River Valley Woman March 2021

BY EILEEN MADSEN Editor

we put out the virtual welcome mat and invite you in to our Home & Office issue. No need to wipe your feet. In fact there is no need to wear shoes. Or clothes, for that matter. Unless you have a Zoom meeting scheduled. Then at least opt for a top, or strategically place your video-bombing dog or cat.

The words home and office don’t mean what they used to. For most, they were two separate things. Much like school and home. Or togetherness and time apart. Sanity and insanity. With the lines now blurred, home is office is school is entertainment center.

Now that we’ve had a year at home getting really bored with our surroundings, the tired kitchen that you lovingly call retro, may now just look like yesterday’s leftovers. And yesterday’s leftovers are probably ground into your office or living room carpet. (Best check the bottom of your slippers as well.)

No need to have “Calgon take you away” in your 1978 perma-soap-scummed bathtub. Simply turn to our featured pros, and to our advertisers, in this issue to help you out.

On our cover is Beth Fasnacht, the multifaceted creator of commercial buildings, residential homes, interior designer and owner of Timeless Interiors. Whew! Oh, in addition (no pun intended but it worked) to the fact that she remodeled an old creamery building for living and office spaces. Not sure when she has time to sleep, but when she does but it’s likely in a bedroom of her own making.

Drawing on her talents, instructor, and architectural designer and drafter Julie Steinke got her start the way many of us did. With a Lite-Brite. Only she took her fascination with

light, geometric shapes and spaces to the next level and made it her career. So the next time your kids ask you for a certain toy, think twice before saying no. Their future may depend on it.

There really is nothing quite like a remodel, new build, or a refresh to reset one’s little corner of the world. It can literally change your life. I remember when my office was in the house. While convenient, I could always see my desk from the living room, and hear every email notification, making it very hard to get in any quality TV watching or chardonnay partaking. We finally took the leap to turn our garage, which sits on a scenic spot overlooking the Minnesota River, into an office, and build a new garage in front. The day all those trucks rolled in and construction began I nearly fainted from stress and excitement. But it was well worth the hyperventilating. Fifteen years later, not only has our business thrived (now with a view through two patio doors acting as windows) in a separate building, we have reclaimed happy hour.

No matter if we think we can, we just can’t do it all. So if your hair shedding feline and canine co-workers, sticky classroom-at-home kids, or your too-busy-to-tidy selves are overwhelming your zen, Kate Sloan and her cleaning cohorts are at the ready. Kate started out cleaning for people as a way to make ends meet, but soon realized how the job suited her skills and personality. Loving what she does, and with the jaunty name of Chicka Chicka Broom, she probably whistles while she works. And so will you.

We were so inundated with responses to our Facebook poll question of “What is the Best Home Improvement You’ve Made” that we didn’t have room for them. Several readers even included photos with their answers. There were so many great tips and ideas we decided to save them for our SPACES pages in our April issue.

It’s pretty clear that we are all ready for a change, and where better to start than home sweet (office, school) home, so let’s raise the roof.

BETH FASNACHT

Interior Design Suits Her Fine

By RUTH KLOSSNER

PHOTOS BY ALICE HQ PHOTOGRAPHY

Several times during her working years, Beth Fasnacht has had to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up.

After trying a number of careers—successfully— Fasnacht has settled into what she plans to stick with.

Five years ago, after working for others in the field, Fasnacht decided to go on her own as an interior designer. That meant making a few changes and broadening her scope, but she hasn’t regretted the decision.

“It’s been the longest sticking job so far, and I’m going to stay with it,” she said with a laugh.

Working from her North Mankato home, Fasnacht conducts Timeless Interiors, LLC.

It was while returning to school at Dakota County Technical College for the second time that Fasnacht fell in love with commercial design.

“One of my first classes was how to design commercial spaces. I didn’t even know that was a thing. I absolutely fell in love with designing floor plans and understanding codes,” she said. “I decided that was the route I wanted to go.”

Fasnacht has been doing commercial design since finishing that schooling. She worked as an interior designer with I&S Group and Brunton Architects before going out on her own.

While commercial design is still Beth’s favorite, she’s also adept at residential design and does both—though they are very different.

“The two are a lot different—the resources and, obviously, the clientele. Homeowners are a lot more invested in what their home will be like. It’s more personal, and more challenging, but also very satisfying and I love it,” Fasnacht said.

Whether it’s commercial or residential, the design process is the same—initial design consultation, reviewing and signing a design agreement, design development, design documentation, project management, and project completion.

By working on her own, Beth now has the opportunity to work directly with business owners, instead of through an architectural firm.

“I love working with owners directly—and their business is also personal to them,” she said. “It’s a little scarier doing the commercial—a lot of people will see and critique my work. Maybe that’s what I like—the challenge.”

Even satisfying the business owners can have its challenges.

“One client had three owners who were coming from three different points in life, age-wise. I was trying to satisfy each of their wants. It was a challenge, but I made it work,” she explained.

Appearance can sometimes be a challenge.

“Some don’t want [the finished product] to look too fancy, too look too expensive, thinking that

their customers will think they make too much money. But, in the end, they might spend more by picking a different product.”

Fasnacht has also worked with people who don’t really know what they like. When they choose photos and examples of things they might like, Beth is able to identify their style.

“Some have commented, ‘I didn’t even know that I liked this. How did you know?’ I just reply, ‘That’s my job,” Fasnacht said.

As an interior designer, Fasnacht collaborates with both commercial and residential clients, managing projects from the conceptual phase through final construction. Broad experiences from owning her own business to designing for high-end commercial clients has given Beth a well-rounded appreciation for listening to what people want—and helps them to bring their dreams to fruition—no matter the budget.

Though things vary a lot, Fasnacht usually has seven to 10 projects—between commercial and residential—going at any time. From start to finish, projects can take a year or more.

“We really get to now each other,” she said. “I feel like they’re friends by the time we’re done.”

Beth’s biggest project of 2020 was Bridge Plaza in downtown Mankato. There she was hired to design all the apartments on the fifth floor.

“It’s a nice mix of commercial and residential. I had to use a commercial mindset with the rental units—but I had to make them attractive to renters so that they filled up,” she said.

Although she didn’t expect it, Beth gets a lot of repeat commercial business.

“They can have multiple locations in different towns. Sometimes they want to incorporate 

Showcase Home Mankato

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“I like making people happy.

When that happens, it makes for the best job ever!”

Pietsch Construction Madelia

BETH FASNACHT the road from there to here

As a child, Beth’s family moved around a lot, but landed in Mankato when she was in tenth grade. After graduating from Mankato West, Beth worked the summer at a lodge in Montana and enrolled in college in Missoula. But, she came home to pack up for college—and never went back.

“There’s something about Mankato. When you come back home, you don’t want to leave,” she said, then also added that a boyfriend might have had something to do with the decision.

After several years at Mankato State University, Beth changed majors and schools—enrolling at Dakota County Technical in its travel program. She worked as a travel agent for five years until the internet came around and people started booking on line.

That’s when she became director of the Travel & Tourism program at Rasmussen College in Mankato, a position she held for four years until things, according to Beth, “really tanked,” and people didn’t need to go to school for a tourism career, as agencies trained their own.

“I was pregnant with my third child and discovered there was no maternity clothing available in Mankato, I opened Maternity Ward-robe in the downtown mall, telling my husband, Mike, that I wouldn’t mortgage the house to do it,” Beth said with a laugh. “I started it as re-sale so there wasn’t a lot of inventory or cost.”

After bringing in a business partner, Maternity Wardrobe moved to Midwest Plaza near Madison East and expanded. Later plans to move to River Hills Mall fell through—and Beth was back to “trying to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up.”

Realizing that she enjoyed decorating her own home and helping others, she began looking at schools and realized that “interior design was a real thing.” So, it was back to Dakota Technical.

“I had three kids under five. I worked full time at I&S Group as a designer and I went to school in the evening in Rosemount. It was three years until I got my degree, an Associates in Interior Design,” Beth said.

She added, “My husband has supported me on all of my ‘adventures.’” I wouldn’t be where I am today without his continuous support.”

Looking back over her career choices, Beth noted, “There is one constant that is clear to me, I love helping people feel good. Whether it is planning someone’s vacation, helping someone find the

outfit that makes them feel beautiful at eight months pregnant, or creating the perfect space for someone’s home or business, I like making people happy. When that happens, it makes for the best job ever!”

Mike and Beth have been married 25 years—after eloping to Montana! They were married in Glacier National Park because Beth had loved her summer working there. The only two people who knew they were getting married were their best man and maid of honor—who didn’t find out until they were on their way.

The Fasnachts have three adult children. Cole, 23, graduated with a masters in aerospace engineering in Chicago. According to Beth, “He has Mike’s brains. I don’t understand a lot of what they talk about.”

Sidney, 21, is living the dream and working in Oceanside, California.

Olivia, 19, attended college in Oregon, then came back home to attend MSU with plans to be a pediatric audiologist, a field she knows well as she’s hearing impaired.

When asked about hobbies, Beth said with a big smile, “Apparently renovating creameries!” (See SPACES feature in this issue).

Traveling is her big passion including visits to Spain and Belize.

“Mike and I look at a lot of places for sale. The Caribbean Islands—at least in the winter months— would be great,” she said.

 the same theme in other offices to have a cohesive look between them,” Fasnacht explained.

Fasnacht cited Minnesota Valley Action Council’s Again Thrift store and offices as one of the most unique she’s worked on. She did that while at Brunton Architects.

“It was challenging and fun to create the spaces they wanted and not make it feel like a warehouse. They pushed my abilities to use different materials in a cost effective way. I had to create separate areas without building walls,” she explained.

Beth is a board member for Partners for Housing that provides

emergency shelters and transitional housing in Mankato.

“I have a soft spot for them as they helped my mother many years ago. My dream would be to purchase a building in Mankato and give it to them. The shelters are in two different places and the office is up at Good Counsel. They need a space where everything can be together,” Fasnacht said. “When I win the lottery, that’s what I’ll do.”

Beth has also been a Greater Mankato Growth Ambassador for seven years. “I absolutely love welcoming new businesses to town and celebrating their accomplishments. It’s amazing how our community keeps growing but still feels like a small town,” she said. RVW

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“I absolutely love welcoming new businesses to town and celebrating their accomplishments. It’s amazing how our community keeps growing but still feels like a small town.”

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JULIE STEINKE DRAWING ON HER TALENTS

By CHRISTINE NESSLER

Ifyou want to know what it looks like to be passionate about your career, spend a little time with Julie Steinke.

For more than 20 years, Julie has been a familiar face in the housing industry, both as a drafter of residential blueprints and the woman responsible for taking the dream of a client’s napkin sketch to the next level of customized home design. Now she has the opportunity to share that passion with the students of South Central College as an instructor in the Architectural Drafting and Design Program on the North Mankato campus.

“Even as a kid I used to do floor plans on my Lite-Brite,” Steinke said with a laugh. “I also would look at floor plan books.”

Although no one actually pushed Steinke in the direction of drafting, she has always been creative and loved to doodle and draw geometric shapes as a child. She said having some engineers in her family probably also contributed to her knack for the technical aspect of her career. Being artistic piqued her interest in interior design as well. This extra skill has been useful for space planning and interior architecture, helping her create the beautiful spaces her clients desire.

Steinke first entered the workforce in commercial building at Kagermeier Skaar Asleson Architects in Mankato. After an economic dip in commercial building, Steinke made the switch to residential building and began drafting blueprints for Lloyd Lumber in North Mankato in 2003. She designed houses for Lloyd Lumber for 10 years,

before going out on her own in 2013. Steinke’s residential design company currently operates under the name of Blueprint Home Design.

Steinke estimates she has completed 40 to 60 projects per year. Most of her projects are in the Mankato area, but she’s also done projects in New Ulm, St. Peter, Eagle Lake, Owatonna, Waseca, Fairmont, Belle Plaine, St Clair, and anywhere in between.

Although her experience is notable, it’s her passion for designing a home instead of just a house that makes Julie really stand out as a drafter.

“I want to make each house I design special for my clients.” Steinke said.

Julie feels that, as a drafter, she is able to provide a female-centric view that allows her to focus on function and detail, as well as beauty. Those special touches make all the difference in residential design.

The industry has taken notice, and word of mouth has been key to her success. Former clients, builders, and developers have all come back for additional projects and have shared her name with others who are in need of her unique drafting services.

Steinke says her reputation in the industry is what makes her most proud.

“We love Julie,” Mark Deichman of Deichman Construction said. “We will always go to Julie when we have a project that needs more creativity. She’s good at taking ideas and concepts from scratch and putting them to paper.” Deichman has partnered with Julie on residential projects for more than 18 years, building the dream homes of their shared clients.

“My wife Emmy and I have had the pleasure of working with Julie on a number of projects,” Jason Phillips of PhillipsBuilt, LLC said. “Her professionalism and ability to listen to our clients’ ideas and bring their vision to life is evident in the final product. We always enjoy our creative exchanges and look forward to working with her on many projects to come.”

Steinke wants to stay fresh for each client, to keep their home design unique and special to their wants and needs. Steinke has found teaching has given her a renewed sense of creativity and passion and it has also been rewarding to share her love of drafting with the students.

A lot has changed since Steinke graduated from the Architectural Drafting and Design Program at South Central College in North Mankato in the 1990s. Most notably, women were in the minority and CAD technology was still a new tool for the trade.

“It was mostly all guys,” Steinke said. She estimated there were only ten percent women in the Architectural Drafting and Design Program then, compared to the 30 to 50 percent she sees now as an instructor. Steinke wasn’t concerned about it then and she isn’t concerned about it now.

“It’s not something you can or should ignore, but I don’t think it’s a barrier at this time,” said Steinke. “In hindsight, I don’t feel like there were many people who didn’t take me seriously as a woman. The industry was and is very welcoming.”

According to Steinke, most women aren’t on the construction side of the housing industry. But Julie isn’t like most women. As a young woman she was out looking for jobs and volunteer 

I never really had the attitude that being a woman (in this industry) had any disadvantage. Anyone, man or woman, has to endure the time it takes to earn respect in their given field.

JULIE STEINKE

Q: What other businesses do you dabble in?

A: I used to make custom cutout cookies.

Q: Do you still make your incredible cookies?

A: Unfortunately, no. Only for my kids.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: House projects, yard projects. I love to build and make things.

Q: How do you like to spend your free time?

A: Adventures in nature.

Q: What do you love most about drafting?

A: My favorite thing about drafting is creating a design that meets all the requirements of the homeowner but also incorporates all the subtle things that will make it a great finished project. Behind the scenes I take time to consider human scale, proportions, sight lines, function of spaces, natural light, directional impact, good construction practices, design for efficient use of materials, simplification of structure, and quality features over quantity.

Q: What do you love most about teaching?

A: My favorite part of teaching is breaking things down into a learnable method and watching students work through the process. I feel success when students’ questions begin to indicate critical thoughts about the area of discussion.

Q: What is your favorite design style?

A: My personal preference leans towards mid-century modern and I get to delve into that in remodeling my own personal home. I enjoy the diversity of styles the clients bring to the table and often research about those certain styles to bring authentic ideas into the project.

 opportunities on construction sites to get hands-on experience and to know both sides of the work she wanted to do.

“Julie is very good to work with because she understands the nuances of construction,” Deichman said. “She can work out solutions in construction or drafting before they come to real life.”

Experiencing the physical aspect of building was meaningful for Steinke and something she wants her students to strive for as well. Steinke’s goal for the Architectural Drafting and Design program is to build the number of partnerships in the community. She wants her students to have experience in the world of construction including networking, volunteering, and working on jobs in the industry.

“They need to know how the projects are put together in the real world,” she said.

Community partnerships will also be valuable for teaching students about logistics, product use, good communication, and working as a team.

Steinke practices what she preaches.

“What I love the most about working with Julie is her ability to collaborate with the builder and the homeowner in order to work as a team,” Deichman said.

An even greater change over the years has been the switch from hand drawing blueprints to the use of drafting software. For the two-year program, software mastery and blue print production are key components, in addition to learning construction methods and materials.

“CAD technology was a new(ish) thing when I was in school,” Julie recalled. “We still learned hand drafting in addition to computer drafting.”

Steinke’s students now primarily use Revit (3-D drawings) and some AutoCAD (2-D drawings) as tools for their drafting projects. Using BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology has become the industry standard and allows students to design cool and creative projects, but it also allows them to visualize them in 3D from any angle and anticipate design errors or oversights.

“Technology is evolving and construction methods are evolving,” Steinke noted. “It makes the job easier and it’s fun. You can be more precise and accurate.”

Steinke continues to increase the use of technology in relation to changing industry standards for the benefit of her students.

Even with the emphasis of technology in the program and industry, Steinke also takes the time to teach her students about the history of drafting. As she goes into her office to pull out a stack of historical blueprints she commented, “This is what I love.”

“Every single tick mark is someone with a pen and ink,” she marvels as she runs her hands over the hand-drawn blueprints that are over 100 years old. “Hand-drafting is really an artform. I could sit and look at them all day.”

Steinke not only shares her passion with her students, but with the participants of Architecture Construction Engineering Southern Minnesota as a board member and mentor. The program introduces the industry to high schoolers for 16 weeks each year by giving them a mock project to design.

What advice does Steinke have for the kids she mentors, the students she teaches, and the up and coming leaders in the industry?

“Choose a focus because it’s hard to do it all,” she said. “Then find what you’re passionate about and get after it.”

Steinke encourages people to share their ideas and have fun with a field that allows them to be creative. RVW

FIND WHAT YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND GET AFTER IT.

Drafting has evolved from the days of handdrawn blueprints of the 1900s, but the artwork of this blueprint of the Delevan School from April 6, 1917 can still be appreciated.

Deichman Construction stands committed to providing our clients with their perfect home, the first time, every time. Our team takes the time to understand your needs and concerns, and collaborates with you to prepare custom designs that will bring your vision to life. We’ll help you invest your money wisely and make decisions based on your lifestyle for years to come. We stand committed to excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. We build more than houses, WE BUILD AN EXPERIENCE.

Locally owned and operated since 1990.

Living in Minnesota, we all understand what four full seasons mean to our wardrobe. We enjoy Ugg boots, Sperry flats, Birkenstock sandals, and everything in between. We are one of the few states that gets to truly enjoy the abundance of different apparel needed for each season. The down side is how to organize all of the clothes and accessories.

Hands up if you can relate to squeezing all of your clothing into the same closest as your partner? Not fun, right? What if I told you that, through organization, you could have a beautiful and abundant wardrobe neatly organized for each season? Before we dive into how we plan to organize the wardrobe it is important to know how to start.

Pull out all of your clothing in a nice pile on your bed or a clean blanket. Yeah, I mean EVERYTHING, even those jeans from “the skinny” days we all desire to get back into. Empty drawers, baskets, hanging items, all of it. Pull together all of your shoes and accessories such as scarves, belts, and hats and place them on their own pile. This is an important part to the process. Right now, you are probably thinking “this is overwhelming I never knew I had this much stuff!”

It is important to see how much you actually have. Now the hardest part of the work begins. Go through every piece of your wardrobe and ask yourself several questions. Do I love this? Does this fit me? When is the last time I wore this? Is it stained, ripped, or is the fabric worn?

Now, decide what items you will keep and what goes. You will create three separate piles: Keep, Go and Undecided. Now be honest with yourself! Do you need five black long sleeve shirts? Maybe keep your favorite two.

An Organized Wardrobe at Last

Place all your unwanted items on the Go pile. You can give away or sell these pieces. If you have several pieces that

you are struggling to let go but do not wear, no worries, I have a great solution for you. Place these items in a clear tote with a label, “Undecided” or something similar, place the tote in storage and if you have not taken items from this tote in six months, it is time to let them go.

Be proud of yourself. You made some tough decisions, said your goodbyes to old favorites, and maybe even shed a couple tears. Go through your Keep pile and place it in its appropriate season category. Do you have sandals, swimsuits, shorts, and hats that are only worn in the summer? Place those items on a Summer pile. Do you have spring flats, capris and t-shirts that you only wear in the spring? Place those items on a Spring pile. Continue to do this for Winter and Fall

You may find that you have a handful of key pieces that you wear all year round, place those in a separate pile. Those staple items will always remain in your closet until you are ready to part with them. Now it is time to look at each seasonal pile. Since summer and fall are not yet here place each season in its own clear tote with a season wardrobe label. A great way to store shoes and boots would be to purchase plastic shoe bins and place each pair inside and store them with the corresponding wardrobe. This will ensure all of your shoes are protected. The same can be done for other accessories.

With March being an “in between” month where we could get 10 inches of snow or it could be a balmy 65 degrees, it is best to place the winter and spring wardrobe back in the closet. Once the winter months are clearly behind us, pack up all the winter clothing and place it into a clear tote with the season wardrobe label. Place all the wardrobe totes in a safe storage location. Once the season arrives you will pack up the season in your closet and unpack the new season. It will feel like you just went shopping!

We saved the best for last—placement of your wardrobe back into your closet. Think about how you dress each day, are you a business woman, a stay-at-home mom, a busy volunteer? You can create zones in your closet for business and casual. I will always recommend that you color coordinate your closet because it is so beautiful to look at. I also recommend hanging clothing by length starting with long sleeve and ending with camisoles. Your clothing will now have room to breathe and you will be able to easily access and fully appreciate every piece.

Photo by Dreaming Tree Photography

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At CADA, we consider empathy to be an extremely important skill for advocates and staff. It is necessary in helping professions such as advocacy, teaching, and healthcare. When working with people who have experienced violence or trauma, empathy is crucial. Empathy is the ability to understand and share someone’s feelings. Empathy helps us connect with people, helps us manage our own emotions, and promotes helping behaviors. Additionally, a lack of empathy can lead to things such as victim blaming, dehumanization, prejudice, and disconnection— which all fuel divisiveness, oppression, and abuse in our homes and communities.

Many of us have heard the words sympathy and empathy used interchangeably, but these two concepts are actually very different in practice. Sympathy is the act of feeling sorry or caring about someone’s challenges or suffering. Empathy takes this a step further. Empathy is connecting with that person and their emotions and feeling those emotions with them. Empathy is putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and understanding. Sympathy allows us to say, “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Empathy sounds more like, “I understand that feeling and I’m here with you.” Empathy is recognizing what someone is feeling and connecting with them by feeling that emotion yourself.

When you tell someone about a problem or a challenge and they respond with sympathy, it may feel dismissive or trivializing. A sympathetic response can sometimes sound like pity. Also, a sympathetic response may include the words, “at least.” For example, if someone shares they just lost their job, a sympathetic response might sound like, “Oh, I’m sorry, but at least you’ve still got your health!” An empathetic response may sound like, “Wow, that has to be so tough. Do you want to talk about it?”

Brené Brown, a researcher, scholar, and teacher of topics like empathy, bravery, and vulnerability says, “Empathy fuels connection. Sympathy drives disconnection.” Rarely does a sympathetic response lead to further discussion or connection.

The ability to empathize with someone starts with listening. You must listen to what this person’s experience is and listen to what emotions they’re expressing. While someone may not directly name their feelings, you can pay attention to non-verbal cues or what emotions you hear in their voice. You can also try to put yourself in their shoes and think of how you might feel in their situation. Empathy requires that you use your imagination to take the perspective of another. Think about what it might

Connecting with Empathy

be like to walk their journey or spend some time in their shoes. Practicing empathy can improve our helping behaviors. If someone’s grocery bags split in a parking lot, an empathetic person may be likely to go over and lend a hand by picking things up because they understand how frustrating that situation can be.

Empathy can be challenging because it requires a certain amount of vulnerability on our part. To connect with someone in a dark moment, you have to connect with a part of you that has felt that emotion before. Empathy may mean connecting with someone’s feelings even if you’ve never experienced what they’re going through. Advocates sometimes get asked if they’ve been in an abusive relationship. I heard a co-worker respond to this question in a great way. She responded by saying, “I’ve never experienced the same things you have or been in your relationship, but I’ve felt scared, hurt, and humiliated. I know what that feels like even though I don’t know what your relationship looks like from the inside.” This advocate was able to oversee differences and connect with this survivor over something they did have in common.

At CADA, we also talk about the concept of “holding space,” which is being there emotionally and mentally for and with someone. By holding space, you are practicing empathy and helping to hold or carry someone’s emotional load. You’re supporting someone as they feel their feelings. Holding space is about demonstrating empathy and support as well as staying out of judgment.

Practicing and improving our empathy skills can help us in so many ways. We can have deeper relationships with loved ones, relate to coworkers better, and it can also make us more self-aware. The more we practice empathy, the more we stay in touch with our own emotions.

When we practice empathy, we are able to see the perspective of people who may be different from us. We can focus on commonalities rather than differences. Through empathy, we can foster connection rather than division. If we all practice a little more empathy, our neighborhoods and communities can be safer, friendlier, and more welcoming for all.

KRISTEN WALTERS Development & Communications Manager CADA, Mankato

THE CREAMERY OF THE CROP

Interior designer and creamery owner Beth Fasnacht admits that until about a year-and-a-half ago, she didn’t even know that creameries existed. Now that’s she’s remodeled one into apartment and office space, she says she sees them in every town.

At a point in her interior design career where Fasnacht was looking to flip houses, she stumbled onto a Facebook posting for the old Elysian Creamery, in Elysian.

“I love historic buildings with character,” Fasnacht said. “I fell in love with it right away.”

With the added attraction that the building would have instant income—with a tenant already in place in an upstairs apartment—Beth acquired the Elysian Creamery in November 2019. Renovations were to start the next spring but COVID-19 pushed that back to June.

Working with general contractor Eric VanEps of Mankato Family Homes, a new downstairs apartment was ready by fall, with a front office space soon after.

Built in the 1930s or so, the building served a variety of other functions in its later years—city library, food shelf, city maintenance shop, and auto garage complete with pit.

“My main goal was to keep the building intact as much as possible but—with everything that you try to keep the 

An old, undated photo, of the town’s kiddie parade, shows the creamery in the background. Note the entry door under the canopy. That area is now the apartment’s pantry.

Not wanting to tear out the “odd cement block” in the living room, Fasnacht incorporated it into a shelf system, using reclaimed wood and pipe to make something out of it. The building’s high ceilings were retained in both the apartment and office space, resulting in exposed duct work—which also helps to retain the building’s character. Original ceilings were patched and painted.

The living room during construction. Notice the “odd cement block” just beyond the stove. That was incorporated into a shelf system. The thick door frame right behind it was also salvaged, giving an “industrial feel” to the room.

While the island countertop is granite, the black countertop on the wall near the door came from Restore. The cabinets under the island were found in the building and repurposed for use. The backside of the island, along with the area between the stove and hood and the pantry walls are all reclaimed tin.

An in-progress photo of the apartment’s kitchen shows the high ceilings. Countertop and cabinets were installed along the left wall, with the pantry through the doorway at the far end.

As a creamery, the building’s main entrance was to the east. Fasnacht turned that space into a pantry for the kitchen. Reclaimed tin was

The bedrooms both have a built-in closet. Fasnacht used a gray color scheme throughout as she wanted to give the apartment an industrial loft feel—and is not a fan of “going all white” as many apartments do.

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 same—it’s more expensive,” Beth said. “Eric was so good to work with, wanting to keep as much as we could, but he reminded me of the budget!”

To retain the building’s historical character, Fasnacht used reclaimed items wherever possible, getting various building supplies from Restore in Mankato and Schaible Enterprise at Eagle Lake.

The property includes a wood barn that Beth has ideas for. “My future thoughts are to make it into a rental space for family gatherings. I can picture a big farm table with a kitchenette and more.”

Fasnacht had the barn painted bright red, something that caught people’s attention. One local commented that it was the first time in 50 years that the building had been painted!

With Elysian—on Highway 60 east of Mankato—being a small town, Beth noted that work on the buildings was “The talk of the town” with many locals stopping to share memories of the building. RVW

used on the wall.

An industrial feeling was retained in the bathroom, using reclaimed wood for shelving

Tell us a little about yourself

My parents grew up together in Brookings, South Dakota. They moved to Montgomery, Minnesota shortly after marriage and rented a farm house where I spent the first six years of my life. They eventually bought a home in New Prague where they raised my brother, sister and me. I attended college at Hennepin Technical, graduating with a degree in desktop publishing. Shortly after graduating, I married my first husband and moved to Moose Lake to raise our family. I enjoyed being a stay at home mom, volunteering at church and in the community, and being part owner of a scrapbooking store there. After our divorce, I moved back to Montgomery, close to family and friends, and started fresh.

How did you come to start your own business?

I have always dreamed of owning my own business, although cleaning at first was just a means to support myself and my kids while going back to school. It turned out to be a career that I love.

Why a cleaning business?

Honestly, I had been a stay-at-home mom for so long, when I was suddenly in need of creating my own income I just did what I knew—clean house and take care of others. After cleaning homes on my own for a time, I began to see how I could turn it into a great business. It suited my skills and personality.

What do you enjoy most about running your own business?

There are so many things I love about my business, but two things I absolutely love are my staff and creating beautiful spaces in this world— helping people live more relaxed, stress free, and safe lives because we were there for them. I love that I am able to provide great jobs for my community. I am very purposeful when it comes to who I hire. We are like family, and I love each and every one of my staff. I feel so blessed to have been able to create a career for myself that I can run virtually anywhere with just my laptop.

What are some of the biggest challenges?

I have a huge heart for my business. Being more of a creative person, I’m a little romantic and idealistic about it. I have had to educate myself in how to start and run a legal, professional, and profitable business. It is challenging changing mindsets about my business, I mean, we scrub

KATE SLOAN

CHICKA CHICKA BROOM CLEANING SERVICE

toilets right? The general public does not know how much training and professionalism goes into what we do. We are trusted to go into people’s private spaces, and that is no small thing. When we were shut down due to the pandemic, we took training and are now certified by GBAC— Global Biorisk Advisory Council—in the proper way to clean and sanitize in infectious disease outbreak situations. We have thrived where others, sadly, have seen major setbacks in the industry. I think that part of the reason for that is my dedication to ongoing training for myself and my staff.

What can a customer expect from your services?

We make it easy to work with us. We have employed technology to streamline our processes so we can spend more time on quality, reliability, and friendly service. We listen to our clients, and love to hear from them. We treat our employees like family. They are happy, and that shows in their work.

Are there things that surprise you during your work day?

I love seeing how the team members will jump in and help each other when they’re out in the field. We have a public board that we use for communication, so if someone is lost, or has a broken piece of equipment, etc., everyone jumps in to solve it. It surprises me every time when I witness how much they will help each other succeed.

What did you want to be as a child, when you grew up?

Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to own my own business. I have always had a passion to capture beauty through photography. When we’re done transforming homes we leave beauty behind, pretty as a picture.

If you suddenly received a giant windfall, how do you think you would change your life?

Freedom and time. Freedom and time to spend traveling, doing more volunteer work in my community, and time for my hobbies. I would help other entrepreneurs with their businesses.

How do you like to relax after a hard day’s work?

Cooking relaxes me. I also have to spend time outside every day to wind down, walking in every season, and in the nicer weather, in my backyard gardens.

Jennifer Morrow, Kate Sloan, Brittani Anderson, Hayley Jenny.

Kate Sloan

RIVERFRONT

410 S. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 507-625-1107

HILLTOP

2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 507-625-9070

FREE DISPOSAL OF UNWANTED OR EXPIRED MEDICATIONS

Have expired or unneeded medications laying around your house? Let your Hy-Vee pharmacy help you safely dispose of them! Stop in to your Hy-Vee pharmacy and use our Consumer Drug Take Back Receptacle to safely dispose of unwanted medications for free. All prescription, non-prescription, and pet medications are accepted

with the exclusion of any thermometers, inhalers, lotions, aerosols, needles, or hydrogen peroxide. Hy-Vee dose have a separate service to dispose of needles and sharps waste. All waste must be dropped off in a puncture-resistant sharps container with a fee of $5 per container.

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CLEANING THE KITCHEN CUPBOARD:

toss save? OR ?

Have you looked — REALLY looked — at the foods in your kitchen cupboards lately? Is it time to bid some foods a fond farewell? Should others be moved to a better location and/or storage container? Read on for tips to help you decide whether to toss, move or try to save common kitchen cupboard foods.

Baking Powder and Soda — 12 to 18 months or expiration

date on container

Storage Tip: Store tightly covered in a dry place. Use dry measuring utensils.

Testing for Freshness: Mix 1 teaspoon baking powder with 1/3 cup hot water. Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with 1 tablespoon vinegar. If it foams vigorously, it still has rising power. Baking soda without rising power makes a great refrigerator air freshener.

Flour — 6 to 12 months (white), 1 to 3 months (whole wheat)

Storage Tip #1: Store in a cool, dry place like an airtight container or freezer bag to preserve the flour’s moisture content. For longer storage, keep flours in the refrigerator or freezer.

Canned

Foods — 1 to 2 years

Storage Tip: To avoid off flavors, transfer leftover canned goods to another storage container.

Honey — 12 months

Chicken Kabobs with Indian Spice Rub

INGREDIENTS

1 (5.3-oz.) container Hy-Vee plain Greek yogurt

2 tsp. fresh mint, chopped, plus additional for garnish

1 tbsp. Gustare Vita olive oil

1 tsp. Hy-Vee ground cumin

1 tsp. ground turmeric

Spices & Herbs — 1 year for herbs or ground spices, 2 years for whole spices

Storage Tip: Air, light, moisture and heat speed flavor and color loss of herbs and spices. Store in a tightly covered container away from sunlight, such as inside a cupboard or drawer. Never sprinkling directly from the container into a steaming pot. Testing for Freshness: A check to see if herbs and spices are potent, smell them. If the aroma is immediate and strong, they will still add flavor to your foods.

Brown Sugar — 4 months to 6 months for maximum flavor

Storage Tip: It’s VERY important to store brown sugar in an airtight container to retain its moisture and prevent it from becoming hard. Either store it in its original plastic bag, tightly closed, or transfer to an airtight container or a heavy moisture-proof plastic bag, such as a freezer bag.

Storage Tip: Honey stores best at room temperature. It tends to crystallize more rapidly, a natural process in which its liquid turns solid, in the refrigerator. Revitalize crystallized honey by placing the jar in warm water and stirring the honey until the crystals dissolve.

Oils — 1 to 6 months opened; 1 to 2 years, unopened

Storage Tip #1: Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dark place. Times vary according to type of oil, method of processing, etc. Storing less-used oils in the refrigerator can prolong the life. Oil that has been stored too long will go rancid and develop an undesirable taste and odor. If you haven’t used an oil for a while, smell it before using it in a recipe.

Kitchen Cupboard Management 101

Now that you’ve sorted, tossed, moved and/or repackaged some foods, here are a few tips to take control of storing foods in your cupboard:

• If you tossed portions of expired foods, buy a smaller container next time.

• Keep a permanent marker pen in your kitchen and put the date — month and YEAR — you purchased the food on the container.

• When in doubt about storage times, contact the company

• Practice “first in, first out,” for foods. If you have purchased several containers of the same type of food, arrange the containers so you reach for the oldest package first.

1 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. Hy-Vee salt

1/2 tsp. Hy-Vee ground black pepper

1 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces 24 green onions, cut into 3-inch lengths, white part only

DIRECTIONS

1 2 3

Preheat a charcoal or gas grill with oiled grill rack for direct cooking over medium-high heat. Combine yogurt and 2 teaspoons mint for minted yogurt. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.

Combine oil, cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Add chicken, tossing to coat.

Thread chicken and green onion pieces onto 4 10-inch skewers. Grill kabobs 10 to 12 minutes or until done (1655 degrees), turning every 2 minutes. Serve with minted yogurt. Garnish with mint leaves, if desired.

Nutrition facts per serving: 190 calories per serving, 5g Total Fat, .5g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 55mg Cholesterol, 420mg Sodium, 7g Total Carbohydrates, 2g Dietary Fiber, 4g Total Sugars, 31g Protein.

If using bamboo skewers, soak skewers in water for 30 minutes before using.

CORINNE JORDAN, MD, FACS General Surgery Physicians Group of New Ulm

QI have pain under my rib cage after I eat. The same thing happened to a friend of mine and she needed her gallbladder out. How do I know if this is my gallbladder?

AThe gallbladder is a nebulous organ that is tucked away underneath your liver in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen. Its name reflects the theory of its longstanding influence over human behavior—it was thought to make people irritable. The word gall —a synonym for bile—also means “embittered spirit.”

As in, “I can’t believe my husband had the gall to finish that Netflix series while I was at work.” Clearly he can blame his lack of impulse control on his pesky gallbladder.

The gallbladder is a back-up organ for the liver. It stores the bile that helps us digest the fat that we eat. So, when you are simultaneously binging Netflix and ice cream, your gallbladder is helping your body absorb the fat from your treats.

When your gallbladder is not functioning properly, you can expect to experience right upper quadrant abdominal pain about 20 minutes or so after you eat something fatty. The pain can radiate in a band-like formation around the upper abdomen making it feel tight or painful to take a deep breath in—the same tightness you get when you wear the fancy “date-night bra.” The sensation can be associated with nausea, bloating, right shoulder blade pain, and diarrhea. The symptoms can last anywhere between 20 minutes to hours, and most of the time these episodes resolve on their own.

1. When to seek treatment

Episodes of intractable abdominal pain, fevers, chills, or jaundice should be seen urgently/emergently. This is especially true if your eyes become yellow or urine looks dark like cola. The gallbladder shares the same “plumbing” as the liver and the pancreas. If you pass a gallstone, it can “back up the pipes,” causing congestion in the liver or irritation of the pancreas. This can be serious if left untreated, so urgent medical attention is indicated.

If your symptoms are less intense, but are occurring frequently, consider talking to your PCP as you may require further treatment.

2. Behavioral modification

The gallbladder helps digest fat. In order to avoid gallbladder problems, or prevent recurrent attacks, a clean diet is recommended. Avoid fast-food, fried foods, and swap out fatty items for low-fat alternatives. Increase your daily physical activity and decrease your daily alcohol consumption. You can still bingewatch Netflix, but now do it while on the treadmill.

3. Surgical treatment

When behavioral modification strategies aren’t effective, surgery is the most definitive treatment. Most gallbladders can be removed with small incisions and a camera (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) and often can be performed as outpatient surgery. Plan for a week or two for recovery for most people.

4. Life after Cholecystectomy

You can live your whole life without a gallbladder and do just fine, although you may still experience irritability—surgery doesn’t always help with that. Your liver will eventually take over the function of the gallbladder, but this ramp-up period takes about two weeks. If you eat anything really fatty or rich (burritos, lasagna, pizza, chocolate, etc) you will get diarrhea. So don’t stop by the taco shop on your way home from surgery, give it at least two weeks before you indulge again.

Stay healthy, friends!

DELICIOUSLY GLUTEN FREE!

Jody Kunkel, Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) here. I treat a variety of health conditions, and diet changes are frequently part of the treatment plan. This takes incredible motivation on behalf of my patients. When they come in with good results, I am reminded of why I chose to pursue this area of medicine.

I don’t have celiac disease. I don’t even have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. I choose to eat gluten-free as much as I can, because I’ve learned (and have seen) the damage that gluten can have on the human digestive tract, immune system, and neurological system. Gluten can trigger the body into making antibodies against itself (particularly the thyroid—think Hashimoto’s disease) and can induce intestinal hyperpermeability (commonly referred to as “leaky gut”) which can cause more food sensitivities, digestive symptoms, skin rashes, headaches, etc. I’ve also seen gluten affect mood and cognition, and many other symptoms.

Whatever your reason for going gluten-free, don’t get frustrated when planning or preparing meals. Cooking gluten-free at home is easy! Twenty years ago, we didn’t have nearly the options that we have now. Today, you can find a gluten-free version of common products in almost any grocery store including pasta, bread, pizza crust, baking flours and mixes, etc. However, just because a food has “gluten-free” stamped on the package, doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Choosing foods that are not processed and packaged will offer significantly more nutritional value. You can improve the nutritional quality of your meals by trying the following modifications:

• Lettuce wraps, instead of bread/tortillas

• Sweet potato or zucchini noodles, instead of pasta

• “Sheet pan” versions of your favorite sandwiches or wraps

• Alternative flours (or arrowroot) for a breaded touch

I’m not here to give you a recipe with a gluten-free product replacement—you can substitute that on your own. I’m giving you a gluten-free recipe that doesn’t come out of a box. It’s easy and delicious.

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK WITHOUT THE BUN

(ALSO DAIRY-FREE)

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. flank or ribeye steak

1 onion, sliced

2 green bell peppers, cut into strips

8 oz. mushrooms, sliced

STEAK & VEGETABLE SEASONING

INGREDIENTS

3 Tbsp. coconut aminos (or soy sauce)

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

CHEESE SAUCE

INGREDIENTS

½ c. raw cashews

¼ c. water (plus some extra, if needed)

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. nutritional yeast (don’t skip this!)

1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

¼ tsp. garlic powder

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place the whole steak in the middle of the sheet pan and spread the vegetables around it. Whisk together the steak and vegetable seasoning and pour it over the steak and vegetables. Gently toss together and massage the seasoning into the steak, and distribute evenly. Bake for 15 minutes. While steak is baking place all ingredients for the cashew cheese in the a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Add additional water for a thinner consistency. Set aside. Once the steak and vegetables are done baking, turn on the broiler and broil for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let steak rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak and serve drizzled with the cashew cheese sauce.

We like to serve this with a side salad and rice.

Bonus DESSERT RECIPE BLACK BEAN BROWNIES

(shhhh, they’ll never know you used black beans!)

INGREDIENTS

1-15 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed well

2 Tbsp. cocoa powder

½ tsp. salt

½ c. maple syrup

¼ c. coconut oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

½ tsp. baking powder

½ c. (plus some extra for garnish) chocolate chips (choose allergen-free chocolate chips if you also have dairy sensitivity)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in food processor except chocolate chips. Blend until completely smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour into a greased 8x8 pan (I use coconut oil to grease pan). Feel free to sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top. Bake for 15-18 minutes, then cool for at least 10 minutes. If you feel they are a bit undercooked, just place them in the fridge and they will firm right up.

BY CINDY HAUGLAND tidytightwads.com

Is Your Home Office Cutting the Mustard?

If you didn’t have a home office before the pandemic, chances are you do now! In many cases you may have at least some semblance of a working space. Maybe you had a home office that was collecting dust and storage boxes that you quickly cleaned out. Maybe you’re still sitting amongst piles of random items trying to get work done. Whether you’re still at home full-time, working from home part-time, or returning to your home office if kids are distance learning, it’s a good idea to make your workspace clean, organized, and enjoyable.

If your space is a spare room or rarely used office, take a good honest look at the core space. Where is the window, door, power outlet, etc.? Take liberty to move things around to make sense and make the space more workable and inviting. Take advantage of your natural light. Add more lighting such as a reading lamp, or change the lightbulbs in the ceiling fixture to accommodate your work. Don’t make do with the current carved out space that is cramped, cluttered, or hard to maneuver.

If there are items that can be temporarily or permanently removed, do so. If it’s your catch all to excess furniture items you’ve been holding on to,

get rid of them. Donate, give to friends, repurpose, or make a trip to Goodwill or a local thrift shop.

Would a color change help your mood and productivity? Invest in a new can of paint to brighten the space, give it new life, and in some cases, bring it into this century. If you have darkening curtains in the room from a previous sleeping space, take them off and allow more light in.

If you’ve been working from a card table and folding chair, it’s time to reevaluate your accommodations. Check Facebook Marketplace, or with friends, for a desk and office chair that will be more comfortable. While I’m a self-proclaimed tightwad and love to save money, a quality ergonomic chair is a good investment if you spend many hours at your desk. Consider it part of your health!

Fighting clutter and paper piles is a must. Just because you have a second office now, doesn’t mean you have double the space to keep more paper and develop bad habits of forming piles. I would say that nine out of ten of my organizing clients always say that paper is what is driving them crazy.

Working from home means you need to be productive. Figure out a filing system right away. Then shred or discard excess paper away. Move a trash bin into your home office, just like any office. If it’s easily available, you’re more likely to use it. Recycle newspapers on a daily basis after you are done reading them. Get rid of the current magazines when you get the next one. Either recycle it or pass it onto somebody else who may be able to enjoy it. Pitch junk mail right after you determine it as such.

And lastly, don’t set it and forget it. Things change. Re-evaluate your space every few weeks to make sure your setup is still working for you and make changes to things you’re finding yourself “putting up with” or “trying to get by.” Most importantly, give yourself credit for some incredible strides that have been made, what you’ve accomplished, and what you’ve found you love about working from home.

ONE OF A KIND!

1

2 Sporty and spunky! Collared shirts paired with crewnecks gives off more of a classy vibe. Add a novel short checkered skirt for fun.

4

Pairing a solid colored long sleeve under any graphic tee is very trendy and gives off an edgy look everyone loves. No need to wait until summer to wear those cool tees!

This time of year, be prepared to layer on a sweater on still wintry days. A long sweater jacket is versatile and always in fashion.

3Layering jewelry is key when it comes to styling an outfit. Whatever your mood, add it to the mix!

BY EMMA CHIMAL Plato's Closet | Mankato

New Hours

AS SELF- CARE

Houseplants are more popular than ever, now that we’ve all been essentially confined to our homes for almost a year.

2021 is a great year to join my Houseplant in Every Room Initiative! I began this unofficial campaign last year, and I’ve finally succeeded in placing at least one plant in every room of our house—unless you count our two entryways as rooms, but they’re not heated so I don’t think you should.

Decorating with houseplants can be challenging because there are often barriers obstructing the natural light from windows. In rooms with lots of windows and south- or west-facing exposures, most houseplants will grow happily. But in north-facing rooms or rooms with few windows, it’s difficult to successfully home houseplants. It can also be intimidating when you aren’t sure how large plants will get or whether their ultimate height and width will match up with the space you have available.

Here are a few scenarios I had to consider when finding plants for each room in my own home—along with lists of plants that will do well in each spot. To find watering instructions for each variety, a quick internet search will help. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the top few inches of soil are completely dry before watering—most houseplants die from overwatering rather than lack of water!

A tall, narrow space with lots of light

There’s a tight corner in our dining room that is perfect for my prized variegated snake plant (Sansevieria sp.). This particular snake plant reaches four feet tall at maturity, though there are others that stay shorter. Snake plants are generally columnar, so they’re easy to confine to a narrow space. I’ve also had luck growing Cordyline species in narrow spaces that allow for a lot of vertical growth.

On top of the kitchen cabinets or a dining room hutch

The plants in this section are all vines that thrive in darker conditions —they prefer indirect light to any direct sunlight. I’ve also seen some of these grow without any natural light at all, but they will need supplemental artificial lighting if your intended room is completely dark. I have pots of pothos

vine (Epipremnum aureum) growing on top of my dining room hutch, and they spill cheerfully over the sides, brightening up an otherwise dull (greenery-free) part of our home. Other vines for indoor shade include heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum), wax plant (Hoya sp.), or oak leaf ivy (Cissus rhombifolia). Try a hanging planter for dramatic draping foliage.

Full sun windowsill (south or west facing)

If you’re lucky enough to own a bright and sunny window, you’ll have infinite options for houseplants, especially if you’re interested in growing everyone’s favorite belovedyet-difficult succulents. My brightest windows are filled with succulents, including varieties of agave ( Agave sp.), jade plants (Crassula ovata), cacti (assorted genera), Aloe species, and Kalanchoe species, to name a few. These plants want bright direct sunlight, minimal water, and time to dry out between waterings. I can’t emphasize enough that you should not overwater them!

Bright indirect light with space to spread out

For houseplants that really make a statement, try growing one or two of these large aggressive growers that thrive in bright indirect light: rubber fig (Ficus elastica), ZZ plant ( Zamioculcas zamiifolia), bush lily (Clivia miniata), or split leaf philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum). Depending on the size of the container they’re planted in, rubber figs and split leaf philodendron can grow all the way to your ceiling, however high that may be. ZZs and bush lilies are shorter, but they have a striking wide presence, so make sure they have plenty of space to spread out as they mature.

In the bathroom

Our bathroom was one of the last rooms that got its houseplant, mostly because the window is north-facing (low light) and also inside our shower. I ended up placing an air plant (Tillandsia sp.) on the shower windowsill, where this crazy plant lives without soil or regular watering. The humidity from the shower usually covers its watering needs, though I do sometimes spray it directly with the showerhead when I remember. Orchids and ferns are other houseplants that love humidity and can tolerate lower light conditions, so give them a try in your bathroom.

LAURA SCHWARZ New Ulm native Minneapolis-based horticulturist & writer

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IT’S A DOG’S LIFE

down the minutes until mealtime, and worked as constant security keeping the squirrels and bunnies at bay. The white stuff on the ground is disappearing and the windows are open. The other day my mom took out the leash and we left the house. This is all super exciting BUT let me tell you about my recent adventures.

We walked out the front door and past my driveway. So many smells! We got down a couple houses to where the small humans play outside and scream at each other all day. I am very nervous as we get closer, as last time they came out of nowhere and smothered me. I decided to walk quickly past this place and have my eyes focused ahead, when sure enough, out of nowhere, I hear fast footsteps behind me. They spoke in the same language as my mom, asking “ Can we pet your dog?” I look to mom as I sink down on the ground avoiding looking at them at all. Mom says “Yes” and as they reach for me, I try to hide behind mom. Mom picks me up and holds me close to her as the small humans reach in to pet me. I try to hide but there’s no where to go. No one is listening to me! I try licking me lips, yawning, not looking at them, my tail is tucked but I have no option other then to growl. Mom gets mad at me and taps me on the nose and we leave. I enjoy the rest of my walk before going home.

It’s been a long winter and I have been cooped up inside, forced to listen to humans talk, slept most of the day away (which is not good for my figure), continuously cleaned inappropriate body parts, found joy in eating poopsicles in the backyard, counted

The next morning mom took me for another walk (I am so lucky!). I wanted to go the other direction, but mom pulled me the same way we usually go. We got a couple houses down and I was super scared but this time no one was outside. We kept going and passed the pee post, (wonder who the new dog is?) and turned down the road with all the trees. I was busy taking in all the smells that I didn’t see the other mom coming towards us. Mom stopped to talk to her and, while waiting patiently, I started to sniff her shoes. She must have one of those things with claws at home, because she smelled terrible! As I was busy sniffing, she reached down to pet me. I jumped and barked at her. My mom seemed very upset with me and yanked me by my collar. We stayed a couple minutes longer before leaving. On our way back to the house there was a two-wheeled monster that flew up behind me. I was terrified and quickly started barking, growling, and lunging at it. Mom pulled me back from the ledge, almost causing me to suffocate but I was determined to make that thing leave us alone.

If you’re wondering if this article was just written by your dog, you’re not alone. And, in case you have not noticed, this is a dog that is truly terrified by these scenarios. Yet, as humans we often mistake his behavior as being “excited,” “stubborn,” or “naughty.” We often think the dog needs to be corrected (pulling on the leash, tapping on the nose, scolding etc.), but these corrections will only increase the dog’s fear. Dogs who are fearful will display body language such as lip licking, yawning, backing away, tucking their tail, pinning their ears back, and cowering. If this body language is not respected, they will feel their only option is to growl, snap, or bite. When we pick up our dogs to allow others to pet them or force them into other situations, even telling them “It’s ok,” will not change the way they feel about the situation. It just gives them no escape and teaches them to “talk louder” next time. When dogs are fearful, they often make themselves look “big, bad and tough,” in hopes that whatever it is (bikes, people, etc.) will go away.

In this story, you can see that the dog even becomes nervous of certain places on his walk, based on the past experiences he has had in that location or with that person. Dogs have great memories and even something small can cause lasting memories.

The best way to handle these scenarios is to put some distance between your dog and what is scaring them, give them some treats in hopes of making a new association, never force them into a situation they are uncomfortable with, and NEVER correct them for being fearful. Keep in mind that many dogs are fearful of things on wheels and children if not adequately socialized with them as puppies.

After some tough moments on our walk, we went home and snuggled on the couch. Mom made a sandwich and I snagged it off the counter and quickly inhaled it, just to be sure it would not make her sick. Gosh, they are lucky to have me!

NICOLE LUECK, CVT MN Valley Pet Hospital Mankato

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Creating a financial strategy for your future.

Creating a financial strategy for your future.

Financial Analysis and Review Retirement Strategies

Financial Analysis and Review

Retirement Strategies

Wealth Management

Wealth

Financial Protection

Business Owners

Kevin Sanger

Kevin Sanger

507‐387-5638 office

507‐387-5638 office

515-341-2151 cell

515-341-2151 cell

Kevin.sanger@securianma.com

Kevin.sanger@securianma.com

Pioneer Bank | 1450 Adams St | Mankato

Pioneer Bank | 1450 Adams St | Mankato

Kevin is a Registered Representa�ve and Investment Advisor Representa�ve with Securian Financial Services, Inc. Securi�es and Investment Advisory Ser‐vices offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Securian Advisors MidAmerica is independently owned and operated. 124 East Walnut, Suite 340, Mankato, MN 56001. Neither Securian Financial Services, Inc nor Securian Advisors MidAmerica are affiliated with Pioneer Bank. The Securian Financial name and logo are trademarks of Securian Financial Group, Inc., and have been licensed for use by Securian Advisors MidAmerica. Securi

Kevin is a Registered Representa�ve and Investment Advisor Representa�ve with Securian Financial Services, Inc. Securi�es and Investment Advisory Ser‐vices offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.

Securian Advisors MidAmerica is independently owned and operated. 124 East Walnut, Suite 340, Mankato, MN 56001. Neither Securian Financial Services, Inc nor Securian Advisors MidAmerica are affiliated with Pioneer Bank. The Securian Financial name and logo are trademarks of Securian Financial Group, Inc., and have been licensed for use by Securian Advisors MidAmerica. Securi�es are not FDIC insured, not deposits or other obliga�ons of, or guaranteed by Pioneer Bank. Securi�es are subject to investment risk and may lose value, including loss of the invested principal. ADTRAX 2410229 DOFU 02/2019

TOP 10 ESSENTIALS

TO PACK FOR YOUR OUTDOOR WINTER ADVENTURE

Venturing outdoors for winter recreation can be an exhilarating, if chilly, experience. There are many ways to get outdoors as we move into March with longer days, slightly warmer daytime temperatures, and plenty of snowfall. This could include downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and fat biking. In addition to exercise, these activities can relieve stress and provide a welcome change to time spent indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While these activities can be fun, the nature of the outdoor environment in winter adds extra challenge and danger to be wary of.

Colder temperatures pose an obvious threat, and wind plays an even bigger role in causing convective heat loss. The ice and snow make travel to and from recreation spots more dangerous and orthopedic injuries more likely during recreational activities.

The sun in March is dangerous in different ways than during the summer months. You still can get sunburn. Ultraviolet keratitis from the reflection off the snow, called snow blindness, also can be an issue.

Before you go out, here are some things to consider, ensuring a safe and fun venture:

• Study your map and familiarize yourself with the area you are exploring. Don’t rely on GPS. Some people say GPS often stands for “gets people stuck.”

• Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Also, tell them if your plans change.

• Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

• Wear a mask and practice social distancing if you plan to participate in outdoor activities around others.

SISSY YANG Family Medicine nurse practitioner Mayo Clinic Health System

Don’t forget these 10 essentials to carry with you when out on the trail or the ice:

• Compass or navigation equipment.

• Fire-starting equipment.

• Signaling devices, such as flares or a whistle.

• Small snack.

• Knife or multitool.

• Headlamp.

• Sun protection, including sunscreen and sunglasses.

• Insulation, including extra gloves or layers.

• Adequate water and purification equipment.

• Emergency shelter, such as a bivy sack or jumbo trash bag. Also, bring a small first-aid kit. In case you or another person is injured, a kit loaded with supplies can protect an open wound and prevent infection.

In general, these rules apply through all seasons, but they are, perhaps, even more important in the winter. The farther from civilization you plan to go and the colder it is, the more prepared you need to be.

Getting stuck just outside town can be just as cold and difficult as getting stuck in remote Alaska if you aren’t prepared. With a little preparation, you can safely enjoy the outdoors in the winter or, really, any time of year.

MarchMust

HAVES

1. KUHL Trekr™ Pants

KUHL Trekr™ women's climbing pant with a straight fit makes adjusting along your travels a cinch, literally. Innovative side seams along the lower leg cinch up to convert into a capri. If you're heating up, just pull up for more airflow. There's no better pant for trekking to exciting new places. Stop by and pick up a pair at Scheels today.

Scheels

River Hills Mall 1850 Adams St. Mankato, MN 56001 507.386.7767 scheels.com

2. Rocket Espresson

Rocket Espresso produces hand built espresso machines featuring classic elements of Italian design. Rocket Espresso machines are some of the most sophisticated on the market. These machines represent the closest you can get to bringing the Italian cafe to your countertop.

Office Space Design

606 N Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001 507.388.4405

3. Good Works Jewelry

Bella Nova is excited to announce the arrival of “Good Works” Jewelry to the store. Multiple bracelet styles available, all with unique scripts. Find the perfect one for you, or to gift to a friend.

Bella Nova Boutique

521 N. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001 507.779.7444

4. Leave your skin feeling soft & smooth Basin brings the relaxation of a spa to your home. With a refreshing line of sweetly scented bath bombs, scrubs and soaps that will help relieve your daily stresses. You can find Basin products at your Mankato Hy-Vee’s.

Hy-Vee Hilltop 2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 56001

507.625.9070

Hy-Vee Riverfront 410 S. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001 507.625.1107

5. VI Peel

The VI Peel is a skinresurfacing chemical peel that stimulates collagen and increases cellular turnover to reveal smoother and more radiant skin. Schedule a consultation today.

Mankato Med and Skin Clinic

1603 N Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 507.382.8356 mankatomed.com

6. Perfect Fit Wedding Dress

Pins and Needles

Alterations has years of experience with bridal and formal wear. If you need the size of your dress changed, shortened, cups added, straps shortened or added, we can handle just about anything! We can also help with a simple veil or a custom garter. For all your wedding and formal wear needs, please call us.

Pins and Needles

Alterations

728 N. Riverfront Drive Mankato, MN 507.625.5163 katobears.com

7. Healthy, Vibrant Rejuvenated Skin

Skin Essentials offers DERMALINFUSION®, an advanced skinresurfacing treatment that simultaneously exfoliates, extracts and infuses skin with condition-specific serums for an all-inclusive treatment in one step to improve skin health, function and appearance with no downtime. Call Skin Essentials and schedule a free consultation to discover if DERMALINFUSION is right for you.

Skin Essentials, Mankato Clinic

1400 Madison Ave. Suite 400A

Madison East Center Mankato, MN 56001

507.625.6599 skinessentialsmankato.com

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8. Paint & Supplies

At C&S Supply in Mankato we stock interior and exterior paints and stains from True Value as well as brush-on and spray paints from a variety of manufacturers. We carry a wide selection of step stools, step ladders and extension ladders. To help you make your next paint project a success, we can supply you with rollers, brushes, trays, drop cloths and most anything else you might need for your painting project. Ask us to match your colors with our color match computer.

C&S Supply

1951 N. Riverfront Drive, Mankato, MN 507.387.1171 or 800.879.1938

9. TB16

The amazing all-in-one wellness and weight-loss drink! Easily kick those unwanted habits, such as energy drinks & soda consumption. Say goodbye to that coffee breath! Kato Athletic Co. is Mankato’s exclusive retailer. Kato Athletic Co.

1522 N Riverfront Dr. Suite 120 Mankato, MN 56001 507.508.0509

10. The Finest in Massage Chair Luxury

Experience our all new head-to-toe contact free massage. This 4D massage technology mimics the hands of a professional masseur. Melt away your stress and become completely engulfed in relaxation. Add a massage to any service for only $25! Book your appointment today. Body Concepts LLC

1615 N. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001 507.381.5467

bodyconceptsmankato.com

11. Renewal by Andersen

Windows: Professionally Installed by Schmidt

Siding & Window

You can be confident in Renewal by Andersen® custom replacement windows, which are backed by one of the strongest transferable warranties in the industry. Soon you’ll be saying, “I love our new windows.” Schmidt Siding & Window expert crews install them all year round. Renewal by Andersen® windows are custom-made to fit within the exact space of an existing window. They are an easy, hassle-free way to enhance your home’s comfort and appearance without the major disruptions that often come with remodeling projects. Schmidt Siding & Window 901 N 5th St. Mankato, MN 56001 507.625.6412 schmidtmankato.com

12. It's Springtime at Bumbelou

This spring dress is comfortable for daily wear to play, twirl, and imagine in. The shape and cut makes this our favorite essential for your girls closet. Pair with the classic Tale of Peter Rabbit story and a soft cuddly jellycat bunny and make all of her dreams come true. Shop online today.

Bumbelou Mankato

405 N Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001

507.594.9072

Bumbelou New Ulm

5 N Minnesota St.

13. BioShield® UV Disinfection Sanitizer

Harness the instant neutralizing power of Ultraviolet Light to virtually eliminate all unhealthy microorganisms in your pool in a matter of seconds. Cut your chlorine usage in half while “zapping” unwelcome guests like COVID, Giardia and E. coli and other harmful waterborne pathogens that can cause Recreational Water Illnesses.

Sawatzky Pools and Spas 433 Belgrade Ave. North Mankato, MN 56003 507.388.3624

14. Our Traveling Showroom

Blinds & More travels to your home or office with custom samples. We offer window coverings and interior design services. Our team will travel within a 60-mile radius of Mankato. Schedule your free consultation today! Blinds & More Window Coverings & Decor 507.380.5019 blindsandmore.org

157101

NAVIGATE EMOTIONAL EATING AND ENJOY FOOD THE HUNGER SCALE

Emotional eating has gotten a bad rap. Actually, emotional eating is normal. It makes sense to reach for food for comfort. Our body shifts into a rest and digest response. Our breathing becomes deeper, our heart rate decreases, our muscles relax and we calm down.

At least for a little while.

Emotional eating becomes negative when it no longer feels good or tastes good – yet we keep eating. We disconnect from the eating experience. Reconnect by asking yourself if it tastes good and feels good. As soon as we notice we are satisfied, it’s time to go do something else. When we ignore satisfaction and eat past our fullness cues, the experience becomes negative.

Try practicing these 3 principles for Attuned Eating.

Awareness: Life can be very chaotic and this can influence how we fuel our body. Get curious and explore without judgment what drives your eating decisions.

Hunger symptoms are an emptiness, gnawing sensation, headache, fatigue, irritability and inability to focus or concentrate. Hunger grows gradually over time and is satisfied by many foods. Emotional eating is from the neck up and usually connected to one food.

Action: Pause before you eat. What is influencing this decision? Is it a habit to eat at this time? Are you eating because others are? Are you stressed? Are you physically hungry? If not, what are you feeling? Instead of tracking calories, track hunger, fullness, mood, feelings, stress and activity. Try the Nourishly App for a more intuitive approach to behavior change.

2.

The hunger-fullness scale serves as a guide to help you connect with internal cues from your body on when to eat. Learning to listen to these natural cues can help prevent extremes in your hunger and fullness, stabilize your energy, and help you feel your best.

We are born with the wisdom to know our hunger and fullness cues. Look at hunger and fullness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being famished and 10 being painfully full. The goal is to eat when you notice a gnawing in your stomach and stop when you are satisfied.

Action: Check in on hunger and fullness before, during and after eating. Explore what sounds good, what your body needs and what you have available. Do you need some carbs? A chunk of protein? Something light such as fruit or veggies? Our body naturally seeks balance.

3.

Connection: Meal planning helps to be intentional about our eating, while mindfulness creates connection with the process of eating. When we disconnect with hunger and fullness cues and the eating experience, we lose the enjoyment factor. Food is meant to be enjoyed. Not every meal will be fireworks, but the more often we seek out texture, taste and aroma in our meals, the more satisfied we will be. Then we will be less likely to seek more food.

Action: Step away from phones, TV, computers, work. Focus on the food. Mindful eating is a pleasurable experience using all 5 senses. Above all, be kind to yourself. If our thoughts are full of judgement, shame and blame this will worsen our relationship with food and our bodies. Eating is a learning experience. Seek progress, not perfection.

1.

Attunement:

ERIN GONZALEZ, MS, RD, LD MANKATO CLINIC NUTRITION EDUCATION CENTER

ASK CANDEE: Getting REAL Estate

Q. What is the first step in buying a home?

A. Before you start searching for a home, you will need to contact a mortgage lender and get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. They will assess your income, expenses and credit score to determine how much loan money you will qualify to receive towards your new home purchase. A mortgage lender will help you understand how much home you can afford and make sure the monthly payments will fit into your budget needs. If you need a recommendation on a great mortgage lender, your real estate agent will be more than happy to give you a few recommendations to choose from. Don’t be afraid to shop around and find the best fit! After you are approved, your Realtor will set up an appointment with you to talk about what you are looking for in your new home.

Q. Do I really need a real estate agent to buy a home?

A. The short answer is yes! Whether you are buying or selling a home, there are many benefits to hiring a real estate agent to assist you with the process from start to finish. A real estate agent can help you find homes in your location, desired size and price range, since they have access to more properties and information than you can find on your own online. Experienced Realtors often have a vast network of contacts that they can tap into to help you find what you are looking for

much more quickly. All of the stress of finding properties and scheduling home tours is taken off your shoulders! Your real estate agent will send you lists of properties to preview and will contact the seller’s agents to set up showing times that work for you. You will also appreciate having an experienced eye along with you on showings to point out things you may not have noticed on your own. When you do find that perfect place, real estate agents are experienced negotiators, and they will ease the stress of coming to an agreement with the home sellers. And, they’ll handle a lot of the complex paperwork involved on your behalf. The best part? The seller actually pays for the commission of the buyer’s agent! Both buyer and seller will pay some fees associated with the sale, but the bulk of the cost is usually covered by the seller.

Q. When is the best time to list my home?

A. NOW! There is currently an extreme shortage of homes for sale in our area. The low inventory of homes available for sale means there are often multiple offers on properties, sometimes within just hours of a home being listed for sale on the MLS. (Multiple Listing Service.) Because we are currently in a “seller’s market,” sellers are in the driver’s seat when it comes to negotiating a sale, and can be more in control of sale terms such as the timing of the closing date. In addition to homes selling quickly, most are selling at or over the asking

price! If you are curious about how fast your home may sell or at what price, you can often schedule a no obligation consultation with an experienced real estate agent.

Q. Should I make any home improvements before I sell my home?

A. This is a question that comes up often among homeowners looking to sell their property, and the answer really depends on your individual situation. Before making any big improvements or changes to your property, it’s important to understand what the value of those changes might be when you sell your home. In some cases, you may be better off focusing on simple improvements like decluttering, painting and staging rather than taking on large home improvement projects. My advice is to bring your experienced Realtor into the conversation! Schedule a time for your Realtor to tour your home with you and assess your situation. They have knowledge about what upgrades and changes will be likely to give you the best bang for your buck within the current market conditions. Most Realtors are happy to do this type of consultation with no obligation to you.

CANDEE DEICHMAN REALTOR® CENTURY 21 Atwood

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