August/September 2017 issue of Live it! Magazine

Live it!

OVERCOMING Challenges in life

AMERICANA Style year-round

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Challenges …

g a b l i Ma

Living life can be a daily challenge.

There are the small challenges we all encounter every day; little things like dealing with traffic and getting to work on time. You know, the little nuances that are there simply to annoy us – or so it would seem.

Then there are the major challenges – life decisions to be made like choosing a career, a house, a community and even your soulmate for life. These challenges can be exciting, fulfilling and wonderful opportunities.

There are the not-so-fun challenges, too, a nuisance car accident, windstorm or other event that has you dealing with loads of paperwork, repairs and the like.

Or an illness or injury that sets you back on your heels. You’re laid up for a time and/or forced to miss rather significant events in life.

But, imagine, if you would for a minute, waking up one day not knowing that your life was about to change DRASTICALLY – for good.

Either through the loss of a loved one, a major accident or a major medical incident.

That’s exactly what happened to Jean Trumbo. An artist, Jean lost mobility in her right hand – and she was a right-handed painter. A severe medical condition had left her partially paralyzed.

Carolyn Lange shares with us Jean’s story of strength and triumph, overcoming the life-changing hardships she was dealt in life.

She talks with Dennis Eickhoff, a physical therapist, about struggles people deal with and overcome on a daily basis.

We are all dealt a different hand of cards every day, it’s what we do with them that make us who we are. As we share these stories and more, take time to be thankful for what you have, and appreciative of those around you.

If you have a topic you’d like to see in Live it!, send your story ideas to liveit@wctrib.com. We love to hear from our readers. You can also “like” us on Facebook or send us a tweet @Lilveitmag.

Life in west central Minnesota … it really is a beautiful thing …

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Sharon Bomstad Live it! Editor

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Watch for our next issue out Oct. 6, 2017.

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Live it! Magazine 3

Liveit!

MAGAZINE

Can’t Live without it!

A publication of the West Central Tribune

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Sharon Bomstad

Magazine Editor To contact Live it! call 320-235-1150 or email liveit@wctrib.com

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2208 W. Trott Ave., Willmar MN 56201 Volume 6, Issue 4

Copyright Š 2017 West Central Tribune Live it! magazine All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained.

Cover Story Advocating for accessibility

6

August 2017, Volume 6, Issue 4

WHAT’S INSIDE FEATURING 6

Learning to live life anew

14

Front-row seat to amazing stories

16

Challenges a learning experience

22

Change your mindset, and your life

DEPARTMENTS 3

19

24

READER’S MAILBAG What we hear from our readers

16

LIFE HAPPENS Life is a journey

17

MONEY MATTERS Plan for the unknown

19

READ IT! Discussions push limits

20

DO-IT-YOURSELF Preparation is key

22

HEALTH & FITNESS Handling the

26

frustrations

24

STYLE IT! Patriotic styles year-round

26

FLAVOR IT! Herbs have character

28

WHAT’S HAPPENING? Mark your calendars

31

SPIRITS Life is full of opportunities

31

The Art of Life

By Carolyn Lange clange@wctrib.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIANA SANCHEZ

6 Live it! Magazine

Live it! Magazine 7

At 25, Jean was teaching graphic art at a college where many students were older than she was.

She was a newspaper and magazine graphic designer, an illustrator, had a printing press in her basement to make wood-block linotype prints, earned a Master of Fine Arts degree while working a full-time job, was involved with a web-based science animation company, became a tenured professor teaching visual literacy and design, and was a respected, published author on the topic of using visual art in health and science communication.

“I had three careers for a normal person,” Jean said. “I wasn’t normal.”

Jean would need that grit and determination when her career – and her art – came to a sudden halt when she had a severe brain aneurism.

A stroke.

She had just turned 50.

You LIVE a busy life.

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W

hen she was a fourth-grader living in the small Mississippi River town of Guttenberg, Iowa, Jean Trumbo told her teacher she was going to be an artist.

“You’ll starve to death,” the teacher told her.

“My instinct was to prove her wrong,” said Jean, surrounded by paint brushes, an easel and finished paintings that create a constant splash of color on the walls of her New London art studio.

“I see most things as a challenge to overcome,” she said.

Braced with natural artistic talent, an unnatural work ethic and a big dose of grit, Jean launched a frenetic career creating art – including bold, colorful abstract paintings and detailed black-and-white ink pieces, in a variety of professional venues across the country.

“Being busy has always been my way,” she said. “I did an insane amount of work.”

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⊲When a stroke hit Jean Trumbo at age 50, the artist didn’t know if she would be able to paint again. She is.

Out of the blue

There was little room in Jean’s 100 miles-a-minute life to be sick, and she’d not been ill until waking up on a November morning in 2007 at her home in Reno, Nevada, where she was teaching at the University of Nevada.

“I got up and felt a little weird,” she said.

“Before long my hand didn’t work, and before long my foot didn’t work, and before long I couldn’t talk, and before long I fell down,” Jean said.

Living alone and unable to call for help, she lay on the floor for several days before a friend finally found her.

“I came to and I could no longer walk and I could no longer talk,” she said. “My right side was paralyzed.”

Her right hand – her artist’s hand – lay limp at her side.

“I thought, OK, I’ve got another job now,” she said. “I have to learn to walk again, and I have to learn to talk again and I have to learn to use my right hand again.”

Live it! Magazine 9

“I see most things as a challenge to overcome.”

She regained most of her physical and cognitive abilities, but despite spending a year in rehabilitation, the use of her right hand never returned and she had great difficulty using her left hand.

“I’m not ambidextrous in the slightest,” she said.

She couldn’t brush her teeth or comb her hair – let alone do intricate artwork.

“I figured. OK. That’s just the way it is,” she said, looking away and shaking her head at the memory of that harsh reality.

But feeling sorry for herself wasn’t in her nature.

She put her art supplies in storage in Reno and lived in a care facility in another state and with her parents in Spicer for a time.

Like her art supplies, Jean kept the artist living inside her packed away.

10 Live it! Magazine

Just paint

Jean hadn’t pick up a paintbrush for about three years after her stroke until a good friend, who was also an artist, invited her to a bed-and-breakfast for a girls’ weekend getaway in rural Minnesota.

The friend set up an easel outside the B&B. “She insisted that I paint something,” Jean said. “I didn’t know whether my hand would work at all.”

With her right hand lying in her lap, Jean picked up a brush with her left hand and started painting.

“It was very dark,” Jean said of that first painting. “I had something to say and it was dark.”

The act of painting took Jean to “another place,” she said. “I broke through my apprehension, broke through my stubbornness and broke through my perfectness,” she said.

“From that point on, my desire to do something creative was awoken.”

She realized that even though her body had changed, her perspective – her artist’s eye – and talent for composition had not.

Continued on page 13

Live it! Magazine 11

“I broke through my apprehension, broke through my stubbornness and broke through my perfectness.�

12 Live it! Magazine

Advocating for artists

Jean moved to New London, where an active artist community embraced her, and she now works on her artwork nearly every day in a rented studio space that was renovated to accommodate her electric wheelchair.

Despite being a “shy person,” earlier this year Jean participated in the Studio Hop event that invites the public into artists’ workspaces where she talked with the public about her artwork and sold several original pieces.

Before her stroke, when she was busy teaching, Jean didn’t have much time – or didn’t allow herself to take the time – to spend on her personal artwork.

“I was chicken,” she said.

Now it’s her full-time vocation.

“I have to use it or I’ll bust,” she said of the artist that’s at her inner core. “I don’t know if it’s any good, but I’m doing it anyway.”

She said anyone who’s toying with the idea of focusing on their creative passions shouldn’t wait.

“Do it now. Don’t wait to have a stroke,” she said with a laugh and a nod to her dark humor.

“Everyone has potential,” she said.

Jean isn’t sure what her next challenge will be, but said her own struggles with accessibility issues in a small town and with artist tools – try squeezing paint out of a tube with one hand – have motivated her to work to improve accessibility for others.

She would like to work with organizations that support artists with disabilities.

“I can’t be the only one with disabilities. I”m just the lucky one that has support,” she said. “I want to be an advocate.”

Carolyn Lange is a features writer for Live it! Magazine, and a reporter with the West Central Tribune in Willmar.

Live it! Magazine 13

Q&A:

Being a therapist is a great job

By Carolyn Lange

A

clange@wctrib.com

certified orthopedic specialist and postural restoration certified therapist, Dennis Eickhoff lives in Hutchinson with his wife, three young daughters and a lab named Max. He works as a physical therapist at Bethesda in Willmar, Bethesda offers comprehensive services – including physical, occupational and speech therapy – that are flexible and individualized to promote independence, choice and dignity.

Physical therapy focuses on restoring and maintaining movement and functional ability.

Occupational therapy addresses elements involved with self-care skills (dressing, bathing) and activities of daily living (cooking, cleaning, driving a car).

Speech therapy focuses on improving speech-language abilities and oral motor skills for improved speech production and safe eating.

Live it! Magazine posed the following therapy-related questions to Dennis: Live it!: When someone has a life-changing physical situation, like an accident or medical incident, what are the common emotional responses to their new reality?

Dennis: Honestly, this really depends on the patient and to some extent the support they have from family and friends. Often, people are angry, frustrated, or even confused due to a lack of mobility, ability to

communicate, or complete their basic activities of daily living such as brushing their teeth or feeding themselves. It is hard to lose the ability to do an activity we usually take for granted. When that is taken away from you, it can be very hard and there is a period of grieving people may go through. People often display a variety of responses when getting to therapy, and as therapists we need to be cognizant of that. Hopefully, with time and rehab, people will start to gain back the activities or mobility they lost. With those gains, people become more optimistic that they can continue to live a productive, meaningful life. It may look different from before the accident, but with the advancements in medicine and rehab over the past years, it is possible to make tremendous gains and return home and continue with their previous work or recreational activities.

Optimism is often the greatest tool we have in therapy.

Live it!: How important is a positive attitude during rehabilitation and what tools can be used to bolster spirits?

Dennis: A positive attitude can make all the difference! The rehab process is often long and grueling and unpredictable. A common question we get as therapists is “how long is this going to take?”

Unfortunately, that question is often impossible to answer. A brain can heal and nerves can regenerate, but there are so many factors affecting the healing

“Optimism is often the greatest tool we have in therapy.”

14 Live it! Magazine

process. We need to keep our patients positive and motivated to persist in the face of uncertainty. We don’t know how long or if they will heal, but we need to keep trying until it becomes absolutely certain we have reached their potential. Engaging family, friends and their faith community to help keep their spirits up can make a huge difference.

The gains in rehab are often slow. It can be frustrating to give it all you’ve got and then not see the functional improvements you expect. That is why keeping their spirits up, keeping them motivated, and giving them a goal can make such a significant difference.

Live it!: When an individual experiences some form of paralysis, what type of exercises are typically used to help regain movement and how has new research changed that type of therapy?

Dennis: The exercises really vary depending on the specific injury and the degree of paralysis. After we assess the patient and determine their functional impairments, we design an individualized exercise routine to address the specific issues. If the paralysis is not complete, we focus on standard strengthening exercises, often similar to exercises you would see being done in a fitness center such as leg press, squats or bench press. There has been a tremendous amount of research over the past years that has helped patients with paralysis regain some movement including a variety of electrical/neural stimulation, mirror therapy, constraint induced movement therapy, and a variety of medications that can help control muscle tone or spasticity.

Live it!: After supervised therapy is completed, what can individuals do to maintain cognitive and physical strength on their own?

Dennis: Most important, patients must continue with an individualized exercise program following their supervised therapy sessions. The recovery process often takes years to complete. With therapy, our goal is to regain as much functional mobility as possible.

But that doesn’t mean they have gained everything when they leave therapy for the last time. That is what makes Bethesda so unique. We follow people from their inpatient rehab stay at Bethesda Club Suites and then will often do several sessions of home health therapy

once they return home. As they improve strength and mobility, they often transition into outpatient therapy at Bethesda Rehab, and then following discharge, they are able to complete an independent program at Club Bethesda. In addition, there are a wide variety of local support groups available that bring others who may be experiencing some of the same things together. This can provide encouragement, but also validation to the emotional responses that they may be feeling.

Live it!: It must be satisfying to see clients make physical and cognitive improvements. What changes do you see in clients’ physical and emotional wellbeing after therapy?

Dennis: Being a therapist is a great job. We often have a front-row seat to some amazing stories of perseverance and courage. It amazes me the strength some of our patients have. I’m not sure how I would respond if my mobility or cognition was affected by a severe accident or medical event. To see patients persist and push on, through often unimaginable circumstances, is so encouraging to us as therapists. To regain the ability to pick up their grandchildren, return to the golf course, return to work, or pick up a paint brush again can be life changing for patients.

Live it!: Discuss shortcomings when it comes to accessibility for individuals who are permanently disabled and what communities can do to better respond to their needs.

Dennis: This is something that has greatly improved over the years. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against people who have disabilities. This extends into multiple different areas including transportation and accommodations.

However, ask anyone who has a permanent disability and they will identify several shortcomings or tasks that are more difficult. The most important thing is to continue to educate community and business leaders and local citizens who can make a difference. It is difficult, but when you try and imagine yourself in their shoes, you quickly come up with many struggles and obstacles that could be addressed including accessible parking, handicapped-accessible bathrooms, access to elevators and automatic door openers, just to name a few.

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- LIFE HAPPENS -

A necessary journey

I

By Claudette Larson, LICSW

nevitably, if you live long enough, you will go through a life-changing situation that will bring you emotional pain. These experiences are awful and unwanted. Many times, these events represent situations outside of our control.

As a human being, I have experienced my share of these events. As a therapist, I have sat across from others who are seeking counsel and support as they go through their own difficult trials and hope there is a swift and simple answer that I can provide to quicken the blow of what they are going through.

They are often surprised and frankly sometimes irritated when I tell them very often the crisis or problem they are going through is a necessary journey taking them to where they are meant to go.

“What?!”

Stick with me for a moment. I tell them that too.

Imagine, if you can, that the most difficult trials of your life are necessary learning experiences you must encounter as part of your overall life journey. A journey you cannot see in its entirety.

It does require faith to believe this but very often, when we look back on these trying times, we recognize it is these exact moments that served as the turning point in our lives – if we saw the lessons to be learned and did not merely believe we were victims of random bad luck.

How many of us would not have met our spouse had we married the first person we had ever loved?

16 Live it! Magazine

Although the loss of that first love was likely painful, we realize now we are in a much better-suited relationship and can be grateful we were emotionally free to be able to join with our current partner.

Or, take the cancer survivor who now identifies such a renewed sense of appreciating life after fighting for his survival that he leaves his high-paying corporate job of 20 years to pursue his true passion of teaching to innercity children.

Now, I’m not saying that all experiences of grief and loss are not just that – tragic and unexplainable because they surely can be – but they can also lead to a higher understanding of what we are meant to do with our lives and what, after the storm has settled, we can offer others with the wisdom and the clarity we have gained from the pain we have gone through.

So, when you are going through a tough time and asking yourself why you must be going through it, I want you to ask yourself a different question.

Ask yourself: “How can I take this situation and learn as much about myself so I can become a stronger and better person from this experience?”

I guarantee you that you will at least have gained something positive from going through the experience even if you couldn’t make the experience itself a positive one.

Take care.

Claudette Larson, LICSW, RPT is owner of Willow Creek Counseling in New London and has enjoyed working with children, teens and adults for the past 16 years.

- MONEY MATTERS -

Disability and your finances

By Craig Popp

P

lanning for the future is something families think about on a regular basis. However, many people overlook the possibility they might become disabled and unable to provide for their loved ones.

Disability happens more often than most people consider. Proper preparation can help weather this unforeseen circumstance.

Don’t believe it could happen to you?

According to the Council for Disability Awareness, 64 percent of wage earners believe they have a 2 percent or less chance of being disabled for three months or more during their working lifetime. The actual odds for workers entering the workforce today are about 25 percent. If this statistic is enough to get you concerned, add the following to your planning discussions.

Examine your lifestyle: The facts are the majority of disabilities are caused by illness rather than accidents.

A healthy lifestyle can make a big difference.

Reducing bad habits (smoking, excessive drinking) and embracing healthier ones (exercise, weight control) are important to your health.

In addition to your physical health, improve your mental health by reducing stress levels or participating in activities that provide enjoyment.

Emergency fund: About half of American families don’t save any of their annual income.

An emergency fund can cover surprises life throws your way — such as loss of income due to short-term disability.

Continued on page 18

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How much you should have in an emergency fund is debatable; however, I recommend at least six months’ worth of expenses. Separate those that are critical — such as housing, food, debt, and transportation; from those that are not — such as dining out or vacation.

Disability insurance: Disability insurance is private insurance that replaces a portion of your income if an illness or injury prevents you from working. Typically, a policy will cover 45 to 65 percent of your income.

Disability insurance is separated into two types: short-term and long-term. The period of time for which benefits are paid will vary depending upon the policy.

Some employers provide group disability insurance policies as part of their benefits package.

Talk to your human resources person to find out if you have coverage. If your employer does not offer coverage, or if you want additional coverage, you can buy an individual policy.

The cost of private insurance is tied to your age and health. Your income is also a determining factor since your monthly benefit is tied to it.

The decision to purchase can be based upon a personal risk assessment.

The nuances of disability insurance are beyond what can be covered in this article. A discussion with your financial planner can help determine if disability insurance is right for you.

Disability benefits: Social Security pays disability insurance (SSD) benefits to people who can’t work

because they have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death.

The definition is very strict and you must meet two different earning tests.

If you meet the earning tests, the Social Security Administration uses a five-step process to determine if you are disabled.

Another program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which is a federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues. SSI is strictly needbased, according to income and assets. It provides benefits to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

The main difference between these two benefits is that Social Security Disability is available to workers who have accumulated a sufficient number of work credits, while Supplemental Security Income disability benefits are available to low-income individuals who have either never worked or who haven’t earned enough work credits to qualify for SSD. Disability affecting your life might be a matter of when, not if. However, its impact to your financial wellbeing is within your control. Taking a few steps Promotion can go Cod a long way to protecting your financial future.

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3. Mail no later than January 29, 2018 to: GE Appliance Claims, 3. R Rebate submissions must be submitted online or postmarked no *Via online or mail-in rebate. Amazon Echo is paid for by GE Appliances.

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GE Appliances Connected Rebate #37521, P.O. Box 2100, later than January 29, 2018. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Wayne, NJ 07474-2100 4. Mail no later than January 29, 2018 to: GE Appliance Claims, For mail submission, allow 8-10 weeks for delivery of GE Appliances Connected Rebate #37521, P.O. Box 2100, ® Amazon Echo. If not received after ten weeks, check online Wayne, NJ 07474-2100

Halvorson Co. of Spicer You Inc.can also choos to enter your claim

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- READ IT -

Pushing the Limits

W

By Syrena Maranell

illmar Public Library will host a free three-part reading, viewing and discussion series for adults called Pushing the Limits.

The library is one of 50 public libraries nationwide receiving grants to host the series. Pushing the Limits brings together human interest videos, scientists and people like you who are interested in exploring accessible strategies for adapting to a new climate and building resiliency.

As history has shown, humans are characteristically adaptive. We are uniquely dispersed across the globe because we have figured out how to live in new ways, in new times and in new places.

Now, as we face the growing challenges of a changing climate, we have to change too, by finding ways in which we can all successfully adapt to this new normal and build long-term resiliency. We’re pushing the limits every day to build a viable, healthy and vibrant future.

The Pushing the Limits program will explore these ideas in discussions that will include feature film quality videos, books and conversations with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists. The overarching theme is one of real people, real stories and real change. Registered participants will receive free copies of the three featured books. If we run out of those copies, the books are also available to check out

with your library card. Our NOAA Science Partners will lead a discussion of the videos and the Adult Services Librarian will lead a discussion of the books.

Group discussion events will be held once per month on the following themes: Change: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, “The Water Knife” by Paolo Bacigalupi Community: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, “Isaac’s Storm” by Erik Larson Strategy: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, “Forty Signs of Rain” by Kim Stanley Robinson This national program has been developed by a team of library professionals, scientists, and filmmakers.

Their organizations include the Califa Group, (a California-based library consortium), Dawson Media Group and Goodman Research Group – with generous funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

All programs will be held in the Willmar Public Library multi-purpose room. For more information or to register, please visit willmarpubliclibrary.org or call the library at 320-235-3162.

Syrena Maranell is the Adult Services Librarian at the Willmar Public Library. For more information on these audiobooks, swing by the Willmar Public Library. The librarians are there to help you find your new favorite author. Check out the library’s blog at turningpages. areavoices.

Live it! Magazine 19

Do-it!-yourself Pallet preparation

By Lu Fransen

O

ne of the hottest trends right now is using old pallets for creating crafts and furniture. If you are one of the lucky ones who still has a supply source for used pallets, this will be the starting point for a low-cost (or no-cost) project if you already have the rest of the supplies you need.

The sticking point to this is dismantling the pallets, which can be quite the task trying to get the nails out of the boards.

As a gift from a co-worker, I went to a class through MACCRAY Community Education on how to paint messages on small pallets.

The class was taught by Jenny Groen, a young, energetic mom who is quite a do-it-yourselfer. She had our pallets all assembled for us already, but was kind enough to share tips on how she takes apart the larger pallets and creates the small ones.

Now, this does require using power tools. If you don’t own any, or aren’t the kind of person who is comfortable using them, now is the time to be real sweet to your husband, family, friend or neighbor who can help you with this.

20 Live it! Magazine

STEP ONE

STEP TWO

STEP THREE

You want to keep the rustic patina of the wood, which includes the rusty nailheads. This is where your reciprocating saw, with a good metal blade, comes in handy.

As you can see in the photo, you just saw right through the nails, leaving the nail heads in the wood!

Once you have all your boards separated, measure out the length and width you want your new pallet, and cut the boards to length using a circular saw

Now you have to cut two smaller lengths to attach to the back of each pallet to stabilize them.

Attaching them with a nailer makes the job easy, but hand nailing works too. Just make sure you use at least three nails in each cross board so they don’t twist.

STEP FIVE The last step is to attach a way to hang the finished artwork. I just put in two screws and wrapped wire around them, since I have all of these supplies handy, and a power screwdriver.

That’s it!

STEP FOUR You’ll want to do some sanding next. I just did the top and a bit on the edges to get rid of the rough edges so you lessen the chance of getting slivers. Again, a power sander goes fast, but hand sanding will also get the job done.

Gotta love power tools!

Lu follows in her mother’s footsteps of unwinding and relaxing by crafting and creating Creativity is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it becomes!

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- HEALTH & FITNESS -

Flourishing amid the frustrations

W

By Amy Erickson

e’ve all hit a plateau at some point in our lives, whether it’s fitness- and nutritionrelated or something else. We’ve all been there.

So how do we pick ourselves back up, dust ourselves off, and carry on in the midst of frustrations? How do we turn our current frustrations into thoughts and actions that will help us flourish?

Mindset. This is so important … arguably the singlemost important change you can make. In particular – positive thinking!

Positive thinking doesn’t mean you should ignore your frustrations and setbacks, but instead of focusing on the negative, you utilize a more productive approach and focus on the positive.

If you spend all day thinking about how you didn’t reach your goal, you let yourself down – talking to yourself and your body negatively – you will dig yourself deeper into negative thinking.

Instead, pull yourself out. Think positive! You CAN do this! You WILL achieve this goal! You ARE capable!

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Positive thinking has many benefits. Here are a few from mayoclinic.org: lower level of distress, lower rates of depression, greater resistance to the common cold (say what?), better psychological and physical well being, and better coping skills during hardships and times of stress.

Pretty amazing, huh? Change your mindset. Change your self-talk. Change your life.

Mix things up. Maybe your goal was to lose 10 pounds and you’ve been trying to achieve this by spending an hour a day after work on the treadmill, but you absolutely dread it. Re-evaluate.

What do you ENJOY doing? Maybe take your walk outside instead. Find a friend to walk with you. Join a fitness class. And remember – it’s not all about exercise.

Diet and nutrition is extremely important.

Nutrition. Find fun and exciting ways to bring joy and health into your diet. You certainly do not need to eat the same things every single day in order to lose weight. You also do not need to spend endless hours in the kitchen in order to eat healthy.

Have nutritious foods that you know you will enjoy on hand and ready to eat. Plan ahead.

Remember to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is important as well. It is recommended to drink half

of your body weight in ounces of water per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should consume 75 ounces of water per day.

Let go and forgive yourself. Sometimes you cannot control your circumstances, but that doesn’t mean you have to let them control you.

Forgive yourself for “failing,” and create a new plan and new goals (in writing) that will help motivate you and keep you on track. Voice your goals to a friend or family member as an added level of accountability.

Breathe. Take a few slow, deep breaths with your eyes closed and envision yourself reaching your goals. This is also a great time to say a few positive affirmations. “I can do this.” “I am strong.” “I am capable of achieving _____.” Etc. Even to just close your eyes and take a few deep breaths can be beneficial.

Take a break. Sometimes we work ourselves way too hard and our bodies and minds are begging us to take a break. Take a few days off, a week, maybe even a month. This doesn’t mean you should completely derail, but instead offer your body some time to recover, and your mind some time to replenish.

Amy Erickson is owner/trainer at Amy Erickson Fitness; amynerickson@gmail.com.

Live it! Magazine 23

Style it!

The ‘new’ Americana style

By Kenzie Tenney From the runway to department stores there is one thing evident — Americana is here and it is here to stay.

While wearing stars and stripes may be a fun way to show your love of America on Independence Day, we’ve compiled four ways to take this patriotic style to a chic and not-so-literal level — all year round.

THE SENSE OF SUBTLENESS

Although Independence Day is behind us, Labor day is approaching. There is a time and place for the literal stars and stripes. Fun flip flops or a cute swim wrap for the beach are great, but I find rocking subtle patterns and colors all year round is far more chic and classic. ● Stripes and polkadots ● Color blocks

A PATCHWORK OF PATTERNS

Think of this look as a classic American quilt. But not literally. This look is all about color combinations and fun, small patterns. And while it may give off a “bohemian” vibe, the gypsy-like patterns can be representative of the ‘70s — a critical time in changing America’s culture, innovation and style. ● The ‘Bohemian-Americana’ hippie ● Tiny florals

24 Live it! Magazine

FLIRTY AND FEMININE

OK, maybe the wild, wild west is a bit too wild for you — and that’s OK. Soft textures and colors and intricate crochet trimmings can soften up your Americana look when pairing with denim or small patterns. ● Soft and creamy neutrals ● Crochet and eyelets

CLASSIC AND WESTERN

You don’t always need to wear the classic “red, white and blue” colors to pull off an “Americana” look. With nods to the Wild West era and, of course, the classic staple (denim), you can easily put together an outfit with an American-vibe. ● Denim on denim ● Plaid and gingham ● Suede ● Bandanas ● Fringe

Kenzie Tenney is a freelance writer for Live it! Magazine

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Flavor it!

Let summertime herbs star at the table

T

By Anne Polta

here’s an old English description of parsley as “the summation of all things green.”

Just like fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs are at their peak during summer – all the more reason to let them shine at the dinner table. These three recipes all rely on herbs as a key ingredient.

Whether you grow your own or buy them at a farmers market, stir them in with a generous hand and enjoy the flavor.

Anne Polta may be reached at apolta@wctrib.com or follow her on Twitter @AnnePolta.

PASTA WITH HERB-MARINATED TOMATOES

This no-cook sauce of fresh tomatoes, olive oil and herbs is the essence of summer. Use a short pasta such as penne or mostaccioli and a good-quality olive oil. If you grow or have access to more than one variety of basil, such as purple basil, this is an opportunity to use them in combination.

1/2 pound short pasta, cooked and drained 4 to 5 large ripe tomatoes 1/4 cup olive oil 1 large clove garlic, minced 10 to 12 fresh basil leaves, snipped Coarse salt Freshly ground pepper Grated Parmesan cheese Cut tomatoes into chunks and place in small bowl. Pour in the olive oil, then add garlic and snipped basil. Stir lightly until blended. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let mixture marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Divide hot pasta among four plates or pasta bowls. Top each with a generous amount of sauce. Sprinkle or grate Parmesan on top.

SALT-AND-PEPPER-CRUSTED ROSEMARY PORK

Rosemary and pork are one of the herb world’s classic pairings. This pork tenderloin also can be made with dried rosemary; decrease amount of rosemary to 1 teaspoon. Allowing the seasoned roast to sit for a few minutes before cooking will enhance the flavor 1 teaspoon coarse salt 2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves 1 garlic clove, minced 1 12-ounce center-cut pork tenderloin 1 tablespoon olive oil Combine salt, pepper, rosemary and garlic in a small bowl. Rub over pork and let stand at least 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Heat oil in heavy medium ovenproof skillet over medium-high to high heat. Add pork and brown on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes.

Transfer skillet with pork to oven and roast until pork is cooked through, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. Slice and serve.

TABOULI

Tabouli, tabbouli, tabooli, tabbouleh – however you spell it, this vegetarian salad of Eastern Mediterranean origin is loaded with bright summertime flavors of fresh parsley, mint, lemon, garlic and olive oil. Although bulgur, or cracked wheat, is most commonly used, tabouli also can be made with quinoa or couscous. It’s best served within an hour of being prepared.

1 cup dry bulgur 1½ cups boiling water 1 to 1½ teaspoons coarse salt 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup olive oil 2 cloves garlic, crushed Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 4 green onions, minced 1 packed cup minced flat-leaf parsley 10 to 15 leaves of fresh mint, minced 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced Optional:

1½ cup cooked garbanzo beans

1 medium bell pepper, diced

1 small cucumber, seeded and diced Combine bulgur and boiling water in a medium-large bowl. Cover and let stand until the bulgur is tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Add salt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and black pepper; stir to combine. Cover tightly and refrigerate until 30 minutes before serving. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Live it! Magazine 27

Checkit!Out

What’s happenin’ ?

To list your event, email liveit@wctrib.com

August - September 2017

GLACIAL RIDGE WINERY Every Thursday through Sept. 7 Spicer, 6:30 to 8:30 pm., Glacial Ridge Winery, state Highway 23 between New London and Spicer; free music concerts by different individuals and groups.

HINTERLAND VINEYARDS Every Friday through Sept. 1 Clara City, 7 to 9 p.m., Hinterland Vineyards and Winery, 3060 120th Ave. S.E., free music concert by different individuals and groups.

RIVERSIDE MARKET AND MUSE Aug. 12, Sept. 9 Granite Falls, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., music, crafts, art, vintage and more along the Minnesota River.

WASTED TIME Aug. 12 Terrace, 7 p.m., Terrace Mill, concert

by Wasted Time.

MUSIC IN THE PARK Aug. 13 Spicer, 4 to 6 p.m., Pirrotta Park Deck, free concert by Mill Pond Jazz. parade 10 a.m. July 4th with fireworks at dusk.

BRADY TOOPS Aug. 26 Willmar, 7:30 p.m., The Barn Theatre, Live It Up Downtown concert, $20 general admission in advance and at the door if available.

TERRACE MILL Sept. 24 Terrace, noon, 39th annual Fall Festival and Fiddlers’ contest: gate opens at noon, contest begins at 1 p.m.; crafts, troll shop, food stands and vendors.

City celebrations BECHYN Aug. 13 Czech Heritage Festival, 25th annual festival with ethnic foods, music, folk dancers, children’s activities.

RAYMOND Aug. 26-27 Harvest Fest, parade 1 p.m., Saturday.

APPLETON Sept. 16-17 Applefest, arts and crafts, flea market, motocross race, parade, fireworks, kid’s games & more.

County fairs BIRD ISLAND Aug. 11 Renville County Fair WILLMAR Aug. 11-12 Kandiyohi County Fair MORRIS Aug. 11-13 Stevens County Fair APPLETON Aug. 16-20 Swift County Fair MADISON Sept. 7-10 Lac qui Parle County Fair

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JAZZ-N-JAVA Every Thursday Willmar, 6 pm., Jazz-N-Java, North Business 71; free music concerts by different individuals and groups.

MUSIC FESTIVAL Aug. 19 New London, noon to 8:30 p.m., Neer Park; family-friendly day of eclectic live music, food and a kid-zone, www.newlondonmusicfestival.com.

Perfe c

Music concerts and more

Misc.

LITTLE CROW WATER SKI SHOW Every Friday in August New London, 7 p.m., Neer Park, Aug. 18 and 25; 320-354-5684.

KERKHOVEN FARMERS MARKET Every Tuesday through August Kerkhoven, 2:30 to 6 p.m., Pillsbury Park; locally grown garden produce, baked and canned goods and crafts from local vendors.

MIDWEEK FARMERS MARKET Every Wednesday Willmar, noon to 5:30 p.m., Kandi Mall east side parking lot, high-quality produce available that is grown within 100 miles of Willmar.

PRAIRIE POTHOLE Sept. 9 New London, 35th annual Prairie Pothole Day outdoor celebration beginning at 9 a.m.; Stoney Ridge Farm near the intersection of state Highway 9 and U.S. Highway 71 north of Sibley State Park.

GRAPE STOMP Sept. 9 Annual event from noon to 9 p.m. with wine tasting, stomp contests, food, entertainment and more at Glacial Ridge Winery between New London and Spicer.

ATWATER Sept. 9-10 Threshing Days, experience farm life in the by-gone days; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, east of town off U.S. Highway 12.

BECKER MARKET Every Thursday through September Willmar, 2 to 6 p.m., on the parking lot next to 414 Becker Ave. S.W. downtown; experience Willmar’s multicultural flavor in an outdoor atmosphere of farmers, growers, producers, artisans and entertainment.

MOVIES IN THE PARK Sept. 15 Willmar, dusk at Robbins Island, the movie “Moana” will be shown, pre-activities for one hour before the movie, bring a chair or blanket to sit on; in case of bad weather it will be at the city auditorium.

FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday through Oct. 14 Willmar, 6:30 a.m. to noon, YMCA parking lot; homegrown produce, farm-raised meat and handmade items.

HARVEST FEST Sept. 24 Spicer, Day for kids and families from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Glacial Ridge Winery between Spicer and New London.

NEW LONDON FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday through September New London, 8 a.m. to noon, Holm Park on the northwest corner of the Mill Pond; local produce, honey, cut flowers, baked goods and handcrafted items.

Arts/Drama

MOVIES IN THE PARK Aug. 18 Willmar, dusk at Robbins Island, the movie “The Secret Life of Pets” will be shown, pre-activities for one hour before the movie, bring a chair or blanket to sit on; in case of bad weather it will be at the city auditorium.

MONTEVIDEO Aug. 18-20 37th annual Heritage Hill Antique Threshing Show featuring Massey Harris tractors; Heritage Hill, four miles east of Montevideo; gates open 7 a.m. daily.

FOREST CITY Aug. 19-20 Stockade Rendezvous, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

WILLMAR Aug. 26 Somali culture night, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Willmar Community Center.

LITTLE THEATRE Aug. 11-13 New London, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Little Theatre; performance of “Three Murders and It’s Only Monday”; tickets at The Giving Tree Children’s Boutique and It’s About Hair in New London and at the door.

MUSICALS WITH A MISSION Aug. 18 Willmar, 7 p.m., Eagle Lake Lutheran Church, 1650 60th Ave. N.E., “Let My People Go,” a musical story presented by St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shakopee about Moses and his journey from an Egyptian Prince to Hebrew Deliverer; freewill offering for ELCA Good Gifts Mission; a musical for the family.

UPPER CHIPPEWA RIVER ART CRAWL Aug. 19-20 Terrace, noon to 4 p.m., self-guided tour; pick up map at Terrace Mill.

BARN THEATRE Sept. 21-24, 28-Oct. 1 Willmar, 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, The Barn Theatre, 321 Fourth St. S.W.; performance of “Flaming Idiots”; for tickets call 320-235-9500.

CELEBRATE ART! CELEBRATE COFFEE! Sept. 16 Willmar, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown Willmar; annual festival with demonstrations by artists, children’s tent activities, juried art exhibition and sale, food court, free coffee and entertainment on the outdoor stage.

MEANDER Sept. 29-Oct. 1 Five-county Upper Minnesota River art crawl, self-guided tour of 45 individual artist and 33 studios in and near the western Minnesota communities of Ortonville, Appleton, Madison, Milan, Dawson, Montevideo and Granite Falls.

Dances WILLMAR Aug. 19 Latin Dancing to music by a DJ, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Willmar Community Center.

TUXEDO JUNCTION Aug. 20 Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m., Lakeside Ballroom; summer dances open to all, music by Tuxedo Junction; $15 per person, $10 ages 17-30; no jeans or shorts.

JERRY O’HAGAN Sept. 17 Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m., Lakeside Ballroom; summer dances open to all, music by the Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra; $15 per person, $10 ages 17-30; no jeans or shorts.

BARN THEATRE Aug. 16-19, 21-25 Willmar, 7:30 p.m., The Barn Theatre, 321 Fourth St. S.W.; performance of “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays”; for tickets call 320-235-9500.

Live it! Magazine 29

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- SPIRITS -

It takes a village

H

By Ron Skjong

is challenge was my opportunity.

One of the blessings I’ve had in life is the chance to work with a fellow who turned into an old friend. We developed a closeness over the years and in many conversations we discussed the power of presence – the virtue of being there for someone in need.

Of course, we smart talked just a bit. Many mornings, over a cup of coffee, we would solve all the nation’s problems. The next day we would discover no one listened to our solutions and, of course, that meant another cup of coffee and more smart talk solutions. We pontificated just a little bit.

A few years ago we parted, but stayed in touch and occasionally had that all important cup of coffee as we, once again, tried to solve the problems of the world. Of course, smart talk was pervasive.

Then his challenge arrived. His wife of 55 years died and, upon hearing of it, my heart sank. There was no way I wouldn’t be there for him – to live that power of presence philosophy we discussed so many times in the past. It was my opportunity to walk the talk.

At the church, our time together was very meaningful and gratifying for me but I noticed something very interesting.

There is an old proverb that says: “It takes a village to raise a child.” What I recognized at the funeral was a “village” of friends, family and neighbors who comforted him with words, hugs, tears, handshakes and laughter.

During my drive home, I pondered what I’d just experienced and what my old friend, in his challenging moment, had given me. It was the feeling of friendship.

It was his ability to find humor in the midst of hurt and, at the same time, to give comfort to those around him as he found comfort within the “village” that surrounded him. That night I raised a glass of white wine to my old friend – he deserved it.

As I sipped my wine that night, the thought went through my brain – my old friend would say here that in order to have a thought go through one’s brain, one must have a brain – that we can find presence and comfort in many places and many ways. That night I found comfort and peace in a little glass of Edna Valley Pinot Grigio.

Edna Valley Pinot Grigio is subtle and although one can taste pears and peaches, there is a gentle minerality that carries the crispness of the wine throughout the finish. It’s a wonderful summer wine.

Another good summer white wine is Kendall-Jackson’s Vintner’s Reserve Riesling. Although it’s a bit sweeter than some Rieslings, it has a marvelous mix of stone fruit flavors such as pears and peaches. Properly chilled, this wine will give you much comfort and always be there for you.

A wonderful semi-dry white wine from Glacial Ridge Winery is Bacio – an American Vermentino. It is a highly aromatic wine with citrus flavors of pear and grapefruit. The finish is outstanding.

Hinterland Vineyard’s LaCrescent is worth a pouring.

This semi-dry crisp wine has noticeable flavors of pineapple and is the perfect companion on a hot summer night.

If you’re into gentle and soft wines, I would suggest Williams Hill’s Sauvignon Blanc. This is a dry white wine and you can’t help but smell the scent of grapefruit and lemon as the bottle is uncorked. Along with the citrus flavors, there is a nice hint of minerality that helps with the crispness of the wine. It’s an absolute treat on a simmering summer day.

There are many opportunities to enjoy a wonderful white wine during this time of the year. Find one you like and enjoy it. Perhaps rather than drinking your good old go-to wine, you could challenge yourself and try something new. Opportunities and challenges make for growth.

Yes, I know it may sound trite to say life is full of opportunities and challenges, but it’s true. And, using the example of my old friend’s situation, many of our challenges are overcome by the opportunity for us to be part of a “village.” A “village” that is present, comforting and has the capability to bring laughter into chaos.

It takes a village …

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon.

Cheers!

Ron Skjong writes primarily about the wonderful world of wine but likes to explore various spirits and beers, too. He is married and has four grown children. While stationed in Germany, he was introduced to German wines and from that introduction, a lifelong pursuit developed to find that perfect bottle of wine.

Live it! Magazine 31