Health and Wellness: The Ultimate Luxury
Health is the ultimate luxury.
In our fast-paced world, we often focus on the external—the latest fashions, dream destinations and fine dining experiences. But true luxury begins within, with a body and mind that are nurtured, resilient and thriving.
This issue, we dive into the theme of health and wellness, celebrating the many ways we can take charge of our well-being. From the art of self-care to the science of prevention, this is your guide to living vibrantly and proactively.
At the heart of this mission is the power of early detection. Imagine a 45-yearold man discovering a life-threatening aortic aneurysm in time to act or a woman detecting a hidden health issue before symptoms appear.
These stories remind us that staying ahead of potential health challenges is not just wise—it’s lifesaving. That’s why we spotlight MDI, a company redefining accessibility to low-cost, proactive health screenings. Their commitment to early diagnosis ensures that health remains a privilege everyone can prioritize.
We discover the link between hydration and health with a deep dive into DripIV, the luxury IV hydration med spa in West Bloomfield. And we explore Normandy Optical, with its dedication to healthy eyes as much as stylish frames.
Wellness is a multifaceted journey—and one that’s deeply personal. As you browse this issue, may you feel inspired to invest in yourself, because nothing shines brighter than a life lived in health and harmony.
After all, the greatest indulgence isn’t just to look good—it’s to feel good, too.
Enjoy this issue, in wellness and gratitude.
January 2025
PUBLISHER
Todd Haight | todd.haight@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Marshall Zweig | marshall.zweig@citylifestyle.com
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Margaret Haight | margaret.haight@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Allison Sommerville allison.sommerville@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jonathan Ashbury, Kristin Burnell, Don Seaman, Tyler Shane, Marshall Zweig
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Amy Gillespie, Tyler Shane
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 Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick Learn
Proverbs 3:5-6
Provision Living at West Bloomf ield
Where Heart and Hospitality meet.
During this holiday season, as generations gather and share stories, we find joy in passing down traditions that connect us through time.
Take a step toward a stress-free winter and a brighter tomorrow-schedule your tour today!
(248) 243-8024
1: Publisher Todd Haight with Trion’s Jeff Caponigro and David Stone during Troy City Lifestyle’s branding event. 2: Trion’s Jeff Caponigro, APR, Fellow PRSA presents to a full house during Breakfast and Branding. 3: Guests of Troy and West Bloomfield City Lifestyle’s Breakfast and Branding event, hosted by Trion Solutions.
If you are worried about dementia - or if you’ve already been diagnosed- you need hope. Did you know that something can be done to prevent, delay and even reverse cognitive decline?
Discover how with a FREE 30-minute consultation. Call (941) 529-0077. Let us be your guide.
Kick off 2025 with confidence and a grin that dazzles. Dr. Fienman’s expert care makes it easier than ever. READY TO SHINE? Book your consultation today!
CIM Muskegon hosts record-breaking culinary
competition
The Culinary Institute of Michigan, a division of Baker College, Muskegon Campus, hosted the 6th Annual ACF-sanctioned culinary competition, attracting more than 90 professional chefs from six states and student competitors from three states. CIM students earned 43 awards, including 12 Gold, 25 Silver and 5 Bronze medals, plus one Diploma for honorable mention. Faculty took home one Gold and two Silver medals. The event highlighted teamwork, professionalism and CIM's national reputation for excellence in culinary arts.
Photography by Baker College
SCIENCE MEETS SPA
For healing beyond conventional medicine, DripIV’s nutrient-rich, customizable IV drips put you back on your game
ARTICLE BY MARSHALL ZWEIG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY GILLESPIE
Deana Grove, the high-energy and welcoming manager of DripIV in West Bloomfield, puts me in a heated massage chair. It’s instantly clear to me that DripIV is a med-spa environment.
I’ve had IV drips myself locally, from a holistic doctor, and they worked, but the environment…well, let’s say I felt like an invalid. Sitting in the massage chair at DripIV, I feel like a king.
“I can't tell you how many clients say we've changed their life. It gives me peace.”
Soon Mark McManus III, the founder of DripIV, joins me. Mark tells me he was diagnosed with ADHD in college and put on Adderall.
At a coffee shop one day, Mark started chatting with another patron named Chaz. Mark shared his diagnosis.
“Chaz is like, ‘I used to take Adderall—I don't take it anymore. I do IV therapy. I own a clinic. Have you ever tried an IV bag? I'll give you a free one.’ He gave me glutathione, B-12 and B-complex with taurine.
“The next day, I go hiking, go to my advanced mathematics class—I’m killing it. A week later, I want to do it again but I can't afford it. I was studying accounting, so I prepared Chaz’s books in exchange for free IV treatments. I quit taking Adderall. Everything changed.”
The following semester, Mark created an IV-therapy business model that took second place in a create-your-own-business competition. Together
with his father and grandfather—entrepreneurs themselves—Mark turned DripIV into a reality.
“My dad’s like, ‘We need the best medical director in town.’ He wanted the highest quality. Working with them to start this was the coolest thing I've done in my life. I wasn’t son or grandson—I was more of an equal.”
Their medical director took eight months to create DripIV’s formulas and blends.
“We tested them, made sure that they were the best nutrients, the best ingredients. There's a lot you can do wrong in IVs. There’s a reason people travel from as far as Toledo to see us. I think we’re the highest-quality IV therapy clinic in the country.”
Down the hall, Andrew Szewc, a local wealth advisor, is getting his IV. Andrew’s been coming to DripIV for years.
“I come to take care of myself outside of the conventional, run-of-the-mill medical program,” Andrew tells me. “I’ve got to be on my game at all times. And this is a way for me to also relax. I look at it as a retreat for being proactive with my health.”
Andrew’s custom IV contains B-12, a high dose of vitamin C, magnesium, and a ‘signature drip: a push of amino acids and glutathione.
Jaymi Hall and Kelly Stubbs are getting IVs as well.
“We had gone to another place but we didn't have a great experience, and the person wasn't knowledgeable,” Jaymi says. "We started here in March and we've been back every month ever since.”
Jaymi has rheumatoid arthritis; she gets the anti-inflammatory drip.
“I didn't have pain, like, for 10 days after I got my first drip,” Jaymi recounts. “That's what made me try again. And then we kept coming. And then we got the membership.”
“This is our time,” Kelly says. “It’s truly a bonding experience. And then we feel better when we leave.” Kelly sometimes brings her mother, who has dementia. “You feel her brain waking up,” she notes.
Mark says DripIV’s medical solutions are customized for each patient. The many oncology patient referrals they get, for example, get specific nutrient-driven therapy. “We can also do micronutrient tests and prescribe peptides,” Mark informs me.
I’ve lived in Los Angeles, home of some of the finest medical spas in this country. I tell Mark that DripIV reminds me of an LA spa.
“I’ve got to be on my game at all times. And this is a way for me to also relax. I look at it as a retreat for being proactive with my health.”
“When we were looking to design this,” Mark replies with a smile, “my dad and I checked out ten LA-area IV spas for inspiration. The environment says, ‘Take a step out of your life, relax, escape and know you're doing something good for yourself.’”
I ask if DripIV has built a connection with the West Bloomfield community.
“I'm a former speaker for United Way,” Deana responds, “so I've been invited to quite a few of West Bloomfield’s senior centers. Our seniors are often dehydrated because they don't like to swallow. And they won't tell anybody.”
Mark’s answer shocks me.
“During COVID, they allowed us to stay open because of medical necessity. We gave away
free vitamin C treatments to anyone working at a hospital: janitors, doctors, nurses. We gave away probably $300,000 of IVs. I was more than happy to because it was really helping people. High doses of vitamin C and zinc make a big difference.
“We've done probably 100,000 IV treatments now and we've never had a bad review. I can't tell you how many clients say we've changed their life. It gives me peace. To see positive changes in people makes me really happy.”
To feel the benefits for yourself, visit dripiv.com or call (248) 955-1616.
ARTICLE BY JONATHAN ASHBURY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY GILLESPIE
AFFORDABLE DIY HEALTH
TAKE YOUR HEALTH INTO YOUR OWN HANDS–AND MAYBE SAVE YOUR LIFE WITH ROUTINE, PROACTIVE HEALTH SCREENINGS
One local executive is on a mission to make it easy for you to discover how healthy you really are.
“It’s not easy to get a health screening today,” says Sherry Eckman, CEO, Midwest Diagnostic Imaging. “First, you have to get an order from your doctor. Then you wait months for an appointment and have to arrange child care or schedule the day off work.”
If we find something, you’ll have the benefit of early detection. We want you around for many more years, making memories with your family.
Sherry’s solution: Same-day or next-day screenings, in about 30 minutes, without a doctor’s order.
Call it a kind of “DIY health.”
“We offer non-invasive, painless ultrasound screenings that can detect life-threatening conditions,” she says.
To some people, she gives peace of mind. To others, a second chance. Like the 45-year-old man with abdominal pains.
“Our ultrasound technician found a large abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was rushed to the emergency room and they did surgery right away to save his life,” she says. “He waited until he felt pain, and that was almost too late.”
Routine, proactive screening could have caught this earlier.
“That’s why we have screening packages you can afford to get every year,” she says.
Like the Stroke Prevention Package, just $149. The Women’s Health Package, $159. Preventive Care Package for your abdomen, $199. Or the Heart Health Package, $149. Or get all the checks, head to toe, for as little as $656.
That’s affordable peace of mind.
MDI offers a professional environment. Tests are done by certified technicians and results read by board-certified radiologists and cardiologists. Results are sent directly to you and, if you’d like, to your primary care physician, so they become part of your medical record.
“We have patients of all ages,” she says. "We do echocardiograms and abdominal ultrasounds on kids, especially when they’re about to begin sports. There have been so many instances of young athletes dying on the field due to an unknown heart condition. We have an affordable way to check your child before they start playing.”
Sherry and her team of technicians are also mobile: They go to more than 25 local physician offices as well as businesses.
“It’s a great perk for a company to provide to employees,” she says. “It improves morale, shows you care about your employees and we do it on site. Employees don’t have to schedule a day off to get their screenings."
Screenings also make great gifts for birthdays, holidays or anniversaries. MDI offers gift certificates for any amount.
For Sherry, it comes down to the mission: Putting your health in your own hands.
“Doctors are hampered by insurance companies who won’t pay for testing when there isn’t a diagnosis. Even then, deductibles keep going up.”
If you do have an order for an ultrasound from your doctor, you can have it done at MDI quickly and Sherry’s team will run it through your insurance.
One other special: Ultrasounds for expectant couples who want to know the gender of their baby. “If you really want to find out, we’ll do the ultrasound for just $100. We’ll even put the results in an envelope you can open at your reveal party.”
To schedule a same-day or next-day screening, call (248) 681-2000 or visit MDIMichigan.com to schedule an appointment online.
If you’re a physician office that would like to offer ultrasounds to your patients in the comfort of your office, or a business that would like to offer screenings to your employees, call Sherry at (248) 681-2000 to set up a consultation.
ARTICLE BY MARSHALL ZWEIG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY GILLESPIE
You Can See A Difference
FROM STYLISH FRAMES TO LIFESAVING EXAMS, NORMANDY OPTICAL BRINGS LIFE INTO FOCUS
Vision is a subject both familiar and complicated for me. I wore glasses beginning in first grade. But several decades ago, I had eye surgery designed to correct vision–and instead, it damaged my corneas. So I’m always vigilant about whom I trust with my eyes.
That’s why the story I hear from Normandy Optical’s Vanessa Shumake resonates.
“It’s this patient's first time in our office,” Vanessa begins. “He couldn't see very well. During our assessment, I asked if he had a primary care doctor. He says no. So I check his blood pressure, because that's something we do here—and his blood pressure is through the roof. Our doctor checks him out: he's having what looks like a retinal issue.
“Immediately, we call a retinal specialist. Turns out, he was so used to high blood pressure that he just let it go. He could have gone completely blind. Because we conduct such a thorough assessment, we made a difference for him.”
In all the years I’ve worn glasses and contacts, no one has ever checked my blood pressure during an eye exam. Ever. So it’s clear to me that Normandy Optical is not your average optical store.
As evidence: Normandy Optical celebrated their 75th anniversary this year. When you consider the seismic changes in eyecare since 1949, that’s a stunning accomplishment.
It seems to me, part of their longevity has to do with their level of care. Vanessa tells me that Normandy can handle virtually every medical eye issue that doesn’t require surgery. For instance, let’s say a mechanic gets metal in his eye. Normandy’s doctors can perform foreign body removal.
“We’re more than just glasses here,” Vanessa concludes. By this point, her comment strikes me as an understatement. But when Vanessa does tell me about glasses, they’re stories of ordinary miracles.
“We have grown adults that put their new glasses on and they're like, ‘My gosh, I see.’ They had no idea what they'd been missing this whole time. They’ll do one of these"— Vanessa imitates gaping in shock and wonder—“in disbelief that they've been that blind for that long, just going through life like it's just fine.”
Normandy uses top-quality material in their corrective vision wear, which is not true of every optical store. “Some places, it is cheaper,” Vanessa admits, “but you kind of get what you pay for.
I’ve had clients from other places come in saying, ‘I can't see out of these—it’s blurry.’ Or there’s literally a thin line of what's clear and the rest is distorted. The clarity depends on the quality of the material.”
The materials aren’t the only thing about Normandy that’s high-quality. “I've come in on my days off so I could drive glasses to patients who were leaving on vacation, because they wanted their sunglasses that didn't come in on time,” Vanessa recalls. “I want my people to be happy.”
So the care is there. But what about flair? Normandy’s chic boutique boasts an incredible selection of designer frames, from Tom Ford to Gucci, and Yves St. Laurent to Ray-Ban. The fashionable styles and vibrant colors may be why Normandy is such a hit with kids. “It also might be that we take almost all vision insurance,” Vanessa says with a smile, “or maybe it has to do with the stickers and candy we give them.”
Even if you don’t have prescription lenses, Vanessa says most people put stress on their eyes all day long from staring at their screens. “A good anti-reflective with a blue light filter helps,” she advises. She also says there’s a difference between regular progressive lenses and computer progressives, “because your computer might sit only two feet away, but if you work security, your monitors sit up to ten feet away. We ask the right questions to tune the prescription to your life, if that makes sense.”
It does. So does her recommendation that everyone get a yearly eye exam. “It’s preventive care,” Vanessa explains. “Worst case scenario, you need glasses, eye drops, maybe to see a specialist. It's better to know than wish you knew. Most things are treatable, but when you put it off, it might be too late. You never want to mess with your eyes. You don't realize how much you use them until you can't see.”
I know from experience she’s right—and I can see (pun intended) that Normandy Optical does things differently.
"Optical care is about seeing the world as clearly as possible,” Vanessa concludes. “And we’re all about making sure you don’t miss a thing."
Schedule an appointment or walk in. Visit normandyoptical.com or call (248) 855-5810.
We offer same day or next day appointments, results within 24 hours, and a full range of diagnostic procedures including:
Stroke Prevention Package - $149
Take control of your health with our comprehensive package which includes our carotid artery screening, EKG for evaluation of atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias, ABI for detection of peripheral artery disease, abdominal aorta screening to detect aneurysms of the aorta.
Women’s Health Package - $159
Comprehensive ultrasound screening of the uterus, ovaries, and bladder to detect cancers, cysts, endometriosis, fibroids, or other abnormalities. Also included is an ultrasound of the thyroid.
Preventative Care Package - $199
Your health is your most valuable asset. This exclusive package includes full abdominal ultrasound including liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and bladder, as well as abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.
Heart Health Package - $149
Echocardiogram for early detection of heart conditions such as heart valve disorders, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, and covid related myocarditis. The package is for all ages. Get your young athletes screened prior to participating in sports.
DVT Screening - $199
Lower arterial and venous doppler for detection of blood clots. Get peace of mind following covid, surgery, injuries or if you have any risk factors / family history of blood clots.
ARTICLE BY DON SEAMAN
Creating a Better Snowman
There’s probably no more quintessential symbol of winter than a snowman. We’ve all seen Frosty and are probably pretty familiar with Olaf. But if you want to install one into your own yard, you’ll have to put a little elbow grease into creating one without the help of world-class animators. Here are some tips to help give your yard a well-dressed frozen sentry sure to turn your neighbors’ heads.
Tip 1:
NOT ALL SNOW IS SNOWMAN SNOW.
It takes more than a flurry to build a snowman. Heavy, slushy snow won’t work, and if it’s too powdery dry it won’t pack together. If you can pack a good snowball, you can build a snowman.
Bonus tip: Dry snow can be modified to workable snowman snow with a quick spritz of water from a spray bottle, or a light mist from that garden hose you really should have already put away for the winter.
Tip 2:
ROLL TOWARDS YOUR GOAL — THE LONG WAY.
Decide where to position your snowman and make that your finish line. Start with a
well-packed snowball and get rolling, but don’t just go in one direction. Roll the ball to start accumulating snow, then roll back, then roll in a different direction. Pack and begin to shape your snowball as you go. Reinforce as necessary. Look to use a 3-2-1 ratio for the sections.
Tip 3:
EVEN SNOWMEN CRAVE STABILITY.
Once you get your base section in place, shore up the bottom with snow. Then at the top, create a bowl-shaped indentation to allow the next section to sit securely. Ensure each section is well-packed with added snow around the “joint” between the sections.
Tip
4:
SNOW IS HEAVY. ENLIST A BUDDY.
A willing helper can help lift that heavy next stage into place. You can even roll it onto a tarp and lift from either side to get it up there. A third set of hands can help move it into place. Otherwise, use plywood as a ramp to roll it up yourself (braced well against the bottom with plenty of support underneath, so as to not damage the base). You might need an extra bowl of Wheaties to roll it up there alone.
Tip 5:
PILOT HOLES ARE YOUR FRIEND.
Simply jamming details into your snowman can mess with its integrity. Use a sharp stick to gently create some pilot holes for your features before you set them into place.
Tip 6:
GIVE HIM SOME PERSONALITY.
There’s always that classic snowman uniform of a scarf, hat, a carrot nose and coal (sure, we all have that lying around these days — river rocks might be easier to get your hands on). Or you could be a bit more creative, maybe with an old oversized Hawaiian shirt, a jazzy vest, or go all-out and channel your inner Martha Stewart, breaking out your Dremel to make something custom for your wintery lawn guest. You might need to use your imagination — not many of us have corncob pipes or top hats anymore, either.
Pro tip: if you’re dressing your snowman, put any body clothing you might use on before adding the arms.
Just remember. If you mess it up, it’s ok because he’ll be back again some day.
ARTICLE AND
BY TYLER SHANE
A PERFECT M ARRIAGE SOUP AND BREAD:
Hearty food nourishes the body during cold winter months
PHOTOGRAPHY
What if we chose connection — cooking seasonal meals and allowing ourselves to pause to truly enjoy our food? Maybe cheesy bread could be served without the side of guilt.
As we continue to embrace the cold weather, we may find ourselves craving heavier and grounding foods as we retreat into hibernation. This change in appetite reflects our body’s desire to align with the cycles of nature. Moving into the New Year, it can be common to place more discipline or restrictions on our eating habits. But what if instead of dieting, we nourished ourselves by choosing to support the ebb and flow of our body’s seasons? What if we chose connection — cooking seasonal meals and allowing ourselves to pause to truly enjoy our food? Maybe cheesy bread could be served without the side of guilt. This Italian wedding soup recipe is simple in its approach, but the result is a hearty and brothy dish. Chunky meats and vegetables add texture to the rich, savory broth making it the ideal meal to help you retreat from the cold temperatures. The Hasselback bread loaf is a straightforward, melty wonder and the perfect vessel for sopping up any leftover broth and goodies in your soup bowl. Together, the soup and cheesy bread make for a well-rounded meal to ground you this season, with a little indulgence.
CONTINUED >
HASSELBACK MOZZARELLA BREAD LOAF
INGREDIENTS
• 1 Italian bread loaf
• 1 cup butter
• 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 8 oz. bag of shredded mozzarella cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Cut foil that is 3 times the length of the bread loaf and lay flat on countertop.
3. Place bread loaf parallel to the length of the foil.
4. With a serrated knife, cut bread in ¾ in. slices, making not to cut all the way through.
5. Melt butter in a bowl. Add garlic and seasonings. Stir to incorporate.
6. With a pastry brush, coat the slices of bread with butter mixture. Be generous with your butter! If you have leftover butter, pour the rest over the entire loaf.
7. Grab handfuls of mozzarella cheese and stuff in between each slice.
8. Cover the bread loaf with foil and place in oven. Bake for 20 minutes, uncovering the foil for the last 5 minutes until the top of the bread is golden brown.
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP RECIPE
4 Servings
INGREDIENTS
• 1 lb. fresh or frozen pre-made meatballs
• ½ cup carrots, diced small
• ½ cup celery, diced small
• 1 cup onions, diced small
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 48 oz low sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup orzo pasta (or any small, short noodle)
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped roughly
• 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley
DIRECTIONS
1. Whether freshly baked or cooked from frozen, prepare your meatballs and set aside. Meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge.
2. Bring a medium-sized pot to medium heat. Add oil and butter.
3. Add vegetables to the pot and sweat until onions are translucent (about 5 minutes). Stir occasionally.
4. Add the bay leaf, chicken broth, salt, and pepper to vegetables. Turn heat to medium-high.
5. Bring broth mixture to a rolling boil for five minutes. With tongs, add meatballs to the boiling broth.
6. Add orzo to the broth, stirring continuously to make sure the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
7. Continue to cook the pasta for 6-7 minutes. Taste test to make sure pasta is al dente.
8. Throw the fresh herbs into the soup and add salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve immediately.
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
This recipe is a classic favorite. If you cut the bars into 16 pieces, they are around 270 calories each. They are very filling, packed with healthy goodies and taste, oh so delicious. If you can’t finish them yourself (it makes a lot!), bring samples along to your next workout class to share the love. Your accountability group will be asking you for the recipe! These come in handy for a quick breakfast on-the-go or an afternoon snack. You’ll want to taste these out of the oven once they cool a bit... simply scrumptious.
Combine:
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
• 2 cups oats
• 2/3 cup of your choice of chopped nuts
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2/3 cup raisins
• Optional: chocolate chips as desired
• Optional: add additional seeds or nuts on hand such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Notes: Boil quinoa at a 2:1 water to rice ratio. For estimating, 1/3 cup of uncooked quinoa yields 1 cup cooked quinoa.
Add this mixture slowly to combine:
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until when the edges get golden brown. Bake in a 9x13-inch glass dish. After they cool, slice and enjoy. Keep them covered to maintain freshness.
Quinoa BREAKFAST Bars
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
JANUARY 14TH
DripIV Customer Appreciation Day
DripIV, 6909 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield | 10:00 AM
It’s Client Appreciation Day at DripIV – even if you’re not yet a client. Stop by for discounted member pricing, snacks and a raffle for wellness services. DripIV Therapy and Hydration is a premier medical spa, specializing in advanced IV therapy and hydration solutions that boost energy, enhance immunity and promote overall well-being. Details: Visit DripIV.com or call (248) 955-1616.
JANUARY 14TH & 22ND
4-Course Wine Dinner at Carrabba's in Troy
Carrabba's Italian Grill, 600 W. Big Beaver, Troy
Join Carrabba's Italian Grill in Troy for a flavor exploration with a four-course food and wine pairing. Or try our Black-tie Martini Dinner on January 30. Discover Carrabba's featured wine and off-menu masterpieces, as well as camaraderie and gifts compliments of the house. Visit Carrabbas.com or call (248) 269-0095 for details and reservations.
TECH SOLUTIONS
“RJ Telecommunications has been our trusted voice and data partner for over 15 years.” (248) 442-2100 | rj10.com | Email us at Sales@rj10.com
“To
be the best restaurant, you need the best people.”
With more than a thousand employees at 24 restaurants, we know payroll and HR can be a huge headache.
That’s why we chose Trion, one of the most trusted Professional Employer Organizations in the country. With Trion’s PEO offerings, we no longer spend hours on HR paperwork and our employees get their questions answered faster. Trion eliminates the headaches for everyone, and happy employees make for great service.
That’s what our restaurants are known for, and that’s why we rely on Trion. Visit RelyonTrion.com.
– Joe Vicari, CEO
Joe Vicari Restaurant Group