OKC, OK October 2023

PLANS for the way we live today

An elaborate country French home designed by Brent over 25 years ago still retains its classic style today! The beautiful stone work and ornate chimneys make this one of the premier homes in the Mulholland addition.

This contemporary home will soon be available in Nichols Hills. Beautiful open floor plan surrounding the pool. For more information to purchase this dream home, contact our office. A New England Colonial home recently designed in 3D illustration gives our client the opportunity to visualize their completed home.

This moment is brought to you by Mathnasium

A child who continues to develop their math skills can feel confident that they’re on track for a successful school year. Mathnasium gives students the instruction they need to reinforce what they’re learning in school, work on concepts that may pose a challenge, and take their math knowledge to a new level. In other words, we got this.

14101 N May. Ave, #106 Oklahoma City, OK 73134

Casady School’s Portrait of a Graduate is more than just a portrait. It’s a journeyA road map around and through the experience of every graduate.

I AM KNOWN BY THE WAY ••• I HONOR I LEARN I ENGAGE I INNOVATE I SERVE I THRIVE

9500 N. Pennsylvania • Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405.749.3200 • casady.org

Casady School welcomes a student body that reflects the diversity of the world around us and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orintation, socioeconomic status, nationality, or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and or other school-administered programs generally accorded or made available to students at the School.

Welcome to our Food & Drink Issue!

For most of us, food and drink play a central role in our lives. Think about those times, including major celebrations and holidays, that have brought joy into your lives: roasting marshmallows with family or friends around a campfire, blowing out candles on a son's or daughter's birthday cake, toasting the betrothed at a wedding rehearsal, a rare family reunion around the Thanksgiving table.

Inside, you’ll read about Tyrez Bruner, the executive chef at Bellini’s Ristorante & Grill here in OKC, who developed his passion for cooking as a teenager, where he worked his way up from bussing tables to hosting and other front-of-house positions, then to bartending and bar management, before finding his true calling in the kitchen.

“Being a chef is not easy. You will have long days, weeks and even months," Tyrez is quoted as saying. "But if your passion is there, you will love it.” And love it he does.

Food and drink is often the means by which we draw people together, a concept shared by EMMY award-winning OKC hip-hop artist Jonathan Blake “Jabee” Williams. In this issue, you'll read about how, when the grocery store in his neighborhood closed, this enterprising young man, recognizing a need in his area, stepped up to meet it by opening Eastside Pizza House. With a childhood friend, he later opened up a second (breakfast and brunch) restaurant. Both efforts, he says, was him, "trying to bring people together." Make sure to take time to read this amazing and inspirational story.

Another article spotlights a mom who started creating charcuterie boards for family celebrations, then upon request from friends, and who now creates these works of art and deliciousness through her online business. Here, she shares how you, too, can create a charcuterie board that will amaze your family and friends, and just in time for the holiday season!

Is baking or cooking your passion? You'll want to read in this issue about Culinary Kitchen & Home, a family-owned and locally operated store that's synonymous with the most unique and exclusive kitchen appliances and home goods on the market.

Other articles you won't want to miss include one on a concierge telehealth company that's the brainchild of a local entrepreneur/artist and another on learning the importance of valuing oneself.

Hope you're enjoying the cooler weather and all the other joys autumn brings with it. Happy reading!

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Jimmy Darden | jimmy.darden@citylifestyle.com 405.541.5650

MANAGING EDITOR Jerri Culpepper | jerri.culpepper@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Kaylin Hill | kaylin.hill@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Lauren Lupton | lauren.lupton@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Brooke Barnett, Murphy Barnett, Jerri Culpepper, Lindsey Davies, Julie Dill-Burnett, Peter Levinson

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Kaylin Hill

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Plan Your Kicks on Route 66!

Embarking from Oklahoma City, the road RockArillo in Amarillo, Texas, promises excitement. On Oct. 21, Route 66 on Sixth Street beckons with its iconic charm. For a comfortable stay, consider Four Points by Sheraton, offering modern amenities and convenience. For local and historic flavor, The Barfield Hotel is a fantastic choice, encapsulating Amarillo's spirit. Make memories on the open road, indulge in the RockArillo festivities, and unwind at these excellent accommodations for an unforgettable adventure.

Oklahoma City Ballet to Present Hamlet

Oklahoma City Ballet will return to the Civic Center Music Hall for Stephen Mills’ Hamlet Oct. 27-29. A contemporary ballet with Shakespearean roots, Hamlet features minimal sets, modern costumes inspired by designer Giorgio Armani and an emotionally driving score by American composer Philip Glass. Filled with sleek sophistication and lots of action, audiences will be surprised by this updated version of a classic story.

H-MD Sets Spookapalooza Oct. 5

No tricks, just treats at H-MD’s annual patient appreciation event, Spookapalooza. Festivities set from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 5, complete with finger foods, cocktail potions and onenight-only special package pricing/ product bundles, and dozens of giveaways and raffles. Dress to impress for a chance to win the costume contest. H-MD Medical Spa is located at 5101 W. Memorial Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73142.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/OKC

ASSEMBLING CHARCUTERIE your own work of art

ARTICLE BY JERRI CULPEPPER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAYLIN HILL

A self-described stay-at-home mom, Kelly Burton previously worked as a registered nurse in women’s health.

Kelly says she has “always loved celebrating people” and enjoys planning “all details and touches that go into a beautiful gathering.”

"What a rewarding journey it has been!" she says about an interest that started as a hobby and turned into a business: Boards By Kelly.

Today, Kelly turns food—meats, cheeses, crackers, dips/jams and more—into her artist's palette. The charcuterie board is the resulting work of art.

"We were created to gather, so let’s gather often and celebrate well!”

Social media: Facebook & Instagram

Boards By Kelly, LLC (@boardsbykelly.okc)

BoardsByKelly.com

1. SELECT YOUR MAIN FOODS

Spicy foods are a common request. I love to include hot capocollo, spiced or seasoned salami, and hot capocollo into the mix. There are also some delicious spicy cheeses such as pepper gouda, jalapeno pepper cheddar, spicy Colby jack and goat cheese stuffed sweet peppers, which I season with “everything but the bagel” seasoning. Brie cheese is a popular favorite that’s delicious accompanied with crackers.

2. STYLE YOUR CHEESES & MEATS

To cut brie cheese perfectly to make a decorative wheel effect, slice when cold. As it reaches room temperature (which is

KELLY BURTON USES MEATS, VEGGIES AND MORE TO CREATE HER PALETTE

3. STYLE YOUR OTHER CHARCUTERIE CHOICES

Dips and jam are essential to any successful charcuterie board. The fan favorite?

Fig jam! Spread on crackers and top with cheese—and you’ve got a sweet-and-savory bite! Hummus is a great option to the board when cucumber, baby carrots, sugar snap peas and/or cherry tomatoes are featured. Honey also is an excellent sweet touch. I also like to have a bowl of whipped cream cheese with a drizzle of honey on top. It sounds so simple, but dipped with pretzels or crackers, it’s amazing!

Speaking of sweet, adding sweet items to the board is a must, whether it’s chocolate-covered pretzels or sea salt choco-

when it’s ideal to eat) the creaminess of the cheese will make the cuts less clean and will smear on your knife as well on the outer layer of the cheese.

The elegant part of charcuterie is folding meat decoratively. When folding salami, you have two main options: a salami rose or accordion style, to make a “salami river.” For the former, you’ll need seven salami pieces, which you will assemble in a line, placing one-half on top of the other half, then folding in half and rolling. Use toothpicks or place in a 2-ounce dip cup to maintain its shape. For the salami river, fold the salami in half, then in half again, so it forms a triangle. Place all the triangles together, and you’ve got a beautiful presentation!

late caramels. I also love to weave in desserts such as cookies, cupcakes or macaroons.

Showcase the changing seasons by adding special seasonal foods . For example, fall is great for pumpkin dips and pomegranate seeds.

When including fruits and vegetables , make sure they are completely dry; otherwise, you will end up with soggy crackers and breads.

To really elevate your board, add florals, such as carnations, hydrangeas and/or daisies.

4. GENERAL ASSEMBLY TIPS

During assembly, do each element at one time. Sprinkle these items around your board one at a time. So, place all the breads/ crackers first, then layer on the cheeses, meats, vegetables, fruits and bowls for dips/jams. To fill in the gaps, I always add blueberries last.

The most important tip is to make the board your own! Piece your favorite foods together to create a board that is unique to you!  Don’t be afraid to try something new! Believe me, it will still get eaten if it isn’t perfect. Gathering around the table to enjoy charcuterie with those you love being around is the best part!

“We were created to gather, so let’s gather often and celebrate well!”

BELLINI’S RISTORANTE & GRILL’S TYREZ BRUNER AIMS TO KEEP PEOPLE COMING BACK

FOLLOWING HIS PASSION

Shanelle, have four children at home. Teenagers Morgan and Tyren are the oldest, while Karsyn, 8, and Jaxson, 5, round out their family.

“Crazy enough, my wife does most of the cooking at home,” he admits, laughing. “But I absolutely love spending time with my family, hanging out and watching movies.”

Even during his early days in restaurants, he remembers being fascinated watching other chefs create their culinary masterpieces.

“I always paid attention to the chefs I worked with and was interested in the way they moved around the kitchen with skill and grace,” he recalls.

ARTICLE BY MURPHY BARNETT

Before most kids even have jobs, Tyrez Bruner was already developing his passion for cooking.

Starting as a teenager, Tyrez worked in restaurants, building his skills in different areas and positions. He started by bussing tables, moved on to hosting and other front-of-house positions, and even tested out bartending and bar management before he launched into his true calling in the kitchen.

It was during his time working with the Bravo Brio Restaurant group that he feels like he came into his own as a professional chef.

Tyrez, currently the executive chef at Bellini’s Ristorante & Grill in Oklahoma City, explains: “Being a chef is not easy. You will have long days, weeks and even months. But if your passion is there, you will love it.”

Tyrez says having a strong support system at home is crucial to his success. He and his wife,

Since joining the Bellini’s staff last May, Tyrez’s passion for cooking has continued to expand. Coming from a strong background in Italian cooking, he felt right at home with many of the signature dishes at Bellini’s. When asked what his favorite menu item to prepare is, he said that he enjoys making all of them and that it is simply too hard to choose.

“I enjoy working with my team and coming up with delicious specials and entrees,” he says. “We want to always give our customers a reason to enjoy their meal. It gives me joy when people enjoy their food.”

Many of Bellini’s dishes are designed to do just that—from their delicious Signature Salmon to their Top Shelf Pizza, you can’t go wrong with any of the dishes that Tyrez and his team prepare. He and his team pride themselves on serving food that is fresh, authentic and delicious.

“All of the dishes at Bellini’s are delicious, but one thing that I suggest that all our guests try is the chicken parmesan,” he says.

Tyrez Bruner, executive chef at Bellini's Ristorante & Grill, with his family

Tyrez also highly recommends the blackened sea bass served with tomato cream sauce, the Italian double-decker club sandwich, the seafood melt served with lobster bisque, and the Nashville hot chicken sandwich.

Regardless of what he is making, Tyrez says his No. 1 goal in the kitchen is to create delicious food that keeps people coming back.

Bellini’s offers both lunch and dinner specials, as well as a popular weekend brunch.

Whether you enjoy traditional Italian fare or more modern classics, Tyrez cooks them all and hopes his work in the kitchen will have you coming back again and again.

P.S. Did you know Bellini’s offers catering and that they can host parties? Good to know with the holidays fast approaching!

Bellini’s Ristorante & Grill is located at 6305 Waterfront Blvd. in Oklahoma City.

For more information or to make reservations, visit  BellinosRistoranteGrill.com or find them on Facebook (facebook.com/BellinisRistoranteGrill) and Instagram (@Bellinisristorantegrill).

Bellini's Nashville hot chicken sandwich with french fries

Blackened sea bass served with a broken tomato cream sauce, crispy potatoes and sautéed spinach

Italian double decker club sandwich with pasta salad

ARTICLE BY BROOKE BARNETT

For chefs, homeowners and cooking enthusiasts in the Oklahoma City metro area, Culinary Kitchen & Home is synonymous with the most unique and exclusive kitchen appliances and home goods on the market.

Family-owned and locally operated, the store is located at 7222 North Western Ave., and has been run by the Rappaport family since 2008.

“We are a family of entrepreneurs that have just kept expanding into different avenues,” owner Lindy Rappaport explains.

“Kitchen and home goods are something that has always interested my husband, Claude, because he loves to cook. Plus, he’s a people person, so it brought together two things that he loves.”

The store features eye-catching displays of state-of-the art appliances, including brands that can’t be found anywhere else in the state. Serving as the exclusive dealer in Oklahoma for brands such as La Cornue, American Range and Sub Zero, Culinary Kitchen allows customers to truly create a custom kitchen that combines high quality with high style.

“We try to bring in products that you don’t find anywhere else in Oklahoma,” Lindy says. “We’ve pioneered a lot of products, and we give customers truly special options that they can’t find at other stores.”

For those looking for trendy tabletop products, the store features the latest styles of dinnerware, glassware, flatware,

decorative items, vases and more. The showroom also offers laundry appliances, outdoor kitchen appliances, grills, small appliances and fire pits.

“We have a blend of all types of products, things that you can cook with and cook in, plus those special items that are decorative and fun,” she adds.

Customers can also take advantage of the store’s specialized services, including live demonstrations, monogramming, wedding registries, personalized custom gift baskets, corporate gift baskets, free gift wrap with purchase and hands-on assistance in designing the perfect kitchen space.

“We are here to help our customers design their dream kitchen,” Lindy explains.

“We want the kitchen to fit the lifestyle, so we find out what they like to do in the kitchen and give them the appliances that will work best for their needs. The whole process is very custom and very individual.”

In addition to serving their customers, the Rappaports are also committed to helping others in the community. One important philanthropic effort each year is their direct involvement with the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance’s annual Kitchen Tour.  The 31st Annual Kitchen Tour is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, and Culinary Kitchen will feature live cooking demonstrations for tour patrons throughout the day.

“We have lots of history of giving back to the community over the years, and we have been involved with the Kitchen Tour for more than a decade,” she says.

“We like to feature different chefs cooking on different products at the event, so patrons can see what these premiere appliances can really do. We are looking forward to carrying on the tradition again this year.”

The Kitchen Tour showcases five innovative and cutting-edge kitchens in the Oklahoma

City metro, and proceeds from the event will benefit Vizavance (formerly Prevent Blindness Oklahoma) and Healthy Schools Oklahoma, an initiative of Bethany Children’s Health Center. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Culinary Kitchen.

Whether giving back to the important causes or helping a client design their dream kitchen, the Rappaports are proud of the special place that Culinary Kitchen holds in the local community. Lindy says that it’s truly been a labor of love, and that they value being viewed as a one-stop shop for both luxury appliances and outstanding product knowledge.

“Ultimately, we believe that cooking is fun and that the kitchen should be a fun place, full of enjoyment,” she concludes. “People who like to cook love it here, and we love being the place that they love to come to.”

Follow

Learn more at  CulinaryKitchen.com or by calling 405.418.4884.

“We have a blend of all types of products, things that you can cook with and cook in, plus those special items that are decorative and fun.”

Culinary Kitchen & Home on Facebook and on Instagram at @culinary_kitchen

When Building Community Comes First

HIP-HOP ARTIST TURNS RESTAURATEUR TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER

ARTICLE BY JULIE DILL-BURNETT

You may know Jonathan Blake “Jabee” Williams as a local, EMMY award-winning hip-hop artist, but his passion to build community isn’t conveyed in his music alone.

Jabee recognizes the power of food to bring people together, and he uses food to enrich lives in his community. His Instagram food account, @JabeeLikesFood, is popular amongst foodies. He doesn’t consider himself a food critic; he simply likes to highlight food that he likes.

His focus is local, new restaurants. However, being on tour often presents the opportunity for him to experience new places, observe current concepts and try new food.

In the past, he has organized local brunch events and competitions and donated the proceeds to the Clara Luper Legacy Committee.

Jabee explains, “That was me trying to bring people together.”

When the grocery store in his neighborhood closed, he recognized a need in his area. Jabee stepped up to meet this need, and he opened Eastside Pizza House.

“We needed food in the community,” he explains. “These conditions are manmade, not a natural occurrence. I didn’t want to sit around and wait for ‘them’ and ‘they’ to fix it when I have the means to do it. That’s the motivation and drive behind it.”

He adds, “If we see things that are wrong… we see issues… we jump in and help fix them if we can.”

Jabee decided to go with pizza first because he worked for a pizza restaurant chain in high school and had some experience. Over a year and a half later, Eastside Pizza House continues to serve their city, and his proprietorships are expanding.

He and his childhood friend, Cordell Love, are co-owners of Scrambl’d, a breakfast and brunch restaurant located at 1742 NE 23rd (peach cobbler biscuit, anyone?).

Again, building community is what he’s about, so his hip-hop career continues to evolve. Jabee is a busy man, so his creative process has changed throughout the years.

As a younger artist he used to fill notebooks with pages and pages of rhymes and lyrics. Now, he is much more intentional. If he decides to work on a project, he determines what the theme will be first, and then he creates. It may take him a year before he gets to the point of recording.

He explains his creative process: “It could be me in the studio listening to beats. It could be me at home listening to music. It could be me, as I’m going through the day, jotting down thoughts and words and things that I’m thinking or something that happened.”

The inspiration comes in different ways.

His most recent album release, Am I Good Enough, was released this past summer. Am I Good Enough is a four EP (short albums) project. The first EP, Am, was produced. Then, I was produced, and Good and Enough followed. The EPs were all produced by separate producers and released separately as a series. In the end, the projects were combined to make one vinyl.

He deliberately chose a four-word phrase, and his inspiration for the project came from a documentary on Whitney Houston, one of his favorite musicians. As Kevin Costner spoke at her funeral, he recalled a time when Houston was emotional and asked, “Am I good enough?” When he heard this, he knew that was it, and this planted the seed for Jabee’s project.

“I started planning the project according to that theme. Her life was tragic but real,” he says.

Jabee says his creative work on his music is often inspired by life’s experiences, and that mindset is

“I look around the city and I look around places on this [Eastside] side of town where I know there were thriving black communities and businesses, like Deep Deuce; there’s no way to know we were ever there.”

evident in his food business, as well. Eastside Pizza House has a hip-hop style, and that design is intentional.

Jake Beeson, of Tulsa, created a large mural in the restaurant that pays homage to civil rights leaders such as Clara Luper and Dr. Martin Luther King. Jabee finds it important to honor and celebrate past community leaders, and he serves on the Clara Luper Legacy Committee.

“If it weren’t for people like her, I wouldn’t have the means to open up a restaurant. Theirs’ are the shoulders that we stand on.”

He says, “I look around the city and I look around places on this [Eastside] side of town where I know there were thriving Black communities and businesses, like Deep Deuce; there’s no way to know we were ever there.” He seeks to preserve the history of those who sacrificed and fought for change in the community. He does not want the people who have come before him to be forgotten.

“I know with Eastside Pizza House, you’re going to know this is where we were at.”

Jabee says, “We’re only given so much time on earth. This life isn’t for practice; it’s the only one. I just want to do as much as I can while I’m here and leave a real legacy behind.”

He doesn’t want his legacy to be that of a person who is simply cool or a talented hiphop artist. He wants to be remembered as someone who helped change lives.

“With this community and with this [23rd] street, I know things are changing. I know I’ll be here,” he says.

For more information on the pizzeria, visit EastsidePizzaHouse.com . Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. 10 p.m. weekends.

Learn more about this EMMY Award-winner, entrepreneur and community activist who is passionate about using his music, and restaurants, to help change lives at MyNameIsJabee.com.

“We’re only given so much time on earth. This life isn’t for practice; it’s the only one. I just want to do as much as I can while I’m here and leave a real legacy behind.”

You Have Value

Take a Moment to Recognize Your Value

ARTICLE BY PETER LEVINSON

“You have value.”

These three simple words carry profound significance. Take a moment to pause and reflect on this statement. Ask yourself, “Do I truly understand and appreciate the concept of having value? What does it mean to possess genuine value, and how can recognizing my worth impact my life?”

In personal development and coaching, the revelation of one’s value is a transformative catalyst. This revelation forms the cornerstone of self-empowerment and the solution to many of life’s challenges.

Here, I explore the concept of self-value, the significance of recognizing it, and the role it can play in your personal growth.

DEFINING VALUE

Before diving into the depths of self-value, we must first grasp what it means to possess value. Value, in its most

basic sense, is the worth or significance that something or someone holds. It is a quality that distinguishes one thing from another, whether it’s an object, a concept or a human being. Regarding people, value is not measured in any material or external attribute; value is the entirety of one’s being, the singular uniqueness of one’s experiences and all the potential people carry within.

Recognizing one’s value involves acknowledging this worth that resides within you. It is the realization that you are not an insignificant cog in the machinery of life but an essential, irreplaceable component. Often, this is hard to do when you are one of 8 billion people on earth.

THE STRUGGLE TO RECOGNIZE VALUE

Unfortunately, so many people find it challenging to recognize their value. They may hold negative beliefs about

themselves that run deep, have lived through repetitive external criticisms, or experienced perceived failures that have clouded their perception of their self-worth. Our society is fixated on comparisons and unrealistic standards, making it so easy to overlook each person’s unique qualities and potential.

THE POWER OF SELF-VALUE

Why is recognizing one’s value so crucial? Because of the power it holds. When you acknowledge your worth, several significant shifts occur in your life:

Increased Confidence: Self-value breeds confidence. When you believe in your worth, you approach life’s challenges with a sense of self-assuredness. You know you deserve success, so you are more likely to take risks, pursue your goals and overcome obstacles that bring more success.

Resilience: Understanding your value provides a strong foundation for resilience. When faced with setbacks or failures, you are less likely to internalize them as reflections of your worth. Instead, you view them as they are: just more opportunities for personal growth and learning.

Improved Relationships: When you know your value, you will no longer seek validation from others but engage in relationships based on the mutual respect and appreciation you both deserve.

Goal Achievement: Individuals who value themselves are more motivated and determined to achieve their goals. You will set higher goals and are willing to put in the effort required to reach them. After all, failure to reach those goals builds that resilience.

Emotional Well-being: Self-value is closely tied to emotional well-being. Recognize your value, and you will have higher levels of self-esteem, reduced anxiety and increased overall happiness, all also known to affect your physical well-being.

Do you recognize that you are a singular, irreplaceable person on this earth? You are uniquely valuable. The first step in recognizing one’s value is to realize that you have value. I promise you, I see it in you. You need to take a moment and see it in yourself.

Peter Levinson is the eXp Branch Office Broker for the Levinson Real Estate Team. Find more information at forsaleokc.com  or call 405.285.5750.

Kiley’s Brown Butter Pumpkin Spice Crispy Creatures

Kiley Valentas is a local teacher turned stay-athome mom with three children. She loves baking, home-making, crafting and creating. When she stopped teaching and her first daughter was a baby, she began baking for friends and family, beginning with simply designed buttercream sugar cookies. Since then, she says the ideas have grown “into pies, breads, cookies and other sweet treats!”

Making the crispy creatures is the best part! Use multiple colors, eyeball sprinkles or any other sprinkles you wish. You cannot go wrong!

LOCAL TEACHER TURNED STAY-AT-HOME MOM BAKES UP OH-SO-CUTE HALLOWEEN GOODIES

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Browning the butter for these crispy creature treats, adds an extra layer of deliciousness and warmth.

Vanilla, a bit of salt and pumpkin spice make these treats taste like fall.

Gently pressing the cereal and marshmallow mix allows the treats to be fluffier and easier to bite into.

She adds, “My love language is sharing delicious food with those I love, so cooking and baking for them is such a joy to me.”

For those too busy to cook (and those just not really that into baking! LOL), each month Kiley offers select goodies for sale online to be picked up from her home bakery in Norman. For October, she loves to bake pumpkin bread, as well as decorate cookies for Halloween parties. November includes pumpkin pie and caramel apple pie, frozen traditional cinnamon rolls and pumpkin pecan cinnamon rolls, and homemade marshmallows and hot cocoa.

Learn more at: Facebook: “Eloise’s Shops”

Instagram: @eloisessweetshop

Email: eloisesshops@gmail.com

Kiley’s Brown Butter Pumpkin Spice Crispy Creatures

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 2 10-ounce bags of mini marshmallows

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

• 10 cups crispy rice cereal

• Candy melts (green, purple, orange, white, blue… whatever color you want!)

• Eyeball sprinkles (small and large)

• Any other sprinkles wanted

Directions:

Step 1: Spray a 9x13” baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, or grease with a stick of butter.

Step 2: Melt butter in a large stainless steel pan over medium-low heat. Brown the butter by swirling in the pan occasionally. The butter will become foamy, and once that happens, watch closely for small “volcanoes” of light brown to come through the foam. There should be a nutty aroma and small brown bits in the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Once you’ve made the brown butter, add the vanilla, marshmallows, salt and pumpkin pie spice to the pan. Remove from heat, and stir constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted.

Step 4: Add the rice cereal and stir until the cereal is evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan, pressing the mixture gently with your utensils, or use the paper the butter was wrapped in to press into an even layer in the pan. Don’t be too aggressive pressing the mixture into the pan. You want to be firm enough to bind the mixture together, but not so firm that you compress it super solidly so you have soft chewy treats and not dense and hard ones.

Step 5: Allow to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cut into squares, rectangle, or triangles to create your creatures.

Step 6: Warm candy melts in a small bowl in the microwave according to package directions, or about 30 seconds at a time. Lay out a piece of parchment paper to set the finished crispy creatures on.

Step 7: Dip your crispy creatures into the melted candy, and the add eyeball sprinkles or any other sprinkles to make your creature. Make it fun and get creative!

Step 8: Let crispy creatures set up for about 30 minutes, and then enjoy with family and friends!

Kiley Valentus shows off some Halloween cookies, another of her specialties.

CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite are FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental (under the chin) and submandibular (under the jawline) areas, thigh, abdomen, and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll), and upper arm. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments. CoolSculpting® and CoolSculpting® Elite are not treatments for weight loss.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

OCTOBER 1ST - 30TH

Wicked Forest of Terror

9420 W I-40 SERVICE ROAD, OKC

The youngest ghouls are invited to arrive before sundown to experience the fun Children's Forest on the last two Saturdays of October. For older kids of all ages, brave the full mile of this walk-through attraction, and see if you can surmount terrifying live actors, amazing special effects and immersive, intense scenes.  WickedForestOfTerror.com

OCTOBER 5TH - 30TH

Fall Festival at the Orr Family Farm

ORR FAMILY FARM, OKC

Celebrate all things autumn at the Fall Festival at Orr Family Farm. Go through the maze, ride on a hayride, play on the farm's outdoor attractions, board the farm's locomotive or take a spin on the carousel. While you're there, check out the animal barn, pedal cars and jumping pillows. OrrFamilyFarm.com/Fall

OCTOBER 7TH

Foodie Fest of OKC

SCISSORTAIL PARK, OKC | 11:00 AM

This free event coincides with the Scissortail Farmer’s Market and showcases the Indigenous, Latino and Asian culinary communities. Enjoy over 50 food and retail vendors while listening to live entertainment or watching the OU/TX football game on the on-site big screen. OkcBlackEats.com/FoodieFest

OCTOBER 7TH - 29TH

Haunt the Zoo

OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO | 9:00 AM

The largest daytime trick-or-treating event turns 40 years old this year! Haunt the Zoo from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Candy will be distributed at 13 candy booth locations. Zoo admission and official trick-or-treat bags are required.

OCTOBER 10TH - 15TH

OKC Broadway presents: To Kill a Mockingbird

CIVIC CENTER MUSIC HALL, OKC

Experience the stage adaptation of Harper Lee's classic novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird," at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City. OkcBroadway.com/Mockingbird

OCTOBER 12TH - 14TH

Banjo Fest

AMERICAN BANJO MUSEUM, OKC

Held at the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City, this annual gathering includes informal performances, jam sessions and parties for a memorable weekend of good times, music and friends united by their love of all things banjo. This year's festival highlights include honoring Banjo Hall of Fame inductees and a big old-fashion ‘Shakey’s Pizza-Style’ sing-along. AmericanBanjoMuseum.com

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The Future of Concierge Telehealth

Ever felt ill or had a health concern that needed addressing, but you were just so busy that you didn’t want to take the time out to sit in a waiting room for what could be an hour or more?

Have you read about a health care treatment—Semaglutide, for weight loss, for example—that you would like to learn more about, but again, the time required to schedule a doctor’s visit and then be present for that visit just isn’t practical right now?

Or perhaps you’re experiencing stress or sleep problems or would like some advice on a health concern like hair loss or intimacy issues.

InstaDocNow—billed as “the future of concierge telehealth—may be the option you’ve been looking for, says its president, Nichol Vagrosky of Oklahoma City, who founded the national telehealth company in 2021.

“Accredited by the Better Business Bureau, InstaDocNow offers physician-directed, same-day online appointments, 24/7 customer support, full-service online urgent care, medications delivered to your door, and FDA-approved weightloss medications—all at an affordable price,” she said.

Patients may even order various lab kits delivered to them at home; if needed, a follow-up consultation will be scheduled for treatment.

“InstaDocNow is a modern and convenient approach to primary care,” Nichol says.

“Except for true emergencies, when the ER is the best option, you do not need to leave your home or office to receive care. Online consultations cost only $69.00 per visit, which can in some cases save patients thousands of dollars a year.

“Even greater savings may be realized through monthly memberships, which are $39.99 per patient and cover prescription refills, virtual chats, complimentary doctor notes for return to work or school, long- or short-term treatment plans and physician referrals,” she adds.

InstaDocNow also offers an InstaHeroes Program for veterans, police officers and first responders with discounts for a range of services, including addiction recovery, and another for college students ages 18-24. The telehealth program is a viable option for those without insurance, as well, Nichol notes.

NO NEED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME OR OFFICE: SERVICE OFFERS HEALTH CARE 24/7

ARTICLE BY JERRI CULPEPPER

For more information about InstaDocNow, visit instadocnow.com

InstaDocNow founder and president, Nichol Vagrosky

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