ELIFE Fall 2020

20 20 F A L L

Our Local

Home &Health The Spectacular Six: Erie Reno 2020

BLAKE’S Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Flatbread UNAPOLOGETICALLY YOURS Reducing UNWANTED BEHAVIOR

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY EVERY TIME Eerie Erie ERIE’S FALL GIFT GUIDE elifemagazine.org

RIVING to Las pay for s if you rooms . If you ttering g stage know.

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ADVENTUROUS C seeks adventurous Please be employe to relocate. Especia black and white tux All responses will b Looking for that Pu

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Real Estate Listings

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Real Estate is About YOU and YOUR Journey

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As a 16 year Colorado resident, Bernadette is a Colorado real estate expert who has extensive negotiating knowledge, offers pre-marketing counsel, staging strategies, high quality comprehensive marketing tools and believes in client focused communication and care.

My passion is to guide people on their real estate journey. This journey isn’t mine to take, but it’s my privilege to help guide the people I work with along the path to reaching their goals. Whether it’s finding the dream home they’ve always wanted, downsizing after the kids have left so they can travel more or negotiate their home more easily, or increasing wealth through building a real estate portfolio, there’s always a new path to be traveled and new decisions to be made along the way!

Bernadette Melton | Realtor | COListings Real Estate 303.898.4864 | bernadette@COListings.com

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ELIFE Magazine covers Erie Colorado and the surrounding area ‌ Broomfield, Westminster, Northglenn, Thornton, Brighton, Dacono, Frederick, Firestone, Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Boulder

2 miles

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Sally Grenier Broker Owner

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– The Medina Family “I cannot thank Sally enough for everything she did to get my house sold. I listed my house in March, and shortly thereafter everything went under lockdown due to Covid-19. Needless to say, it wasn’t the best time to be selling a house, but Sally went above and beyond to get me to the closing table.”

– Rick W. “Sally was fantastic to work with! Since we were relocating from out of state, she provided professional opinions and backgrounds of various towns in the area. Then COVID happened right after we went under contract. She helped us get through inspection, appraisal and made the closing process as easy possible under the unusual circumstances. We are settled into our new home and couldn't be happier!”

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CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

TRISHA VENTKER

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER

TRISHA VENTKER

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

JOHN SMALL

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

JONATHAN JACKSON

WRITERS:

Jaime Bessko

Michelle Mras

Trisha Ventker

Lisa Nelson

John Small

Trisha Ventker is an author, photographic artist, branding and social media infuencer and publisher of ELIFE, NoCo, Denver Colorado Luxury magazines.

Reader impressions have surpassed 8 million for the magazines, with the Denver publication being nationwide.

She is best known for her first book Internet Dates From Hell which had the movie rights to it optioned

by Paula Wagner. Trisha is also one of the first Indie Book authors to have a book optioned for the big screen.

Jeric Toney D.C.

Curtis Williams

ELIFE magazine offers businesses the most cost-effective way to reach consumers in Erie and its surrounding towns.

Ventker is originally from New York City, presently residing in Colorado for the last 12+ years, with her husband and son.

EDITORIAL OFFICE | 212.695.2959 TRISHA VENTKER

ELIFE is published by Ventker Media Group. All editorial material, including editorial, comments, opinion and statements of fact appearing in this publication, represents the views of the respective authors and does not necessarily carry the endorsement of Ventker Media Group.

WHAT’S INSIDE

FEATURE

Erie Reno 2020

FOOD

Blake’s Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Flatbread

HEALTH AND BEAUTY Supplements

PARENTING

Q & A with a Therapist

SELF

Unapologetically You

PETS

Reducing Unwanted Behavior

MUST HAVES

Erie’s Fall Gift Guide

STRANGE THINGS Eerie Erie

THERAPY WITH ME IS NOT LYING ON A COUCH EXPRESSING EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR CHILDHOOD. INSTEAD, WE WILL PLAN AND TALK. WE WILL LAUGH AND CRY. AND SOON ENOUGH …

YOU WILL HEAL. MA, LPCC, NCC

WATERSHED COUNSELING … A PLACE FOR HEALING • Parenting concerns • Marriage/ Relationship Issues • Adolescents • Depression • Chronic Pain • Anxiety

• Living Life with more Joy • Mindfulness practices • EMDR • Healing from Trauma • Video Game Overuse/Addiction • Stress Management

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5280 Top Dentist Since 2009 Locally Owned and Operated

Enhancing Lives With A Smile • Now seeing patients safely with enhanced COVID-19 protocols • High Tech Office • Friendly and Professional Staff

CALL TODAY to schedule your FREE consultation 303-962-6400 | larkridgefamilydentistry.com | 3200 Village Vista Dr Unit 130, Erie, CO

F E A T

T U R E

A PA NDEMIC RENOVATION:

M A P S , A R C H E S A N D K I TC H E N D E S KS … O H M Y ! b y Tri sh a Ve ntke r If you watch enough HGTV shows eventually you are going to end up renovating your house or at the very least changing the paint color on your walls. It’s a proven scientific fact, well maybe not proven or scientific but I’ve seen it happen to enough people to know it’s true or at least I think it’s true.

house or room is transformed like magic. They can take a 1970s avocado green kitchen and turn it into a rustic oasis in under an hour, after all the editing of course.

Part of the drama with the home renovations is when the renovator runs out of money or needs

At the end of almost every episode on HGTV the >>>

At the end of almost every episode on HGTV the house or room is transformed like magic.

>>>

to replace the heating system which is expensive and doesn’t have much of a wow factor. But when you renovate your own home you either think there is no way that will happen to me or you forget about how the roof needed to be replaced because you were so focused on that incredible, magical reveal at the end.

We bought our dream house in 2007 in Erie, Colorado coming from New York City. But after 13 years our house no longer seemed like a dream—more like a dated house from an episode of Flip or Flop—so we decided to venture into the world of home renovations.

We wanted that “modern and minimalistic” look.

Looking around our “supposed craftsman house” I thought to myself “We don’t live in Tuscany yet there are grapes on our backsplash and tons of arches everywhere.” Our staircase had wooden spindles with tons of nicks and dents thanks to our rambunctious child.

And our floors had a similar “well-loved-look” with so many scratches I could almost make out the outline of the state of Colorado and possibly Wyoming.

Obviously, new floors were a must since I did not want to see a map of the United States every time I walked over to the refrigerator although it was fun to try to name the states. At first, I picked out black floors, but the contractors talked me out of that and I probably should have paid them extra for that advice since it saved me from needing to rip it up. Maybe I was trying to make our floors look

like a cool bachelorette pad seen in Downtown Denver or Cherry Creek. I must have forgotten that I’m a married mom living in the ‘burbs. I’m going to blame it on being cooped up in the house too long from lockdown and watching The Bachelor.

We did change the paint color over the years, from yellow to red to beige but now I wanted a modern look, so I changed the doors, trim and interior paint to white.

>>>

I really had an issue with all those Tuscany arches throughout our house, but I think my husband Tom liked it. Because when I suggested we change it the arguing ensued. All this was going on in the middle of a pandemic.

What the hell was I thinking about doing a remodel in the middle of a pandemic?!!

He finally gave in and agreed to square off the arches.

I guess he wasn’t as attached to it as he thought he was or maybe he preferred to social distance himself from the whole thing, whatever the reason I’m glad that the arches are now at McDonalds instead of our home.

idea he had such strong feelings about entryways.

He wanted a simple door that did not look like a jail cell door whereas I favored the modern midcentury look.

Again I was able to talk him out of his boring selection.

I peppered orange colors around the house as an accent to the grays, blacks, and whites. And I got rid of a large entertainment unit that looked like a vintage library with ladder. In its place we now have floating modern black pieces. And I have to say it does look chic.

It definitely has that modern vibe I was going for.

Our boring garage doors became sleek and flush.

I thought we were done with doorways, but I then realized that the front door needed replacing.

Tom decided to dig his heals in again. I had no

>>>

And our house number is now a light-up LED modern one.

We also took down the George Washington exterior wall lights and replaced it with contemporary black ones. I wonder if the builder bought the lights from a reenactment of the Civil War sale?

Two years ago we replaced the dingy wooden staircase with metal and I love it. Our next project was the biggest one of all—the kitchen. We hired a local Erie company called Bos Designs to wrap the original cabinets with modern pieces from the Netherlands which allowed us to reno the kitchen for a third of the price. Who knew that was even possible? Well I’m guessing that Chip and Joanna might have known but I certainly didn’t.

We took out the kitchen desk which was probably a style from the 1980s when it was popular to put desks in kitchens until finally people realized that no one uses a kitchen desk. And we added a large extra pantry in its place. We also added a backsplash with beautiful glass tiles.

When we were finally done I hauled away the clutter to a local charity. Marie Kondo would have been proud of the number of bags I got rid of—no longer sparking joy. I then sold some items on the local Erie Buy and Sell, where people will offer you half the price of what you listed the items for. I was probably better off donating it.

I should have invited HGTV into our home to film our transformation because it is incredible. Our house looks like it’s now up to date living in 2020. And there certainly was enough drama about doorways and arches to rival any reality show.

Instead of flop we now have flip but I’m not ready to list it anytime soon.

Now people are asking me for style advice on their homes, reach out if you need my help modernizing! I highly recommend the talented people on the opposite page to make your vision reality!

Kim & Wilco Bos BOS Designs Before & After: Kitchen, bathroom, floors, doors, trim and squared off archways

Steve Adjemian Red Rock Roofing Before & After: Roof replacement

Jonathan Robert A New View Painting Before & After: Exterior paint PANTONE 554

PANTONE 444

PANTONE 441

Brian Martella Atomic Forge Welding Before & After: Staircase

Trapper Searles The Garage Doctor Before & After: Garage Door

W I T H S P E C I A L T H A N KS TO :

Before & After: Window Cleaning

Before & After: Carpet Cleaning

Before & After: Electrical Services

Before & After: Garage Transformation

B&B Painting Protecting Surfaces and Relationships

The real VALUE of a professional paint job is the painter. Even with the most expensive primer and paint, EXPERIENCE is still the most important factor.

With experience there is DETAIL. Good results are in the details of the job, how it’s performed, and the types of products used.

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Protecting the things you LOVE is what insurance is all about‌

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Insuring Your PEACE of Mind

Pure Risk Advisors is an independent insurance agency

for local families and businesses. Working with an independent agent not only gives you more choices but it also gives you someone whose reputation is part of the service. Living and working in Erie, we are always right next door, We work with scores of carriers allowing us to customize the right insurance solutions for life, home, auto and business needs.

H O

M E

COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL | INDUSTRIAL

r

nve

e la D

Lo

WHAT WE DO ...

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Our dedication to our customers and customer service is top-notch. We’ll work with you to make sure all your needs are met and make recommendations to save you time and money. State licensed in Colorado, owned and operated by a Master Electrician for more than 15 years. We are the premier electrical contracting company in Boulder County.

Lutron Pro Gold Residential Certified

Erie, CO. | southpawelectric.com | 303-419-3710

Not just finding a house but finding‌a

Lifestyle

Real estate is one of the most exciting investments one can make, and it should be a fun and rewarding experience.

At Brandy Unruh-Home Expert you will find all you need to buy or sell a home, as well as learn about the market value of homes in your area. Brandy does much more than help clients buy or sell homes, she prides herself in being a valued resource for all things home.

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From conception to completion our team of professionals is committed to creating enduring, high quality outdoor living spaces using only the finest quality materials.

Proper maintenance is a key factor in protecting your landscape investment.

Our professionally trained service technicians provide full-service, year-round detailed maintenance that is tailored to your specific site.

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W

WARKENTINE LAW OFFICE Family Law & Estate Planning Services

Compassion, Knowledge And Experience You Can Rely On. The Warkentine Law Office successfully combines decades of legal experience with an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of complex family law issues. We serve clients in Broomfield and throughout the Denver metro area.

Family Law Divorce and Legal Separation Mediation Division of property and debt Child Custody and Parenting time Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Wills and Estate Planning Call The Warkentine Law Office for a Free 30-Minute Consultation

Schedule A Free Consultation Call Today Warkentine Law Office Phone: 720-443-5849 720 Burbank Street Toll Free: 800-584-3034 720-443-5849 Fax: 303-466-7466

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#1 RATED GARAGE DOOR COMPANY IN DENVER

FOR ALL YOUR GARAGE DOOR NEEDS, FROM NEW DOORS TO REPAIRS.

WHY CHOOSE THE GARAGE DOCTOR The Garage Doctor is a small, growing business focused on customer satisfaction. Standing by our motto of “FRIENDLY, HONEST, and AFFORDABLE”, we will go the extra mile to ensure our customers receive excellent service and products at a competitive rate.

We pride ourselves on educating our customers, providing resolutions and products to best fit their individual circumstances. We approach each project on a case-by-case scenario and put the customer’s best interest ahead of our own to uphold our outstanding customer service record and, in return, earn a customer for life. Thank you so much for choosing THE GARAGE DOCTOR, we value your business.

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Garage Door Sales, Service & Installation 15 Years in Business Solutions for our Customers Dedication to Customer Service Educate the Customer Passionate about Garage Doors

A WORD FROM THE OWNER If given the opportunity to earn your business I will promise you the best customer experience. We want to show you why we are the best, not the biggest, but the best. We care about all of our customers and want to earn a customer for life by educating you on products, service, and replacement equipment. We want what is best for you, our customer. Thank you for your time and we look forward to helping you with all of your garage door questions or concerns, big or small.

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¨

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Owner

LET US GUIDE YOU HOME For 19 of the past 22+ years, Tony Ashworth has been in the management/ownership side of the Real Estate Industry.

“I knew at some point, I would want to walk away from the day to day management side of the industry to focus on one thing: my clients”, said Tony. “I knew I wanted to build a team NOT based on having the most volume of sales, or the largest team in terms of agents.

I wanted to create a team based on three important attributes in everyone’s daily life!”

The Ashworth Team is a group of “Hand-selected” realtors that have one mission in mind: To be the most TRUSTED - RESPECTED - AUTHENTIC Real Estate Team in our marketplace!

COMPASS Colorado | 1470 Walnut Street Suite 201 | Boulder CO 80302

612.998.8299 | 720.336.4030 (phone or text)

ERIE'S

CHOICE FOR A PRO PAINTER

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A New View Painting are professional painters who provide quality residential and commercial interior and exterior painting throughout Erie, Colorado, including Front Range areas like Boulder, Louisville, Longmont, and Lafayette.

newviewpainting.com 303.905.0455

before

after

A NEW LEVEL OF CLEAN!

Zenith is a locally owned and operated window cleaning company providing top of the line commercial and residential window cleaning services. We provide all customers with Quality work and Dependable service. Our crew is fully trained and insured and they are the friendliest window cleaners that you will ever meet. Zenith serves Erie and the Front Range.

Contact us today 720-600-2013

zenithwindowcleaning.com

BE A PART OF OUR NEXT ISSUE and join our directory of preferred local businesses at denvercoloradomagazine.com

Denver Magazine is the premiere luxury magazine of the Centennial State celebrating travel, events, fashion and culture ‌ A publication focused on highlighting the luxurious amenities and lifestyles that make the capital city of Colorado such a magnificent place to live, love and play!

Visit ventkermediagroup.com to feature your business.

WE’RE WIRED TO PROVIDE GREAT SERVICE

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WINTER IS THE BEST TIME TO GET ORGANIZED

Call for your FREE in-home consultation

303-328-5005 tailored living.com/boulder

Local Erie Business

closets

garages

epoxy flooring

murphy beds

pantries

shift from clutter to clarity home space

work space

mental space

decluttering minimizing organizing moving downsizing reforming habits

"I had a great experience with Sarah from A Little Less. She helped us to get our garage de-cluttered, organized and helped us to remove over 120 items! It seemed like a very overwhelming task as we hadn’t realized how much had been accumulated over the past 4 years. Sarah was very polite, tactful about asking what we wanted to keep and get rid of, and very good at keeping me on task in order to achieve our goals.

The results were amazing and after she left I felt inspired and ready to continue the organizing process."

-Meghan Donahue

Sarah Strong

alittlelessco.com 303.249.0010

F O

O D

615 Briggs St | Erie, CO | 720-328-0787

piripi (pee-ree-pee) – Drinking with happiness

EAT DRINK SMILE Join Owner and Executive Chef of Piripi, Hugo Meyer and enjoy his authentic Latin and Mediterranean plates as they showcase locally sourced ingredients. Come dine with us and enjoy a culinary experience through the eyes of a world traveler.

FREE Delivery to Erie, Lafayette & Anthem

Great Coffee W I T H G R E AT B E A R D S , C O M ES

Did you know that drinking our coffee directly benefits the lives of others?

We’ve put together a series of thoughtfully blended, Private Label coffees that benefit non-profits available for purchase exclusively online at eriecoffeeroasters.com.

Proceeds directly support the Non-Profits!

720-309-3968 | eriecoffeeroasters.com 4030 Bruin Blvd, Suite A Longmont, CO

“ The Ultimate Craft Beer Bar Family Experience” Blake’s Taphouse is an upscale Beer emporium that offers at least 40 different craft beers on tap, wide varieties of imports, local craft beers and a selection of wine. Blake’s Taphouse’s will compliment the dining experience with fresh non fried food options and daily specials.

In addition to the premium craft beer experience, music and sports are an essential part of Blake’s Taphouse model. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are here to provide outstanding service by delivering the best in quality craft beer, wine and a wonderful fresh food menu to provide a memorable dining experience.

blakestaphouse.com

(720) 583-2920

16860 Sheridan Parkway, Broomfield

A recipe for one of our featured Flatbreads that we rec

Smoke & Cream C

cently showcased -Cur tis Williams Blakes's Taphouse

edSalmon & Cheese Flatbread

Cream Cheese is infused with lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh dill and capers, topped with thinly sliced red onion smoked salmon, grape tomatoes and garnished with additional fresh dill. You can use either a par-baked or fully baked flatbread or pizza crust for this recipe.

First make the lemon & cream cheese spread by putting 4 oz of whipped cream cheese in a mixing bowl, add lemon zest from half a lemon and a 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice along with a teaspoon of fresh dill, mix and refrigerate for an hour or more.

Thinly slice red onions, and halve the grape tomatoes. Brush your crust with olive oil and bake for 4-5 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove from the oven and spread the lemon infused cream cheese generously over the crust, add capers, smoked salmon, sliced red onions, fresh dill and grape tomatoes. Enjoy!

• 4 oz Cream Cheese • 1 lemon • teaspoon of capers • fresh dill • thinly sliced red onions • grape or cherry tomatoes • smoked salmon

YOU CAN’T

BUY HAPPINESS,

YOU CAN BUY

ICE CREAM. AND THAT’S KIND OF

THE SAME THING.

THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR DESSERT. At Sweets, it’s all in the name. From celebrations and happy memories, a birthday cone to a game winning scoop: every bite inspires our inner youth.

Your next stop will satisfy every sweet tooth.

Now serving Little Man Ice Cream!

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Jeric and his wife Amanda are the owners ofErieSupplementStore andToneyFamilyChiropractic. He specializes in functional medicine and has a passion forhelping Erie live a happyand health lifestyl

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QUALITY OVER QUANTITY EVERY TIME

HEALTH & BEAUTY

by Jeric Toney, D.C.

In our current environment there seems to be endless amounts of questions about what society should and should not do. However, it is important to recognize that people do have the option to take control of their health and now there has never been a better time to focus on your health.

Exercise and nutrition are without a doubt the best way to take control and change your life. For this article we are going to address a small piece of the nutritional aspect with a goal that you might consider consulting a health care professional to work with, guide and empower you to be in control of your health.

Supplements typically get mixed reviews on their effectiveness for two main reasons. First, quality will affect results and second, you cannot supplement your way out of a bad diet!

When buying supplements, you must think about this; how has the item been stored and cared for? How was it transported? Was the truck refrigerated? As an example, fish oil needs to be protected from light and heat.

Supplements are food and you wouldn’t just leave a piece of salmon in the sunlight for hours and then eat it, would you?

Think about that the next time you see a big tub of fish oil in a clear plastic container sitting on a room temperature shelf.

Burping up your fish oil is a sign that your product may not be the quality that you think it is.

With that in mind, below are some basic do’s and don’ts when it comes to purchasing quality Now comes the fun part, deciding what to plant in your garden!

Don’t worry if it’s too late to start your own seeds. Local growers and garden centers are well stocked with plant starts and you should have no problem finding interesting varieties to try. This is a great time to get the kids involved, as they are more likely to eat something that they had a hand in selecting and growing. The real reward comes when you are able to harvest and consume the literal fruits of your labor. There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh vegetables that have been grown organically and harvested straight from the garden to your kitchen table. What’s good for the body is inevitably good for the soul. So, get your hands dirty and feel good about it! Once we beat this awful virus, we’ll need more than one celebration, and what would be better than a great harvest and subsequent banquet of which you and your kids were completely responsible for?

Do: 1. Work with a healthcare professional that specializes in nutrition. You need to be aware of any reactions that can happen with medication but also be aware of nutrient depletions caused by medications.

2. Exercise and eat healthy. Supplements support a healthy lifestyle.

3. Research the companies that produce the supplements. Not all are created equal and not all participate in academic research.

4. Ask questions! Healthcare providers work for you, do not be afraid to ask them questions. If they are unable to answer them or are offended that you have questions, then consider finding one that wants to be part of your team.

Don’ts: 1. Buy in bulk. Typically, bulk stores do not keep these items at correct temperatures.

2. Buy from unknown online sources. Unfortunately, the industry is not regulated and there are no guarantees as to what you are getting. Familiar labels can be counterfeited.

3. Buy from Amazon. In 2019, Amazon admitted they are unable to prevent counterfeit supplements and are unable to guarantee that the item you are buying has not expired (Hanbury 2019).

4. Start taking everything all at once. If you do this, you have no way of knowing what is causing you to feel good or perhaps feel worse. Work with a healthcare provider to establish a plan.

Supplements are a great way to improve your health when added to a healthy lifestyle. Now is the time to take control of your health and LIVE!

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This year has shown us that taking care of our health is imperative. Whether you have found your healthy path or are wanting to take the first steps on your journey to health; We can help. Take control and LIVE!

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Are Allergies Getting the Best of You this Season?

Fall is a time for celebrations, trees changing colors and sunny days. But Fall often brings new challenges. When leaves start to change colors our bodies may experience discomfort as we spend more time outside. Don’t let the threats of Fall keep you indoors, Use dĹ?TERRA essential oils to protect your body from seasonal threats and enjoy the beauty of Fall.

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Q & A WITH A THERAPIST

Q & A with a Therapist

by Lisa Nelson MA, LPCC, NCC

In this highly unusual time, I have been fielding many questions about how to manage family concerns about school, couples arguments, and the ever-present use of the cell phone. So, here are a few of my thoughts on the subject of how to manage family life during the neverending COVID-19!!

Question: Since COVID-19, my teen is always in his room, always on his phone and has a pretty snarky attitude with me. How do I get him off the *%*(@ing phone?!?

Thoughts: Believe it on not, your teen is not trying to cause you trouble or to cause your hair to gray! They are simply trying to differentiate their thoughts and ideas from yours, and do not have the words or experience to do so with kindness and care. This is their first attempt to do so, so your patience and kindness are needed.

Begin to talk about your frustrations with their use of technology when you are not fully charged with anger. If you engage during this heightened state of emotions, your teen will rise to your exact level of frustration- and no one will speak well or listen to each other. Start by expressing curiosity with what they are doing/ watching.

You might be happily surprised to learn that they spend some time on TikTok, gaming, Instagram and online games with friends, as well as time looking at dog photos and on Pinterest. We need to remember that teens have grown up connecting to their friends through social media, and taking this option away during a time when we have no real means of connecting with friends in person, is causing greater disconnection from you!

Talk with them about which Apps/Games or forms of social media they enjoy.

Ask them which are the most fun and enjoyable? What about this app do they like best? Discuss your concern about having balance and not spending all day in one room on one device. Talk about health and wellness for your whole family during this time. Invite them to come up with a balanced plan with you- not dictated by you.

Do you know your teen’s favorite Netflix series? Even if it is not your thing, what would it be like for you to join them in watching it and talking about why they like it? Screen time should be about balance- not only the type of things they do online, but the time they spend screen free…. seek to have open conversations with your teens about balance.

Teens do not want to be treated like children, so you will always get more out of them if you ask them for their opinions and perspectives. Even if you have to take away the phone as punishment, talking it through will allow them to feel more secure in their relationship with you, which goes a long way in reducing the snarky attitudes!!

PARENTING

Q & A WITH A THERAPIST

Question: School schedules have been finalized. I am not happy and have no idea how I am going to manage to teach my kids, work and keep my sanity!!!

Thoughts: I hear ya! This will be a big test for ALL of us- parents, teachers, online platforms, work/life balance and mostly for our kids! Here is some advice that might be of help: No matter which of the education options you and your family choose -your decision will be the best for your family. Make your best guess about what format of education will allow your family to be happy and peaceful. (No guilt- or judgment folks! We are all doing our best to manage this the best way we can!!)

The curriculum online will be taught by licensed teachers and will be the same high level of education as in class instruction. Parents play and important role but are not expected to replace the teachers. Your roles are to supplement the teacher and to help with homework.

According to Cynthia C. Garcia, a First grade teacher with St. Vrain Valley, the following ideas will help this school year go better for your family: • Parents need to make sure that they are providing consistent levels of help for their kids. Reading every day at home is of paramount importance.

Set up a schedule that is the same every day. No need to change the schedule for in home days and at school day. Kids need consistency in times to wake up, breakfast, lunch, dinner, bedtime (Elementary age kids need 10 hours of sleep) even if they will be home the next day!

• Kids will most likely be bringing math and reading books to and from school- so a larger backpack may be needed! Cleaning out the back pack after every school day will help you to manage the work at home better.

• Try to limit all distractions at home. If possible, a desk in the family room for each kid to work from is a good idea. (Younger kids should not work in their rooms as they do not have the self discipline to stay on task.)

• The parents outlook and attitude is important. If you are angry and frustrated your kids will be angry and frustrated. Be positive to lead your children positively!

• Be in touch with the teacher- weekly communication with teachers is VERY helpful.

• Kids who struggle in online platforms are often those that did not use technology well- seek help from others if you are not able to help them with this issue.

• Keep kids home if they have colds- runny noses in a mask will not be a good for learning/concentration.

• Teachers must be flexible and are working many extra hours to answer questions to help you and your children. Please remember most teachers are also parents and truly understand the challenge of managing all of this- they are struggling too!

• Buy 1 mask for every school day and an extra for your child’s teacher to keep on hand, and wash these weekly.

• Additionally, you will be given a list of the kids that will be at home when your kids are home, find a few families that you might feel comfortable trading with- outside school with the neighbors, trading houses for a few hours of school work so that other parents can get more work done or relax is great for everyone. (Mask and health check-ins of course!)

• Give yourselves extra time to be a family- continue to do the puzzles, play the games, laugh and find joy!

Take care, be in touch, be well.

Lisa Nelson MA, LPCC, NCC

P E

T S

Reducing Unwanted Behaviors

by Jaime Bessko

Does your dog jump up on people, pull to greet other dogs, or chew inappropriate items? Undesired behaviors can be a source of frustration to everyone in the household. The best way to reduce unwanted behaviors is to be clear not only about what you don’t want them to do, but what you’d prefer they do instead. How do we communicate our expectations?

When we catch our dog in the act of an unwanted behavior, we should interrupt the behavior, redirect to a preferred behavior, and then offer genuine praise. So, its important to follow up by telling him what you want him to do instead of the undesired behavior. Giving your dog a clear understanding of your expectations can help build his confidence through earning praise from you and will bring more joy to your relationship.

Don’t do this, do this instead! Putting this method into practice: Scenario 1: You’re out walking your dog when you decide to stop and chat with your neighbor. Your dog jumps up to greet hello. We want to interrupt the jumping, and we follow up with a preferred behavior command, such as SIT. Then praise your dog for sitting.

So instead of only communicating to stop jumping, we follow up with teaching him the preferred way to greet people, to SIT. Scenario 2: Your puppy is play biting and it hurts!

Instead of only communicating not to bite people, we want to teach our dog what they can bite. Interrupt the behavior by removing your hand and redirect him go find a toy to play with together. Then offer praise.

Help your dog learn acceptable preferred behaviors by communicating clearly, staying positive and being consistent. Be sure to offer praise for behaviors that you’d like to reinforce, especially when he offers them without a prompt from you.

PETS

Jaime Bessko lives in Erie, Colorado with her husband, 2 boys, 2 dogs and 2 cats. She is the owner of ERIE DOG CO, LLC, specializing in behavior modification for dogs through immersive overnight board and train programs. She has always had a way with animals and made a great impact training service dogs at International Hearing Dog in Henderson, Colorado. Jaime’s philosophy on working with dogs is to communicate clearly, be consistent, praise your dog and HAVE FUN! Some of her favorite pastimes are hiking, snowboarding, painting, reading and enjoying Phish. If you want help enjoying your dog more, reach out at eriedogco.com

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ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR BUSINESS TO GROW IN 2020 The EEDC can help you!

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POSTINO: FOUR WAYS TO ROSE As you know, Postino Winecafe recently launched its to-go Spritz Kitz, and today I’m excited to share the upcoming launch of the Four Ways to Rosé wine pack!

Postino introduces Four Ways to Rosé, a lineup of four, delicious rosés handpicked by Upward Projects’ Beverage Director, Brent Karlicek. Included in the pack – a “choose two” option for $30 or all four for $55 Muga, Rosé of Garnacha, Rioja, Spain Prisma, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Casablanca, Chile Milou, Rosé of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, Languedoc, France Encostas do Lima, Rosé of Souzao, Vinho Verde, Portugal Perfect for gifting, enjoying poolside, picnicking, living room dance parties and just celebrating the season, these convenient kits are available for curbside pickup through Sept. 30.

GIFT GUIDE

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Gift Certificates can be purchased for a specific dollar amount, i.e. $50, $75, or 75 minute session for $95, 90 minute session for $110 Janette Elder LMT 720.272.5469 joyfulspirit.info

MYRA BAGS: Myra, a treat for nature lovers, is an endeavour to bring style, elegance, sophistication and quality under one roof. We delight our customers with accessories made of nature-friendly canvas, leather and hides. $50 You can now shop online at Charmed33boutique.com

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Boyer’s Coffee was born in the Rocky Mountains, and their new Aspen Gold™ coffee is reminiscent of Colorado’s legendary golden mountainsides in the fall. The taste is exotic, sweet and smooth, and can be enjoyed any time of day. As the original Rocky Mountain roaster, Boyers’ smooth, high-altitude roasts embody what it means to be from Colorado. $8.95 per bag online: https://www.boyerscoffee.com/products/aspen-gold.

MUST HAVE Fall Swag

S E D I S C O

L F O V E R Y

Michelle’s infectious presentations inspire her audiences to rise above negative self-talk and reclaim their inner strength to achieve life-altering transformation. She is a powerful survivor, an award winning International TEDx Speaker, Coach, Trainer and the host of the Podcast, MentalShift. Michelle co-leads a 2-Day Breakthrough Speaker Mastery Bootcamp. The Author of two published books: Eat, Drink and Be Mary: A Glimpse Into a Life Well Lived (also on Audible) and It’s Not Luck: Overcoming You. Michelle has been seen on National Public Radio, International Movie Database (IMDB), and PBS. She was awarded top coach out of 8 thousand coaches world-wide for the John Maxwell Culture Award and received the Women’s Economic Forum’s Women of Excellence Award for Inspiration.

www.MichelleMras.com

SELF DISCOVERY

Unapologetically Yours

by Michelle Mras

Imagine if you lived an unapologetic life? How would that shift your reality? Often, we find ourselves in jobs we dislike, unhealthy relationships and living in areas we simply tolerate. Why? The saying, “Fake it til you make it” is a farce. You either get up and pursue what you want or accept your reality. Faking enjoyment simply gets you more of what you dislike! Imagine telling your grandmother you love her fruitcake. I assure you will get more fruitcake than you can tolerate.

Being stuck in an unhappy situation is a choice. To move away from that unhappy situation requires you to step into what you want; not what others want you to be, act or become. You must step out of your comfort zone to become unapologetic about your own needs for growth and change.

It’s not an easy journey. I’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt with the matching scars. The gift was on the other side of my fear. You see, I started this journey the hard way. I obtained a traumatic brain injury and lost many of my memories and as a result, forgot my pretense mask. This was a blessing in disguise. As I regained my abilities to function without assistance, I discovered that I did not want to return to being the person I once was.

“You can’t insure against the future, except by really believing in the best bit of you, and in the power beyond it.”

- D.H. Lawrence My mental transformation became a physical one once I stopped mourning who I wasn’t and welcomed the person I instinctually am. This was not an overnight transformation. It took intentionality and honest reflection upon what I was and wasn’t gifted at doing. Much like a business, I did a S.W.O.T. analysis on myself: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to discover where I needed to focus my next steps of welcoming me to existence.

Do you want to shift your reality? Step out of your comfort zone. Become unapologetically you.

S T R A T H I N

A N G E N G S

ERIE AREA HAUNTINGS; SCARY (NOT SO) GOOD!

Erie Area Hauntings; Scary (not so) Good!

by John Small

It’s hard to say where Colorado’s northwest Front Range “paranormality” began, so let’s look at a more recent episode in the quiet town of Erie, Colo. last Halloween to be exact.

No, it’s not a prepubescent prank or a farout, facetious teenage trick-or-treat -gonewrong; this just may be why the “sleepy little”, comfortable, quaint town gets its name, at least in a manner of speaking. A couple of years back, I wrote a six-part series entitled “The Rich History of Erie” for ELIFE Magazine outlining the origins of the great town along with its surrounding areas, including those responsible for its creation. Forget the forefathers like the Van Valkenburgs from Erie, Pennsylvania, land of the Iroquois back in the late eighteen hundreds! (“Erie” is an old Iroquois word that means “animal with a long tail” - that in itself begs cautious attention).

Forget the alleged curse of the indigenous Native Americans or the eastern miners and myriad settlers’ invasion for other reasons, before during and after the town was platted.

Forget the tremendous transition between the great plains and the magnificent front range, as some call “perfect for the collision of the worlds of the paranormal and its spiritually dysfunctional souls” searching for a way to return to our world. Forget all of Network and Cable Television’s hype on anything but corporal that walks our earth. This is current and real; right in your backyard! Well, maybe a few over from yours, but in your town no less!

Speaking of hype, one of Erie’s residents recently claimed in 2018, that after buying a 1971 Oldsmobile Cotner Bevington Hearse he calls, “Betsy” to enhance the effect of a favorite holiday of his, namely Halloween (which by the way is my least, no “my bad” Groundhog Day beats Halloween backwards

for its completely inane nature) parked it on his driveway with its distinct faded black nose and distinct menacing chrome grill facing the street. His reason (or excuse) was that it’s fun and the kids like it. The car appeared with a pair of denim trousers sticking out of a closed hood with sneakers at the bottom as if the car’s hood abruptly and unexpectedly closed and killed the poor owner. Sure, somewhat creative and original, the scene does fit well with the all-but-normal aura of the “holiday”, which from pagan times marks the night wherein the souls of the departed have one last chance to intervene with those of the living, like it or not. I choose the “not”!

The spectacle, in my opinion lacks enough artistic flair, appearing considerably juvenile at best, by me, one who’s not a fan favorite of either the catastrophic calendar date or any of the horrible messages the awful non-holy day has forever sent to our nation for as long as it has. Don’t get me wrong - I’m a writer who has written more than a dozen short stories of the paranormal ilk, covered multiple stories from the wild and wacky “weird worlds” that surround us and truly believe in the powers of both the supernatural and the paranormal, one who has experienced more than most since I was five years-old and still does in either my waking or sub ambulatory “world”.

I’ve also read Steven King’s novel, “Christine” when it first hit the bookstores and multiple times have I watched the great film based on the harrowing story of an old 50’s Plymouth Fury that has an evil “mind” and behavior of its own, killing those she’s not happy with.

STRANGE THINGS Nonetheless, Halloween is a “celebration” of some of the most serious, scientifically unfounded events and everlastingly negative phenomena that only few of us can and will ever realize. The seemingly innocuous evening of candy collection and revel and rabble rousing holds much more than everyone realizes.

Think about it - it was Thanksgiving for multiple decades when children used to dress as ragamuffins and pretend to beg door to door for treats from those who could afford a real meal, morphing in the late thirties to Halloween with the dastardly “trick” attached.

Maybe in a future issue, big, bad, “buzz-kill” (and a little defensive) me will get into this more, but for now, let’s stick not with fiction but with fact, if indeed you believe in photographic evidence, of which I’m normally a bit doubtful.

Skeptic am I, but when evidence presents itself as the photos and film footage that a Channel 4 CBS Denver journalist contributed that day convinces me that something strange did appear in the front seat of that fated Fleetwood, I take notice. The image is hard to dispute, doors refusing to open with the same key that did operate them the day before or hood capriciously opening, notwithstanding.

I’ve seen hundreds (probably more over the years) of doctored if not more current photoshopped images, and from the angle and clarity of the young girl’s spirit in the captured shot, I’m convinced - horrendous Halloween or not! I only hope that if the owner has not yet disposed of that bad luck car he will after reading this, for as one of my all-time favorite groups, The Grateful Dead and co-founder genius, Jerry Garcia said, “If you plant ice, you’re gonna harvest wind!”. Or perhaps, let’s go south of the border, if you will, and choose to take heed from an older adage, “If you play with the bull, you’ll surely get the horns!”. That’s another “holiday”, “The Running with/of the Bulls” that I have a modicum of difficulty with concerning inanity and extreme danger. Inanity and danger a pretty bad combo there, don’t you think?

Either way, ghouls, ghosts and goblins are parts of our American fabric, regrettably at least for one night a year. God forbid we

break tradition or compromise the continuity of this annually longed-for celebration before a more serious one the day after, namely All Saints Day. Wasn’t it Emerson in his “Self Reliance” that said “foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds!”? Therefore, let’s not take it too seriously or lightly for that matter. As Hamlet said to his so-called friend, Horatio, “... there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy”. Look what that ghost did to the poor unsuspecting Prince of Denmark!

Don’t fool with the worlds of the unknown!

Be safe my friends! For those interested, Christmas and Easter are my favorites - I have yet to be harmed by a swaddling-clothed infant or a chocolate bunny - have you?

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