. Center your photo on top of the wet Mod Podge. Smooth the photo with your hands starting in the middle and pushing out toward the edges

STEP 4:

Roll a thin even layer of Mod Podge over your photo. This is a little scary “painting” over your photo, but I promise it will dry clear. Once it is covered with a thin layer start at one side and roll straight rows from side to side, in the same direction, as to avoid roller lines once it dries. If you see small bubbles in the wet Mod Podge, it is too thick. Thin it out by taking an almost dry roller over the photo to lift some of the Mod Podge. Repeat until the bubbles are gone. Let this dry completely.

STEP 5:

Spray the top and sides of the entire canvas and photo with satin spray paint. Dry…Hang….High Five. Congratulations on your new Photo Canvas!

This same technique can be used on 4x4 tiles of your choice to create custom coasters. You will add a bit of Peel and Stick Cork or felt to the back of the tile so the coaster doesn’t scratch. Cheers!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 oz- Cucumber & dragon fruit gin

• 3/4oz- Toasted black sesame Velvet Falernum

• 1/2oz- Lime juice

• Topped with ginger beer

• Hawaiian black lava salt & black sesame

GARNISH

• Small paint brush

• Simple syrup

• Hawaiian black lava salt mixed with a pinch of black sesame

INSTRUCTIONS

Infused Gin: Infuse 1 whole peeled and cut cucumber in gin for a week. Strain the cucumbers out. Add 1 tablespoon of organic dragonfruit powder and mix very well with a whisk. To make the syrup, toast 1/2 cup of black sesame at 350 for 10 minutes. Take it out and let it cool. In a mortar and pestle, grind the toasted black sesame, but not too fine. Add the sesame into one bottle of John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum. Let that set for about 2 to 3 days and use cheese cloth to strain out the fine bits of sesame. Juice one fresh lime and strain to remove the pulp.

Cocktail: Paint a strip of simple syrup down a Collins glass. Take a spoon full of Hawaiian black lava salt mixed with black sesame and layer that down where the painted simple syrup was placed. In a shaker tin combine: 1 1/2oz cucumber dragon fruit gin, 3/4oz toasted black sesame Velvet Falernum, and 1/2oz lime juice and shake that up!  Fill the painted glass with ice (I use crushed ice) and strain over the ice. Top with your favorite ginger beer (my choice is fever tree ginger beer).

ARTICLE BY MATSUMOTO MARI  PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

The Magic Dragon

Make a Statement With This Stylish Cocktail

Enjoy Luxury Living in a Rea Custom Home

The #1 Rule of Real Estate

WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS

"We appreciate all that Meredith and Nancydidtohelpusrelocatetoour newhome.Theyareprofessional, efficientandveryresponsive.We’ll definitelyusethemagain!"

— ED I.

"MeredithandNancyalwaysmadeus feelliketheyhadourbestinterestsat heart.Alwaysprofessionalandfriendly. Theyhavebecomefriendstous!"

“NancyandMeredithwerearockstar teamtoworkwith!Theywereterrific advisorsthroughouttheprocessforus firsttimehomebuyers! Highly recommend!”

— CORY W.

FRANK T.