Grand Rapids of Real Producers December 2021 Issue!

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GRAND RAPIDS

C O N N E C T I N G .

E L E VAT I N G .

I N S P I R I N G .

TOP PRODUCER

Ginger Baxter Photo by Michelle Wise with Wise Photography

DECEMBER 2021

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Building on your property (within 20 miles of Grand Rapids) Quality Craftsmanship High Efficiency Homes 616.866.3913 | info@sablehomes.com | sablehomes.com 2 • December 2021

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MEET THE

GRAND RAPIDS REAL PRODUCERS TEAM

Chris Csotty Publisher

Erika Kruse

Event Coordinator

Terra Csotty Publisher

Amanda Matkowski Editor/Writer

Phalesha Kyes

Relationship Manager

Robbyn Moore Writer

Jeanne Monillo Ad Strategist

April Shanne Subiera

Publishing Assistant/ Reprints Specialist

Jacob Harr

harr Creative LLC Photographer

Dom Lombardo

West & Main Photography Photographer/Videographer

Preparing

HOME BUYERS to Become Better

HOME OWNERS 616-214-2176

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Licensed and Insured

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS 06

10

18

Preferred Partners

Top Producer: Ginger Baxter

Partner Spotlight: Stacy MillerKuiper, Ruoff Mortgage

26

30

34

Event Recap: September, October & November Issue Release Party

Charity Spotlight: Camp Casey

Agent Spotlight: Ashleigh VanDuinenLeistra

If you are interested in contributing or nominating someone for a feature, please email us at terra.csotty@realproducersmag.com.

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Grand Rapids Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 5

PREFERRED PARTNERS

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Team Mortgage (616) 974-9710 ruqualified.com VanDyk Mortgage Corporation (616) 940-3000 lendingexcellence.com MOVING SERVICES The Trusted Movers LLC (616) 214-2169 www.thetrustedmovers llc.com PAINTING D & M Painting (616) 965-5092 PHOTOGRAPHY Brian McDonald Photography (616) 209-8669 harr Creative (517) 974-7809 harrcreative.com West & Main Photography (810) 356-7876 PROFESSIONAL JUNK REMOVAL & HAULING Junk Knights Joe Howard (616) 881-4242 junkknights.com RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT S & G Property Management (616) 719-0819 rentsg.com

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ROOFING Summit Point Roofing (616) 622-6343 www.summitpoint roofing.com ROOFING/ RESTORATION Roof Maxx Jeff Antvelink (616) 334-3432 roofmaxx.com

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GINGER baxter

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top producer HARVESTING REAL ESTATE IN WESTERN MICHIGAN

By Robbyn Moore | Photos by Michelle Wise with Wise Photography

A

s a proud Michigander and lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, Ginger Baxter is loyal to western Michigan. Her passion and historical perspective of the area is a hallmark of her business and the gateway to exclusive client offerings, which has ultimately made her a multimillion-dollar producer in the real estate industry.

Ginger also uses her firsthand knowledge of western Michigan to bring awareness and appreciation for the local real estate market, mindful of where it has been and where it is going.

“My roots run very deep on the west side of the state,” Ginger said. “I attended Grand Rapids Christian High School and obtained a bachelor’s degree in health fitness, rehabilitation and preventive medicine from Central Michigan University. Since 1999 — when I began my real estate career — I have

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been delighted in helping people move to the next chapter of their lives to this vibrant, thriving area.”

Growing up, Ginger lived on a farm taking care of animals and growing hay for her family’s horses.

Her childhood environment and experiences shaped her life, which encouraged her to set her goals high and chase her dreams. “Our household was filled with hardworking parents who were passionate about everything they did,” Ginger proudly recalled.

“My mom and dad’s influence had such a positive impact on me that I continue to keep that ambition alive in everything I do today. Additionally, I used to compete in gymnastics, play softball, run track, cheer, show horses on a national level and played rugby at Central for four years. These activities made me want to be better every day and continuously search for higher achievements. I never settle

Grand Rapids Real Producers • 11

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for being good enough because the competition always gets better.”

top customer service that’s bundled with integrity and reliability.

From lakefront property to farmland and new construction, Ginger has the inside scoop on what’s trending and where to look for the best property investment. She works hard for her clients and is dedicated to delivering

As a real estate agent, developer and founder of the Ginger Baxter Group within Keller Williams North, Ginger and her team have maintained its status in the top 3 producers within her office and top 20 among the Greater Regional Alliance of REALTORS® (GRAR).

12 • December 2021

Ginger leads her full-service team as the listing agent and works alongside two buyer’s agents — Sydny Gray and Jacqueline Smart-Parrish — who both specialize in existing buyers and the new construction process.

The team is supported by Michelle Vanderplow, a full-time director of operations and a team marketing manager who oversees the group’s

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marketing efforts. “Everyone on the team is full-time, very hardworking and passionate about helping people find their next home,” Ginger shared.

Prior to her career in real estate, Ginger was a personal trainer and nutritionist. After she became a mother, she wanted a flexible schedule that would work around her kid’s activities and found real estate to be a perfect match.

Today, Ginger lives on a farm in Rockford with her husband, Heath.

They have three children — Bryce, a senior at Western Michigan University with a degree in business finance; Peyton, a freshman at Oklahoma State University; and McCoy, a sophomore at Rockford High School. “My family has been the support and motivation behind my career success,” she said. “I have been able to flourish in my professional life because of them.” Along with her husband and kids, Ginger’s father has always been her biggest cheerleader, pushing her to do more and think outside the box when it comes to problem-solving.

After 22 years in the business, Ginger said she still learns something new

every day. “No two deals are ever the same,” she explained. “Every transaction brings different situations or personalities, and that can sometimes present a challenge. But being able to overcome these obstacles is what’s so rewarding. Helping people out of bad situations is also very fulfilling.”

In addition to her real estate work, Ginger has been helping her mother’s best friend hand out promise books, which was a mission her mother started many years ago. “The books get distributed to churches, jails, hospitals, homeless shelters and even ambulance drivers,” Ginger said. “These books are free through Ginny Jo Ministry and have been very well-received throughout the community. I feel very blessed and thank God for all of my blessings in and out of my real estate business.”

Ginger also enjoys golfing, riding ATVs, camping, hiking and exploring iconic vacation spots with the love of her life — her husband. Furthermore, Ginger and her family support Peyton, who is on the equestrian team at Oklahoma State University and shows horses on a national level. They also love watching McCoy play basketball and lacrosse, and spending quality

MY MOM AND DAD’S INFLUENCE HAD SUCH A POSITIVE IMPACT ON ME THAT I CONTINUE TO KEEP THAT AMBITION ALIVE IN EVERYTHING I DO TODAY.

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 13

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time with Bryce when he’s home from college, which usually involves listening to his expertise about the stock market.

Given her status and mastery in the industry, Ginger advises up-and-coming real estate professionals to always ask questions. “It’s good to stay curious because the learning never stops,” she said. “It’s also important to be humble and quick to help out during any transaction.”

14 • December 2021

IT’S GOOD TO STAY CURIOUS BECAUSE THE LEARNING NEVER STOPS. IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO BE HUMBLE AND QUICK TO HELP OUT DURING ANY TRANSACTION.

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partner spotlight

By Amanda Matkowski | Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

STACY MILLER-KUIPER

Ruoff Mortgage

A Tireless Determination To Help Clients table for Ruoff Mortgage is 10 minutes — one of the fastest in the industry.

When Stacy started in the business over 25 years ago, the speed of receiving a loan was much slower. “We used to hand-deliver rate sheets to real estate agents’ mailboxes at their offices every week. Closing packages were hand-typed,” she recalled.

Photo provided by Stacy Miller-Kuiper

Founded in 1984, Ruoff Mortgage is committed to finding solutions for their clients. With more than 60 branches throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Florida — and licenses to originate in 45 states — the full-service residential mortgage company has experienced tremendous growth over the years.

Ruoff is ranked as one of the Fastest Growing Companies in America by Inc. 5000 for the past nine years as well as one of the Top 100 Mortgage Lenders by Mortgage Executive Magazine and Scotsman Guide.

According to Stacy Miller-Kuiper, vice president and branch manager of Ruoff Mortgage, the company is second-to-none in its dedication to technology, which allows clients and real estate agents to stay informed “up to the minute” about the loan process.

“Communication and speed are hallmarks of my practice and of Ruoff,” Stacy said. “Increased regulations have increased the need for better communication and processes. Ruoff excels in both.” The average time at the closing

18 • December 2021

Stacy graduated with a business degree from Central Michigan University where she majored in accounting. After a governmental accounting and auditing internship, she realized that being a CPA was not for her. “I was fortunate to start my career as a loan officer right out of the gate,” she said. “I found that being a loan officer was the perfect blend of working with numbers and socializing with people.”

Now as a loan officer, Stacy is committed to closing on a loan in the most efficient way possible and at the best rate and cost. With a 97.0% customer satisfaction rating, she has been with Ruoff Mortgage since early 2020. Her clients, however, know her by her tenacious nature of getting the job done right. “I once had a client describe me as a ‘barn cat,’ meaning that I work hard for the client to achieve the best result.

I took this as a high compliment,” Stacy said, laughing.

Whether it’s helping a first-time homebuyer, a homeowner looking to buy a dream vacation home or someone who needs to refinance their house, Stacy finds fulfillment

in assisting clients with their aspirations and views herself as their coach.

“Success in my business is the ability to help a borrower achieve more in their lives, whether that’s purchasing a new home, refinancing to renovate their home or consolidating their debt,” she said.

Stacy, who is originally from the Cadillac area, and her husband, Tom — an attorney and founder of Kuiper Kraemer PC — have a blended family of six children: Max and Ryan, 23, Evan, 22, Annie, 19, Carson, 16, and Gavin, 15. As a family, they enjoy going on vacations, boating and traveling to Northern Michigan.

Sports are an important aspect of Stacy’s family, and they participate in a variety of athletic activities. The kids have played baseball, lacrosse, basketball and football throughout grade school, and have since joined college-level teams. Stacy and Tom also volunteer on various athletic boards for their children’s schools. As a personal hobby, Stacy competes in fitness competitions and has professional status in two categories within the Ultimate Fitness Events (UFE) federation.

Stacy and her family are not the only ones who are passionate about sports: Ruoff Mortgage is also heavily involved in supporting a multitude of sports teams. The company has strong sponsorship ties to many venues, which include college, semiprofessional and professional teams across the Midwest. Most notably, Ruoff is the official mortgage sponsor of Victory

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Lane at the Indy 500, the Indianapolis Colts, the University of Michigan basketball and hockey teams, and two PGA Tour golfers.

As an athlete, Stacy puts forth the same tireless determination and commitment to helping and coaching her clients at Ruoff Mortgage as she would in her competitions.

Most of all, she desires to support homeowners in achieving their goals. “I want to be remembered as someone who smiles easily, has a kind heart and helps others see the best in themselves,” she concluded.

For more information about Ruoff Mortgage, visit ruoff.com/stacy. miller-kuiper.

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 19

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 21

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The Grand Rapids Real Producers Team

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Ashleigh VanDuinen-Leistra REACHING GOALS WITH A ‘WORK HARD, PLAY HARD’ ATTITUDE

I have made lifelong friendships with a number of my clients.

26 • December 2021

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agent spotlight

By Robbyn Moore | Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

AS A COLLEGIATE ATHLETE, ASHLEIGH VANDUINEN-LEISTRA WAS A LEADER ON AND OFF THE VOLLEYBALL COURT. HER EXPERIENCE TAUGHT HER VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS ORGANIZATION, GOAL SETTING, LEADERSHIP AND A DISCIPLINED WORK ETHIC. “THROUGH SPORT, JUST AS IN LIFE, THE LEARNING NEVER STOPS, AND FAILURE IS PART OF THE PROCESS,” SHE SAID. “YOU CAN LET SETBACKS BREAK YOU OR MAKE YOU BETTER.” After Ashleigh graduated from Grand Valley State University with a master’s in business, she went on to work as an accountant at a public accounting firm, preparing tax returns for high-net-worth individuals and organizations. For two years, she would sit at her work desk, crunch numbers and feel as if there was more to life outside of her cubicle. “Every time I would complain about my work to my sister — who had a wonderful career in real estate — she would tell me to quit my job and sell real estate,” Ashleigh recalled.

In 2011, Ashleigh decided it was time to listen to her sister and put her

salesmanship and communication skills to work, giving real estate a try. She joined forces with RE/MAX of Grand Rapids and proved that her decision to sell real estate was a successful one. In her first year, Ashleigh was awarded RE/MAX 2012 Rookie of the Year and inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame in 2019. She has since achieved numerous awards and built up her team — AVL Homes — earning a career volume total of more than $90 million.

Currently, Ashleigh has one nonagent on her team and one transaction coordinator. “We all have a similar mindset and passion for our work,” Ashleigh explained. “Collectively, we

work hard to provide an overall great customer experience for our clients.”

Along with building her team, Ashleigh is most passionate about her client relationships. “The relationships I have developed are irreplaceable,” she said. “I have made lifelong friendships with a number of my clients. If it wasn’t for real estate, I would have never had the opportunity to develop those friendships, which I truly cherish.”

Because of the ever-changing world of real estate, Ashleigh said establishing and maintaining a structured business system is her

Photo by Rachel Campbell

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 27

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biggest challenge as a real estate agent. “This industry is constantly evolving, which leads to processes that need to be consistently reevaluated, improved and changed,” she explained. “Typically, I’m a ‘fly by the seat of my pants’ kinda agent, so rather than ‘winging it’ while making constant changes, I try to follow an extremely detailed checklist of items that I want completed throughout the buying/selling process. Then, I factor in some fluidity to ensure my decisions are in the best interest of my clients — it’s a daily practice that I’m improving upon all the time.”

What Ashleigh loves most about her work is seeing the transformation process of a home when it moves from its current state to open house condition. “It’s so crazy what you can do with a can of paint and good staging furniture,” she said. “I love to watch that process.”

To Ashleigh, success is having a healthy work-life balance. Real estate gives her the flexibility to be available for her family while still meeting the needs of her clients.

“When everything’s in check, nothing is sacrificed,” she said.

28 • December 2021

Ashleigh is happiest when she’s spending time with her husband, Phil, along with her stepdaughter Paige, stepson Brady and the couple’s daughter Charleigh. As a family, they love to spend time outdoors, specifically going boating. Her energetic and athletic nature keeps her active, and she enjoys activities such as riding her mountain bike, traveling to new places, and cooking with friends and family. Ashleigh is also very committed to supporting her community through outreach programs and philanthropic work.

“My first preference is to directly help individuals in need,” she said.

“I like to see the direct impact our contributions have on individuals rather than donating to organizations where you don’t always know where the money is going.” The organizations that Ashleigh supports include the Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Rapids, which provides care and compassion for those who need it to ensure every human is given a chance. She’s also involved with the Van Andel Institute — specifically

Parkinson’s disease research — as a result of a close family friend whose father lost the battle to Parkinson’s. Moreover, every Christmas, Ashleigh and her family sponsor a refugee family through Bethany Christian Services by providing basic necessities such as warm clothing, kitchen supplies and tools.

“The stories of what these people have experienced and have been through are heartbreaking,” Ashleigh shared. “As Americans, we have more than we could ever want or need, and we want to pass along our gifts.”

When it comes to building her business, Ashleigh relies on her solid relationships as the key to longevity. “One deal can take many turns, but the lifetime reward will be worth it if the client relationship has been built strategically,” she said. “Generating new business is never an issue when I work in the best interest of my client.”

While her collegiate career was impressive and her real estate business is skyrocketing, Ashleigh said that she mainly wants to be remembered for being a great mom. “At the end of my life, if my children say, ‘Mom, you were the best mom ever,’ then that will be my greatest life accomplishment.”

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CAMP CASEY BRINGING EQUINE JOY I N U N C E RTA I N T I M ES Throughout human history, people have loved, owned and ridden horses because they silently speak to our hearts, teaching us to live in the moment.

Interacting with horses can naturally bring about feelings of wellness, empowerment, peace and confidence.

charity spotlight

By Robbyn Moore

30 • December 2021

@realproducers

PDF Studio - PDF Editor for Mac, Windows, Linux. For Evaluation. https://www.qoppa.com/pdfstudio Feeling awful that cancer had once again disrupted an attempted day of normalcy, the team took the one-day horse camp on the road and went to the family’s home. “The girls were as shocked as they were thrilled to answer their front door — in the middle of a Farmington Hills subdivision — to find a saddled-up horse ready for them to ride around their neighborhood,” Molly said.

Camp Casey, a nonprofit organization, has been spreading the healing power of horses to children and families affected by cancer, Sickle cell disease and other life-threatening illnesses since 2004. Its mission is to provide safe and fun experiences through its horseback riding programs.

Founder and Executive Director Molly Reeser established the nonprofit organization in memory of Casey Foote, a 12-year-old horseback rider who passed away in 2003 from bone and brain cancer. Molly met Casey while attending Michigan State University and working part time teaching horseback riding lessons. Camp Casey was intended to be a one-time event to honor the life of Casey but evolved into a nonprofit organization that spreads joy to over 1,600 participants annually.

Camp Casey offers several cost-free programs to vulnerable children and families in Michigan: Cowboy Camp Outs provide all-expense-paid family getaways at dude ranch resorts, Lone Star Getaways bestow free stays for families at privately-owned vacation rental properties, Outlaw Outings offer year-round recreational activities and Horsey House Calls deliver “horse camp” to homebound children who are, oftentimes, too sick to attend regular summer camp.

The event that sticks with Molly the most was the firstever Horsey House Call, which started by accident in 2006 after a camper experienced a nosebleed during one of Camp Casey’s one-day horseback riding events. The child had to immediately dismount the horse and head to the hospital where she received a blood transfusion.

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A gentleman who was driving by stopped to ask what a horse was doing in his subdivision.

Without missing a beat, Molly told him about Camp Casey and explained that this was a “Horsey House Call,” which she completely made up on the spot. “He asked if this is what our organization did on a regular basis,” she recalled. “Of course, it wasn’t something that we had ever done before, but I explained to him that if we were able to raise enough funds for a truck, trailer and supplies, then we could make it happen.”

When the gentleman asked how much the group needed to make that happen, Molly responded, “Fifty thousand dollars.”

A few months later, Camp Casey received an anonymous $50,000 check. “It was undoubtedly a gift from an angel,” Molly shared, “But quite frankly, it was terrifying to receive that kind of money because, at the time, we only had about $500 in our bank account; however, our anxiety quickly subsided when we saw the date of the check: August 26 — Casey’s birthday. We’ve considered it a gift from Casey, which continues to give to countless children.”

The following year, Camp Casey hit the road, completing eight Horsey House Calls, 16 the year after that and 30 visits every year beyond that. They have also opened a satellite Horsey House Call hub in Grand Rapids which allows them to deploy from two separate locations at the same time.

“Camp Casey is proof that out of hardship can come beauty, and our first Horsey House Call is just one of the examples,” Molly said.

Another memory that Molly recalled happened in 2019 when the organization was contacted by a kindergarten teacher whose student was going through cancer treatment, and as a result, missed out on most of his kindergarten year. The child was not responding well to the treatment, so the family made the difficult decision to stop treatment and let the child live his numbered days comfortably. The teacher arranged for her student to enjoy a Horsey House Call at the school with his classmates.

“While we typically deploy in June due to rainy spring weather, the Horsey House Call program is set up in a way that we can be at a child’s home in a moment’s notice, no matter the time or

Grand Rapids Real Producers • 31

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the place. So, we quickly loaded the horse trailer with one of our therapy horses, Queen B, and hit the road,” Molly shared.

The plan was to bring the horse to the playground where the boy and his entire kindergarten class would be surprised. However, when the volunteers arrived at the school, it was raining. The team’s equine therapist suggested moving the surprise event to the school gymnasium, and the janitor agreed to be on standby with a mop.

an experience, just days before he passed — a day they will remember forever in their hearts,” Molly said.

“While it was an emotional day for everyone, it was a beautiful experience and one that made me most proud of my team and our commitment to spreading joy, regardless of the challenges put in our way.”

The team quickly set up and signaled the kindergartner to lead his class of 25 students into the gym where they were all elated. They conducted a grooming and safety lesson, followed by the chance for each child to ride Queen B around the gym. The children had an extraordinary day.

While all of the programs are completely free for children and their families, funding the programs is costly. As a result, Camp Casey is on a continuous cycle of fundraising and hosts its biggest annual fundraising event — Gold Rush Gala — in September during Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Additionally, the organization is supported by donations, sponsorships, monthly gifts, third-party fundraising, tribute donations or simple one-time gifts.

“Because of hospital privacy laws that prohibit direct contact with patients, we rely on word-of-mouth to be able to reach vulnerable families,” Molly shared. “Simply telling someone about us who might not yet heard of us is the best way to get the word out.”

“The young boy’s parents were overwhelmed with gratitude to have had

Camp Casey is dependent upon a robust group of volunteers for every

“We were most nervous that Queen B’s booty would not fit through the school doors,” Molly said with a laugh. “But once in, she calmly looked around and was not fazed at all by the indoor space.”

32 • December 2021

house call; the summer months are busiest with events 4-5 times a week.

“It is not required that our volunteers be horse-savvy to be a part of what we do,” Molly said. “Volunteering with us is convenient, and both the application and training is done online and can be found on our website.”

By far, Molly’s most challenging part of running Camp Casey is to experience the loss of a camper. “That just never gets easier,” she said. “I’d like the real estate community to know that no matter how they get involved, the local nonprofit community needs as much help as we can get right now.”

To find more information about volunteer opportunities or to donate, call 877-388-8315, email molly@ camp-casey.org or visit camp-casey. org. Camp Casey can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

@realproducers

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event recap Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER & NOVEMBER ISSUE

RELEASE

PARTY On October 20, the features from our September, October and November issues and a few preferred partners gathered at A.K. Rikk’s to have some fun and connect with one another on a smaller scale.

Thank you to Brian and Lauren Marcy from Grand Home Inspection and to Bryan Newell, Julie Bacon and

34 • December 2021

Anthony Mosley from VanDyk Mortgage for sponsoring the event as well as to A.K. Rikk’s for hosting.

Check out these photos taken by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC. If you want to host or sponsor an upcoming Issue Release Party, contact terra.csotty@realproducersmag.com or rpevents@realproducersmag.com.

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 35

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6

healthy living

By Shauna Osborne

Tips for Making

HEALTHIER H O L I DAY E AT I N G H A B I T S

With the holidays come lots of family, friends, fun, and food!

While we look forward to these festive weeks (and feasts!) all year long, too much indulgence is incompatible with the healthier eating and exercise habits we have established – or want to establish – throughout the year. Throw in the extra stresses associated with the season, and the period between November and New Year’s can deliver a big hit to our overall well-being. To help you stay on track, here are six tips for making overall healthier choices this holiday season.

1. Modify your favorite dishes: You don’t have to give up the dec-

adent casseroles and delicious desserts we often associate with holiday meals! Just modify those recipes with healthier alternatives, such as baking instead of frying meats, cutting the amount of sugar added, and substituting oils, yogurt, or applesauce for butter in certain recipes. If you’re unsure how to go about adjusting a recipe, Google always has the answer!

2. Practice moderation: As the old saying goes, “Everything in

moderation.” Avoiding foods you love and that bring you comfort during this season will only make you want them more (and might lead to binge-eating later!). Indulge but moderately. Exercise portion control by choosing a smaller plate or reducing the number of dishes you serve.

3. Eat slowly, and hydrate: Studies have shown that eating deliberately is the most effective way to avoid overeating. Slowing down gives our brains time to register when we are full, thus avoiding the associated discomfort of overindulgence. Remember to hydrate, too, which also slows down eating and aids in digestion.

WHEN CONFIDENCE MATTERS…

4. Enjoy an after-dinner stroll: Walking immediately after a meal

offers several health benefits, beyond just the exercise you’re getting. A quiet walk offers you the opportunity to decompress after a gathering; moving your body also aids in digestion.

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5. Get enough sleep: Though holiday festivities and visiting family can mean later bedtimes, try to stick to your normal sleep schedule as much as possible. Irregular sleep schedules can be linked to everything from weight gain (yikes!) to daytime fatigue and sleepiness. Maintaining your bedtime and wake-time routines will increase your quality of sleep both now and after the holidays.

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6. Spend some time alone: Even the most extroverted folks need to take time to themselves during the holiday season. With people in and out of our homes, the constant stream of events to attend, and blaring jolly music everywhere you turn, holiday “joy” can quickly turn to angst. Step away for a few minutes, at least, every day for better mental health. @realproducers

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