RVW 1-64 low res

Transcription

RVW 1-64 low res

Renew,
Recharge,
Resolve!
Fitness for $10’s
Julia Dovolos
Strong is Beautiful
Courage Kenny...
A Mother’s Story
Cheers to Beers!
Barley’s Angels hop to it
RIVER VALLEY WOMAN | january • 2015
1
New
Year
& New
Facility
at
Mankato
Ford!
All Vehicles
are
wiNter
Closeout
priced to
move!
2015 Ford
Fusion se
Stk #F3135
Payments of
$149/ Month*
24 month lease /10,500 miles per year/
10% cash down plus first payment tax title
and license and fees due at start. Offers
end 02/01/2015.
HigHway 22
Back in our Brand New Showroom!
2
Madison avenue
Mankato Ford
When You’re Happy, We’re Happy
www.mankatoford.com
507.387.3454
012353
34 18
Publisher
New Century Press
Chief Operating Officer
Jim Hensley
25 14
contents
{{ january
6
• 2015
}
General Manager
Lisa Miller
Please direct all editorial inquiries
and suggestions to:
Managing Editor
Eileen Madsen
emadsen@ncppub.com
Go
Fun, Festivals & Frolics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
The Cheese & Pie Mongers - A Good Fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Treasures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Sales Manager
Natasha Weis
507-227-2545
weisnatasha@gmail.com
Beautifully Strong: Julia Dovolos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Sales Team
Judy Beetch
Erin Fritz
Dawnn Hannover
Alika Faythe Hartmann
Ruth Klossner
Tami Leuthold
Janelle Magelee
Deb Moldaschel
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Strut Your Stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Designer
Amy Leuthold
Cover Photographer
Alika Faythe Hartmann
Despres Photography
River Valley Woman
New Ulm & Mankato, MN
507.354.6158
Be
Runaway Kate: Self Aggrandizement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Be Well: Barnet Chiropractic Offers Alternative Healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Be Well: ING Syndrome . . . Do You Have It? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Be Well: Smart Decisions Improve Winter Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Be Well: Gluten Free Doesn’t Mean Problem Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Welcome 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Do
rivervalleywoman.com
River Valley Woman is published monthly and
distributed free in the Minnesota River Valley
area. The content used in this magazine is
copyright 2015 River Valley Woman and may
not be reprinted in part or in whole without
written consent by the publisher. All articles
and editorial material represent the opinions
of the respective authors.
The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject, or
position any advertising. In the event of any error,
River Valley Woman will rerun the
incorrect part of the ad or cancel charges
on the incorrect portion.
Barley’s Angels: Craft Beer 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Cheers to Beers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Readers Rave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Take Action This New Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Garden Gal: Lavender is the new Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
For advertising and editorial contact
information and a list of newsstand
locations visit
Suitcase Savvy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Spaces: A Masculine Home from a Feminine Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Good Taste: Top Food Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Money Talks: Suze Orman: 2015 Prime Time for Credit Card Rates to Rise . . . . . . . . . 54
Money Talks: Organize Your Financial Life in the New Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Money Talks: Focus = Freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
connect
Lather, Rinse, Repeat - Editor’s Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Courage is Strength, Patrice Luker’s story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Entrepreneurial Spirit Moves Punkeelove Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
HerStory: Jean Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Connections Business Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
What Next? What’s Your Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
3
Lather,
Rinse,
Repeat
Happy New Year!
And I mean that. The happy part. Despite the
fact that I am easily annoyed and can carry on
about what caused my peevish state, I am basically a happy person. I don’t do unhappy very
well and will try to remedy it by dissecting the
whos, whats and whys of where things went
wrong. I’ve been told more than once to simply
chill and let things get over itself, and well, to
just STFU. In other words– put a sock in it and
realize that sh#t happens.
I can see right now that I should make a
resolution to clean up my language.
Or should I?
A friend of mine once told me, after I said
that perhaps I should not be so colorfully
verbose in describing the perceived idiots
who crossed my path, and try to be a bit more
understanding. She was dismayed, declaring
that she would be pissed (practically spitting
that word out) if I ever changed who I was.
Well then. Ok.
Thinking back over the years, cuss words
have made me happy in a round-about sort
of way. Several years ago when I worked at an
area newspaper, it was almost mandatory to
talk like sailors in the composition room. It was
the perfect solution to let off steam in such a
deadline-driven environment. And the more
creatively expressed the better.
One gal had the ability to embellish her potty-mouth phrases with a bit of extra emphasis
such as “For crying out Moses, son-of-a b#tch,
all the way!” An impressive, if perhaps
by Eileen Madsen, Editor
offensive, art form.
This same co-worker once entertained us with a story about dropping her young daughter off for
school one morning. Apparently this grade-schooler had been plotting and planning a little swearing
experiment, timing things just right as she climbed out of the vehicle, and before slamming the car
door, proclaimed a cheery “Good-bye a$$-hole!” to her shocked mother. We found this so hilarious that
the phrase weaved itself into our everyday greetings to each other, with one or the other of us countering with something equally vulgar, but said as pleasantly as possible.
The aforementioned friend who forbade me to change, also once sent me the most dramaticallycrafted, four-letter-word email to express her dismay over a problem she was having, that I dare not
publish it here. But I can tell you it had the F-word used in a variety of tenses, so many times, that she
should have won an award for working them into a paragraph that actually made sense. I still have
it somewhere tucked away in a memory box of bygone days. An odd thing to warm one’s heart but
oddly, it does.
Oh sure, there are things I need to do better in 2015. But maybe just accepting oneself is the best
change of all.
With that said, this, our Renew, Recharge, Resolve issue, we focus on fitness, finance, food, oh and
beer. Why beer? Although stereotypically a man’s beverage, more women are hoisting a pint or two
with their friends and discovering the subtle nuances of flavors and ingredients. What’s that old saying
about beer existing as proof god wants us to be happy? (There’s that happy thing again). Plus I figure
holding those heavy beer mugs can count as weight-bearing exercise.
Barley’s Angels, featured inside, is a women’s beer-appreciation group, with chapters all over the
country is a testament to the culture of beer. I did not know that this beverage is so ingrained into
our history to the point where it’s a wonder we aren’t called the United States of Beer. Check out the
Cheers to Beers pages for little bit of schoolin’ on this toast-worthy subject.
Our cover girl Julia Dovolos from Fitness for $10 proves that you won’t turn into Popeye or Arnold
Schwarzenegger from exercise, showing that muscles are beautiful. As well as handy when it comes to
being able to lift, carry, push, throw, and otherwise that can make some of us look to the nearest guy
for help. BE strong! Fitness for $10 can tell you how.
We couldn’t talk about resolutions or the new year without talking about cold hard cash. And who
better to lay it on the line than famous money guru Suze Orman? After perusing her website recently,
I thought she would be a perfect fit for River Valley Woman. Figuring she and her media peeps would
love our magazine as much as we do, I contacted them and requested to run Suze’s blog posts each
month. Much to my amazement they responded and agreed. Hot damn! Just goes to show you that we
river valley women can do just about anything.
So out with the old year (good-bye a$$hole!) and welcome 2015! It’s gonna be a great year. I swear.
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BREAKING YOUR ARM
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Date: 10.27.14
013451
Beautifully
STRONG
“When men strength train,
they will get bigger.
When women do it,
they will tone and firm”
Women shouldn’t strength train too much or they’ll get too
bulky.
Yes, it is possible to spot reduce problem areas on the body.
The victory in weight loss comes when you hit your goal
weight.
All of the statements above? Completely untrue, according to Andrew Ortmeier of Pure Core Personal Training,
the company partnering with Fitness for $10 in Mankato
to offer personal training sessions. Ortmeier, his personal
trainers, and Fitness for $10 staff love the opportunity to
sit down with new gym members and explain the fallacy
of these and other weight-loss myths.
First off, their philosophy is that every day you make it to
the gym is a victory. It’s important to celebrate the small
wins along the way.
By Amanda Dyslin
Photos by Alika Faythe Hartmann, Despres Photography
Secondly, no matter how many exercises you do for a
specific area of the body, you can’t spot reduce fat in
that area. You can, however, strengthen and tone certain
muscle groups.
Top left, Julia Dovolos stands near the Grand Entrance of Fitness for $10, located right off Madison Avenue. She began her fitness journey with a
desire to gain more strength. At right, Julia uses one of the arc trainers located within the newly remodeled Fitness Center.
And, of course, the concern about women getting too
bulky if they lift weights? It just doesn’t happen unless
serious attempts are made to get there.
With the help of a friend, she started lifting weights and making changes to her
diet. Over time, she grew stronger and was able to perform at her peak. Now
Dovolos plays on a Twin Cities rugby team called the Amazons.
“When men strength train, they will get bigger. When
women do it, they will tone and firm,” Ortmeier wrote
in a list of the most common myths women have about
working out.
Her experience learning to strength train led to a passion to teach others how to
do it, too. Now, with the goal of earning a degree in athletic training or exercise
science, she loves working with clients and imparting all that she has learned to
them.
Julia Dovolos, a personal trainer at the locally owned
and operated Fitness for $10, is very familiar with these
types of concerns that women have when they start
working out. She can also connect with her clients’ personal experiences because she, too, was once unhappy
with her body type.
Dovolos and other trainers and staff at the gym know that some people are intimidated by the thought of a personal trainer. That’s why the gym provides one free
session to new members, said Chad Ziemke, general manager.
In high school she was a “lanky, bony, skinny girl,” she
said. So when she got to college at Minnesota State
University, Mankato and wanted to play rugby, she
didn’t feel like she was strong enough to perform at
her best.
The next step is to give them information – to debunk a few lingering myths, talk
about nutrition, and set some goals for working out.
Next comes the workout, giving the clients a good idea of what they can expect if
they choose to continue on with a personal trainer, or maybe just a few ideas and
tips they can incorporate into their own workouts.
s
“I felt like I wasn’t very intimidating on the field,” said
Dovolos, 22. “I was the small one.”
The goal of that first session is to first and foremost start a dialogue to figure out
what people’s goals are; why they have the goals they have; how much they work
out and how they eat; and what has or has not worked for them in the past when
it comes to fitness.
7
Top left: Manager Chad Ziemke and trainers Julia Dovolos and Andrew Ortmeier stand in the new Core Zone area dedicated to core-focused
machines and workouts. Right: Ziemke and owner Tom Scheman believe affordable fitness should be available for all.
Below: Local member Allison Lerud enjoys her workout at Fitness for $10
Dovolos said she works with her clients a couple of times per
week and helps them decide what workouts to do on their
own the rest of the week. She also helps with nutrition questions, and she provides any kind of moral support that she can.
“I’m constantly on my phone in contact with my clients,” she
said.
The cost range for personal training sessions varies a great
deal, based on the length of a session and other factors.
She said there are numerous options, and even if a client
chooses just one session a week or less, they will gain valuable
information and training tools that they can use on their own.
Dovolos and Ziemke said coming to the fitness center itself
for workouts shouldn’t be intimidating either, especially for
women as more than 55 percent of the gym’s clients are
women adding that Fitness for $10 is truly a fitness center for
everyone.
“There’s such a wide variety of people who come into this gym
that’s it hard to be uncomfortable,” Dovolos said.
The fitness center has undergone an expansion, adding 4,500
square feet, for a total of 16,000 square feet. Part of the result
of the expansion has been the creation of an environment
more amenable to women.
“We are excited to offer affordable
fitness in Mankato and it has been
rewarding to see the response and
incredible life transformations that
our members have made. “
— Tom Scheman,
owner
8
june • 2013
RIVER VALLEY WOMAN | january
• 2015
ORTHO
EDGE
Advanced Joint Replacement Program
By The Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic and River’s Edge Hospital
The OrthoEdge Joint Replacement Program is a specialized
program offered exclusively through The Orthopaedic &
Fracture Clinic in conjunction with River’s Edge Hospital and
includes the involvement of your entire care team: surgeon,
physician assistant, hospitalist, physical/occupational
therapists, nurses, surgical technologists, and many other
team members. The program is designed to expedite you
safely and comfortably through the joint replacement process
and return you to an active lifestyle as quickly as possible.
Here are just a few features of our
innovative OrthoEdge program:
• Placement in a private room at River’s Edge
Hospital after surgery with a dedicated
hospitalist to coordinate care during your stay
• Expanded quality menu selections
• Prehabilitation evaluation with our physical
therapy specialists to help prepare you for
surgery. Post-operatively you will receive
same-day physical therapy followed by oneon-one occupational and physical therapy
sessions twice daily in our therapy area
• Educational material for you and your coach
that thoroughly explains the process and what
to expect
• Customized postoperative list of equipment
that is specific to your need
(844) 412-7949 | OrthoEdgeMN.com
• A program coordinator overseeing your
progress from your initial appointment with the
surgeon all the way through to rehabilitation
RIVER VALLEY WOMAN | june • 2013
9
011334
If nothing changes, nothing
I am a planner and my friends will agree that I usually drag them
along for the ride on my goal setting journey.
I often get asked, “How do you do it?” I wake every day at 4:10
a.m. and am either on my way to the YMCA to teach Les Mills Body
Pump or I am heading out the door to meet my group of running
friends for a quick 6 miles to start our day. After that I work full time
as the Director of Information Technology for Ridley Inc. I serve on
the board for Feeding Our Communities Partners and I am a mother
of two grown children. What is my secret to fitting it all in? It’s really
one word: Planning!
Here are some things I have found work for me and easy steps to
follow as you think about your year ahead and all that you want to
accomplish.
Have a plan. I like to plan my week. I plan my meals. I do all
my shopping and
food prep on the
weekends so I am
Start
,
ready when hunger
strikes. I plan my
just one
workouts. By being
thing at a time in
an instructor at the
local Y I have comyour routine. Step
mitted to at least
two days a week
outside your
that I can’t make
zone.
excuses. Although
I myself am a
that is where the
Certified Personal
Trainer, I have hired
a personal trainer
and she has helped
me stay focused
and take my fitness
to the next level. The other days of the week I surround myself with
individuals who have similar goals and outlook on life. When you
plan your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family
and friends and activities that help you recharge. I also plan for a rest
day. Once a week I either do a low key workout of body flow (yoga
style workout) or walking the dogs, or I take the entire day off from
exercise and let my body recharge.
Drop activities that sap your time or energy. Many
people waste their time on activities or people that add no value. I
like to remind myself that each time I say yes to something, I am
saying no to something or someone else. We all have the same 24
hours in a day. How you choose to spend those hours is important
to keeping yourself in balance. Take stock of activities that don’t
enhance your career or personal life and minimize the time you
spend on them. It’s okay to say no and not feel guilty about it. And
it is certainly important to take time for yourself to focus on being a
healthier version of you!
changes!
Focus on clean eating. What does eating clean mean
anyway? Eating clean is eating foods in their most natural state. I
try to stay clear of processed and pre-packed foods. I eat a lot of
lean proteins and fresh vegetables and drink mainly water. I like the
80/20 rule. 80% of the time I try to eat clean and stay on track, 20%
of the time I allow myself to have those items that aren’t on the eat
clean list. I have found over the years that this concept of 80/20 – or
6 days eat clean and 1 day have a treat – has kept me on track. I look
forward to my 20% or my one day when I can have the dinner out or
the sweet treat I have been craving. It’s a lifestyle change, not a short
term diet plan!
Get moving. It’s hard to make time for exercise when you have
a jam-packed schedule, but it may ultimately help you get more
done by boosting your energy level and ability to concentrate. I find
simple
change
comfort
magic happens!
10
I have the best success when I do two things around my exercise.
First, I schedule my workouts in the early morning before my work
day begins. And second, I surround myself with positive people who
fuel me. I believe in a balance between cardio and weight training.
Regardless of your starting point in exercise, being around positive
individuals who help you reach your goals is key. So join a class, find
an accountability buddy, hire a personal trainer, but stop making
excuses and start living a healthier balanced life. Trust me, your body
will thank you.
Start simple, change just one thing at a time in your routine. Step
outside your comfort zone that is where the magic happens! RVW
By Chris Schull
Director of Information Technology, Ridley Inc.
Certified AFAA Personal Trainer
11
012352
Cour age is
Strength
By Deb Moldaschel
It’s not easy to share the story of your own children’s struggles, but
Patrice Luker agreed to tell her family’s story because of the wonderful
assistance they’ve received through Courage Kenny Rehabilitation
Institute at the New Ulm Medical Center. If that name has a familiar
ring to it, it is because Courage Kenny is the result of a merger of
Courage Center and the Sister Kenny Institute within the Allina Health
system.
Patrice shares that their oldest son, who is now six, was adopted
and had been born prematurely. They did not have much information
about his background so when he was about a year old they followed
their doctor’s advice to have his development evaluated at Courage
Kenny. There were no indications of any problems at that time.
Then while pregnant with their second son, who is now four, Patrice
herself had problems that required treatment through Courage Kenny.
She experienced an autoimmune reaction that led to the loss of some
nerve function in her hands and arms. She worked with the physical
and occupational therapists and was able to regain those functions.
“I was able to experience the knowledgeable and compassionate
care of the staff,” said Patrice. “Within a short time of those experiences, Courage Kenny developed a very significant role in our family’s
life.”
Her son was born prematurely and had to be carefully monitored as
an infant. At three
months, Patrice
and her husband
“Patrice and her son are models
Shaun began to
for how to meet a challenge
notice problems
head on and persevere.”
with their son’s
hearing, and by
six months they
noticed a decline
in previous
development of
his gross motor
skills.
The family
was referred to
early intervention
services and their
little boy began
to receive home
visits from special
education and
occupational
therapy professionals. The early
intervention staff
made a referral to
Shaun and Patrice Luker at The Night For Courage that took
place on 12/6/14 at The Pantry. The event was to promote
awareness of the campaign and the services that are
provided through CKRI. Photo by Jessica Hester of Jess and
Jen Do Weddings
The Luker’s youngest son working on balance
with physical therapist, Eileen Campbell.
Gillette Children’s Specialty Care and he then began physical therapy
at Courage Kenny.
Their search for a cause for their son’s issues was finally resolved
with a diagnosis of Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome. This
condition affects his hearing and how his brain processes sensory
information leading to problems with vision, balance and coordination.
“He’s been in physical and occupational therapy since he was
9 months old, and today, he is a vibrant, happy little boy who has
learned to walk with foot braces, and enjoys racing around his
neighborhood on his bike, with training wheels of course!” said one of
his physical therapists proudly, describing his progress.
While dealing with these issues the Lukers noticed that their older
son was experiencing difficulties. At age 4 he was diagnosed with a
sensory processing disorder. Patrice explained that we have seven
senses – five that we are all familiar with: vision, hearing, smell,
taste and touch; and two more – proprioception which refers to our
orientation to the earth, and vestibular which refers to movement.
Their son struggles with modulating five of the seven senses, creating
challenges with self-regulation and managing his environment.
He is also able to receive help dealing with this disorder through
occupational therapy, both at Courage Kenny and at school. His
therapy includes a program called Zones of Regulation that assigns a
color to feelings ranging from good to tired or sad, getting anxious, to
overwhelmed or angry. He learns to describe his feelings this way and
learns coping behaviors. Patrice says he is doing well.
The Luker family is very appreciative of the services that they are
able to receive right in their home town. Patrice is a marriage and
family therapist at NUMC so the services the family receives are right
in the building where she works.
Because of their experiences the Lukers have become involved in
the New Ulm Medical Center Foundation’s campaign to raise funds for
the renovation and expansion of the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation
Institute – New Ulm. They’ve allowed their young son to be the “face”
12
bestowed on a
of the campaign
client or patient
and Patrice is
at one of the
serving on the
CKRI’s locations
project’s steering
an exception
committee.
was made to
The two are
honor Patrice as
often involved
the mother of a
in donor tours
client.
of the therapy
Patrice was
department
nominated for
sharing Patrice’s
the Inspiration
personal message
Award by a
on the value of
NUMC employee
having these
who noted her
services close to
Above Left: Horseback riding lessons with Sarah Maass at Fort Ridgely’s Equestrian Center in rural Fairfax
perseverance in
home. Her son even
was part of Luker’s oldest son’s therapy. Right: Carisa Bueger at The Night For Courage.
finding the right
decided that for
Photo by Jessica Hester of Jess and Jen Do Weddings
diagnosis and treathis fourth birthday
he’d encourage donations to the project rather than receive gifts – he
ment for her son, the way she works in partnership with the therapists
happily raised over $400!
inspiring her son to do his best, and in the way she shows her gratitude
NUMC plans to increase the overall space for the department, create
to the therapists. According to the therapy team “Patrice and her son
new rooms and separate spaces for adult and child rehabilitation, and
are models for how to meet a challenge head on and persevere. It has
develop a Courage Kenny Kids program with more space, and age
been hard work and a process, but the results are incredibly rewardappropriate materials. The project will also include gym expansion,
ing.”
improve patient privacy in treatment areas, provide space for provider
As they work toward the expansion of the Courage Kenny departoffices, and allow the introduction of integrative therapies, such as
ment, Patrice and Carisa have something else on their wish list – an allacupuncture.
inclusive adaptive play park in New Ulm. Currently New Ulm Park and
Carisa Buegler, executive director of the NUMC Foundation, was
Recreation and NUMC Foundation are working on fulfilling this dream,
proud to share another result of the Luker family’s involvement with
with guidance from Patrice and Shaun. “The park is Patrice’s idea,” says
Courage Kenny: Patrice was honored with the Courage Kenny Rehabili- Carisa. “And our Foundation has agreed to raise funds for it after we
tation Institute’s 2014 Inspiration Award. While the award is generally
meet our $300,000 goal for the SKRI expansion project.” RVW
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009110
012712
13
CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO B
Women on a mission…
Barley’s Angels: Craft Beer 101
By Ruth Klossner
Meet Angi Proehl
Angi Proehl started the Mankato
chapter of Barley’s Angels just over
a year ago.
In addition to being the chapter
founder of Mankato’s Barley’s
Angels, Angi Proehl is a Mankato
Community Leader for Finnegans
Beer. As a volunteer, she sets up
local tastings and helps spread the
word about the beer. Finnegans
donates 100 percent of its
profits to good causes through its
community fund. The fund buys
fresh produce from local farmers
and donates it to food shelves for
distribution. As the Finnegan web
site says, “That’s how we turn beer
into food.” (See Finnegans.org)
In her working life, Angi is Director
of Volunteer Services at the Regional Treatment Center–Forensics,
St. Peter. It’s a position she’s held
three years.
14
Those women wearing black T-shirts or caps
Membership is limited to women.
emblazoned with “Barley’s Angels” aren’t just
Although the Mankato group is only a year
having a good time when they visit a pub near
old, it’s been very active. The inaugural meeting
you. They’re socializing, to be sure, but they’re
was held at Mankato Brewery, with additional
also educating themselves about craft beer and
meetings at Pub 500, Tow Distributing, Patrick’s
the industry that produces it.
on Third, Brew-N-Wine Creations, The Boulder
They’re members of a worldwide movement
Tap House, 410 Project, Bent River Outfitter, and
whose mission is to involve women in the enjoy- others. Some gatherings have been at onment of craft beer, thus creating more women
premise locations (pubs), some at off-premise
beer enthusiasts and—ultimately—involving
(liquor stores).
more women in beer- and brewery-related
Last month’s meeting was a combination,
careers.
starting with a pre-meeting gathering for
Or, as the website for the Twin Cities Barley’s
supper and a beer at The Boulder Tap House,
Angels chapter puts it, “Barley’s Angels is not
followed by beer tasting at Captain Jack’s, just
just a social, beer-drinking club for women.
across the parking lot.
Barley’s Angels respect beer
Captain Jack’s owner Branand brewing, have a thirst for
don Johnson and John Spillers
education, enjoy beer responof Hohenstein Distributing led
sibly, and act appropriately at
the session, talking about the
all times.”
types and styles of beer and
Barley’s Angels came to the
providing samples.
river valley area just over a year
With the current interest in
ago, when the Mankato chapter
craft beers, Spillers told the
was formed in December 2013.
group, “It took 70 years, but
It started as Barley’s Angels
there are now more breweries
of Southern Minnesota, but
than there were pre-prohibichanged its name to Barley’s
tion.”
Angels Mankato during the
Mankato Barley’s Angels’
year, to be more accurate in
meeting locations are limited
defining its location.
by distance as members are
“Minnesota is booming with
busy and don’t have a lot of
craft beer and breweries,”
time to get to gatherings after
Mankato chapter organizer
work.
Angi Proehl stated. “The Twin
“The big thing is about
Cities chapter has been very
responsibility,” Proehl said. “We
active for four years. Duluth just
have snacks and food before or
started, along with Willmar, and
with our tastings. We have to
our group in the last year. St.
meet at places of business so
Cloud also has a chapter.”
that it’s legal. Participants have
All told, Barley’s Angels has
to be 21-plus.”
The local Angels set up a “beer table”
60-plus chapters worldwide,
The Mankato group
at the Tablescape Competition at the started with about 25 founding
with groups in 25 states in the
St. Peter Holiday Fair.
U.S., as well as Argentina, Ausmembers and has 40 “on and
tralia, Brazil, Canada, Germany,
off” members now. They range
and the United Kingdom.
in age from 22 to the 60s and
Barley’s Angels started as an offshoot of the
represent a wide range of professions. They also
Pink Boots Society, an organization that focuses
vary in their knowledge about beer, with some
on women who work in the brewing industry.
super-educated.
“Historically, women did all the brewing and
In addition to the monthly meetings, the
owned the taverns. Then men took over and it
local Barley’s Angels have volunteered at local
became commercialized,” Proehl said. “We’re
events—a craft beer expo, a beer sampling
working to get more women involved in craft
when a distributor asked for help, and preparing
beer again. Our organization is for ladies who
a table for the Tablescape Competition at the St.
enjoy craft beer and want to learn more about
Peter Holiday Fair. Some of the women are runit. It’s for women, by women. It’s an education
ners and took part in the Schell’s Run in March.
piece for women, as well as a social group.”
BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEE
John Spillers of Hohenstein Distributing, left, and Brandon Johnson of
Captain Jack’s welcomed the group at the December meeting.
The start of 2015 promises to be a busy time for the group.
Mankato Barley’s Angels will celebrate its first year with an anniversary party at Pub 500 on January 15, some members will road trip to
Excelsior Brewing Company to meet with the Twin Cities Angels, and
the group will help at the Craft Beer Festival Saturday, January 17 at
the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato.
The group also wants to do more educational programs on beer
styles, how to taste beer, and more.
Nineteen Barley’s Angels enjoyed beer tasting at the December
meeting at Captain Jack’s.
“There are so many styles of beer,” Proehl commented.
The Mankato chapter currently has members from Mankato, North
Mankato, and St. Peter and invites others to join them.
“We want people to see women as consumers. We buy beer, we
make beer. We shouldn’t be ignored. Until we’re 50 percent of the
beer consumers, we need groups like this.”
For more on the group, go to facebook.com/BarleysAngelsMankato. RVW
013570
15
EERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEERS TO BEERS! CHEER
Cheers to Beers!
Beer plays a huge role in our history, culture and
language. Impress your gal pals with these fun
facts next time you’re out on the town, sampling
local craft beers, or hosting
a beer-tasting get-together.
n In Germany there is a beer ice cream in popsicle form. Its alcohol
content is lower than that of classic beer.
n In Medieval Europe, brewing and baking went together. Thus
women were the first European brewers and were often called ale wives.
n 1810: Munich establishes Oktoberfest as an official celebration.
n King Frederick the Great once banned coffee to bolster sagging
beer sales.
n In Babylon over 4000 years ago, it was customary for the bride’s
father to supply his new son-in-law with all the mead he could drink.
As mead is a honey beer and their calendar was lunar based, this
period was called the ‘honey month’ – or what we know today as the
‘honeymoon’. In fact, Babylonians believed if the groom drank mead for
an entire month, it enhanced the chances of his wife bearing a male heir.
n After consuming buckets of aul (or ale), the Vikings would head
fearlessly into battle, often without armour or even shirts. In fact,
“berserk” means “bare shirt” in Norse, and eventually took on the
meaning of their wild battles.
n The first US lager was brewed in 1840 by John Wagner, who had a
small brewery in the back of his house on St. John Street in Philadelphia.
Wagner brought the first lager yeast to the United States from a brewery
in Bavaria.
n Legend has it that Gambrinus, god of beer, challenged the devil to
produce a “wine without grapes.” The historical origin of the concoction
we know today can be found in 12th-century Belgium, although the
Egyptians had already created fermented-grain beverages well before
then.
n The pursuit of beer changed the course of humanity forever in
5000 BC. Neolithic people abandoned their wandering lives for farming,
to grow grain for brewing beer.
n In 1116 BC, Chinese imperial edict stated that heaven required
people to drink beer.
n The Egyptian pyramids were built on beer. Stonecutters, slaves
and public officials were paid in a type of beer called ‘kash’ – which is
where the word ‘cash’ originated.
n In English pubs, unruly customers
were told to mind their own pints and
quarts and settle down – and so began
the phrase “mind your P’s and Q’s”.
(Another explanation is customers
were being warned about the potency
of the beer. At ‘freehouses’ where
people could make and sell their own
beer, there was less control on the
alcohol content.)
n The familiar Scandinavian toast sköl
derives from scole, the drinking
bowl shaped like the
upper half
of a human skull. Originally, these bowls were fashioned from the actual
skulls of enemies killed in battle.
n Before thermometers were invented, brewers would dip a thumb
into the mix to find the right temperature for adding yeast. Too cold and
the yeast wouldn’t grow; too hot and the yeast would die. This ancient
practice is where we get the phrase ‘rule of thumb’.
n The pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock because they ran out of
beer. Although they planned to continue down the east coast, the
Mayflower’s log explains the passengers “were hasted ashore and made
to drink water that the seamen might have the more beer.” On their
arrival, the pilgrims immediately built a common house, which included
a brewery.
n In ancient times, monks who fasted or abstained from solid food
subsisted on beer.
n The music for “The Star Spangled Banner” was derived from a
British drinking song called “Anacreon”.
n Assyrian tablets from 2000 BC stated that Noah was carrying beer
aboard the ark.
n The United States two-dollar bill features three brewers: George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Samuel Adams. In fact, George
Washington installed a brewhouse on his grounds at Mount Vernon.
n Ale was brewed for centuries without hops. Before the 1400s, ale
was flavoured with herbs such as rosemary and thyme. Yet the antiseptic
quality of hops helped to preserve ale from spoiling and later became a
vital part of its flavour.
n In the Czech Republic, beer is cheaper than Coke. A half litre at the
local pub costs just 30 cents (10.50 CZK) while a half litre of Coke costs
85 cents (30 CZK). Beer is a little more expensive than club soda (which
costs 29 cents, or 10 CZK, for a half litre).
n Cenosillicaphobia is the fear of an empty glass
n The first six-pack of beer was produced by the Pabst Brewery in the
1940s. The brewery conducted numerous studies, which found six cans
were the ideal weight for the average housewife to carry home from the
store.
n In eleventh-century England, a bride would distribute ale to her
wedding guests in exchange for donations to the newlyweds. This brew,
known as Bride Ale, is the origin of the word ‘bridal’.
n By 3000 BC, the Egyptians were brewing at least six different types
of beer.
n In olde England, town inns paid a government tax known as a
‘scot’ for serving beer. Beer lovers who left town to drink at rural pubs
were said to be drinking ‘scot free’.
n Root Beer was originally called Root Tea, however the name was
changed to Root Beer to get more people to take interest in it.
n Guinness sells an average of 7 million glasses a day.
n A beer a day... Beer was used to treat over 100 illnesses in Egypt,
1600 BC.
n In the 13th century, King Wenceslas convinced the Pope to revoke
an order banning the brewing of beer in Czech territories (no wonder he
was known as ‘Good King Wenceslas).
n In Egypt, two containers of beer were the minimum wage for a
day’s labour.
n American beer is predominately made from rice. That is why it
tastes so light compared to foriegn beers. This is purely an American
invention to increase profits as they hoped a lighter beer would also
draw women to purchase.
n Beer was often served for breakfast in medieval England.
n It was customary in the 13th century to baptize children with beer.
by Baaltazar Kanna, articlebase.com
16
RS
013350
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Entrepreneurial Spirit Moves
Punkeelove success
By Amanda Dyslin
What began as a small business out of
Stacy Hvinden’s North Mankato home five
years ago has turned into quite an operation,
with shipments of her Punkeelove Headbands
going across the country and even overseas.
“They are definitely getting around,” said Hvinden, who grew up
in New Ulm.
In addition to being designed in every color, design and style
imaginable, Punkeelove Headbands are durable and functional,
guaranteed not to slip. The headbands are lined in velvet and have
button-hole elastic so they can adjust in size.
The spark of inspiration for the intricately designed accessory
began with a trip to New York in 2009. On a boat ride coming
back from the Statue of Liberty, Hvinden saw a girl wearing a cute
headband, and she went over to ask where she bought it. The girl
had made it herself, which gave Hvinden the idea to do the same.
“I’ve kind of always had an entrepreneurial spirit; it’s always been
who I am,” she said. “But
I never knew ‘what’
or ‘how’ until I
took the trip to
New York City.”
Despite only
ever having sewed in
seventh-grade home economics class, Hvinden came home from
New York and got to sewing right away. She created headbands
that she brought to her children’s schools to sell, and the business
snowballed from there.
“My mom called me Punky as a child,” explained Hvinden. “I
changed the spelling and added love (for my mom) and that is how
Punkeelove name evolved.”
Now Hvinden sells her headbands at numerous events across
the country, on her website (Punkeeloveheadbands.com), through
social media, and through a partnership with Loudmouth Golf
apparel and accessories, among other avenues.
Just as the distribution reach has widened, so has the product
line itself. Hvinden is planning to add products for men, to keep
“Grit comes from what is within
us to be successful in our lives”
18
RIVER VALLEY WOMAN | january 2015
FAMILY PHOTO: Chris, Tyler, Caitlin and Stacy Hvinden
sweat out of their eyes when playing sports or other activities. She
now also designs her own patterns for headband fabrics, and she
can customize orders.
“I just did (an order) for a basketball team up in Edina,” she said.
“I went with their colors and team name and put basketballs all over
the headband as well. That was pretty cool.”
The business is proof that sometimes the planned path isn’t
always the right one. Hvinden earned a degree in community
health from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1998, and she
later went back to school for dental hygiene. But when she gave
birth to her son, she couldn’t imagine taking him to daycare, so she
decided not to return to school, which would open her up later to
the opportunity to begin her own business.
Hvinden said her decision was a good one, for many reasons and
she’s pleased with how Punkeelove Headbands has taken off.
“I am very happy with it,” she said.
In 2015 she plans to add a new name to the company–Grit Bands,
which will be unisex products.
“Grit comes from what is within us to be successful in our lives,”
she said. RVW
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
WHEN YOUR
CHILD IS SICK
Come see us first.
Parents have told us they prefer to have their child seen by a pediatric provider when they are not
feeling well. That’s why we are making it easier to get the care they need—at a place just for kids.
When your child is sick call the Pediatrics Department at Children’s Health Center after
7:00 am to make a same-day appointment for your child before going to Urgent Care.
Call 507-389-8529 for a Same-Day Appointment.
Ask about our evening appointments.
Same-Day Appointments available Monday – Friday until 5:00 pm.
➜ mankatoclinic.com
011559
HER
story
This feature highlights the lives
of our sisters, mothers, grandmothers,
and great-grandmothers in who’s footsteps
we follow. River Valley Woman feels that
what our senior women in the river valley
have to say is vitally important and that
we have much to learn from them.
In this issue Jean Anderson
from New Ulm, tells HERstory.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Minneapolis, the oldest of three children. I graduated from
Roosevelt High School in 1956
What is a favorite childhood memory?
I have many childhood memories, but one that stands out is playing
with my dolls. We had a special corner in the basement, set up like a
doll apartment, where we could play house. Our neighborhood had
doll buggy parades, which I even got my brother to participate in. As an
adult, my doll interest grew into collecting dolls, especially wherever we
traveled. I also took a porcelain doll making class, learning to clean the
porcelain, painting the faces and sewing the clothes.
How did you meet your spouse?
I met my husband Cliff in college. He was a handsome football player
and wrestler. We were married in 1961 and just celebrated 53 years of
marriage. Being married for 53 yrs. seems like a long time, but it has
gone fast.
What is your secret or advice
for a happy marriage?
Communication is a top priority of staying together. I also think it’s
important to do things together. We have always enjoyed sporting
events– especially when our kids participated, concerts, family camping
trips and traveling. The two magic words of “Yes Dear” work wonders to
keep harmony in the marriage.
Did you (or do you still) work
or have a career?
I have been retired for 15 yrs. I taught physical education and health
before marriage. I did some substitute teaching for District 88, while
our kids were in school. During the summer, I taught swimming at the
outdoor pool. Because I loved to sew, I started working part time in
Ehler’s fabric department in New Ulm. When they closed, I moved over
to Lambrechts as a part-time employee. Bringing a paycheck home from
there was a challenge with all the beautiful things to buy in that store.
What are the most major changes in
the world since you were younger?
The biggest change in the world for me is all the technology. It is almost
mind boggling. I like to tell my older college-age grandchildren that
when I left for college I was happy to have a typewriter, and it wasn’t
electric either. I do use email regularly, but am not on Facebook.
20
What do you think is
your greatest asset?
I like to think I’m a good listener and willing to participate in whatevercould be a hike, a game, some adventure or a discussion.
Where have you traveled and
do you have a favorite destination?
We have been privileged to travel extensively. When our family was
growing up, we did a lot of camping, mostly in state and national parks.
We have visited almost all fifty States. We enjoyed 15 years of skiing in
the Colorado Rockies. In retirement we have traveled overseas, doing
many river trips, through Germany, France, Czech Republic, and Russia,
and land trips to China, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands and three times
to Norway. If I had to pick a favorite destination, it would be Norway. My
second favorite place to enjoy is by any water, whether it be an ocean, a
lake, a river or stream. It soothes the soul.
What was your first car?
My first car was a white Mercury Comet, which isn’t even made
anymore. My Dad went with me to pick it out. He said I needed a good
car to commute with. It was my first car before I started teaching, and I
thought it was pretty special.
What lessons have you learned in life?
There are many, but I always like the Golden Rule of treating people the
way you’d like to be treated. I also try to apply my Christian values to
whatever I do and whoever I meet. My husband’s mother always said,
“It’s what you learn after you know it all that really counts.” I think that is
something to think about.
What are you the most proud of?
I am most proud of my children and grandchildren. Our three children,
Steve, Susan and Scott are all leading productive, family-centered
lives. They are active in their communities, with their children and their
churches.
We have six grandchildren. The two oldest are making their mark in
the world. Sonja graduated with honors from St. Olaf College and is
currently studying in Germany with a Fulbright scholarship. Where she
goes from here, time will tell! Kari, her sister, with five other students,
paddled 900 miles of Canadian wilderness this summer, ending in
Hudson Bay. They were totally unsupported and carried all their
supplies for two months. Luckily, all returned with no mishaps. She is
now back at St. Olaf, with majors in biology/environmental studies.
The verdict is still out with the younger four grandchildren. We see in
them as good students, active in their school activities. and growing
into fine young adults. All the kids, young and old, love the outdoors
and participate in many activities, all the way from skiing, canoeing,
hiking,
biking,
fishing, hunting and camping.
RVWmountain
3.75x4.75
(color)
Do you have values or principles
you live by? If so, what are some?
The values I try to live by are my Christian principles, which I learned at
home growing up. Moving to New Ulm, I became acquainted with the
Turnverein and their motto of “Sound Mind, Sound Body.” I strongly
believe that physical and mental activity are very important to a
healthy life. I have been a swimmer all my life, which I continue to do
three times a week at Vogel Arena. The other three days, I participate
in senior aerobics and yoga classes. Another fantastic program that
is rather new, is CASTLE (Community And Seniors Together Learning
Environment). This is a senior learning opportunity that offers a
variety of sessions on many different subjects. My husband and I are
both members of CASTLE which is based in New Ulm.
What are your current hobbies
and interests?
I love to quilt, sew, read, swim, walk, work on genealogy, travel and
of course spend time with family. My grandmother was an immigrant
to this country at age 17. She sparked my interest in learning about
family in Norway and why she came here. My dad also did a lot of
family research, which I have continued to update. Two of our Norway
trips were genealogy trips. RVW
Above: Doll Buggy Parade, 1946. Jean is on the far right.
Pictured at left, Cliff and Jean Anderson on their 50th Anniversary.
012529
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FASt, eFFeCtive
& AFFordAble
• On-site primary care
Chiropractic, Acupuncture
and Massage Therapy.
Alternative healthcare for all ages.
• 1 and 2 bedroom apartments
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• Daily activities
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Services provided at the Paw in Mankato.
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Hours: Monday - Friday 8-7
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Phone: 507-345-4035
Fax: 507-345-4122
To schedule a tour, call 507-344-0059 or email
monarchmeadows@vistaprairie.org
2135 Lor Ray Drive – North Mankato
Check us out on Facebook! facebook.com/monarchmeadows.mn
013450
21
&
Fun, Festivals Frolics
To have your event listed, please e-mail Ruth Klossner at cowlady@centurylink.net. Listings are generally for events that are free to the public,
or are fund-raisers. Listings will be published as space allows and at the discretion of the editor.
Thurs., Jan. 8
• Henderson Sew & Share Quilters,
Henderson Library, Lower level.
6:30 pm. Beginning projects or
bring your own stitching, knitting,
etc.—sew, share, and learn. No
cost. Info: 507-248-3880.
Fri., Jan. 9-Sun., Feb. 8
• PLRAC/McKnight Emerging
Artists Show, Arts Center of
Saint Peter, 15 South Minnesota
Avenue, Saint Peter. 11 am-6
pm Tues.-Fri., 1-5 pm Sat. & Sun.
Free. Info: 507-351-6521 or ann@
artscentersp.org.
Sun., Jan. 11
• Parade of Bands Fundraiser for
Minnesota Music Hall of Fame,
Park Ballroom, New Prague. Info:
mnmusichalloffame.
Sat., Jan. 17
• Historic Building Snowshoe Hike,
Flandrau State Park, beach house,
New Ulm, 10-11:30 am. Learn
about snowshoeing and hike
park to look at historic buildings.
Snowshoes for rent at park office.
Info: 507-384-8890 or scott.
kudelka@state.mn.us.
• Snowshoe Adventure Hike,
Minneopa State Park, 5 mi. west
of Mankato on Hwys 68 & 169. 1
pm. Stomp two miles from picnic
shelter at waterfalls into woods.
Naturalist will share history and
tips about snowshoeing and
fun places to snowshoe. Rent
snowshoes by calling 507-3895464. Info: 507-389-5464 or Scott.
Kudelka@state.mn.us.
• 3rd Annual Mankato Craft
Beer Expo, Verizon Wireless
Center, Mankato, 2-6 p.m.
Showcasing 45+ craft breweries
and sample beer; educational
seminars. Live music, food,
beer-related vendors. Info:
mankatocraftbeerexpo.com.
• Polka Daze, Flying Dutchmen
Motorcycle Club, 2 mi. E of
junction Hwys 15 & 68, left on
110th Ave., New Ulm. Polka music
starts at 3 pm, rock at 8 pm. Info:
flyingdutchmenmotorcycleclub.
com/ or jamiem@newulmtel.net.
Sun., Jan. 18
• Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast,
Lafayette Community Center,
9 am-1 pm. Lafayette Area
Lions fundraiser for community
projects. Info: 507-240-0048.
Sat., Jan. 24
• Enchanting Candlelight Ski,
Ney Nature Center, 28238 Nature
Center Lane, Henderson, 6 pm.
Ski through prairie following
the glow of candlelight. Some
equipment available on first
come basis. Refreshments. Free.
Info: 507-248-3474 or neycenter.
org/.
Thurs. Jan. 29 thru Sun. Feb. 8
• ‘Assassins’ (Musical), Andreas
Theatre of the Earley Center for
Performing Arts, 499 Birchwood
St., Mankato. 7:30 pm Jan. 29-31
& Feb. 4-7; 2 pm Feb. 1, 7 & 8.
Explores lives of nine individuals
who assassinated or tried to
assassinate the President of
the United States, in a one-act
historical revusical. Info: 507-3892118 or theatretix@mnsu.edu.
We create home for
older adults, wherever
they choose to live.
The Ecumen St. Peter team is proud to provide
independent living, assisted living, memory and
respite care at Ecumen Prairie Hill, and assisted
living at Ecumen Sand Prairie. We’d love to meet you.
Please call Lisa at 507-484-2203 for a tour
or more information.
Front row: Nicki Rehnelt, Housing Director; Darcy Beranek,
RN, Clinical Director; Melanie Marti, RN, Sand Prairie.
Second row: Becky Tapper, Sand Prairie Life Enrichment Coordinator; Janet Geisler, Life Enrichment Director;
Rachel Hauschild, Human Resources Representative.
Third row: Joyce Wilcox, Sand Prairie Food & Beverage Manager; George Willis, Prairie Hill Food & Beverage
Manager; Lisa Hofferbert, Sales & Marketing Manager.
Fourth row: Doug Mehlhaff, Environmental Service Director;
Tami Brandt, Business Office Manager
22
009141
Sat., Jan. 31
• Hummingbird Big Bobber Ice
Fishing Contest, Lake Washington
(Westwood Bar and Grill), 1400
Lake Washington Access Rd,
Kasota. 10 am registration, 12-3
tournament. Pre-event beer
sampling, raffles, pull tabs,
concessions. Info & tickets:
507-389-2930 or michelle.beck-1@
mnsu.edu.
• Winter Fest at Minneopa State
Park, 5 mi. west of Mankato
on Hwys 68 & 169, Group
Campground. 5-8 pm. Enjoy
natural wonders and beauty of
winter season. Trail groomed for
cross-country skis and snowshoes,
bonfire, hot cocoa & cookies. Info:
507-384-8890 or Scott.Kudelka@
state.mn.us.
• St. Peter Fire Dept. Youth Fishing
Contest, Hallett’s Pond, St. Peter.
Sun.-Sun., Feb. 1-8
• MLC Winter Carnival, Martin
Luther College, New Ulm. Info:
mlc-wels.edu or 507-354-8221.
Sat., Feb. 7
• Nicollet Legion Fish Fry, Nicollet
Legion Friendship Hall, 715 Third
Street, 11 am-7 pm.
• Polar Bear Plunge, St. Peter,
Hallett’s Pond, 405 W. St. Julien
St., 1pm. Info: lungemn.org/
events/st-peter/.
• Snowshoe Hike, Minneopa State
Park, group campground, 5 mi. W
of Mankato on Hwys 68 & 169, 1011 am. History of snowshoeing &
tips on types of shoes. Hike across
the snow-covered park. Rentals
available, call 507-389-5464. Info:
507-384-8890 or Scott.Kudelka@
state.mn.us.
• Beginner Snowshoe Hike,
Flandrau State Park, beach house,
New Ulm, 1-2:30 pm. Learn about
snowshoeing, practical advice
on use, winter animal life, more.
Snowshoes can be rented at park
office (507-233-9800). Info: Info:
507-384-8890 or scott.kudelka@
state.mn.us.
Thurs., Feb. 12
• Henderson Sew & Share Quilters,
Henderson Library, Lower level.
6:30 pm. Beginning projects or
bring your own stitching, knitting,
etc.—sew, share, and learn. No
cost. Info: 507-248-3880.
• Gustavus Wind Orchestra Home
Concert, Bjorling Recital Hall, GAC
College, St. Peter, 1:30 pm. Wind
orchestra returns to Gustavus
after a 10-day Midwestern
concert. Free. Info: 507-933-7013
or marketing@gustavus.edu.
Fri.-Sat., Feb. 13-14
• New Ulm Actors Community
Theatre’s ‘A Gershwin Valentine’
Dinner Theatre, State Street
Theatre Auditorium, New Ulm.
Info & tickets: newulmact.com.
• Gustavus Choir’s International
Concert Tour Home Concert,
Christ Chapel, Gustavus Adolphus
College, 800 W. College Ave., St.
Peter, 7:30 pm. Info: 507-933-7013
or marketing@gustavus.edu.
Sat. Feb. 14
• Bock Fest, 1860 Schell Road, New
Ulm, 11 am-4:30 pm. All-outdoor
event at Schell’s Brewery. Release
of the seasonal bock beer, with
food and other drink. Music all
day. Always held, no matter the
weather. 21+ years of age. Info:
507-354-5528.
Sun., Feb. 15
• MLC Wind Symphony Sacred
Concert, Chapel of the Christ,
MLC, New Ulm. 3:00 pm. Info:
507-354-8221 or mlc-wels.edu.
• Parade of Bands Fundraiser for
Minnesota Music Hall of Fame,
Turner Hall, New Ulm; noon. Info:
mnmusichalloffame.
• Fasching, Turner Hall, New Ulm.
Includes music, food and dancing;
costumes are encouraged. Info:
507-354-8850.
Wedding
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M-F 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | 507.625.0547
www.stationerygift.carlsoncraft.com
Ask us how to get 30% OFF your next order!
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23
I resolve to shop at Encore in 2015!
Encore
Consignment &
Bridal Boutique
311 N. RiveRfRoNt DR., MaNkato, MN
507.386.0861 www.eNcoReMaNkato.coM
HouRs: M-f 10-6isH; sat. 10-4isH; suN. 12-4isH
24
Strut
Your
Stuff
013117
The Cheese &
Pie Mongers—
By Ruth Klossner
And there’s apple butter made on site.
Interspersed between the products, you might
find jams and jellies and some chocolates, too.
And then there are the pies! Apple, French apple,
and caramel apple pecan are the standards and
are made with apples grown from the Harbos’ own
trees. Other fruit pies are sometimes available—
cherry, mixed berry, blueberry, and peach.
“We’ll have a lot of seasonal pies,” Libby assured.
“We have some cream pies now, too, but will have
more when we get more cooler space. We’ve had
banana cream and key lime.”
Warren added, “Our bakery is small but
functional. We’re making about 30 pies a day now.
We barely get them baked and they’re out the
door.”
In addition to the pre-baked pies, the shop offers
frozen pies. To be sure to get what you want—fresh
or frozen—it’s best to order ahead. The shop will
likely offer pie by the slice in the future as many
people are asking for it. Scones and turnovers are
available on the weekend and pie samples are
sometimes there for the taking, too… if you get
there at the right time!
Shop hours are 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday
and Sunday.
“We’re excited about being in St. Peter,” Tim
said. “The community has been supportive and
appreciates this style of store.” RVW
Cheese Pairings 101
CAERPHILLY
Caerphilly gets its name from the
village in Wales where it was first
made and was the traditional
lunch of Welsh miners. This pure
white cheese is pressed to give
it a firm yet crumbly and flaky
texture. It has a sharp, fresh
clean aroma and taste with
distinctive honey notes.
WINE
White Burgundy, Macon-Villages,
Chablis and other cool-climate
Chardonnays, Cabernet Franc
FOOD
Apples, Beef, Butter Crackers,
Chicken/Turkey (Poultry), Dried
Fruits, Nuts, Pears, Pita or Tortilla,
Pork, Vegetables, Water Crackers,
Whole Grain or Wheat Breads or
Crackers
SPIRITS
Cider, Perry
s
St. Peter’s newest business—The Cheese &
Pie Mongers—fits right in the city’s downtown
emphasis on small specialty shops. The business is
also a good fit for the family owning it.
The Cheese & Pie Mongers is an easterly
expansion of Welsh Heritage Farms Apple Orchard
and Pie Shop/Harbo Cider Winery and Cheese
Shop located on Highway 60 between Mankato
and Lake Crystal.
“Our family has been over there since 1981,” Tim
Harbo said. “For about the last three years, we were
looking to expand out of that market, to get to the
other side of Mankato. A large part of our market
goes the other way—toward the Twin Cities.”
Tim and his wife, Liberty “Libby” Warren, noted
that there was another reason to locate in St.
Peter—Liberty is originally from the town.
Each has his/her own specialty in the new
business. Tim’s is cheese and Libby’s is pie.
“We offer about 130 kinds of cheese, depending
on the day,” Tim said. “A list of most of them is
available on cheeseandpie.com. Right now, all are
from Wisconsin, but we’d like to bring in some
Minnesota varieties as we get into full swing.”
The shop already offers a number of Minnesota
products—honey from Harris Honey at Madelia,
maple syrup from Brian Hughes at Eagle Lake,
granite cutting boards made by Kevin Bigbee
in North Mankato, and Candles by Karen from
Mankato.
a Good Fit
{ continued on page 41 }
Photos Above: Freshly baked pies and many varieties of cheese are a great combination at The Cheese & Pie Mongers in downtown St. Peter. The shop is an extension
of the Harbo family’s Welsh Heritage Farms Apple Orchard and Pie Shop/Harbo Cider Winery and Cheese Shop. Liberty “Libby” Warren and husband Tim Harbo
operate the shop together. He’s the “cheese man” and she’s the “pie lady.” The Cheese & Pie Mongers shop is located right next to the St. Peter Art Center. The new
shop was last used as a gun shop, hence the bars on the windows and door. Liberty’s dad has joked, “ Our pies are so good, it’s criminal.” Free popcorn is available
and is a favorite of kids who stop in. Sheryl Utter keeps busy, making pies in the kitchen at the shop.
25
Buying?
Selling?
Talk to us!
Realty Executives River Valley
Dar Vosburg, Broker/Owner 507-387-5545
Pam Sher, Realtor/Buyer’s Agent 507-382-1184
Melinda Sturm, Realtor 507-382-1103
www.MankatoHomes.com
Discover Chiropractic
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Upcoming FREE SEminaRS:
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Reservations 507-388-1880
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012608
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Take Action this New Year!
the family gets a sheet with the following
New Year’s resolutions have become
questions designed to accomplish the
more of a traditional slogan than they
three things listed above.
are an actionable item for most people.
• What do I want our family to spend
While I’m sure there are a few who take
more time doing?
resolutions seriously, most people give
• I personally want to spend more time
them a fleeting thought at most. Whether
doing what?
you’re into this time honored tradition
• What can I do to help out more at home
or not, it’s important to have personal,
in general? professional, and family goals. It’s critical
• What do I want our family to spend LESS
that you keep lines of communication open
time doing?
in your family regardless of how big or
• I am willing to lighten Mom’s load by
small it is.
doing?
Each year our family ushers in the New
• I would really like to ___________ this
Year with an annual family meeting. The
year.
goal of our meeting is tri-fold:
from a
Each family is different, so you may want
1) Think carefully about our personal
Professional
to change these up a bit or add to them
goals and what we’d each like to
to meet your needs. The important thing
accomplish this next year
Organizer
is to think carefully about the year ahead
2) Communicate our goals with each
and live intentionally. Time goes so fast.
other so each can be more successful
by Cindy Haugland
tidytightwads.com
It’s important to reduce stress as much as
3) Identify any obstacles, as well as any
possible and enjoy the time you have with
ways we can help each other
your kids.
To generate a good discussion and
Happy New Year from the Tidy Tightwads Team! RVW
keep things moving in a positive direction, everyone in
Tidy Tightwad Tips
Dr. Angela Schuck
Dr. Keith Flack
Discover a healthier
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Join Profile and receive guidance from
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prepare a personalized meal plan
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302300
29
Lavender is the New Black
arden Gal
n
de
r
a
G
l•G
Ga
Gal • Gard
en
rden Ga
l•
Ga
l•
de
ar
Ga
parsley, basil, rosemary, and mints will do well if you provide proper
growing conditions. Use clay or ceramic pots with holes in the bottom to provide your plants with good drainage (don’t forget a
saucer!). Plastic pots aren’t as porous, so they won’t work
as well. Choose a light potting mix, too. A mixture
of equal parts potting soil, sand, peat, and perlite
will keep your herbs from retaining too much
moisture. You can also use a potting mix that
is completely soilless, such as a pre-made mix
for cacti and succulent plants. Most herbs
prefer dry conditions, so these factors are
important.
Provide enough warmth, humidity, and
light Personally, I haven’t kept herbs in my
apartment during the winter because I don’t
provide them with enough light and heat. It’s
too bad I don’t try harder, because this past
summer I had this darling oregano variety with
fuzzy silvery leaves and cute pink flowers, and I
wish I could have saved it. (Alas! Composted.) My
only window is also a sliding balcony door, and since I
frequently open it to turn on my Christmas lights and shake
my rugs and whatnot, there is often a brisk change in air temperature and humidity on the wall where my plants live. Plus, the window
is east-facing, so the light conditions aren’t ideal.
Many herbs prefer temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit,
so don’t place them next to a heating vent or on top of a radiator.
While drier soil conditions are best, air conditions should be slightly
n Gal • Garde
n
I recently visited my aunt, who always has a diverse selection of
healthy, fragrant herbs in her summer garden. She suffers from the
same absurd compulsive condition that I do, one that
is mainly characterized by an uncontrollable urge
to bring as many plants indoors for the winter
as space allows. (It must be genetic.) So, I
wasn’t surprised to see an enormous rosemary plant perched on the bright windowsill above her kitchen sink, spilling
its aromatic leaves toward our dinner.
My aunt said she wasn’t sure how well
the rosemary would perform inside her
house, but I feel pretty confident that
it will thrive in its sunny new home.
Herbs have been especially trendy
in the last few years, probably because
they are easy to grow, provide instant
satisfaction, and have many uses.
Growing herbs indoors is one way to revitalize your spirits during the bland weeks
of January. Not only do you get to experience
something alive and green, but you also get to harvest herbs for cooking or decorating purposes. Pick up
a few plants from your local garden center, or start some seeds on a
sunlit windowsill or under some florescent lights. Then, use the following tips to succeed with your indoor garden!
Pick the right materials Some herb varieties will perform better
inside your house than others will. Thyme, oregano, sage, chives,
•G
013142
30
humid. If your home is dry and drafty in the winter, place your herb
pots on top of a small tray of stones, and add water up to the bottom
of the pots. Or follow my aunt’s lead and place your herbs near a sink.
Consistency with temperature and humidity will prevent your herbs
from being stressed and developing diseases, such as powdery or
downy mildew.
If possible, grow your herbs in a sunny southern window – six to
eight hours of direct sunlight is ideal. If this isn’t possible, add florescent lighting to supplement the natural light. Herbs will need two
hours of artificial light for every missed hour of sunlight. (I hope you’re
good at math…)
Water a little and trim a lot! As I’ve mentioned, herbs prefer a welldrained potting medium around their roots, so allow the pots to dry
out between waterings. Once a week should be adequate for most
indoor herbs. A liquid fertilizer can help enhance growth, but it isn’t
necessary.
Of course, the main point of having herbs is to use them, so feel
free to trim your plants liberally once they’re established. Aside from
harvesting the desirable leaves, trimming off any emerging flower buds
will help push energy into leaf production.
There are tons of recipes for fresh herbs, and with the internet at
our fingertips, we’re more empowered than ever
to succeed with our creative endeavors. If you’re
feeling really courageous, you can even make
herb-infused cocktails for your remaining holiday
parties! My aunt has been making her own lavender-infused vodka by steeping the plant’s flowers
directly in the liquor, and I’m excited to try it soon.
Happy growing! RVW
Laura Schwarz, a New Ulm native, is a horticulturist with Tangletown Gardens in Minneapolis.
Take ConTrol
of your home
Security • Lighting • HVAC • Music
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510 Sibley St., Mankato, Mn
008742
www.ecsmankato.com
For a free
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388-3271
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013118
31
RiveRfRont
410 S. Riverfront Dr.
Mankato, MN
507-625-1107
Hilltop
2010 Adams St.
Mankato, MN
507-625-9070
making lives easier, healthier, happier
Hy-Vee pharmacy now offers MTM
(Medication Therapy Management) services. Some
Medicare part D insurance plans cover this service at no
additional cost to you. Stop in and ask your friendly
Hy-Vee pharmacists how MTM services could benefit you.
Where there is a helpful smile in your wellness aisle
Happy New Year!
With the new year comes resolutions of all shapes and
sizes. Top trends for New Year’s resolutions are focused
on health and organization. Why not achieve both goals
through meal planning? Planning the foods you eat can
help you stick to your health goals and also helps you
stay organized by reducing food clutter, waste and nightly
stress. Meal planning doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are
five simple steps to get you on your way to better health!
1. Inventory your cupboard. Make your meal plan around
foods that you already have. Save time and
money.
2. Know your schedule. Which days do you have time
to cook, and which nights would work better with a
slow-cooker recipe or leftovers?
3. Choose your recipes and make your list. Pick recipes
that use the ingredients you have on hand. Remember
to plan for side dishes. Don’t be afraid to try something
new. Once you have your recipes chosen, write down
the ingredients you need to purchase.
4. Shop. Equipped with your meal
plan and list, grocery shopping will
be a breeze.
5. Prepare your meals and enjoy
your hard work.
Scan the QR code for a FREE
weekly meal plan.
Greek Six-Layer Dip
Makes: about 45 servings
aLL You NeeD:
1 (6 oz) container Hy-Vee plain Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp Hy-Vee kosher salt
2 (8 oz each) containers Hy-Vee roasted red pepper hummus
1 c. chopped cucumber
1 c. quartered cherry tomatoes
1/2 c. Hy-Vee crumbled feta cheese
1/2 c. sliced Greek olives
Lemon-Basil Garlic Chips
aLL You Do:
In small bowl, combine yogurt, garlic, dill, lemon juice and salt;
set aside. Spread hummus onto a 12-inch platter. Layer yogurt
mixture over hummus. Top with cucumber, tomatoes, olives and
cheese. Serve with Lemon-Basil Garlic chips.
Nutrition information per serving: Calories: 25; Protein: 1g;
Carbohydrate: 2g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg;
Sodium: 70mg; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugar: 1g; Fat: 1.5g; Trans fats: 0g
012357
SPACES
A Masculine
Home
From a
Feminine
Touch
By Deb Moldaschel
Photos by Rick Apitz, Shayds of Color
34
Brian Mathiowetz of Sleepy Eye had worked with Starry Night
Woodworking on a remodel project in his kitchen and was very pleased
with the construction work and the design work provided by Nicole
Steffl Fuchs, one of the owners of the construction company. So when he
decided to build a new home he hired Starry Night and asked Nicole to
get started on the design process.
Nicole, who owns the company along with her dad Joe Steffl, her
brother Justin Steffl and her husband Paul Fuchs, has been working on
the design segment of the business for several years. She claims she got
the job because Justin didn’t like working with the software they used.
Asked what her title is when she does the drawing and design work, she
just laughed and said, ‘my sister?’ as in ‘my sister will do that for you.’
Nicole also works with all other aspects of the construction company
– up on the roof for shingle jobs, and framing to finish work. She started
working for her dad during high school and college summer breaks. She
earned a college degree in marketing and business communication at
Augustana College and did some internships in her field while a student.
But farming and construction work continued to call her home so she
made the decision to join the family company and keep the Sleepy Eye
area as her home sweet home.
Nicole is not the only woman on the job with Starry Night
Woodworking. Sara Evers has been with the company for seven years.
Sara had previously worked as the cook in a small Lutheran school for 20
years and made the switch to working on a turkey farm when she and
her husband moved to New Ulm. She met the Steffl clan when they were
doing some construction work on that farm – and helped out a bit –
leading to a job offer.
“I’ve had a lot of different jobs and this is my favorite,”
Sara commented.
s
She also has a farming background and was familiar with
using tools and hard physical work. She said she was able to
learn a lot on the job.
“Sara has become our grout guru, finishing tile work for our
projects,” Nicole added. Sara says she enjoys the grout work,
finding it peaceful work which allows her to see the beautiful
end product.
Both women say they like the framing up process and Sara
said she also likes shingle jobs. Sara commented that she likes
the messy, dirty work of tear-outs before remodel jobs. Nicole?
Not so much. Nicole works with her brother Justin setting tile
and enjoys that process.
What about working outside in all kinds of weather? They
agreed they’d rather work in the heat of summer than on cold
winter days – and the company does try to close up projects
and work inside during the winter.
Asked if unsuspecting clients are sometimes surprised
to see the two women on the crew Sara and Nicole agreed
saying, “Not often…they usually know when they hire us.”
Sara said she does remember one time when she came
through the door at a job and got a funny look from a man.
“I just said - there’s another one right behind me!”
Photos from top left: The view from the entryway into the living
room, featuring the fireplace. Sara Evers and Nicole Steffl Fuchs
in the entryway - note the barrel vault ceiling. A view of the
house Beautiful granite counter tops grace the kitchen. Another
kitchen view featuring the tile backsplash. A close-up of the
fireplace that sees through to the deck side.
35
And what is hard for women in this traditionally
men’s field? Nicole and Sara laughed at each other and
commented that maybe it wouldn’t be nice to say in a
fancy women’s magazine.
“I am amazed at her ability to multi-task. She’s
working on the projects, taking phone calls, making
notes on 2 x 4s, and keeping it all straight in her head!”
said Sara complimenting Nicole. Nicole just shrugged,
but admitted it is nice when she can work on drawings
during the day rather than use up family time by doing
it at night.
Nicole and Sara both enjoy seeing the finished
projects and especially like going back later to see how
the client is living in their new space.
“We visited Brian’s home a few weeks ago to admire
the layout and construction, the finishes, and the way
Brian has made it all his home.”
Brian had a house plan that he liked in general. He
brought it to Nicole and they talked about what he
drew the design for his house. Nicole said that is the
way it works with most clients – they have a plan, or
their own sketches, or pictures of the outside of a
house they like, and maybe the square footage they
desire. She works with them to create the finished plan.
For Brian’s home she remarked that the finished plan
turned out to be not much like the original he brought
her, but it gave them that starting point. Sara and
Nicole say that working with Brian was great, “He was
very easy-going and agreeable to our suggestions.”
One of their favorite suggestions was increasing
the size of the deck and installing see-through railings
so that his view would be unobstructed. Asked about
the features of the house they like the most, Sara
mentioned that fabulous deck and also the master
bathroom which features her meticulous grout work.
Nicole loves coming in the main entry, standing under
the barrel vaulted ceiling and looking ahead into the
living room with the lovely brick-faced fireplace – a
fireplace that is glassed on both the living room and
deck sides, providing another view outside.
The most fun feature? Brian’s home gym in the
basement. Decked out with various workout machines
and professional gym flooring, his special place also
features a large “Stark Longhorns” logo on the wall.
Brian plays baseball for this amateur men’s league team
and had fun honoring the team in his home.
Q& A with Home Owner Brian Mathiowetz
Tell a bit about the process of working with Nicole on the
design of your home:
When I first contacted Nicole I already had a pretty good idea of what I
was looking for as far as the basic layout, but from there she really brought
everything to life. Nicole’s 3D drawings of the house plans were a big help in
showing how everything fit together. Her suggestions for the different types of
ceilings (vaulted, barrel vault, and box) was something I didn’t consider, yet they
make such a difference! Nicole also deserves the credit for the knotty alder trim
and the terracotta stone. I have received a lot of compliments on those materials
and I chose them in large part because she took the time to show me those
looks on other jobs Starry Night had done. How often did you check in with Nicole and the Starry Night
crew? Did you stop at the site each day?
I had regular contact with either Nicole or the Starry Night crew throughout the
building process. I work close to my home so I probably checked the site out
daily, but the main thing was Starry Night always made themselves available
if I had questions or concerns. Also, they were excellent at following up with
subcontractors when there were problems. We had some issues with the front
door and a glass shower door and both Justin and Nicole were relentless in
making sure those issues were resolved to my satisfaction. Your home has a masculine feel, yet is also very beautiful.
How did working with women affect your design decisions?
It’s difficult for me to say how working with women affected my design
decisions because Nicole and Lynn Heuchert of Idea Haus were the only people
involved in the process so I really don’t have any other comparisons. I must say
going into the building process my biggest fear was being able to put together
colors, textures, and treatments that made sense. Admittedly, I’m terrible at
knowing what goes with what, and I know if that were left up to me the house
would have been a disaster! The great thing about working with both Lynn
and Nicole is I could tell them the types of materials and colors I liked and
they would put together combinations for me to choose from. In the end they
made the thing I feared the most about building one of the easiest and most
enjoyable. You are a sports fiend - tell us about your awesome
workout room.
The exercise room (the Longhorn gym as I call it) is a good example of Nicole
making key suggestions that made a big difference. Originally, the exercise room
wasn’t even in the plan. I removed that room thinking it was wasted basement
space & I thought I would save a little money. However, after Nicole went over
the plans with Miller Masonry she came back to me and mentioned that they
(Miller Masonry) were surprised I didn’t want the space and that she thought
013642
Proud to provide
materials for the
Brian Mathiowetz
house!
28314 210th Street • Sleepy Eye, MN 56085
License #BC639104
Joe Steffl 507-227-0823
Paul Fuchs 507-227-5884
013641
36
Justin Steffl 507-227-9420
Nicole Fuchs 507-227-0825
it was worth having for the little bit extra it would cost. During that
conversation with Nicole the idea of an exercise room popped into my
head and we were off and running. The rest of the credit for the way
the room turned out goes to Steve Eichberger who did all the painting
in the house. When I told Steve what I intended to use the room for he
told me to “get crazy” and have some fun with it. Steve’s suggestions
opened up my mind to the idea of making the theme of the room a
tribute to the STARK LONGHORNS (the amateur baseball team I have
played for and coached for the past 27 years) so the colors and Stark
logo (which was CNCP Plasma cut here at Haala Industries where I
work) were incorporated into the design. I have to say I am
very proud of the room – it’s definitely unique!
Now that you’ve been in your house for a year,
tell us, is there anything you would change?
I’m very happy with the house so if I had to do it over again I can’t
say I would change much. Perhaps the one thing I would do different
would be to put a larger window, or a different shaped window in
the “Flex Room” (the TV room with desk and wet bar that could “flex”
into a dining room) just to give it a little different look from the other
windows on the front of the house. I think the greatest compliment I can give to Starry Night is that going
into this process I was told by many people that building a house
is a very stressful experience, but I can honestly say I found it to be
both exciting and enjoyable with very little stress. Nicole, Justin, Joe
and the whole Starry Night crew gave me the feeling they had my
back throughout the project and were always available with helpful
suggestions and advice. I couldn’t be happier with the work they did
for me! RVW
Photos: Brian’s Longhorn Gym. Nicole and Sara love the HGTV-worthy
master bathroom with a soaker tub and large tiled walk-in shower.
207468
Kitchens - Bathrooms
Onyx Collection Showers - Porcelain Tile
Carpet - Wood Florors
Window Coverings
Countertops - Backsplashes
Overson Lumber Co. Inc.
St. James | Sleepy Eye | Lamberton | Wabasso | Jackson | Westbrook | New Ulm
37
013106
Building Trust
new home construc tion
217 east walnut street #2
|
remodeling
mankato, mn 56001
|
commercial
507.469.3152
012769
38
Self Aggrandizement
If I sat here long enough, I could
write pages upon pages of things
I don’t like about myself. These
things used to consume me. It’s all
I could focus on. Brief moments of
shining confidence would quickly
be put down by overbearing
self-negativity.
For most of my 20s, I have
outwardly been an extremely
positive person. I try not to take
anything for granted. I often pause
to appreciate beautiful moments
while I can. Daily gratitude for
life comes naturally to me. I have
been granted an existence full
by
of amazing friends and family
Kate Ludewig
and experiences. The life I’ve
painstakingly created for myself
today is something young me
would be extremely proud of. High five!
I’ve never hated my life, just myself. It’s always been a weird dynamic to
deal with.
After a fumbling series of stupid, failed relationships and one giant
messed up heart (mine), I finally gave myself a break this past year. I let
myself be crazy. I had meaningless flings and went on a bunch of trips I
couldn’t really afford. I drank my brains out and barely slept. And I didn’t
Runaway
Kate
feel bad about it.
Summer was winding down and I was out of money, so I started writing
again. Playing guitar again. Doing yoga again. Reading again. I bought
plants to garden and fresh veggies to cook. All of these things I loved that I
basically threw to the wayside the past few years for really stupid reasons.
I got so wrapped up in everybody else that I forgot who the hell I even am
and had no idea what I wanted. No wonder I dated all those bozos.
Since I’ve been doing all those things, something magical has
happened: I actually like myself now. I think I’m awesome. I love hanging
out with me. We have so much fun together! Instead of sitting around and
dwelling on all the crap I suck at, I sit around and think about all the things
I can and want to do, and then I do them.
Sure, I could stand for my hips and thighs to be smaller, but they can get
me up a mountain, so all is forgiven. I can’t sing very well, but my Courtney
Love impression is spot on. I often make my mom break down in hysterical
laughter over the phone. My teenage nieces text me to tell me they miss
me. My friends can always count on me and sometimes cute guys with
beards want to kiss me, despite my big forehead and nose. I’ve moved
myself across the country twice. I work in the music industry, a dream since
junior high. My favorite bands come to me for advice now.
I can write pages and pages of things I like about myself.
I like the new me, who is actually the old me, just happier. I feel, for the
first time ever, like I can and will actually write that book and get out of
debt and find real love, etc., etc. I can and will because I deserve it. Because
I’m awesome. RVW
Kate Ludewig is formerly of Sleepy Eye. She currently lives and works in Los
Angeles. runawaykate.com
Come select your slab
in our new & exciting 11,000 sq. ft. Slab Showroom
Granite & Quartz Countertops
Custom Fabricated & Installed (By US!)
507-835-7129
241 St. Andrews Drive,
Mankato, MN
507.345.8084
012358
Granite, Marble & More
elegantcreations.com
Visit our Showroom:
1371 S State Street
Waseca, MN 011368
39
good TASTE
A new year is upon us, and
as always, new food trends
will emerge. Some of the
popular “it” foods of 2014
such as kale and quinoa will
remain popular, but several
new items are also attracting
the attention of chefs and
consumers alike.
These top food trends for
2015 indicate that people’s
palates are continuing to
evolve, and we are craving new
adventurous foods and flavors
that will still meet our demands
for balanced nutrition.
Keep a look out for these new
items next time you shop. If
you are feeling adventurous,
maybe even try putting a few
of them in your cart.
Top Food Trends for 2015
1. More Smoked items. The demand for smoked foods
has risen as chefs have begun to apply smoke to a variety of
proteins, as well as alternatives such as vegetables, butters,
spices, beers and cocktails.
2. Fermented foods. The popularity of preserving foods
by fermentation will continue to rise. With the growing
awareness of digestive health, you will begin to notice foods
including yogurt, tempeh, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha and
kefir both on menus and in people’s kitchens. These foods
contain live cultures (or are preserved in liquid) to convert
sugars and starches into bacteria-boosting agents.
3. Local grains. While locally grown fruits and
vegetables remain in high demand, the “next level of local”
will be locally sourced grains. Expect more farmers to grow
small-scale grain varieties and sell them to local bakers,
chefs, brewers and consumers.
4. Ugly, misshapen fruits and vegetables.
Consumers are becoming more aware that imperfectlooking produce still tastes great. Produce with an
appearance that previously would have been relegated
to compost will instead be marketed and sold.
5. Coconut sugar. The new “go-to” sweetener, this
sugar has the same amount of calories as regular sugar.
Coconut sugar is minimally processed from the sap in
the flowers of coconut plants and is claimed to be more
sustainable. Perceived to be healthier than table sugar,
coconut sugar contains more nutrients, like zinc, iron
and other antioxidants as compared to table or brown
sugars. Coconut sugar also contains good amounts of
inulin, a type of dietary fiber that acts as a prebiotic
that feeds the good bacteria in your gut.
6. Matcha. Expect more products with
Japanese Matcha, a powdered, bright green
tea that is packed with insoluble fiber and
antioxidants. Matcha contains less caffeine
than traditional green tea, but still
provides an energy boost. As opposed to
most teas, Matcha is sold as a fine powder
that contains the entire tea leaf and
thereby maximizes the release of nutrients;
teas that are steeped in hot water have many
of their nutrients left behind in the tea bag.
7. Nutrition apps. We are no longer relying on just the
nutritional information on packaging to know what is in
our food. Smartphone apps, such as Fooducate, can give
additional and more accurate information, and people are
increasingly using these apps to make food selections. In
addition, innovative devices like Prep Pad pair with an iPad
app to calculate the exact nutrition content of your planned
meals, including carbohydrates, fats, protein and calories by
simply scanning the bar code of food packages. RVW
40
Courtesy of Mankato Hy-Vee HealthLetter: April Graff, MS,
RD, LD andGood Taste Holly Ellison, RD, LD
cheese Pairings Continued from page 25
GOUDA
Gouda originated in Holland over 800
years ago. The name “Gouda” comes from
a village in southern Holland. Made with
whole milk, Gouda has a rich, buttery,
slightly sweet flavor and smooth, creamy
texture and develops complex caramel
flavor and a firmer texture when aged. In
the early days of Dutch cheesemaking,
cheese makers wrapped Gouda for
export in red cloth to identify the variety.
Today, Wisconsin producers carry on the
tradition by covering the cheese with red
wax or cellophane.
Wine
Beaujolais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne,
Chardonnay, Chianti, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot
Gris, Pinot Noir, Red Zinfandel, Riesling, SakeMedium Dry, Sauvignon Blanc, Sherry-Fino,
Sherry-Oloroso, Syrah/Shiraz
Food
Apples, Beef, Butter Crackers, Chicken/Turkey
(Poultry), Dried Fruits, Grapes, Nuts, Pears,
Pork, Vegetables, Water Crackers, Whole
Grain or Wheat Breads or Crackers
Spirits
Bourbon, Brandy, Cognac, Dark Rum, Rye
Whiskey, Scotch
Beer
Bock, Brown Ale, Lager, Pale Ale, Porter, Stout
Bellavitano
Inspired by traditional Italian farmstead
cheese, BellaVitano is a rich, creamy style
with a nutty, fruity flavor with caramel
and pineapple overtones. The flavor
begins in the mouth like a premium
Parmesan and finishes with hints of
melted butter. The texture combines the
creaminess of a young Cheddar with the
savory, crystalline crunch of a premium
aged Parmesan.
Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, Malbec, Merlot,
Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Red Zinfandel, Rioja
Red, Sake-Medium Dry, Syrah/Shiraz
Food
Apples, Butter Crackers, Chicken/Turkey
(Poultry), Dried Fruits, Grapes, Nuts, Olives,
Pears, Pita or Tortilla, Pork, Vegetables, Water
Crackers, Whole Grain or Wheat Breads or
Crackers
Spirits
Brandy, Cognac, Light Rum, Madeira, Port,
Rye Whiskey, Scotch, Tequila Añejo, Tequila
Reposado
Beer
Brown Ale, Ciders & Fruit Beers, Stout, Weiss
Beer
Tortilla, Pork, Vegetables, Water Crackers,
Whole Grain or Wheat Breads or Crackers
Spirits
Bourbon, Brandy, Cognac, Dark Rum, Light
Rum, Madeira, Port, Rye Whiskey, Scotch
Beer
Belgian Ale, Bock, Brown Ale, Ciders & Fruit
Beers, Pale Ale, Porter, Stout, Weiss Beer
Blue/Bleu
Made using edible mold cultures, blue
cheese have full, earthy flavor that varies
among styles, and can range from very
creamy to a firm, crumbly texture. One of
my favorite cheeses to eat with sweeter
drinks like port or on a cracker with honey
drizzled over the top.
Double Gloucester
This cheese has a nice sweetness on the
front end with a little sharpness to the
back end. We liken it to being somewhere
between a Colby and a cheddar. This
English-style cheese is hard and smooth
with a mild, rich flavor.
Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, Ice Wines,
Malbec, Pinot Noir, Red Zinfandel, Riesling,
Syrah/Shiraz
Food
Apples, Beef, Butter Crackers, Chutney, Dried
Fruits, Fig Jam, Grapes, Honey, Nuts, Pears,
Pita or Tortilla, Vegetables, Water Crackers,
Whole Grain or Wheat Breads or Crackers
Spirits
Madeira, Port, Tequila Añejo, Tequila
Reposado
Beer
Belgian Ale, Ciders & Fruit Beers, Porter, Stout,
Weiss Beer
Cheddar
Usually yellow but also available in white,
Cheddar has a rich, nutty flavor that
becomes increasingly sharp with age, and
a smooth, firm texture that becomes more
granular and crumbly with age.
Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chianti,
Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Red
Zinfandel, Riesling, Sake-Medium Dry,
Sauvignon Blanc, Sherry-Oloroso, Syrah/
Shiraz
Food
Apples, Beef, Butter Crackers, Chicken/Turkey
(Poultry), Dried Fruits, Nuts, Pears, Pita or
Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chianti,
Gruner Veltliner, Malbec, Merlot, Red
Zinfandel, Riesling, Sake-Medium Dry,
Sauvignon Blanc
Food
Apples, Butter Crackers, Chicken/Turkey
(Poultry), Nuts, Pears, Vegetables, Water
Crackers, Whole Grain or Wheat Breads or
Crackers
Spirits
Bourbon, Cognac, Dark Rum, Rye Whiskey,
Scotch, Tequila Añejo, Tequila Reposado
Beer
Bock, Brown Ale, Pale Ale
Swiss
This full-flavored, buttery, nutty cheese
with characteristic holes is aged at least
60 days. Younger blocks are soft and
creamier and they will become more
crumbly with distinct crystallization as it
ages.
Wine
Beaujolais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay,
Gruner Veltliner, Ice Wines, Merlot, Pinot Gris,
Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
Food
Apples, Beef, Chicken/Turkey (Poultry), Dried
Fruits, Fig Jam, Grapes, Honey, Nuts, Olives,
Pears, Pork, Vegetables, Whole Grain or
Wheat Breads or Crackers
Beer
Bock, Lager, Pale Ale, Weiss Beer RVW
41
013412
291 St. Andrews Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-344-1643
bouldertaphouse.com/mankato-mn
We Specialize in
Craft
Beers
& Craft
Burgers!
Featuring
38 Beers on Tap
and 40 TVs
Watch our
Facebook page
for all new beers
& events!
www.facebook.com/
bouldertaphousemankato
V
isit Minnesota’s only underground winery and enjoy
a unique off season winery tour, and “Wine & Shoes”
adventure. After a snowshoe romp along the Morgan Creek,
a tributary to the Minnesota River, cross the meadow and the
vineyard, warm up around the fire bowl with a glass of hot mulled
wine and cook your own Neapolitan style pizzette in a 600 degree
wood fired European style outdoor oven. Enjoy your artisan lunch in
the production room surrounded by fermentation tanks for a
winemaker’s tasting, followed by a serving of Swiss raclette and
wine by the bottle for your group. Join us for “Wine & Shoes” a one of a kind Minnesota winery winter adventure! The Bent River
Outfitter Package includes snowshoe rental and round-trip
transportation provided by the Bent River shuttle van, so you
can enjoy the outing without designating a driver. Meet at the
downtown Outfitter building or have us pick you up at a
Mankato or New Ulm residence or establishment.
Call for group pricing Minimum of 8 people on adventure
012241
42
For more information on dates and bookings contact
Bent River Outfitter 507-388-2368
Friends that Brew
Together…
Stay Together!
U-BREW @ BREW-N-WINE CREATIONS
Come in and make your favorite
type of wine!
• Home brewing experience for individuals and
groups without the expense of equipment purchase
or space requirements.
• Ideal for the first time or repeat brewer.
• Great activity for a special event or social gathering. Group size recommendation - 1 to 8 people.
• You will make approx. 30 bottles of wine
We carry:
• 1-6 Gal. Beer & Wine Starter Equipment Kits
• Accessories
• Everything you need to brew beer and wine!
317 S. Minnesota Ave.
St. Peter, MN 56082
cheeseandpie.com
• Over 130 Varieties of Cheese
•Cutting Boards
• Fresh Pies
Made From Scratch
• Lucero Olive Oils
and Balsamic Vinegars
• Jams and Jellies
“Welsh Heritage Farms is so excited to be
opening a new cheese and pie shop in
downtown St. Peter. We’re definitely looking
forward to bringing our families recipes
to a whole new community.”
--Liberty Warren, Owner
Brew-N-Wine Creations
219 S. Victory Dr.
(507) 345-5733
012727
43
013453
“It’s All About
the Food”
Why choose
just one?
SteakS • Seafood
ChopS • SandwiCheS
For over 50 years the Pappas name
in Southern Minnesota has meant
one thing: Great Food.
1028 N. RiveRfRoNt DR.
MaNkato
507-387-8974
www.pappageorge.net
Reservations Accepted.
Serving Lunch and Dinner Daily.
Hours: Monday thru Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm 011335
44
Put the icing on your
holiday celebrations with the
season’s sweetest desserts.
Classic Pies & Cakes - Specialty Cupcakes
Assorted Cookies - Brownies & Pastries
Muffins - Rolls & Bread
Soups & Sandwiches- Salads & Light Lunches
& So Much More!
515 North Riverfront Drive, Mankato
507-345-4114
Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-6pm; Sun 6am-2pm
Email: Bakery.mankato@gmail.com
008442
Be Well
On Needles & Pins...
Barnett Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic
offers alternative healing
What was your first Acupuncture
session like? It started a lot like other
doctor’s appointments. I filled out a
health history form that the doctor
went over with me. She performed
an exam that consisted of ranges
of motion, reflexes, blood pressure,
and some other physical tests. She
answered all my questions about
acupuncture and explained everything
as we got started.
North Mankato’s Barnett Chiropractic &
Acupuncture Clinic’s philosophy is the belief that
when your body works the way nature intended,
your spirit soars, and so do you.
Dr. Jessica Barnett is a graduate of
Northwestern Health Sciences Univeristy. She
received her separate acupuncture certification
and fellowship through the esteemed
Acupuncture Society of America. Dr. Jessica works
with patients from one day old to 100.
How do the needles feel? I couldn’t
even tell when she put them in! You
feel some pressure from her pressing
the guide tube down, but you can’t tell
when the needle actually goes in. Every
so often during my session, I would
get a tingly/heavy sensation where
some of the needles were. And it’s
really an interesting feeling when you
feel one needle “connect” to another
somewhere else on your body- almost a
light electrical feeling!
Here she shares what acupuncture is all about:
In a nutshell what is acupuncture? Acupuncture
is an eastern medicine technique that uses
extremely thin needles to balance the bodys’
meridians and stimulate the nervous system to
function optimally.
Why did you choose this as a healing method
to offer people? As a chiropractor, this is a great
compliment to adjustments and therapies to
really boost healing. I love anything that can be
done to heal without harmful side effects.
Does it ever hurt? It really doesn’t!
Every once in a while I will feel a little
prick on some spots, but it’s very slight
and only lasts a moment. She calls
that an “Ah-shi” point- the Chinese
translation is “That’s it!” – Like, yep you
got it good!
Have you had acupuncture yourself? If so,
what led you to try it? Of course! I was actually
very skeptical at first, but working as an intern
under a doctor who used acupuncture in her
practice, I saw that those patients got amazing
results and had to try it and learn more!
What kind of training does an acupuncturist
have? As a doctor of chiropractic we have four
years of undergraduate schooling, and 5 years
of graduate school in human biology under our
belt, so we have a 100-hour certification course
and a national board exam to pass in order to
be certified. A licensed acupuncturist that is not
a doctor goes through a masters program of
Oriental medicine.
What can people expect on their first visit? On
your first visit, we go through a comprehensive
health history and exam prior to treatment. For
your treatment, depending on which points and
areas we treat, you may partially disrobe and get
cozy on a massage table, covered by a blanket.
Once the needles are placed, you get to lay down
and relax for about 20 minutes with guided
meditation to help you fully relax. Many people
are so relaxed, they doze off during the treatment.
What do you use acupuncture for? I
have used acupuncture to help treat a
lot of things. I’ve had Dr. Barnett help
me with unexplained uterine bleeding,
headaches, irritable bowel syndrome,
and stress to name a few!
prescriptions” for certain ailments. We decide
which points to do based on balancing the body.
The Qi (electrical flow of the body) can be too
high or too low.
What do specific locations for the needles do
for particular conditions? There are what we call
local and distal points. Local points are used in
areas of pain or local organ function. These points
stimulate the central nervous system to increase
blood flow, reduce inflammation, stimulate
endorphin and enkephlin production (which are
our body’s natural pain relievers and feel good
hormones).
Do people’s results vary? Yes. Some people
experience immediate long lasting results, others
take a few sessions to feel full effects. A general
treatment plan consists of 8-12 visits, each visit
s
How does an acupuncturist determine where
the needles go? Traditional acupuncturists
may use pulse and tongue diagnosis to aid in
determining which points to use. There are
also over 2000 points that are known to help
with certain conditions, and are used as “point
Leah A. 40, North
Mankato, one of Dr.
Barnett’s patients, tells
of her experience with
acupuncture:
How do you feel after acupuncture?
Depending on which points she does,
I generally feel a strong sense of calm
- an after acupuncture nap is always
great! I wake up feeling really refreshed
and energized. My muscles are much
more relaxed, and my pain lessens. Its
usually about an hour after the session I
feel the highest effects.
How would you describe cupping?
One word—AMAZING! I don’t do well
with traditional massages, and tend
to get really sore. With cupping, my
muscles and knots just melt away. I love
to have moving cups, where the doctor
will put lotion on my skin first and then
slide the cups over my muscles. She
usually does that first, and then picks a
couple spots where she will leave them
rest during the acupuncture session.
{ continued on page 50 }
45
Be Well
ING Syndrome… Do YOU have it?
ING Syndrome
comes from:
n Shovel-ING
n Party-ING
n Bak-ING
n Decorat-ING
n Travel-ING
n Buy-ING
n Eat-ING
n Spend-ING
n NOT Enough
Sleep-ING
It’s the time of year now that we are all
recovering from the hustle and bustle of the
holiday season. I’m sure we all had our share of
festivities, family and the frantic running around
shopping for that perfect gift. I don’t know about
you, but I Iove good food, egg nog, the smell of
Christmas trees, and the spirit that surrounds
the holidays. I didn’t, however, enjoy shoveling
snow, all the racing around, and everywhere I look
someone had a cookie in my face. There it was,
right in front of me – what was I supposed to do?
Some of us thrive in this activity. While others
are ‘not so much’ feeling the love, but rather,
are overwhelmed by the ‘shoulds’ of the holiday
season. Looking back on 2014 and ahead to the
new year we may be stressing about our diets,
money, and doing everything for everybody. But,
in all the hoopla, all that hustle-n-bustleING” – yes,
“ING”, there lies a slippery slope. I’m talking about
the ever growing syndrome that we’re all exposed
to called “ING syndrome.”
Signs and Symptoms of ING Syndrome include:
Fatigue, flu, lung and sinus infections, muscle
Happy New year
From anytime Fitness of Sleepy eye & Springfield!
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with Kara & Sara. We have
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with Lindsey and Katie!
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Contact Sara in Springfield 507-723-8199 or 227-9409
Contact angel in Sleepy eye 794-2424 or 227-4079
www.anytimefitness.com www.anytimehealth.com
46
012548
soreness, back pain, sciatica, headaches, neck
pain/stiffness, anxiety, depression, heart racing,
chest pain, irritability, and indigestion.
ABCs for beating ING Syndrome:
Awareness: Be aware of your body. What’s it
telling you? By the time you’re sick, it’s too late.
Learn the empowering word “No.”
Behavior: Eat, sleep, think and move. Eat for
fuel, sleep 7-8 hours, be true to yourself, and
move more. Rocket science, right? Don’t make
me pull a Richard Simmons on you! (Google him.)
Remember, it’s ok to splurge on a meal, or two…
just not every day.
Care: Make time to care for yourself. Have a
healthy and happy New Year! RVW
By Dr. Cuong
Huynh and Dr.
Debra Bobendrier
Discover
Chiropractic
Mankato
Smart decisions improve your winter health
Winter isn’t only inconvenient, it can be treacherous. The cold,
ice and snow add complexities to our lives and potentially to our
health. Sickness, frostbite and accidents are all things to consider
when entering into another chilly Minnesota winter. Here is some
advice to keep you healthy and safe.
n Cold weather preparedness
Arctic-like temperatures can be dangerous to many, especially
the very young and elderly. Take these precautions to ensure you
and your family is safe:
Avoid long exposure to cold weather
Dress in several layers of clothing
Pay special attention to protecting the feet, hands, head, ears
and nose from extreme low temperatures
Stay well hydrated if you are going to be spending any length of
time in the cold outdoors
Skip super-tight clothing
n General health best practices
Regardless of the time of year, there are certain steps you
should take to be the healthiest you can be. But extreme cold can
exacerbate the effects of some unhealthy choices. So, take these
steps to improve your well-being, especially when you’re chilled to
the bone:
Avoid smoking
Limit alcohol and caffeine intake
Sit and stand in positions that allow for proper circulation
n Watch out for signs of frostbite
Frostbite is a very serious condition. The first step to preventing
frostbite is to know when you’re most at risk. Your risk is higher if
you smoke, have a blood vessel disease such as diabetes, aren’t
wearing proper clothing, are dehydrated or fatigued, and if you’re
at a higher altitude.
Take these measures to prevent frostbite once you understand
your risk:
Cover your ears, face, head and nose
Wear proper boots or shoes — no sandals or open-toed shoes
Wear mittens or gloves — mittens provide better protection
Put on two pairs of socks on extremely cold days
Pack your car with winter survival gear (blankets, flashlights,
matches, etc.) in case of emergency
Travel with another person whenever possible
n Slips and falls
According to the National Safety Council, slips and falls account
for almost 9 million unintentional injuries in the United States each
year.
Tips for preventing slips and falls:
Wear the right shoes. Properly fitted shoes increase comfort,
reduce fatigue and improve safety.
Take your time. If you notice that the floor or ground doesn’t
have much traction, walk slow and be careful with each step.
Walk safely. Walk with your feet slightly pointed forward and
try the “shuffle step” to prevent slips, trips and falls.
Stay aware. Watch out for uneven ground, protruding
structures, holes, and debris that can cause slips, trips and falls.
Also, be aware of ice- and snow-packed surfaces — they increase
the risk of falling.
As you endure — or enjoy — another
Minnesota winter, keep this advice in mind.
Staying healthy is important at all times of the
year, and winter is no exception. Speak with
your health care team if you have questions or
concerns about your health. RVW
By Shari Hendricks, Mayo Clinic Health System
nurse practitioner, Mankato
47
Be Well
Gluten-free doesn’t mean problem free
Here’s the problem: While foods labeled gluten-free don’t have gluten in them, they are often
made with substitutes that can be just as high glycemic as their wheat-based counterparts -- such
as rice, corn, and potatoes. Which means they may harm your blood-sugar regulation system as
much as wheat can. (Did you know that eating two slices of whole wheat bread can increase your
blood sugar more than consuming two tablespoons of pure sugar?)
And, if you are looking to lose weight, that may make it that much more difficult.
Additionally, these gluten-free foods may still
contain common allergens, including all other
grains, soy, dairy and corn. All of these can cause
Did you know that eating
systemic inflammation, and frequently lead to
weight gain.
two slices of whole wheat bread
On top of that, these foods can also include
can increase your blood sugar
excess amounts of unhealthy sugars and artificial
more than consuming two
sweeteners – sucralose (Splenda), aspartame, corn
syrup, agave syrup, and more.
tablespoons of pure sugar?
Whew! Pretty gloom and doom, right? So what
are we supposed to do?
Well, first thing -- if you are looking at foods at
the grocery store labeled “gluten-free” - make sure you read the ingredients
carefully before making your decision to buy. Choose organic if possible.
Even if it says gluten-free, if it’s stuffed with the above harmful ingredients
- you really don’t want to be eating it - especially if your goal is to lose
weight.
Happy healthy eating! RVW
Bonnie Lantz, Nutrition Consultant @ Broadway Chiropractic Wellness Center,
New Ulm
t
nesota Stree
2 South Min N 56073
New Ulm, M
.1120
0 • 800.556
507.354.112 wulmtel.net
shayds@ne
.com
www.shayds
249671
48
013123
“Clean & Friendly environment….Focused on Safety”
625 West Bridge Street
Redwood Falls, MN
riversidetireservice.com
507-616-1016
888-762-3165
FREE TIRE
ROTATION
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When you
purchase 4 Tires
Visit your local Firestone
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DAC5254_RiverValleyWoman_DAC5205 12/11/14 10:51 PM Page 1
What do you and your
family want to SEE?
Tell us and you may win (4) tickets to the
MN Zoo + IMAX Theatre.
It's so easy to register to win:
• Tell us your desired family destination.
• Mail this form to us, drop it off at our office or go to our
Facebook page, Akre & Clark Eyecare, 'like' us and register.
Our family would like to see __________________________________________
My email address _________________________________________________
My phone number ________________________________________________
I am a MN resident and 18 years of age. Contest ends March 31, 2015. No purchase necessary.
If it has been over two years since you or a loved one has gotten an
eye exam, it's time! Drs. Akre & Clark wants you SEEing life together!
HouRS:
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Free Cookies & Coffee in our family waiting area
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013452
507.354.8531
49
Barnett Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic
continued from page 45
building upon the last. As a general rule
of thumb, the more chronic a condition
is, the longer it will take to build great
results.
Does it hurt? It is virtually painless. Most
people have no idea how many needles I
even use. The needles are not hollow like
a hypodermic needle. In fact you can fit
seven acupuncture needles into the hole
of an injection type needle! Also, the
needles go through a guide tube which
puts a pressure down on the skin around
the needle, which makes insertion
painless.
Does acupuncture and “traditional”
medicine go hand in hand? Most
definitely! I have many people work
concurrently with Acupuncture and
get referrals from doctors of neurology,
psychology, OB/GYN, even dentists! It is
becoming much more common practice
to use a conservative approach before
deciding on a need for surgery, drugs,
etc.
Are there some conditions that
acupuncture works best for?
Headaches, stress, smoking cessation,
and back pain have been widely studied
to show great results, but acupuncture
can help with over 2000 conditions:
allergies, ADHD, infertility, anxiety/depression, women’s issues,
fibromyalgia- just to name a few. The reason being that acupuncture
facilitates the body’s own ability to heal by stimulating the nervous
system.
Why do people choose it? Many people would like to avoid
prescription drugs or surgery and use a more natural treatment.
Some try it as a last resort after they have tried and failed with other
treatments. Those wanting to treat the cause rather than cover up
symptoms, choose Acupuncture.
What is “cupping” and what is the science behind it? Cupping is an
acupuncture technique that uses glass cups applied to certain points
to stimulate them rather than a needle. This works by using suction
to dispel blood stagnation. Its like the opposite of a massage. Instead
of pressing down on the muscles, it pulls up and does an amazing job
at releasing muscle tension. We also do what’s called moving cups by
sliding the cups over the muscles and you get the equivalent of a deep
tissue massage in minutes.
What have been some of your patient’s testimonials? My two
favorites revolve around acupuncture done for relaxation/stress relief. I had one patient report back to me for his second visit. He shared that
after his treatment he got pulled over. He was so relaxed that the officer
tested him for drunk driving! He didn’t believe he was just under the
influence of acupuncture!
I had another patient come for her first visit, and I instructed her to go
home and relax if possible. She called me about 45 minutes later, and
told me she was at the grocery store and had been walking around for a
½ hour and hadn’t put anything in her cart!
What is Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture? This is becoming very
popular as the dangers of plastic surgery and Botox come out! Facial
rejuvenation acupuncture uses a combination of extremely thin facial
acupuncture needles and light electrical stimulation to soften lines and
wrinkles, and tone skin. RVW
Dart Boards • Pool Tables
Jukeboxes • Pinball Machines
Video Games And More!
Interested in League
Play? Call Craig at
Ext. 235
Permanent
Cosmetic Tattooing
by Staci Lowe
Eyebrow • Eyeliner • Lip Liner • Full Lip • Specializes in Corrective
before
www.permanentcosmeticsbystaci.com
After
507-388-7500
Eyebrow
Treatment
3D Eyebrow
& Eyeliner
Treatment
50
C&N Sales, C&N Gameroom Outlet
1840 Commerce Dr., North Mankato, MN
507-387-7986 or 507-387-6811 www.cnnsales.com
— Gift cards available —
12 Years Experience
Licensed by State of Minnesota
www.salon07/lowe.html
236968
009282
013372
51
Treasures. . .
Discover your treasure at the many fun and unique shops in our
Minnesota River Valley communities! You never know what you might find...
for a special gift, or just because.
Mosaic tile
can add interest and texture to
a backsplash or custom shower.
Let one of our designers show
you how at
The Design Element
1351 Madison Ave.
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 345-8708
www.thedesignelement.net”
Aisle of Smiles
Healthy choices are easy at Hy-Vee,
like making your own freshly-ground
peanut and almond butter! Take
a little, take a lot, but make the
decision to eat fresh by choosing
from our aisles of bulk foods--the
largest selection in the area!
Hy-Vee Hilltop
2010 Adams St., Mankato
507.625.9070
Add personality
to your space with unique art pieces
fresh from High Point market. Stop in
at Lights On Madison before these
one-of-a-kind works are gone!
Lights On Madison
1351 Madison Ave.
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 345-8771
www.lightsonmadison.com
52
A new chapter in luxury...
Library of Flowers hand cream, bubble bath,
soap and perfume crema. Let coco butter
and skin-pampering green tea be your
muse when you soak in a blissful garden of
bubbles. Small batch perfumery and made
in the USA. Every woman has a story...
let a Library of Flowers tell it without
saying a word. Shhhh....
A to Zinnia Floral & Gifts
15 S. Broadway St., New Ulm, MN
507.359.9900
Always in Season
100% soy wax and hand-poured in
Belle Plain, Sugar Belle Candles & Wax
Melts clean-burning aromas are a treat
for the senses any time of year. Many
seasonal and every day scents make an
ordinary day something special.
The Stationery and Gift Store
by Carlson Craft
1750 Tower Blvd. ● North Mankato, MN
Ph: 507-625-0547 ●
email: stationeryandgiftstore@
carlsoncraft.com
Stop them in their tracks
when you glam up a special
event in this Tony Bowls
eye-popper. Brilliant jewel
tone... all it needs is you!
Sisters Bridal & Tux
1201 South Broadway
New Ulm, MN 507.359.7204
sistersbridalandtux.com
and now in Marshall!
Infinity by Sisters Bridal
202 West College Drive
Marshall, MN 507.532.9415
infinitybysistersbridal.com
100% Pure
No Synthetic chemicals, chemical
preservatives, detergents, artificial fragrance or
any other unhealthy toxins. We carry a full line of
products including: fruit dyed make up, skin care,
bath & body, hair and kids products.
Broadway Chiropractic Wellness Center
1510 N. Broadway, New Ulm
www.broadwaychiropractic.com
507-359-4374
Dimples in the wrong place?
Put a smile on your face and
dimples where they belong
with Slim Line Cellulite Cream!
Fat-burning pure ingredients
complement cellulite reduction
services and body contouring
treatments.
Available at
Body Concepts
1609 N. Riverfront Dr. Suite 105
507.381.5467
bodyconceptsmakato.com
Judy Beetch
Not Just Fireplaces!
Discover our collection of art and
decor, like this large stunning
3-piece wall art set.
Glowing Hearth & Home
241 St. Andrews Drive,
Mankato, MN
507.345.8084
High-quality water
The EcoWater ERO 375 Series reverse
osmosis systems will provide highquality water for worry-free drinking
and cooking. State-of-the-art filters
will improve the quality of water from
wells or municipal supplies alike. More
convenient and less costly than buying
bottled water. Best of all, it pays for
itself over time and makes a difference
you will notice every day! Find out
how EcoWater can make a difference
in your home or business.
EcoWater Systems
1204 South Broadway, New Ulm
(507) 354-2418 www.ecowaternow.com
Award-‐Winning Classic
Gold Medal Winner of the 2014
World Beer Cup for Vienna-Style
Lager, this reddish amber, smooth
tasting beer is always a crowd pleaser.
It’s mild maltiness, subtle sweetness and
light hoppy finish make it a perfect
pairing for parties, great compliment to
holiday meals, and much appreciated gift!
Find Schell’s Firebrick at area
restaurants, bars and liquor stores.
Advertising Representative
Tami Leuthold
507-317-7244
jmb@hickorytech.net
507-360-4466
tleuthold@ncppub.com
Over 1000 miles of local Minnesota River Valley news!
Advertising Representative
Over 1000 miles of local Minnesota River Valley news!
53
Money Talks
by Suze Orman
Beware: 2015 Prime Time for
Credit Card Rates to Rise
Photo by
R. Trachtenberg
You know how much I hate credit card debt, given the
astronomical interest rates you are stuck paying. Though the average
is around 14% I know plenty of you pay more than 20% interest. And
next year could be even more expensive for anyone carrying credit
card debt.
As you better know by now the interest you are charged on an
unpaid credit card balance is tied to any movement in whatever
benchmark index or rate the card issuer uses. Many credit cards use
the Prime Rate as their benchmark. Since early 2009 the Prime Rate
has been stuck at 3.25%.
That’s all about to change.
What you need to understand is that the Prime Rate is itself tied
to the Federal Funds rate. That’s the interest rate controlled by
the Federal Reserve, and if you’ve been following things lately the
expectation is that for the first time since the financial crisis the
Federal Reserve will raise the Federal Funds rate in 2015. Not a lot,
but it will go up.
As part of its work checking on the health of our big banks post
crisis, the Federal Reserve issues a periodic stress test of bank
financial health. As part of that stress test the Fed has to make some
interest rate and economic assumptions about what may happen in
the future. In its most recent “baseline” scenario —that is, if things
go as expected with no big shocks to the system-the Fed expects
the Prime rate to rise to 4% by the end of 2015 and estimates it could
reach 5.4% by the end of 2016. That guarantees the interest rate on
your credit card debt is heading higher.
The time is always right to take control of your credit card debt.
Now it is urgent as anyone with credit card debt in 2015 is likely to
see their borrowing costs go up. Time to stand in your truth and get
cracking on this important financial goal. My free Debt Eliminator will
show you exactly what to do. Find it at www.suzeorman.com/suzetools/debt-eliminator/. RVW
© 2014 Suze Orman Media Inc. All rights reserved. Used by
permission. www.suzeorman.com
Pool time!
Go ahead, dream big.
At Community Bank we know small
businesses are the backbone of
America and our local community.
So we’re always there to help. From
checking accounts with no service fees
to small business loans, you’ll get a
fast, informed decision - right on site.
Community Bank. The right fit for
your business.
Your dog will never want to get out of this 18x50 ft. swimming pool!
It’s always a comfortable 80 degrees and feels great!
Think of the health benefits swimming offers your dog:
• Protects the health of your canine athlete
• Assists in taking off those few extra pounds
• Promotes cardiovascular health • Easy on the joints of the senior dog
• Enrichment activity to promote physical, mental & emotional well-being.
1741 Premier Drive Mankato
507-625-7070
thepawmankato.com
54
MONEY MATTERS. WORK SMART.
LET COMMUNITY BANK HELP YOU
BRING THE TWO TOGETHER.
www.cbfg.net
013447
013236
MANKATO - St. Andrews Drive 507.385.4444
AMANDA BOHLKE MANKATO - Madison Ave 507.625.1551
CONSUMER & VERNON CENTER 507.549.3679
COMMERCIAL LENDER
AMBOY 507.674.3300
NMLS ID 815772
Organize Your
Financial Life
in the New Year
W
ith the economy on the mend after the “Great
Recession” and interest rates still sitting at
all-time lows, now is a great time to organize
your finances. In today’s world every household
decision raises issues about money. Whether you are paying
holiday credit card bills, selecting employer benefits for 2015 or
determining what amount you should be saving for retirement,
they all have an effect on your future financial health.
You may feel overwhelmed when it comes down to
understanding these issues and the role each plays within your
personal finances. Even more overwhelming are the numerous
financial choices you have today and determining which is right
for you. With so many questions and so much at stake, where do
you start?
A wise first step would be to seek the advice of a Certified
Financial Planner. A seasoned CFP possesses a broad array of
financial knowledge and will help assess your current financial
situation right down to the last penny. The CFP will help you
determine your personal/financial goals and chart a course
towards reaching those goals. Because each area of your finances
has a cause and effect with the other areas when financial
decisions are made, the best tool in helping you start this process
is a comprehensive financial plan.
A financial plan takes into account all aspects of your finances
and how they interrelate. Once the Financial Plan has been
created, you will have a better understanding of what steps
should be taken, such as:
• Paying down debt
• Saving for Retirement
• Changing your Estate Plan
• Saving for Children’s College
• Making a large purchase
The CFP can help you prioritize the steps toward
accomplishing what is most important to you via recommending
a course of action. Providing various options in each of those
areas will help you choose which is most appealing to your
personal situation.
After these recommendations have been implemented, your
financial plan should be monitored on a regular basis. This will
enable you to see if you remain on track to meeting your desired
goals even if you encounter a life-changing event. One thing is
certain, change is constant; so staying abreast of these changes
and making adjustments to your financial plan is paramount to
your success.
Whether you earn $25,000 a year or $250,000, there is
undoubtedly one financial planner in your life now: You! Getting
started today is the key to your financial future. RVW
By Ryan Spaude, CFP
Eide Bailly Financial Services, Mankato
Disclosure:Financial Advisors are Registered Representatives of
and offers securities through Securities America Inc. Member
FINRA and SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through
Eide Bailly Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor.
Eide Bailly Financial Services, LLC is the holding company for
Eide Bailly Advisors, LLC. Eide Bailly Financial Services and its
subsidiaries are not affiliated with Securities America companies.
THE FUTURE IS YOURS
TO CUSTOMIZE
WITH A COMPREHENSIVE
FINANCIAL PLAN
Our financial services combine the knowledge of a Certified Financial Planner with an
experienced team of CPAs and Business Advisors to help you prepare for retirement, manage
your taxes and plan your estate. Contact Ryan Spaude, CFP® or visit our website today.
Experience the Eide Bailly Difference.
507.387.6031 | w w w. e id e b a illy. c o m
Advisor is a Registered Representative
of and offer securities through
Securities America, Inc. Member
FINRA and SIPC. Investment Advisory
Services offered through Eide Bailly
Advisors, LLC a Registered Investment
Advisor. Eide Bailly Financial Services,
LLC is the holding company for Eide
Bailly Advisors, LLC. Eide Bailly
Financial Services and its subsidiaries
are not affiliated with Securities
America companies. Securities
America and its representatives do not
provide tax or legal advice; therefore
it is important to coordinate with your
tax or legal advisor regarding your
specific situation.
012639
55
Money Talks
Focus = Freedom
The gala and glitz of the
holidays are past. It’s
time to look forward
into 2015 and–as
River Valley Woman
suggests– Renew!
Recharge! Resolve!
During the
holidays it’s easy to
get caught up in the
hype of buy-buybuy, and when our
credit card bills and
account statements
show up in January,
we are kicking ourselves
for having overspent. So,
now is the time to (1) Renew
focus on our financial well-being,
(2) Resolve to improve our personal
finances, and (3) Recharge our bank accounts!
Renew Your Focus
The first step is to take an honest accounting of your finances.
Make a personal balance sheet by listing the things you own (your
assets), and the things you owe (your debts). Subtract your debts from
your assets, and you will have calculated your net worth. Hopefully
it’s positive, but if not, don’t despair. It’s important to be honest
about where you stand, and then focus on improving. Looking in the
rearview mirror does no good.
Behind Every
Strong Woman is a
Strong Financial Plan
56
013120
Resolve to Gain Financial Freedom
Financial freedom occurs when you have planned a secure future
and have the means to pursue your dreams. And only you are
responsible for making this happen, by taking these four steps:
1. Learn to live within your means
It is important to distinguish between what you need and what
you want. You want a new car, but do you need it? Or can you get by
with a car that is in reasonably good shape and is paid for? Do you
need a new outfit, or can you get by with what you have? Resolve to
only purchase what you need, and you will reduce your dependence
on credit cards, and instead, begin to SAVE money towards financial
independence.
2. Pay off debt, especially credit cards
According to www.nerdwallet.com, the average indebted
household carries $15,608 in credit card debt. Your first priority
should be to pay off this debt, and then plan to use only one reward
credit card for purchases going forward, and only to the extent that
you can pay that balance off each month. Begin this process today! It
is one of the most important steps you should take.
Once your credit cards are paid off, begin paying off installment
debt, including your mortgage. Start with the highest interest rate
loan, and work down the list. At the very least, you should resolve to
have all of your debt paid off before you retire.
3. Make savings a priority
There is no better feeling than having cash in the bank, ready and
available for that unexpected expense, like a home or car repair, or for
something fun like a vacation.
How do you make savings a priority? You do it by making that
payment to savings as soon as your paycheck hits the bank. Do it with
an automatic transfer from checking to savings. Did you get a raise
this year? Take that amount, and dedicate it to your savings account.
Keep several savings registers going—one for each item for which
you are saving. First priority is to establish a 6-month emergency
fund. This should be enough to cover your expenses should you be
laid off from your job or be unable to work. Second, save for large,
planned expenses (a car, for example) so that you will have cash on
hand to make that expenditure. Are you wanting to contribute to
your children’s or your grandchildren’s college expenses? Set up a
savings register for that purpose. What about for Christmas next year?
Instead of depending upon credit cards, set up a savings register for
next year’s holiday expenses. Resolve to do this TODAY, as time is on
your side!
4. Save for retirement.
We all should be saving for retirement, and this should come
before saving for any other priority items, other than the 6-month
emergency fund. If you have an employer-sponsored plan, fully
participate, especially if there is an employer match. If you do
not have an employer-sponsored plan, then set up an individual
IRA. Again, you need to do this today, to take advantage of the
compounding of earnings.
Recharge Your Accounts, Build Your Net Worth,
and Stick to Your Plans
If you follow the steps above, you will be
on the road to success. Update your personal
financial statement annually to gauge your
progress. Stick to the plan. As your net worth
improves, you will earn your financial freedom.
RVW
Julie Baumgartner
Senior Vice-President
Citizen’s Bank, New Ulm
Tune in every Thursday at 8 am
for Healthy Eating Ideas
from April Graff,
Registered Dietitian from
With
George & Jess
on Real Country
103.5 KYSM
Tune in to
105.5 The River
every day for
engaging shows
Healthy tips for Life
7pm
2pm- riday
ay-F
Mond
Soothe and relax
your mind
7pm-M
Mond idnight
ay-Fri
day
012725
57
Thrills, Chills, and Recharges
of our trips are independent adventures--driving around the back
Recently, I asked my husband Terry to choose a favorite trip from
country of Australia or deciphering train schedules in Tokyo. In
our travels, one that twinkled his eyes, drained away his daily grind,
Kenya, I didn’t have to navigate, find food, book hotels, tote luggage.
and soothed his soul. His swift and spontaneous reply, “Africa.” And
Don’t get me wrong. If you happened to read Lemons and Lotus in
even though Terry and I have somewhat varying travel priorities,
the last issue of River Valley Woman, you’ll know that independent
that’s the destination that leaps immediately into my head as well.
travel is the source of intense, amazing experiences, and our default
There’s just something about an Africa trip. We’ve all seen a
way to wander. But it’s nice to balance out those
million nature channel documentaries, and
thrills and chills occasionally with some coddling
think we know zebras and elephants and lions.
and polish.
I thought I did. But I was unprepared for the
Yes, for us, Africa is the ultimate recharge. We
power of the place and the sheer presence of the
come away from that continent with expanded
animals--every single one, from warthog to stork
minds and swelled souls, filled with a grounding
to giraffe.
that can only stem from the earth and it’s
For one thing, everything is half again as large
creatures, and from lessons regarding humanity’s
as you think. One misses scale on a television
place, where it is and where it should be.
screen. There, hyenas look like dogs, but in
Other trips we’ve taken come close, offering
reality they are lion-sized. And lions... Well, it’s
renewal in varying shades and shapes. Terry’s
awe-inspiringly obvious when seen in person (in
next reply to the “List Your Favorite” question was
mammal?) why they are called King of the Beasts.
an Amazon jungle lodge and Canadian Rockies
Another thing that took me by surprise, is that
camping. Mine, Denmark and Washington DC.
as a human, I didn’t belong there. Even though
Each of those trips contained a core of a different
the visitor does safaris in huge refuges, it is
something important, needed, and absorbed.
absolutely nothing like a park or zoo. With no real
During my years as a travel agent, it was a big
boundaries and minimal control, the vast stretches
part of my job and a fun challenge to discern
of grassland and scrub and forest belong to the
what the renewing destination or activity was
animals that live there. It very much feels like their
for any type of client. One rainy gray November
home, their place, not a chunk of land that we
day, a lovely executive-looking blonde woman
humans have given them. I am peripheral and
walked in to the agency, wanting to buy Mexico
transient there.
Notes from a
air-hotel packages as Christmas bonuses for
What a big picture perspective adjustment.
three esteemed employees. While we were in the
Experiences, unique and shattering, abound.
World Traveler
process of putting that together, she mentioned
In Kruger, baboons raided our cabin’s refrigerator
Marci M. Fuller
offhand that she and her husband had been
and scattered our dinner to the winds. In Samburu,
working so hard for so many years and had not
a rutting bull elephant tore apart a tree. In the Rift
taken a trip themselves. Continuing to casually
Valley, our eyes thrilled at flamingo-filled lakes.
chat with her as I booked Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan packages,
In the Masai Mara, a zebra became lunch for a lion and baby zebras
I ferreted out that her husband liked to ski and she liked to shop
swam ahead--just barely--of crocodiles the size of boats.
and they both liked historical places and museums and good food.
Sometimes the recharge you gain from travel comes in a sneaky,
less savory form. Our first day in Kenya involved crossing Nairobi city I happened to have a brochure at my desk from a company offering
a southern Switzerland (for skiing) and northern Italy (for shopping)
on our way to Mt. Kenya. Our guide and driver Mel happened to get
combo package. Perfect. Her eyes lit up, she booked it, and for many
behind a garbage truck, one of those with the open maw back end.
years, I did biannual trips for the two of them all over the world.
Every time the truck had to stop at an intersection, hordes of street
I had another client who, twice a year, just wanted a beach, a chair,
kids would leap into the back, grab what they could within a couple
a palm tree, and a suitcase full of books. And that’s okay too. Travel
seconds, and leap out again when the truck started to move.
Talk about making you feel guilty for any past whining or wanting, is about recharging, and that takes many forms. As many forms
as there is travelers. So... sun and sand, snow and skis, theatre and
and re-grasping the realization of just how good you’ve got it.
cafes, cruise ships and shopping, cathedrals and museums, jungles
Speaking of having it good, I have a confession. Another thing I
and wild things... figure out what speaks to you...and get out there.
personally find recharging about an African safari is that the travel
RVW
nuts and bolts are generally taken care of by a tour company. Many
Suitcase
Savvy
58
T
Welcome 2015!
he stress and chaos of the holiday season is winding
down and now we have time to reflect on our past year
and make plans for 2015. Celebrating the New Year is
a custom that dates back to ancient times. Even the
Romans made promises of what they would do in the New Year.
But before we can move forward, we may need or want to
reflect on the outgoing year. Many of us find ourselves thinking
about 2014 and assessing what all happened during it. Was it a
good year? Did you achieve the goals or accomplish the things you
wanted to?
Some feel that they did not accomplish their goals and are
disheartened. Others feel the end of the year is a reminder that
they are yet another year older. Perhaps they experienced losses or
challenges that made the year emotionally difficult.
But some of you had wonderful things happen in 2014. Perhaps
you celebrated marriages, the birth of a child, job promotions or
the acquisition of a college degree. For many, 2014 represents a
year with beautiful memories that will be cherished forever.
Most of us have had a year with a combination of ups and
downs, joys and heartache. Being able to move on and embrace
a new year may require that we let go of what we did and didn’t
do in 2014. This doesn’t mean to forget your goals, experiences or
challenges, it simply means re-assess what you are aiming for and
adjust, or try again.
Many of us make resolutions at this time of year. In fact, some
reports indicate that almost 45% of Americans will make a New
Year’s resolution. And these reports also note that only about 8%
Twin Cities - Including traditional
MSP International Airport
of us making a resolution follows through or is successful with our
resolutions.
Resolutions can be general or specific. There are common
resolutions such as lose weight, spend less money, and stop
smoking. Many of our resolutions are about self- improvement.
Instead of making the same resolution year after year or one
halfheartedly, give some real thought to what you would like to do
with the next year. Ask yourself what would add value and joy to
my life and the lives of those I love?
Consider making a resolution where improving or changing
a behavior might help someone else. For example, if you are
someone who texts or uses your phone while driving, you might
consider resolving not to use your phone at all while in the car.
Keeping your phone in your purse or putting it on the seat beside
you may diminish that urge to look at it or text. Your new behavior
could prevent an accident where you or someone else is injured or
killed. This small action on your part could have big consequences.
Regardless of whether or not you make a resolution or set a
goal, the new year provides each of us the
opportunity to take a breath and assess who
we are and what gifts we have in our lives. It
allows us a fresh start. Don’t be afraid to be
adventurous and open yourself up to new
experiences. You might find 2015 to be a very
Happy Year! RVW
Catherine Job MA, MBA, LPC
Executive Director
Sioux Trails Mental Health Center
Rooted in our heritage, focused on your future
Southern MN Connection - Rochester
3 locations to serve you!
1600 Madison Ave, Suite 112, Mankato
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W
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010813
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59
Connections . . .
st
Providing a link between business
owners and thousands of readers
each month. Post or pick up virtual
business cards here!
009114
Celebrating 35 years
of providing quality
products & service!
Professional DJs
Good Vibrations Mobile DJ Service
507-438-6533 or 507-254-6470
507-232-3502
Hours: M-F 8:00 - 5:30; Sat. 7:30 - 4:30
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Find us on Facebook at Good
Vibration Mobile DJ or on the web
at www.goodvibrationdjs.com
010816
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206924
011384
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Grass-fed Beef Tallow Body Products,
One-Of-a-Kind Antique Items along with
Fashionable, Name Brand Clothing.
Our items are also available at The Carlson Craft Gift Store
in Mankato, seasonally at Holmberg Orchard near
Vesta and Greenwood Nursery in Marshall.
Plaid
Piper
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Floral, Gifts, Home Decor
308 Main St., Mapleton, MN
507.524.4222
41132 180th St W
Springfield MN
507-276-1270
Plaid@hickorytech.net
012640
Open Mon.-Fri. 9-5 & Sat. 9-12
013122
Lori Mathiowetz
507-382-5880
28½ N. Minnesota St.
New Ulm, MN 56073
012641
www.riverbendspiritualcare.com
006217
012530
Thrivent Financial was
named one of the “World’s
Most Ethical Companies”
by Ethisphere Institute from
2012–2014.
Chanelle E. Braekkan
Financial Advisor
Office: 507-934-5304
Cell: 507-351-4580
Fax: 507-934-5305
300 S. Minnesota Ave.
St. Peter, MN 56082
chanelle.braekkan@thrivent.com
Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent Financial, marketing name for Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans,
WI. Registered
representative
of Thrivent Investment Management
Appleton,Appleton,
Wisconsin
• Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Inc., Minneapolis, MN. Member FINRA and SIPC. Thrivent.com/disclosures.
• 800-THRIVENT
60 Thrivent.com
RIVER VALLEY
WOMAN(800-847-4836)
| january • 2015
Bonnie Kruger
Realtor, ABR, GRI, CRS
Cell: 507-327-0633 Bus.: 507-345-4040
Email: Bonnie@MankatoRealEstate.com
www.MakatoRealEstate.com
27193 R3-14
6,000 Bolts of Quilt Fabric!
Plus: Books - Patterns
Notions - Classes
Raintree Mall
500 Raintree Rd. Suite 35
Mankato, MN 56001
507-625-8135
Open Mon.-Thurs. 10-7 • Fri. 10-6 • Sat. 10-5
010876
www.rivercityquilts.com
Stephanie L. Hylla, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
013449
Licensed Acupuncturist
Diplomate in Acupuncture (NCCAOM)
530 N Riverfront Dr., Suite 130
Mankato, MN • 507-469-4788
info@mankatoacupuncture.com
www.MankatoAcupuncture.com
Fine jewelry & repair
Jewelry Bench
By Mary
012390
424 Park Lane
Mankato, MN
507-385-0167
009289
You’re invited to our Freunde & Familie
013651
Customer Appreciation Event
All Day Thursday, January 22
Join us for Traditional German Appetizers (from 4 pm - 7 pm), Door Prizes,
Drawings, Special Savings & More!!! Like a 2 yr. maintenance guarantee &
Free custom fit weather tech floor liners (up to a $250 value) on ANY vehicle
purchased that day. 10% off all parts & accessory upgrades & more!
Kohls Weelborg Chevrolet
013571
1430 Westridge Road, New Ulm, MN 56073
SALES: (877) 713-7134 | SERVICE: (866) 647-5482
Mention this ad & save 10%
Celebrating 35 years
of providing quality
products & service!
Minnesota
Interpreting and Nicollet,
Translation
Services
507-232-3502
Many Languages, One
Company, One Voice
Hours: M-F 8:00 -507-351-8787
5:30; Sat. 7:30 - 4:30
www.linguaone.com
009343
www.georgescitymeats.com
206924
61
What’s your vision?
I think I have been on a Karma kick lately. Every religious
and spiritual tradition on earth has a word describing this
“law of attraction,” so call it what you will: Karma,
What-Goes-Around-Come-Around, The Law of Attraction,
Do Unto Others, you can find some variation of this
philosophy (and who should be credited for it) in every
book at Barnes and Noble. I am going to give it a new name,
‘cause what the heck, why not, (drumroll please)
The Boomerang Theory: whatever you put out there,
will come flying back in your face.
Now in all fairness, I’ve
always been a bit of a skeptic.
This whole “your thoughts become
reality” thing always seemed at odds
with my justice orientation. It doesn’t seem
completely fair to say that everything that
happens to people can’t be traced back
to something they have thought, or done
or not done. But as of late, I’m having a
hard time denying that there isn’t some
kernel of truth in The Boomerang Theory.
For instance, I am virtually certain of the
fact that my brain controls sound waves, as
every time I have a song stuck in my head,
it comes on the radio. Every time I find a
new artist that I like, it inspires me to
write a new song. When I find myself
missing old friends, they randomly call
to hang out. I would like to continue my
skepticism, but the evidence in my own life
experiences just isn’t helping me much.
So I figured I might as well capitalize on
it and attract a vacation to Fiji into my life.
The ultimate test of The Boomerang Theory
is to make a Vision Board. If you have never
done this, and want to have a fun experience with your girlfriends that makes you
feel like a teenager again, I highly suggest
having a Vision Board party. You will need:
a large tagboard, a glue stick, and a stack
of magazines. If you are a detail oriented
person, you can Google: “vision board
party” and get lots of fun tips. My girlfriend
and I had no magazines, and randomly her
co-worker brought in a huge stack of magazines and asked if anyone wanted them.
Evidence? The Universe providing? I’ll let
you decide.
I set out to make my vision board with
one intention: I needed more focus and
discipline in my life. You see, I am one of
62
those whimsical souls that says yes to
everything and likes to have lots of
coals burning on the fire at one
time. This is enormously fun,
and affords me many exciting opportunities. It is also
exhausting and difficult to
actually finish a given
task. So I cut out lots of
pictures of things like clean
houses, orderly kitchens, etc.
But as I got going, I also saw
lots of other things I wanted to
attract into my life: fashion, smiling families, guitars, tight butts. It
also occurred to me about half way
through my day that I had some art
magazines that I should really cut pictures
out of and add to my Vision Board. After
all, who doesn’t need more art in their life?!
Short disclaimer: this took me an entire day.
I thought this process was going to take me
a couple hours of my morning at most. We
started at morning coffee, and finally finished at evening night cap.
Long story short, my vision board took on
a life of its own and declared anarchy on my
intention for a “more focused, disciplined
life.” Instead, what manifested was a chaotic
mess of things that are already present in
my life. They’re just not all present at the
same time, or all of the time. As I cradled
my glass of wine staring at my masterpiece I
saw that this disaster I had created, was the
life I am currently living. And dang is it cool!
Now, naturally there are certainly things
that aren’t quite as picturesque as they look
on a glossy magazine cover. I don’t have
six pack abs, but I have health. I don’t have
a beach to sit in lotus pose meditating on,
but I have a comfy porch that is perfect for
What Next?
by
Lori Mathiowetz
Riverbend Spiritual Care
meditating. I can’t afford to go to Fiji this
year, but in April I get to go on a business
trip with my husband to California...where I
understand they distribute Fiji water…yeah
I know, that one’s a stretch.
The reality is that even if I got all those
things exactly as displayed on my bedroom
mirror, it wouldn’t be long before I would
want something new, different, and better. I would want the latest model, the next
upgrade. The grass is always greener.
Sometimes when you can’t get what you
want, you need to teach yourself to want
what you got.
I still buy into the Boomerang Theory
even though I don’t believe my Vision Board
will come to pass exactly as I have displayed
it. I stop and look at it several times a day
and just in the simple act of stopping, taking a breath, and spending time with some
aspect of that masterpiece I have created, I
connect my intentions for my day with my
intentions for my life. That sort of intentional living, combined with a mysterious
energy present in our world that you can
name how you wish, is what attracts positivity to our life. Live in victim mentality
every day and you bet your gonna pave the
road for all kinds of yuck to come to pass.
Surround yourself with your greatest hopes
and dreams….
And I guess you’ll see. RVW
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012711

RVW 1-64 low res

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