To a Healthy Year!
For many of us, this time of year is full of excitement. It presents us with a reset, new horizons, and goals to pursue.
But for others, January can be a reminder of failed attempts from years past and the burden of expectation that this year will be different.
We approached this issue of Tempe City Lifestyle from a mindset of not supplying quick fixes to check boxes in the short term, but valuing what is sustainable over the long haul. We wanted to provide inspiration for making lasting, realistic, long-term improvements to your physical, emotional, and mental health.
This month, we ask our local health and wellness businesses about sharing maintainable health tips and advice for a healthier 2025. Melissa Kay, owner of Prime IV shares the details about the health benefits of IV therapy; and Dr. Hobi, owner of Regen 33 Optimal Health Clinic, teaches us about the dangers of mold— plus more!
When it comes to anything in life—business, finance, food, home, and personal health—it’s not what you do some days that move the needle, it’s what you do MOST days. For better or worse!
For instance, taking a vacation every day would be financially and practically unfeasible, but taking a trip a few times a year is doable. Having a beautiful steak dinner with a few cocktails and crème brulée every night for dinner isn’t the best for your health, but doing so once in a while might be fine!
It’s not the "sometimes choices" we make, it’s the "most of the time choices."
So plan the vacation AND work to establish more regular rest in your work week. Join a fitness community or gym AND enjoy that dessert you’ve been wanting to try. It’s not what you do some days—it’s what you do most days that will lead to a more peaceful, filling, and fabulous year.
Here’s to you! We’re rooting for you.
WENDY BATES, PUBLISHER
January 2025
PUBLISHER
Wendy Bates
wendy.bates@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Michelle Glicksman
michelle.glicksman@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Dr. Annette Hobi, NMD, Emily O'Brien
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
EB Combs, Shannon Ly
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas Learn
Proverbs 3:5-6
Women of Tempe Nominations Open
Let's celebrate the ladies who are making a difference in the community!
Do
Please nominate them for a chance to be featured in the upcoming May issue.
Please send their name, email, phone number and reason for the nomination to Wendy.Bates@CityLifestyle.com before February 15th.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Hayden Kennedy; Joyce Selk; Myranda North Molina, owner of Myranda Fine Jewelry; and Gergana Slavova, owner of NRG Ballroom. 2: Jett Arrendondo; Jann’e Gutierrez, owner of Always Best Care; and Janet Hamlin. 3: Gabby Trasser and Michelle Hunt, owner of AZ Flooring and Finishes. 4: Krista Cash, Stacy Sledge, Jennifer Fettig of Tempe Eyecare Associates, and Candy Schulman of Tempe Eyecare Associates. 5: Zulema Valenzuela, Michelle Hunt, Janet Hamlin, and Brooke Bogart of Realtor - Look 2 Brooke Group. 6: Michael Neely with HonorHealth, Bill Baer with Honor Health, and Amanda Schneider. 7: Camp Bow Wow owner Julie-Rae Steinmeyer, Prime IV owner Melissa Kay, Body 20 owner Gerard Richards, and JT Song with The River Massage.
8: Diablo Gary Matchinsky (left in blue vest) loads the turkeys at the Tempe Diablo’s Feed the Need event. 9: Diablo Bill Ottinger and the Tempe Diablos delivered Thanksgiving meals to over 400 families. 10: Arnold Mejia, Diablos 2nd VP, supervises the delivery of meals to over 400 families. 11: Diablos president Brad Cox [left] oversees the distribution of the meals. 12: Diablo Mark Mitchell organizes the flow of families from the local community. 13: Diablo Russ Homes says, “Keep ‘em comin’!” 14: Boxes were lined up and filled with turkeys, fresh vegetables, and dry goods to feed 400 families.
HonorHealth Acquires Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital
HonorHealth recently expanded its presence in Tempe by acquiring Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital. A fixture in the community since 1944, the hospital is now renamed HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center. Existing HonorHealth facilities in the area include three urgent cares, primary care, heart care, cancer care, and orthopedics. HonorHealth’s growth reinforces a commitment to providing high-quality care while balancing responsible healthcare development, ensuring residents have access to a wide range of medical services close to home.
WE AS KED . . .
The start of a new year is always the perfect time for a refresh and to take stock of your health and wellness. So we checked in with some of Tempe’s experts and asked them for some easy moves that we can implement this coming year for a healthier year. From getting fit to dental health, eye care to breakfast, and more, they shared their most impactful tips. Here’s what they had to say.
WHAT IS ONE EASY TIP YOU CAN SHARE FOR A HEALTHIER 2025?
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
CHERYL CAMPBELL
Owner, The Exercise Coach – South Tempe
“My health tip for 2025 is to make strength training a priority. Muscles are like the body’s pharmacy, playing a pivotal role in the overall vitality of your physiology. Research reveals that adding three pounds of muscle increases our resting metabolic rate by seven percent, and our daily calorie requirements by 15 percent. Increasing muscle can help improve glucose metabolism, reduce resting blood pressure, and reduce inflammation and arthritic pain. Our skeletal muscles serve as the engine, chassis, and shock absorbers of our bodies. Strength training leads to looking better, feeling better, and best of all, functioning better.”
DR. ANNA LUNARIA
Doctor of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, Yin Rising Acupuncture
“Start your day with a high-protein breakfast—skipping breakfast raises cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone. High cortisol levels lead to negative health outcomes (weight gain, high blood pressure, disrupted sleep, poor cardio-metabolic health, higher risk of diabetes). Eating breakfast helps regulate circadian rhythms. In Eastern medicine, each organ has a specific time of the day when it works most optimally. Stomach time is 7 to 9 a.m. Eating breakfast during this window of time is ideal for overall digestive and metabolic health. A high-protein breakfast is ideal to keep you feeling full longer, promoting muscle growth, bone health, and a healthy metabolism and blood pressure. Aim for 20 to 25 grams of protein: one egg with salmon or turkey or Greek yogurt.”
LANDON BROUGH, DVM
Owner, Sonoran Sky Pet Hospital
“Maintaining your pet’s dental health is vital for their overall well-being. Start at home with regular brushing using pet-safe toothpaste and VOHC-approved dental chews, treats, and water additives to help control plaque and tartar. While these are helpful, they cannot replace professional dental cleanings under anesthesia, which allow veterinarians to clean below the gum line and address hidden issues like periodontal disease or fractured teeth. As recommended by the AVMA and AAHA, these cleanings are essential for thorough oral care. Avoid anesthetic-free dentals, as they only provide cosmetic results and miss deeper dental problems. Prioritizing dental care not only prevents pain and infection but can also extend your pet’s life and improve their quality of health.”
CASSIE
& GERARD RICHARDS
Owners, BODY20 Tempe
“Too many people focus on losing weight and what the number shows on the scale. Focus on changing your body’s composition through gaining lean muscle, which has so many health benefits, including more effecient metabolism, as well as improved balance, stronger bones, improved heart health, boosted mood, more energy, reduced aches and pains, fighting off chronic disease, and improving overall physical and mental function. Boost lean muscle and the changes you see and feel in your body will amaze you in 2025. We are ready to help you get there!”
Photo by Brad Hendron
DR. JOHN N. CHRISAGIS KIMBERLY SHERRILL, DDS
Tempe Eyecare Associates
“A simple but effective health tip for your eyes is to follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps reduce eye strain from extended screen use and allows your eyes to refocus, preventing discomfort and fatigue. Additionally, make sure to blink regularly to keep your eyes moist and hydrated, and consider using artificial tears if your eyes feel dry.”
Pediatric Dentist and Co-Owner, Pediatric Dental Specialists
“Did you know that frequent snacking can be harmful to your teeth? Snacking, especially on sugary or acidic foods, provides a constant supply of ‘food’ for bacteria in the mouth, causing acid production, which leads to tooth decay. Eating three balanced meals is generally considered to be better for your dental health than constantly snacking. This limits the exposure of your teeth to harmful acid, allowing time for saliva to neutralize acids and to remineralize enamel. To have a healthier 2025, if you snack, try and pick ‘tooth-friendly’ foods like veggies, cheese, or nuts, and after snacking, drink water or chew sugarless gum to help neutralize acids produced. These small changes can have a big impact on your health.”
JANŃE M. GUTIERREZ
Owner, Always Best Care Senior Services, Tempe
“There is something deeply therapeutic about being outdoors. My health tip is to spend at least five minutes outside each day. Feel the sun warm your skin, watch the clouds drift by, and listen to birds singing and dogs barking. Take a moment to breathe deeply, inhaling fresh air and exhaling stress. This is the perfect time to practice gratitude for another day, for the beauty of nature, and for the simple yet profound laws that make the sun shine and the moon rise. It’s a small habit with profound benefits for your mind, body, and soul.”
DANIEL LYU, DDS, FAGD
Cereus Dental Care
“Floss like a boss. Use string floss, single flossers, or soft picks, really anything to get in-between your teeth.”
We embrace advancements in medical technology and scientific breakthroughs to provide you with top-notch eye care. Our state-of-theart equipment offers digital ocular photography, static perimetry, corneal mapping, and automated refraction with hi-tech equipment and computerized systems. With precise solutions and faster results, we ensure your vision needs are met with the utmost care.
tempeeyecareassociates.com | 480-967-4910 7511 S. McClintock Drive Tempe, AZ 85283
@tempeeyecareassociates
D’LITE HEALTHY ON THE GO’S HEALTHY AND FLAVORFUL WRAP IS PACKED WITH PLANT-BASED GOODNESS
Humanitarian Wrap YUMMY
“The Humanitarian Veg Supreme Wrap is loaded with flavorful, healthy goodness that leaves anyone feeling supercharged,” says Brooke Knudson, who founded d’Lite Healthy On The Go with her husband, Chad, in 2009. “It has a well-balanced macro profile of vegetable protein, whole grain carbohydrate, and healthy fat. The ingredients are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, offering high nutrient absorption and optimal digestion.”
The restaurant, which now has multiple Valley locations, including in Tempe at 125 E. Southern Ave., was designed to offer healthy, hearty, and tasty food and beverages served conveniently through a drive-thru—making choosing “healthy” easy and affordable.
And, d’Lite is the first multi-unit restaurant in the state of Arizona to receive the Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant status, a community-led well-being initiative.
DLiteHealthyOnTheGo.com
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
• 1 warm sundried tomato tortilla
• 2–3 tbsp. hummus
• 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/4 cup steamed broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup diced tomato
• 1/4 cup sliced cucumber
• 2–3 pepperoncini peppers, sliced
Step 1. Warm the tortilla: Heat the sundried tomato tortilla in a pan or microwave for a few seconds to make it pliable.
Step 2. Spread the hummus: Evenly spread hummus over the center of the tortilla.
YUMMYingredients:
Step 3. Layer the fillings: Add a layer of cooked quinoa, top with steamed broccoli florets, sprinkle diced tomato and sliced cucumber, add sliced pepperoncini for a tangy kick.
Step 4. Wrap it up : Fold the sides of the tortilla over the filling, then roll tightly from the bottom to form a wrap.
Step 5. Serve and enjoy directions:
PERSONALIZED IV THERAPY SUPPORTS Health &
Wellness
MELISSA KAY ON BOOSTING ENERGY, HYDRATION, IMMUNITY, AND MORE
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNON LY
Tempe City Lifestyle recently sat down at with Melissa Kay of Prime IV Hydration and Wellness, Tempe to talk about her business and IV therapy and injections. Here's what she had to say.
TELL US ABOUT PRIME IV...
Prime IV offers a luxury wellness experience through personalized IV therapy and injections designed to replenish essential nutrients often overlooked in daily life. We focus on enhancing overall health and lifestyle, offering treatments that support everything from athletic recovery to hangover rejuvenation. Our services are tailored to help you feel your best, with a range of options to boost energy, hydration, immunity, and vitality, all in a relaxing and rejuvenating environment.
WHAT DREW YOU TO OWNING THE BUSINESS?
My passion for helping people look and feel their best while optimizing their overall health. With 13 years of experience as a nurse, I’ve developed a keen attention to detail in patient care, always striving to provide the best possible treatments. I’m deeply committed to improving the lifestyle of everyone who comes to me, and owning this business allows me to continue that mission on a broader scale, offering personalized wellness solutions that make a real difference in people's lives.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE BUSINESS?
I’ve been involved with the business for two years now, since opening my spa. However, my career in nursing spans over 13 years, during which I’ve gained extensive experience and knowledge that has greatly influenced how I approach wellness and patient care. My background in nursing has been invaluable in shaping the way I run the business and the quality of service I provide to my clients.
HOW DO YOU FEEL IVS CAN HELP?
IV therapy is the ultimate hydration solution. Many people suffer from dehydration and nutrient deficiencies without even realizing it. At Prime IV, we focus on raising awareness about the importance of proper hydration and how it impacts overall health. Our goal is to offer the best possible solution through our tailored IV therapies and extensive injection menu, ensuring that our clients get the nutrients they need to feel their best, recover faster, and maintain optimal wellness.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE CONSIDER IV THERAPY?
Proper hydration can solve many of life's common health challenges. Staying hydrated is key to optimizing your body’s performance and helping you live life to your fullest potential. At Prime IV, we offer IV drips that are perfectly tailored to each individual’s needs. Whether you're dealing with fatigue, looking to improve performance, or just want to feel your best, our customized treatments can make a real difference.
WHO ADMINISTERS THE IVS?
Our IVs are administered by a highly skilled team of registered nurses and paramedics, ensuring the absolute best care for our patients.
WE HEARD YOU OFFER PACKAGES …
Yes, we offer memberships and packages to make it easier for our clients to experience the full benefits of consistent hydration. Our packages include both drips and injections, allowing us to accommodate a variety of budgets and wellness goals. By focusing on regular treatments, we help our clients maintain optimal hydration and health.
“Owning this business allows me to [offer] personalized wellness solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives.”
ARE THE IVS CUSTOMIZED TO EACH PERSON?
Yes, our IVs are fully customized to each person. We follow strict 797 compounding protocols and compound our drips in-house, which allows us to tailor every treatment to the specific needs of each individual.
ANYTHING ELSE WE SHOULD KNOW?
In addition to our IV therapy and injections, we also offer advanced treatments like NAD and peptides, such as Semaglutide. These therapies can help people reach a wide range of goals, from optimizing HGH production and promoting weight loss to combating the effects of aging. NAD, in particular, is a powerful coenzyme that supports addiction recovery and helps with brain fog, enhancing mental clarity and overall energy. We are committed to staying on top of the latest health practices and bringing the most effective, cutting-edge services to our clients to help them achieve their wellness goals.
For orders, quotes, or inquiries, please contact:
Chick-fil-A University at Mill 25 W University Rd, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 968-6899
Chick-fil-A Broadway at Priest 1139 W Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 295-7073
Online: Chick-fil-A® App
Email: marketing@cfatempe.com
COULD MOLD BE Affecting Your Health?
ARTICLE BY DR. ANNETTE HOBI, NMD
HAVE YOU NOTICED CHANGES TO YOUR HEALTH THAT YOU CANNOT EXPLAIN?
Dr. Annette Hobi, NMD
Dr. Hobi is a graduate of SCNM/ Sonoran University of Health Sciences and has a private practice in Tempe at Regen 33 Optimal Health Clinic. She sees patients virtually from coast to coast for issues related to mold exposure, toxic burden, and related detoxification of mycotoxins to restore health and vitality.
Not feeling like yourself? Are you sensitive to chemical smells? Are you tired often and prone to headaches? Have you ever lived in or visited a water-damaged home? Have you noticed a musty odor or damp areas in your home or workplace? While there is no one symptom in common for all mold-exposed patients, there is a common thread of undesired changes to vitality and sense of well-being. Mold is an opportunistic event involving the perfect storm of fungus, dust, and moisture to assault your health. Our modern world with easy-to-degrade building materials creates the ideal incubator for mold to grow in your home or office.
ALLERGY AND IRRITATION ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF MOLD EXPOSURE.
Less common effects of mold exposure include infections and illness. Illness has been reported from both home and workplace exposures to mold. Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include fatigue, headaches, nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritations, wheezing cough and throat irritation, skin irritations, and rashes. But there are other common issues that are often missed, which can indicate a toxic burden of mold exposure. Memory lapses, cognitive decline, and emotional changes with increased levels of anxiety, depression, and irritability are often overlooked. The difficulty in tracking the multisystem effects of mold exposure is that no two patient reactions are the same. People living in the same house can have variable reactions, from mild to severe, depending on multiple variables, such as individual health, genetics, and comorbidities. Exposure over time causes health changes that can be life-changing for some and can lead to autoimmune disease for some and even cancer for others.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A MOLD TOXICITY ISSUE?
Testing for mycotoxins is relatively simple as the toxic burden is stored in fat stores, and a simple urine test can reveal elevated mycotoxins. Consider being tested if you have had any water damage to the spaces where you live and/or work. Testing your home or workplace for mold is often recommended once a mycotoxin burden is discovered.
NEOS MED SPA
Weight
smart SWEETS
The beginning of the year is packed with inspiration and motivation to get back on track after a sweet-filled holiday season. It can feel extreme, and it also can be depleting to cut oneself off from everything indulgent after weeks of eating favorite sweet and savory recipes. For sugar lovers who believe going cold-turkey feels intimidating or overwhelming, nutrition-packed desserts are a great way to stick to healthy food goals without the guilt.
Nutrient-Rich Dessert To The Rescue
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
Frozen PEANUT BUTTER Bites
Danger ahead: this snack is amazing. It’s the easiest of the bunch and also satisfies a sweet tooth craving. This can be whipped together in just 5 minutes and makes just a small amount. Feel free to take creative liberty here with your amounts, but if you make it to this recipe, they are around 90 calories per bite.
1. Cut a banana into 8-10 small slices, around 1/2 inch each.
2. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter (or your choice of nut butter) on each banana slice.
3. Drizzle a small amount of melted chocolate chips or caramel over each bite.
4. Freeze for 15-20 minutes and enjoy!
Pro tip: A dash of sea salt flakes on top of these can be *chef’s kiss.*
These are great to keep on hand in the freezer all weeklong. Once they set, add them to a closed container to keep the bananas from browning.
Late night snack cravings are real! When finding yourself rooting through the cabinets for a sweet fix, these protein cookie dough bites are a great way to curb temptation. This recipe yields around 20 small bites, which can be cut into small squares or rolled into dough balls. Each bite is around 105 calories. If you find the dough is a little too dry, add a dash of milk as needed.
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (or alternate nut or sunflower butter)
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Chocolate chips as desired
Pro tip: Use mini chocolate chips and for a dash of savory add sea salt flakes on top. Once combined, store the bites in the refrigerator in a covered container to keep them moist.
Protein COOKIE DOUGH Bites
2025
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
THROUGH JANUARY 20TH
LIGHT BLOOM by HYBYCOZO
Desert Botanical Garden
Catch this limited-time exhibit where nature and light converge at Desert Botanical Garden before it's over. This mesmerizing display invites you to explore the Garden as it's transformed by stunning geometric light installations that illuminate the beauty of the desert landscape in a new way. As the sun sets, LIGHT BLOOM comes to life, casting intricate shadows and vibrant hues across the Garden. DBG.org
JANUARY 1ST - 4TH
Jon Lovitz
Tempe Improv
Jon Lovitz has been one of the best-known comedians for the last 35 years. From television to Broadway, he's made his mark as an actor and comic, and now he's coming to Tempe for a few nights only at the Tempe Improv. TempeImprov.com
JANUARY 18TH - 19TH
Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona
Downtown Tempe
Celebrate the 20th Edition of Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona as it kicks off your New Year with a half marathon, 10K, 5K and KiDS ROCK course. Rock out to an assortment of live music and local high school cheerleading squads, which are staged approximately every mile, as you take in the stunning views surrounding you. RunRockNRoll.com/arizona
JANUARY 24TH - 25TH
Breaking Ground 2025
Tempe Center For The Arts
Join CONDER/dance for two evenings of unforgettable works by talented choreographers and performers from Arizona and across the nation. This year’s festival showcases an electrifying range of styles, from intimate solos to sweeping ensemble pieces, all pushing the boundaries of movement and storytelling. Experience powerful themes of identity, memory, and shared experience, and gain an exclusive glimpse into the creative visions shaping today’s contemporary dance scene. TempeCenterForTheArts.com
JANUARY 25TH
Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band
ASU Gammage | 7:00 PM
This groundbreaking musical ensemble seamlessly blends indigenous melodies, jazz influences, and soulful storytelling to create a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Led by the exceptionally talented vocalist and cultural ambassador Julia Keefe, this ensemble celebrates the rich heritage and traditions of indigenous peoples through the universal language of music. ASUGammage.com
JANUARY 25TH - 26TH
Tempe Blooms
Downtown Tempe
Join Downtown Tempe for Tempe Blooms, the first flowerful experience in the Valley! Stroll through Downtown Tempe storefronts, hotel entrances, and delight in a floral spectacle of awe-inspiring real flower sculptures created by talented floral designers. There are 20 large-scale flower installations, live music performances alongside muralists creating artwork, the Flowerful Market, live painting, and more. DowntownTempe.com
