ME: IN FOCUS Magazine February 2010 (BackIssue)

8/9/2019 ME: IN FOCUS Magazine February 2010 (BackIssue)

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WHERERUNWAY MEETS REALITY,STYLE MEETS SUBSTANCE+HAUTE MEETS HEART

www.meinfocusmag.com

HEARTTOHEARTLOVE YOUR BODY

DIVINE ORDEVIOUS

LINGERIE TO

MATCHYOUR MOOD

ROMANCE+REALISM

CONVERSATIONWITH AUTHOR

BRENDA

DELLA CASA

PUCKER UPSEAL A KISS

WITH THESEASON`S HOTTEST

LIP COLORS

SPOTLIGHTONMODEL+ACTRESSJERRITAJERRITAJERRITAJERRITA

HALLHALLHALLHALL

+

FEBRUARY 2010

:IN FOCUS


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Scenes: Out & About and On the Town 4

Rants + Raves: 6

Divine or Devious: Lingerie to Match Your Mood 8

Chinese New Year: Year of the Tiger10

Heart to Heart: With Our Model Role ModelJerrita Hall 12

Pucker Up!: We Send Our Love to You With theHottest Lip Colors of the Season 18

Cinderella Was a Liar: Conversation with Authorand Romance Guru Brenda Della Casa 19

Fabulously Single + Fabulously Attached: 20

Fond-ooh!: The Perfect V-Day Indulgence 22

Hot Spots: Cozy Places to Find Tables for Two 24

Fitness: Keeping Your Promise to Yourself in theNew Year26

Two Olympians: Interviews with Our HometownAthletes 28

Jet Set: Grab Your Honey and Go 32

A Midsummers Night: Merida, Mexico 34

Portrait of a Life: by Student Photographer EmilyMaehl 36

Calendar: February Never Looked Better withArtwork by Illustrator Peter Breese 38

Buzz:The Lovely Bones Film Review by BriannaCalkin of Chick Flick Reviews 39

FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Bian Li

MANAGER

SPONSORSHIP & EVENTS

Christine Nicholls

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Diana Dittmer

CREATIVE CONSULTANTS

Alex Albrecht

Ricardo Ford

OFFICE MANAGER

Arlene Gutierrez

CONTRIBUTORS

Iya Bakare

Kerry Sayers

Olivia St. Clair

CONTACT

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

General [email protected]

[email protected]


www.meinfocusstudios.com

Copyright 2010Me: IN FOCUS/The LB Group LLC. All Rights ReserAll text, images, graphics and other materials in this publication andwebsite are subject to the copyright and other intellectual property righMe: IN FOCUS/The LB Group LLC and other respective contribu

affiliates and/or submitters. These materials may not be reprodudistributed, modified or reposted to other publications or websites witthe express written permission of Me: IN FOCUS/The LB Group LLother respective copyright holders. The photos on the following pagethis issue, unless otherwise credited, are copyrighted property of TheGroup LLC and express written permission must be granted for usage. Any photos not noted above, and not specifically credited,obtained from publicly shared/open license sources and/or databases.marks appearing in this publication and/or the website including, butlimited to: (i) The LB Group LLC; and (ii) Me: IN FOCUS and its respelogos, images, emblems, phrases, slogans, designs, and mottos;trademarks of The LB Group LLC, its brands and affiliates. The infotion contained herein is designed to be as contextual and factuapossible, per our best efforts and the information and/or resouavailable and/or provided to us at the time. We reserve the right, howeto make changes at any time, without notice, in the editing of the pubtion therein for clarity, brevity, content, and purpose. Some links ancontact information provided in this publication may lead to websites or establishments/businesses by independent third party owners. information presented therein is the sole responsibility of those indepeent third party owners. The LB Group LLC and Me: IN FOCUS havcontrol or responsibility for the content of independent sites and/or naof third party establishments/businesses and we provide these links ancontact information to our readers solely for their convenience.

ON THE COVERJerrita Hall

Jerrita lets loose andreveals her true, beautifulself. We asked her toshow off her natural hair:simple, chic and under-stated.

Photography by Danny Finley

FEBRUARY 2010 ME: IN FOCUS 3

b

Bian Bee Li SharesHer Thoughts

EDITORSLETTER

Whats InsideThis Month

CONTENTSWho We Are

ME: IN FOCUS

Bee

Dear Readers,

This issue is all about love. From Valen-tines Day hot spots to heart health, fromromance to realism, we focus on the lovesin our lives - love for our passions, signifi-cant others, family and friends - and moreimportantly, love for yourself - your body,mind and soul. If you open your heart,

love will find you.

In addition, we pass on our love to thosemost in need - for every purchase of thisissue and every subscription ordered inFebruary, 10% of all proceeds will go tothe International Medical Corps for theirrelief efforts in Haiti.

Be Good.

Bee

STYLE ME.ENTERTAIN ME.INFORM ME.INDULGE ME.INSPIRE ME.EMPOWER ME.

For single issue or subscriptionpurchases, please visit:www.meinfocusmag.com


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We enjoyed Evanston nativeJessie Arlens CD Launch concerttitled Certain Surprise. Check outher interview in the March issue.http://jessiearlen.com

SCENES

Our January interview with rising starand Chicago plus size model LaurenA. Koenig was featured on Madison-plus.com, a premier fashion websitefor plus size women.www.madisonplus.com

Hush Magazine pre-production celebration.Me: IN FOCUS Editor Bee Li was interviewed for asegment on Cover Chicago TV.

Me: IN FOCUS Studios has nowofficially opened to the public due topopular demand.www.meinfocusstudios.com

Me: IN FOCUS magazine mixeswork and play. Having a blast withphotoshoots in our studio space!

ME: IN FOCUS OUT AND ABOUTAND ON THE TOWN!

Where weve been and what wevebeen doing since last issue

4 ME: IN FOCUS FEBRUARY 2010


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RANTS

FROZEN PIPES

Apparently this happens more thanwe think. During winter months,always remember to never turn off theheat entirely to avoid flooding fromfrozen pipes bursting.

BURIED CARS

For those of us not lucky enough tohave designated parking, its neverfun to walk out to your car only to findthat the street is clean, but your car isbeneath a thick layer of snow and icefrom the plows.

BROKEN HEAT LAMPSON EL

Can we say BRRRRRRR?

LACK OF HEALTHYLATE NIGHT DELIVERY

If only we had more healthy options,then we wouldnt feel bad in the morningafter giving in to our 3am cravings.

WHATSANNOYING US

While theresmuch to love about

Chicago, here aresome things that

could be better

FROZEN PARKING METERS

Its bad enough that its so expensive.Parking meter problems are never ending.



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RAVESWHATSTHRILLING US

Here are someof the practicalthings in our livesthat make ourday better

EXOTIC SCRUBS

Bath & Body WorksSignature Collectionoffers this seductive, floral scent inspired bythe gardens of Japan. Exfoliating sugar crystalscombined with aloe and jojoba + almond oilsleave skin feeling silky smooth.

Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Scrub$15.00www.bathandbodyworks.com

SalesDirectors

Pick

+STYLISH COMMUTE BOOTS

Gabriella Rochas comfortable and hip bootsare perfect for the winter commute. The full sidezipper makes them easy to slip on when yourerunning late in the morning.

Gabriella Rocha Pauline Boots$129.95www.zappos.com

StylistsPick

ALL-IN ONE COMPUTERS

This stylish and affordable Acerdesktopmodel is sleek and completely wireless. The23-inch touch screen is perfect for designers.

All-In-One Desktop PC$899.00www.acer.com

EditorsPick

LOVELY SCENTS

The Body Shopoffers a light, candy scent.Its the first Eau De Parfum to feature alcoholmade from a fair trade and organic ingredients,promoting environmental sustainability andbiodiversity. 100% of the profits are donatedto EPCAT, an organization that aims to EndChild Prostitution, Child Pornography andChild Trafficking.

LOVE ETC...

$29.50 ~ 1.69oz$24.00 ~ 1ozwww.thebodyshop-usa.com

EditorsPick

CHIC LAPTOP BAGS

This ultra stylish laptop bag by Juicy Couturecombines fashion and function. Youwill surelyturn heads as you tote your laptop around town.

Laptop Sleeve in Fuchsia$98.00www.chiclaptopbags.comwww.juicycouture.com

DesignDirectors

Pick



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7

DIVIN

RACHEL MCADAMS

Shown here as Allie HamiltonThe Notebook, Rachel repres

our picture perfect visiopeaches and cr

LINGERIE

TO MATCHYOUR MOODLUXURIOUS SENSUAL HIP BABYDOLLTHE HIP G THONGUnderthings

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GIRL IN EVERY PORT BRARUFFLE HIGH WAIST BLOOMER

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THEA BABYDOLLTHEA LR THONG

Underthings$68/$16

SILK RUFFLE TRIM BABYDOLLVictorias Secret

$42

SEXY LITTLE THINGSVictorias Secret

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ALL DOTS BABYDOLLFredericks of Hollywood

$36



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8

DEVIOUSDITA VON TEESE

Sweet but sultry queen of modern day pinup and burlesque bombshell, Dita is ournspiration and the undisputed definition

of the word

MARINA CUTOUT TEDDYG Boutique

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KOHL FLORAL CAMIDOLL/THONGG Boutique

$52/$16

ALL TIED UP BABYDOLLG Boutique

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SHEER RIBBONSCOUNTOUR BRA/THONG

Underthings$60/$22

BOUDOIR TORSOLETTE/THONGUnderthings

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BACK TO BASIC CORSETFredericks of Hollywood

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NEVER SAY NEVERCUTIE THONGS

Underthings$20



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YOURE

INVITED!

Like many holidays,Chinese New Year is aboutpeace, prosperity and beingwith friends and family. Aspart of the Me: IN FOCUSfamily, you're invited to joinus on February 12 as wecelebrate good fortune withgreat food at our favoriterestaurant in Chinatown.

For more details and to RSVP,please visit our website:www.meinfocusmag.com


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L

anternslightup

thenight.Theycomein

a

llshapesandsizes.

Jiaozi(Potstickers)areapopulardish.

Theysymbolizetogethernessasfamilies

reunitefortheholiday.

Atraditionalcustom

includesvisitingalocaltemple

toblesslovedonesandwishfor

goodluckinthenew

year.

TheChinesezodiacisbasedona12-

year

lunarcycle.ThisyearistheYearoftheTiger.

Peopleborninthisyeararesaidtobe

brave,

competitiveandengaging.

HAPPY

CHINESE

NEWYEAR

Stuffedwi

thmoney,

redenvelo

pesaregivento

childrenandsubordinatesas

atokenof

goodfortune.

Lightingfirecrackers

areoneofthemostpopularactivities

duringChineseNew

Year.

PHOTOGRAPHYBYBIANLI

YEAROFTHETIGER

Coincidentally,February14

isalsoChineseNew

Year,

themostimportant

holidayintheChine

se

culture.Hereareso

meof

thewaysitiscelebr

ated

throughouttheworld.


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PHOTOGRAPHY

Danny Finleywww.dannyjive.com

CLOTHING

Bryan K. Osburn Collectionwww.nationalitiesbeautyfirm.com

Foxswww.foxs.com

STYLIST

Ogi Merzier

MAKEUP

Malgorzata Gorniak

HE RTWITH MODEL +ACTRESSJERRITA HALLFebruary is American HeartMonth. Heart disease is thenumber one killer of women in

the country. Its never beenmore important to take controlof our health, starting byimproving our daily habits.Chicago native Jerrita Hall, 29,shares her inspiring story ofhow she transformed her lifefrom 245 pounds (size 22) to ahealthy 155 pounds (size 8). Inaddition to modeling andacting, Jerrita is also a personaltrainer and hopes to inspireothers to be healthy.

HE RTTO



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Q: Were you always overweight and howdid that affect you growing up?

A: I have always been overweight as achild, into adolescence and my early adultyears. I had low self confidence and lowself esteem. I had a rough childhood; mymother became disabled when I was 10years old so I had to take on a large re-sponsibility of helping my parents. It wasbeyond difficult, so in turn I would eat tomake myself happy.

Q: Was there a particular moment whenyou decided to finally take control of your

weight problem?

A: I was 21 years old when I decided that Iwanted to lose weight. I remember goingshopping one day and trying on jeans. I

was normally a size 18/20 but this particu-lar day going shopping was different. I hadbeen depressed and wanted a quick fix, andshopping always helped! I tried on the18/20 but they were too small, so I triedon a size 22/24, which fit just right. I pur-

chased the pants and as I left the store Ivowed to myself to never let my pants sizeexceed my age.

Q: How hard was it to begin the process oflosing weight? Did you ever find yourselftempted to go back to your old ways?

A: It was extremely hard to begin the proc-ess of losing weight; the education, dedica-tion and lack of support were the biggesthurdles I had to overcome in order to getstarted. I had to read and understand whatI needed to do and how I needed to do it. Ihad to dedicate myself to sticking to myplan of eating healthy and making a life-style change - not dieting. Dieting worksfor a vacation or a short term fix. The deci-sion to lose more than 40 to 50 poundsrequires a lifestyle change to maintain re-sults. I did not find myself tempted to goback to my old ways once I gave up thosehabits, but I found it harder to keep up

with doing more and more to stay healthy.

In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater thanyour fear of failure.

~Bill Cosby

Before/Jerrita in High Schoolat her heaviest weight.

JERRITA`SFAVORITE QUOTE


I was 21 years old whenI decided that I wantedto lose weightI vowedto never let my pants sizeexceed my age.


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This look is custom designedby Bryan K. Osburn:773 673 0067


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I reach my target heart rate. Weight train-ing allows me to tone and lengthen mymuscles and also increases my strength andendurance. Getting outside is more for atherapeutic experience more than anything,allowing me to become one with nature.

Activities such as hiking, bicycling andwalking are also great forms of exercise.

Q: What is your life like now? Were youtreated any differently after you madethe transformation?

Q: How did you stay motivated to lose theweight and how long did it take? What typeof exercises were most effective?

A: I stayed motivated because of my familyhistory of certain diseases, which was al-

ways in the back of my mind. I also desiredto lose the weight and look like a younglady would want to: healthy and fit by herown standards. I found that cardio, weighttraining and getting outside worked best. Ilove cardio because it gets my heart rate upand allows me to burn more calories when

A: My life at this present time is on a posi-tive journey. I noticed some people treatingme differently along the way because I wasdoing something different and trying tobetter myself in the process. Women usu-ally commend me for losing weight and askhow they could do what I did. Men woulddo the same and sometimes were a bitmore supportive in the process.

Q: What has been the biggest personachange in your life after losing weight? Do

My mother became disabled when I was 10 years old. I had to take ona large responsibility of helping my parents...it was beyond difficult, soI would eat to make myself happy.

JERRITA`S OWNROLE MODELS

A PERSONAL ROLE MODEL would be my

mother; she had three strokes at age 36. Herlivelihood was cut short though she is stillliving and getting around well with assistancefrom family, friends and me. She is my inspi-ration for exploring my passions in life. If younever try you never know the result. My momhad dreams and could not accomplish themdue to her disability. I tell people that younever know how it feels to want to do thesimplest things and can't because of a physi-cal handicap. Therefore, if you have the abil-ity, dont let any obstacles stop you fromachieving your dreams in life.

A PROFESSIONAL ROLE MODEL would beOprah. Oprah has accomplished so much, butshe started with a dream, a genuine heartand a strong spirit. These three importantattributes are the foundation for success. She

impacts lives of so many by being free. Heal-ing, overcoming stereotypes and following her

own path are great inspirations in my own life.



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you still have body image issues or are you

comfortable with yourself?A: The biggest personal change in my lifehas been the level of confidence, self es-teem and determination I gained. I dosometimes still feel like a fat girl stuck in asmaller body but I have lost 90 pounds andam proud of myself. I am just starting tograsp the mental adjustment that needs tohappen for me to look in the mirror and becomfortable with what I see. Although its

very difficult for women not to get suckedinto the societal expectations for a certain

weight, I believe that as long as you areproud of yourself and your accomplish-ments with your body, embrace it and loveyourself- mind, body and spirit.

Q: What's your fitness routine now andhow do you keep the weight off?

A: My fitness routine now consists of a workout three to four days out of theweek. Some days, I even work out twice aday, whether its a DVD workout, cardio,Pilates, yoga, weight training, or outdoor

activities. I have a busy schedule but I al-

ways manage to fit in my exercise, healthyeating, meditation and prayer. I keep the weight off now by maintaining a healthylifestyle. I dont overeat like I used to. Itake healthy snacks with me if Im not athome. I also have more self control.

Q: For those that want to make a lifestyletransformation, whats your advice?

A: I have overcome the past and thestruggles that held me back. Life is aboutchange; nothing stays the same. Still, manypeople allow certain things in their lives to

hold them back from making a change forthe better. When we realize that changemust come from within ourselves, it allowsus to be free. This is how I keep the weightoff now. I am free of the old me and amready for the journey ahead.

I do still feel like a fat girl

stuck in a smaller body, butI have lost 90 pounds and Iam very proud of myself.

I am just starting to graspthe mental adjustment thatneeds to happen for me tolook in the mirror and becomfortable with what I see.


As women, we shouldntworry too much about Whatwe should be or What weought to be in terms ofweight. As long as you arehealthy and comfortable withyour body, then embrace itand love yourselfMind,Body and Spirit.


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STYLESTYLESTYLESTYLE

PUCKER UP!

We send our loveto you with thehottest lip colorsof the season

SMASHBOXLIP ENHANCING GLOSSPoutSEPHORA$18www.sephora.com Love,

Love,GIORGIO ARMANIARMANISILKLIPSTICKNo. 43NORDSTROM$25www.nordstrom.com

SELECTIONS BYMAKEUP ARTISTMALGORZATA GORNIAK

SMASHBOXPHOTO FINISH LIPSTICKDelightfulSEPHORA$22www.sephora.com

Love,

MACLIPSTICKRussian RedMAC COSMETICS$14www.maccosmetics.com

Love,



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BRENDADELLA CASA

Is an internationallypublished author whospecializes in romancelifestyle and wellnessfeatures. Brenda haswritten for and beenfeatured in dozens ofmajor publications. Sheis a recent transplantto Chicago.

cinderellawasaliar.com

CINDARELLAWAS A LIAR

CONVERSATIONS WITHAUTHOR & ROMANCE GURU

BRENDA DELLA CASA

For her book, Brenda spent a yearinterviewing over 1,500 single, married

and coupled men and womenworldwide. We sat down with Brenda

to get her expert opinion on body, sex,dating and love. Brenda shares some

realistic words of wisdom below.

LOVESEX

DATINGBODY

Men love the hunt and the mystery. If yougive it up too soon, the allure is gone. Themore they have to earn the reward, themore theyll appreciate it.

Most men watch porn because they are

visual creatures, not because they areattracted to you any less.

If he only calls you between 11pm and3am, especially from Thursday throughSaturday, then youre only a booty call.

Theres no golden rule of when youshould sleep with someone. However,NEVER sleep with someone unless you

TRULY want to sleep with him andunderstand your motivations for doing so.

Ladies, relax. The truth is that most menare so much more forgiving of our bodiesthan we are ourselves. Most of the time,they dont even notice the cellulite, thelove handles or the perceived physicalimperfections that we are so insecureabout and try so hard to cover up. Theyare just so grateful and thrilled that we are

willing to be with them that they couldcare less.

Confidence is the sexiest characteristicof all.

And dont forget - men are insecure abouttheir bodies too.

True love is never about giving up yourown life to be a part of your partners. Itsabout sharing your lives together. Askyourself: Does he fit into my life?

Carry yourself with dignity and respect.

The biggest mistake that women make isnot being their authentic self. Ask your-self: Do I feel respected?

When taking the plunge, remember thatyour time and energy is better spent onbeing married, not getting married.

Dont over-share your intimate details with others. It hurts your brand as acouple and makes it easier for others tocome between you.

Happiness should never come from some-one else. It comes from inside of you.

Men are uncomplicated. His sense of selfworth is not attached to whether or not hegets a second date. Neither should yours.

Dont go into a relationship with unrealis-tic expectations or a sense of entitlement.

You should always offer to pay on thefirst date. He may not accept your offer,but it shows that you were gracious andnot using him for a free meal.

Date yourself first. Once you are person-ally fulfilled, you become a happier and amore confident you. And that, to a man, is

very attractive.



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FABULOUSLYSINGLEJUST THE GIRLS

Who said being alonemeans being lonely? Here

are some other ways tohave a good time

WATCH AGIRL POWERMOVIE

:IN FOCUS

studios

GO TO BRUNCHWITH FRIENDS

BUY YOURSELFSOMETHING NICE

THROW ANANTI VDAYPARTY

www.orangerestaurantchicago.com

www.lorisshoes.com www.lincolnkaraoke.comwww.bowlluckystrike.com

www.pawschicago.org

GIVEYOUR LOVE

9


9FEELING FIERCE?

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BOUDOIR ORGLAMOURSHOTS

Show off your sexyand single side with

a one-of-a-kind photo-shoot. A perfect treat

for yourself and for thatspecial somebody who's

yet to come along.


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JUST THE TWO OF US

If you do have a honey,here are some ways toget closer

COUPLESPHOTOS

A creative way tocapture your love foreach other and toshow off your person-alities. Choose anytheme you like: fun,sexy or serious.

FABULOUSLYATTACHED

DANCE THENIGHT AWAY

CHICAGOV-DAY CRUISE

www.spaciospa.com

www.rumba351.com

www.odysseycruises.com

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This coupon is good for a 20% Discountoff a complete Me: IN FOCUS StudiosCouples photo session including professionalmakeup, styling and a custom-designed album.


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MANYTHANKS

to Pastoral Artisanfor their expertise and

recommendations

PAIRINGS BYPastoral Artisan Sommelier

Jan Henrichsen

INGREDIENTS BYPastoral Artisan Fromager

Cesar Olivares



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FOND-OOH!DINNER OR DESSERT,ITS THE PERFECT V-DAYINDULGENCE

Go ga ga for your mate (oryour single friends) over a gooey,warm fondue meal and acomforting drink (or two)

DOMESTIC/INTERNATIONAL

COMTEFrance$25.99/lb

CAVE AGEDEMMENTHALSwitzerland$24.99/lb

PLEASANT RIDGERESERVE

Wisconsin$25.99/lb

BEVERAGE

PAIRINGS

SMALL BATCHWINE

HICKORY CREEKAPPLE WINEHickory Creek Winery,Michigan$18.99

ARTISANBEER

GOOSE ISLANDPERE JACQUESChicago, Illinois$8.99

JKS SCRUMPYHARD CIDER(ORGANIC)Michigan$8.99

CHEESE

OPTIONSRECIPE

Serves 2 to 4

1 1/2 cups shredded COMTE or CAVE AGE EMMENTHAL cheese (4 oz. approx.)

1 1/2 cups shredded PLEASANT RIDGE RESERVE cheese (4 oz. approx.)

Coarse sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Pinch of nutmeg

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 clove garlic

4 oz. white wine

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Cubed bread, for serving

Boiled, chopped potatoes, for serving

Mushrooms, for serving

Asparagus, for serving

Cooked shrimp, for serving

Sausage, for serving

Chopped apples and pears, for serving

1. Place 1 teaspoon salt in a fondue pot or a 2-quart stainless steel saucepan.Rub cut end of garlic over inside of pot, starting in the sea salt and coating theentire surface; discard garlic.

2. In a large bowl, mix together both cheeses and cornstarch until well combined;set aside.

3. Add wine and lemon juice to fondue pot and bring to a boil over medium-highheat. Gradually add cheese mixture, whisking constantly, making sure eachaddition is melted before adding the next addition.

4. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 1 minute. Season with nutmeg and pepper;remove from heat and enjoy with your serving selections.

PASTORAL ARTISAN

Pastoral Artisan is an authenticneighborhood cheese shop in theEuropean tradition offering artisanal,

international and domestic cheeses,freshly baked breads and selected wines.

All of the cheeses, small batch winesand artisan beers featured are availableat all three locations.

2945 N. Broadway,Chicago53 E. Lake St., Chicago131 N. Clinton, Chicago800 721 4781www.pastoralartisan.com



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TWOTOTANGO

RITZ TANGO CAF

Nothing says romance like thesensuality of Argentine Tango.Co-owners Dinah DAntoni andJorge Niedas combined theirpassion for dance and food intothe Ritz Tango Caf. The cafis a tiny bit of Buenos Aires righthere in Chicago, where coffeelovers and milongueros (tangodancers) share the floor.

For more information and tojoin one of their many milongas(mixers), call or visit the website.

933 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago773 235 CAF (2233)www.ritztangocafe.com

PhotographbyBianLiofMe:INFOCUSStudios



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HOTSPOTS

a

yD

Good food, goodcompany and goodconversation.

WEBSTERS WINEBAR

Dimly-lit venue with gourmet, small-portioned food selections and extensivewine list. Their global wine flight menuis a must try and a deliciously fun way tostart a lovely evening.

1480 W. Webster Ave., Chicago773 868 0608www.websterwinebar.com

YES THAI

A modern restaurant in the heart ofAndersonville with exceptional serviceand yummy curries. Great for bothsingles and couples.Vegan Friendly.

5211 N. Damen, Chicago773 878 3487www.yesthaichicago.com

EditorsPick

FRANCESCAS AMICI

A small, quaint restaurant located in theheart of Elmhurst. Perfect ambiance andlighting for a romantic night. Winner ofOpenTable.coms Diners Choice Awardlast year.

174 N. York Rd., Elmhurst630 279 7970www.miafrancesca.com

BISTRO CAMPAGNE

A charming, simple French restaurantin Lincoln Square known for its organicmenu and easy atmosphere.

4518 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago773 271 6100www.bistrocampagne.com

BEST FOR LOVE BIRDS

Cozy places to find tablesfor two

SOCCA

A stylish Mediterranean inspiredrestaurant in Lakeview thats perfectfor both late night dining or a ValentinesDay brunch.

3301 N. Clark St., Chicago773 248 1155www.soccachicago.com

ROSE ANGELIS

Located in a quiet part of Lincoln Park,this hidden gem boasts a charming patioand an intimate setting.

1314 W. Wrightwood Ave., Chicago773 296 0081www.roseangelis.com



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Failing in the past has been a result ofthose diets. We focus more on overallbehavior when it comes to nutrition.

Vimbor insists that those expecting instantresults will be disappointed and thateverything worth while takes time and hard

work. We like to take things one step ata time. Focus on taking it slow and

work on one behavior until it becomeshabitual. Then, its ok to start introducingother behaviors. Its a slow process sothey're not returning within a year with thesame problem.

An example of behavioral change iswater intake. If you're not drinking enough water, which is very important because it

flushes your food through, you shouldpinpoint exactly how much you need basedon your lifestyle. Buy two to three water

bottles; bring one to work and keep onhome. Commit to drinking up to 64 oua day - more if needed, and then tr

incorporate something else along the wRemember to keep in mind that its imtant to introduce a new behavior rathan take something away. Theres nothing that you have to eaabsolutely cannot eat - thats where pego wrong. If youre doing well and cget pizza out of your mind, then bymeans have the pizza, Vimbor says.youre doing well the rest of the tit wont make a difference. Its when repeat the bad habit every day thabecomes a problem.

Another habit Vimbor tries to help clilose is being consumed with couneverything they eat.

As February begins, we often find that thefitness resolutions we made in January aregetting off track. According to Health Net,more than 100 million Americans makea New Years resolution to lose weight orget fit. Unfortunately, about four of everyfive people who make resolutions fail tokeep them.

This year, why not keep your resolution bypermanently eliminating the D worddietfrom your vocabulary. A lot of peo-ple have tried diets - Weight Watchers,

Jenny Craig, Atkins - and its just a cycle.They go on it, they lose weight, stop andthen most gain the weight rightback. Rather, we must work on behavior

change, says Registered Dietician Jennifer Vimbor of Nutrition Counseling Servicesin the Loop. You don't have to fail.

n M

BY KERRY SAYERS

IIIINFONFONFONFORMRMRMRM

FITNESSKEEPING YOURPROMISE TOYOURSELF IN THENEW YEAR

This month, it's all aboutstaying focused so we canstick to our resolution



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over after breaking your normal routineover the holidays is daunting, DePaulooffers good news.Muscle has memory, so its not going totake you as long to get back to where you

were before, she says. Dont worry. Eve-ryone gets derailed and everyone takes the

wrong turn sometimes. You just have toget back on the road.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and fitnessroutine is a lifelong journey. Youre nevergoing to reach the destination because itsan ongoing process.

2. Center a program around activities youlike to do instead of those you find gruelingso that you are more likely to keepdoing them.3. Work out with a friend. Workouts aremore fun and you can motivate each other.4. Incorporate cross training into your rou-tine, which means not only working out

with equipment, but taking classes as well.5. Vary the types of classes you take.Learning something new prevents youfrom hitting plateaus and keeps yourprogram fresh.6. Write your goals down and post them athome and at work so you are constantlyreminded and motivated to achieve them.

7. Determine where youd like to be in2011 so if you fall off pace, you wont bedown for long. If the thought of starting

Whether its counting calories, or count-ng fat - I dont want them to develop poorhabits, she says. And counting calories,can be dangerous behavior since it can leadto eating disorders. Therefore, we work onnot counting so you can live without think-ng about food all the time.One of the best ways to keep your resolu-tions is to set reachable goals, whether itsregarding food or exercise habits. JenDePaulo, a certified personal trainer andmanager for Womens Workout World inChicago, offers a few other tips to stayon track.1. If significant weight loss is a priority,break the number down into smaller goals.

For example, focus on losing a number ofpounds per month rather than focusing onan overall final number.

U C

BEHAVIOR CHANGEIS THE KEY

Registered Dietician JenniferVimbor of Nutrition CounselingServices in the Loop suggests afocus on overall behavior whenit comes to nutrition.

To learn more, visit:

www.chicagonutritionist.com



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OLYMPIANSINTERVIEWS WITH TWO OF OURHOMETOWN ATHLETES

GOING FOR THE GOLD

TWO

INGRIDMARCUMQ:Weightlifting is typically thought of as anon-traditional sport for women. How didyou get into it?

A: I was actually a gymnast for 20 years.

After I finished competitive gymnastics atthe age of 21, I still wanted to continuecompeting since I always was a very strongathlete. I took a weight lifting course,discovered that I loved it and was told bythe instructor that I had potential to com-pete. At the first meet, I qualified for sec-ondary nationals, and I havent looked backsince. Its been a great experience for mesince I never realized that unlike a lot ofother sports, there might be things you canstart on in your twenties.

Q:How did you get into bobsledding?

A: I was at a strength coaching convention.When I was on the expo floor, two bobsledcoaches saw me lifting. They try to recruitathletes who have built up strength andendurance in other sports, like

weightlifting. Then they apply these skillsto bobsledding.

BOBSLED +WEIGHTLIFTING

PhotographbyTreScott


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PERSONAL SPECS

HOMETOWNElmhurst, IL

AGE

34

HEIGHT/WEIGHT56/165 lbs.

EVENTS

WEIGHTLIFTINGBOBSLEDDING

PERFORMANCE

2009 + 2010WORLD CUPBRAKEWOMAN FORBREE SCHAAF4th (Park City, 11/09)

5th (Winterberg, 12/09)

2009NATIONAL BOBSLEDPUSH CHAMPIONSHIP4th

2008 + 2009AMERICAS CUPBronze (Park City, 10/08)Bronze #2 (Park City, 10/08)Gold (Calgary, 11/08)Gold #2 (Calgary, 11/08)Bronze (Lake Placid, 11/08)Bronze #2 (Lake Placid, 11/08

Q:Whats your role on the bobsled team?

A: Im the brakeman. The brakemen letsthe driver do his or her job. Count thecurves, memorize the track and know

where all the big turns are. We train a lotfor the push at the start of the race. Youcan lose a race with a poor start.

Q:Whats it like to be an Olympic hopefuland what have been some highlights ofyour career so far?

A: All together, its been amazing just tohave the opportunity, especially since not alot of people in two sports get to achievetheir dreams. I love to travel the world andmeet people. One of the big highlights forme so far was when I won the National

Weightlifting Championships in Chicago atUIC last June. After that win, I wentstraight into bobsled season. Its an honorto represent my country in internationalcompetition and to have support of

the fans.

Q: Whats your training regimen as theOlympics approaches?

A: I left home on August 31. Between thenINGRID MARCUM

Photographsonleftandright:ClausWillemerwebsite:artistphoto.de


and now I have literally been home for two weeks. During the actual competitive sea-son from November to February were in adifferent city every week. The tour is differ-ent every year. So far Ive had two weekstraining in Whistler. We also went to ParkCity and Lake Placid. From there we flewto Europe to race.

Q: Of all the bobsled tracks youve racedon, do you have a favorite?

A:The track in St. Moritz, Austria, is prettyamazing. Its the only natural track in the

world. Most tracks look like a concretewaterslide that they ice over. In St. Moritz,however, they actually build the track outof ice and snow each year, so its a littledifferent each season.

Q: For your weightlifting events, howmuch can you lift?

A:There are two types of lifts the Snatchand the Clean and Jerk. Both lifts start withthe bar over your head. The Snatch is thefirst lift event and is considered the mosttechnical lift. On a Snatch lift, I can lift 205pounds. With the Clean and Jerk, my bestlift has been 245 pounds.

Q: What is some advice that you wouldgive to young women athletes?

A: Dont be afraid to go in the gym andwork hard. Being strong is very empower-ing. Im able to do the things I do because

I lift, because I take care of my body. Its agreat addition to your life. Youre going tokeep everything strong. FITNESS IS THEONLY FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH THAT

WE HAVE. Having muscle on my bodymakes me feel feminine and sexy. I really

want to educate women on the benefits of weight training. They shouldnt have tofear gaining muscle will make them biggeror less attractive.


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Q: Have you always been a competitor?

When you first started skating, were theOlympics always your goal?

A: I started skating at the age of four. Ioriginally was a figure skater, but transi-tioned to speed skating at age 5, which Iliked better. I never really began competing

with the Olympics as my ultimate goal, butas I started doing well in competitions, Isort of fell into the Olympic track andbegan seriously training for the event.

Q:What types of sacrifices did you have tomake growing up as an athlete from a

young age?

A: When my hometown training facilityclosed, I had to travel every other weekend,and soon after every weekend to train in St.Louis. I spent so much time training that Imissed a lot of things, like dances, otherextracurricular activities, normal teenagestuff. However, I wouldnt trade a thingsince it made me who I am today and givenme so many other opportunities.

Q: What was it like when you found outyou made the Olympic team?

A: When I found out in September, Ididnt really have time to process the factthat I made the team. We immediately flewto China for the World Cup. Its an honorto represent my country.

Q: Does your family travel with you whenyou train? Are any of them athletes?

A: My dad was a big influence he was a

skater and coached me early on. After Imoved to Salt Lake City to train, I lived onmy own since it would have been too diffi-cult to have my family travel with me eve-rywhere I went.

Q: Whats your regular daily trainingregimen? Has it become more intense inthe weeks leading up to the Olympics?

A: Its intense. We usually train six to 10hours a day. Summer training is actuallymore intense. Between March and April weget a couple weeks to go home and visit

my family.

Q:What are some of the most memorableexperiences youve had in your careerso far?

A: Ive really enjoyed the opportunities totravel to see so many new places, difficultcultures and meet so many new peoplefrom all over the world at my competi-tions. For example, I got to travel to Chinaand Japan, places I would never probablyhave traveled to on my own as a smalltown girl from the Midwest.

You realize that despite all our differences,people are people.

Q: What advice would you give to younggirls who want to become an Olympian?

A: Anything worth it is worth sacrificingand working hard for. I TRULY BELIEVEIN THE PHILOSOPHY THAT IFBETTER IS POSSIBLE, THEN GOOD ISNOT ENOUGH.

KATHERINE

REUTTERSHORT TRACK

SPEEDSKATING

Photographsonrightandleft:courtesyofKatherineReutter


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KATHERINE REUTTER

PERSONAL SPECS

HOMETOWNChampaign, IL(same hometown as her inspiration and six-time Olympicmedalist Bonnie Blair)

AGE HEIGHT21 57

EVENTS

500, 1,000 + 1,500 METER3,000 METER RELAY

PERFORMANCE

2009WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS4th (1500m)5th (1500m)13th (500m)

2008WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPSBronze (300m)4th (1500m)5th (500m + relay)19th (1000m)

2007 + 2008Two-time Overall US ChampioP

hotographybyofMarkMaziark



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PENANG

This tropical, coastalMalaysian city is a calmeralternative to the bustlingcapital. Known for itscultural and ethnicdiversity, Penang is aparadise for food lovers..

PRAGUE

Old and modern Europemesh in this bewitchingCzech city. Known for itsstunning fairytale-esquecityscape, Prague is aplace to fall in love.

BARCELONA

Bursting with Catalanpride, Barcelona is a cityfor the true romantic.Spectacular views,scrumptious Spanish andBasque cuisine and worldrenowned architectureand museums.

MERIDA

Escape from the coldto the heart of theYucatan. With its Mayanheritage, colonialinfluence and genuinehospitality, Merida is aplace for both younglovers and old souls.

VERONA

It`s easy to see howRomeo and Juliet fell inlove in this idyllic setting.An easy day trip fromRome, Verona`santiquated streets andItalian charm take youback in time.



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L

JET SET GRAB YOURHONEY AND GOWe all know Paris isthe city of love andlights, but here are afew other cities where

sparks will fly...

; MORESPECTACULARPHOTOSof romantic Merida, Mexico



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AllphotographsbyBianLiofMe:INFOCUSStud

ios

A MIDSUMMER`SNIGHTMERIDA, MEXICO



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A cultural performancein the town square



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PORTRAITA LIFE Emily Maehl, 20, is a Sophomoreattending the University of Illinoisat Chicago. When Emily contacted uswe knew we had to share her photoessay about a woman in her life whomshe admires.

Here is Emily's story, in her own word

BY EMILY MA


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OFMY NAME IS EMILY Joanne Maehl.I had a beginner photography course thispast semester and thats when my talentstarted to surface. My self-portrait work

was my most successful, and my professortold me the photos had a fashion qualityto them. I surprised myself by havinga natural eye for fashion photography and Idont want it to go to waste. Working for amagazine is what I envision myselfdoing after college. I want to be one ofthose lucky people whose profession is alsotheir passion.

A TYPICAL DAYMy submission is about my friends mother.Her name is Jan Horner, and she runs ababysitting service out of her home whilehaving five children of her own. Many ofher children have special needs at variouslevels, and Jan has made it a priority totend to each of their individual needs. Herlifestyle inspired her to start a supportgroup for parents in similar situationscalled H.E.L.P, which stands for Helping,Encouraging and Listening to Parents withspecial needs children. The group providesaid for parents struggling to educate, disci-pline or even love their children.

A regular meeting opens with prayer andmoves onto a guest speaker and open dis-cussion. I have witnessed the kind of pres-

sure Jan is under, from the never-endingpile of laundry to the stress of paying thebills. However, her kind, positive spiritseparates her from the rest. I visited Jan ather home to document a typical day whileshe is babysitting.



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Me:INF

OCUS

Dinne

rat

LaoSzechwan

inChina

town

7pm/$20

Natio

nal

WearRedDay

forHeart

Health

Awareness

Groundho

g

Day

SuperbowlXLIV

RosaParks

Birthday

SusanB.

Anthonys

Birthday

MardiGras

NationalCondom

AwarenessDay

ChineseNewYear

NationalOrgan

DonorDay

Random

Actsof

KindnessDay

LoveYour

PetDay

Purim

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY

2010

Black

History

Month

American

Heart

Month

Nationa

l

Friendship

Month

STYLEME.

ENTERTAINME.

INFORM

ME.

INDULGEME.

INSPIREME.

EMPOWERME.


Martyrs'

BenefitforHaiti

JazzConcert

8pm/$10

Hubbard

StreetDance

atArtInstitute

ofChicago


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BUZZBUZZ

TONIS BACK

Pop diva Toni Braxton is backon the scene. The album bringsback the old Toni that weve allmissed: powerful pipes and soulfuballads. Her latest album Pulse isreleased this month.http://strollwithoutshoes.com

SITESSITES

http://materialgirlsblog.com/chicago

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/frugalista

http://secondcitystyle.typepad.com

(Susan Sarandon), to help care for the twoother children.The film meshes Susies vengeance for

her murderer with her fathers intent to solvethe mystery, her sisters suspicions of thecreepily chilling neighbor and Mr. Harveysskewed behaviors.The Lovely Bones is one of the most emotion-ally driven films I have seen in a long time.Some of the scenes were so intense that youcould tell everyones hearts were racing withanticipation. The suspense was thrilling and isdefinitely key to the success of the film.Additionally, the filming of The Lovely Boneswas creatively captivating. It illustrated thedrastic ranges in emotion perfectly. One scenewould be a horrible struggle while the nextwould be Susies fairytale-like world. The film-ing was very appealing and kept the audience

entertained and curious. Additionally, the realis-tic features of the fantasy world were out-standing including images of supersized glassbottles crashing into the shore, a pug drivensleigh and larger than life ice sculptures.Saoirse Ronan played a beautifully curiousSusie Salmon. She exemplified energy andhope that there is a fairytale life after death.

Director Peter Jackson has transformed AliceSebolds novel, The Lovely Bones, into anemotionally intense film about the life and after-

life of Susie Salmon.Susie (Saoirse Ronan) was murdered at thelively young age of 14. She was crossing thecornfield to her Pennsylvania home after schoolwhen her awkwardly friendly, yet creepyneighbor Mr. Harvey (Stanley Tucci) lured her intoan underground, playhouse-like shack.Susie narrates most of the film as we see herfamily struggle over their tragic loss. While herfamily is in turmoil, Susie is stuck in the inbetween, a fantasy-like place before reachingheaven. Susies in between is not all butter-flies and rainbows. It is a place where she ishaving an inner battle with letting go versus herstrong desire for revenge on her murderer. Shecan often see and hear her family, friends

and murderer.Susies parents, Jack (Mark Wahlberg) andAbigail (Rachel Weisz), find it hard toreconnect with one another because they areboth healing in different ways after losingSusie. Jacks obsession with solving Susiesmurder pushes Abigail away and in returnbrings Abigails mother, crazy Grandma Lynn

Likewise, Susan Sarandon played an excellentkooky grandmother. Her constant drinking andsmoking while taking care of the household

chores were hilariously entertaining.I really enjoyed this film. It was very heart-breaking, yet intriguing. I have not read thenovel but I will definitely add it to my list. I feellike most films never live up to the expectationsof the book so Im interested to see if the bookwill live up to my expectations after seeing themovie first.This film is definitely geared more towardwomen and I would strongly recommendadhering to the PG-13 rating; at times it wasquite frightening and Im sure it would be scar-ier for someone younger.

IN THEATRES NOW

THE LOVELY BONESBY BRIANNA CALKIN

aaaa

From our friends at:

Stanley Tucci Mark Wahlberg Rachel Weisz Susan SarandonSaoirse Ronan



40/80

Photographer:BianLiwww.meinfocusstudios.com

:IN FOCUS

studios


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WHERERUNWAY MEETS REALITY,STYLE MEETS SUBSTANCE+HAUTE MEETS HEART


HEARTTOHEARTLOVE YOUR BODY

DIVINE ORDEVIOUS

LINGERIE TO

MATCHYOUR MOOD

ROMANCE+REALISM

CONVERSATIONWITH AUTHOR

BRENDA

DELLA CASA

PUCKER UPSEAL A KISS

WITH THESEASON`S HOTTEST

LIP COLORS

SPOTLIGHTONMODEL+ACTRESSJERRITAJERRITAJERRITAJERRITA

HALLHALLHALLHALL

+

FEBRUARY 2010

:IN FOCUS


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ADVERTISEMENT


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Scenes: Out & About and On the Town 4

Rants + Raves: 6

Divine or Devious: Lingerie to Match Your Mood 8

Chinese New Year: Year of the Tiger10

Heart to Heart: With Our Model Role ModelJerrita Hall 12

Pucker Up!: We Send Our Love to You With theHottest Lip Colors of the Season 18

Cinderella Was a Liar: Conversation with Authorand Romance Guru Brenda Della Casa 19

Fabulously Single + Fabulously Attached: 20

Fond-ooh!: The Perfect V-Day Indulgence 22

Hot Spots: Cozy Places to Find Tables for Two 24

Fitness: Keeping Your Promise to Yourself in theNew Year26

Two Olympians: Interviews with Our HometownAthletes 28

Jet Set: Grab Your Honey and Go 32

A Midsummers Night: Merida, Mexico 34

Portrait of a Life: by Student Photographer EmilyMaehl 36

Calendar: February Never Looked Better withArtwork by Illustrator Peter Breese 38

Buzz:The Lovely Bones Film Review by BriannaCalkin of Chick Flick Reviews 39

FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Bian Li

MANAGER

SPONSORSHIP & EVENTS

Christine Nicholls

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Diana Dittmer

CREATIVE CONSULTANTS

Alex Albrecht

Ricardo Ford

OFFICE MANAGER

Arlene Gutierrez

CONTRIBUTORS

Iya Bakare

Kerry Sayers

Olivia St. Clair

CONTACT

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

General [email protected]

[email protected]


www.meinfocusstudios.com

Copyright 2010Me: IN FOCUS/The LB Group LLC. All Rights ReserAll text, images, graphics and other materials in this publication andwebsite are subject to the copyright and other intellectual property righMe: IN FOCUS/The LB Group LLC and other respective contribu

affiliates and/or submitters. These materials may not be reprodudistributed, modified or reposted to other publications or websites witthe express written permission of Me: IN FOCUS/The LB Group LLother respective copyright holders. The photos on the following pagethis issue, unless otherwise credited, are copyrighted property of TheGroup LLC and express written permission must be granted for usage. Any photos not noted above, and not specifically credited,obtained from publicly shared/open license sources and/or databases.marks appearing in this publication and/or the website including, butlimited to: (i) The LB Group LLC; and (ii) Me: IN FOCUS and its respelogos, images, emblems, phrases, slogans, designs, and mottos;trademarks of The LB Group LLC, its brands and affiliates. The infotion contained herein is designed to be as contextual and factuapossible, per our best efforts and the information and/or resouavailable and/or provided to us at the time. We reserve the right, howeto make changes at any time, without notice, in the editing of the pubtion therein for clarity, brevity, content, and purpose. Some links ancontact information provided in this publication may lead to websites or establishments/businesses by independent third party owners. information presented therein is the sole responsibility of those indepeent third party owners. The LB Group LLC and Me: IN FOCUS havcontrol or responsibility for the content of independent sites and/or naof third party establishments/businesses and we provide these links ancontact information to our readers solely for their convenience.

ON THE COVERJerrita Hall

Jerrita lets loose andreveals her true, beautifulself. We asked her toshow off her natural hair:simple, chic and under-stated.

Photography by Danny Finley


b

Bian Bee Li SharesHer Thoughts

EDITORSLETTER

Whats InsideThis Month

CONTENTSWho We Are

ME: IN FOCUS

Bee

Dear Readers,

This issue is all about love. From Valen-tines Day hot spots to heart health, fromromance to realism, we focus on the lovesin our lives - love for our passions, signifi-cant others, family and friends - and moreimportantly, love for yourself - your body,mind and soul. If you open your heart,

love will find you.

In addition, we pass on our love to thosemost in need - for every purchase of thisissue and every subscription ordered inFebruary, 10% of all proceeds will go tothe International Medical Corps for theirrelief efforts in Haiti.

Be Good.

Bee

STYLE ME.ENTERTAIN ME.INFORM ME.INDULGE ME.INSPIRE ME.EMPOWER ME.

For single issue or subscriptionpurchases, please visit:www.meinfocusmag.com


44/80

We enjoyed Evanston nativeJessie Arlens CD Launch concerttitled Certain Surprise. Check outher interview in the March issue.http://jessiearlen.com

SCENES

Our January interview with rising starand Chicago plus size model LaurenA. Koenig was featured on Madison-plus.com, a premier fashion websitefor plus size women.www.madisonplus.com

Hush Magazine pre-production celebration.Me: IN FOCUS Editor Bee Li was interviewed for asegment on Cover Chicago TV.

Me: IN FOCUS Studios has nowofficially opened to the public due topopular demand.www.meinfocusstudios.com

Me: IN FOCUS magazine mixeswork and play. Having a blast withphotoshoots in our studio space!

ME: IN FOCUS OUT AND ABOUTAND ON THE TOWN!

Where weve been and what wevebeen doing since last issue



45/80

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RANTS

FROZEN PIPES

Apparently this happens more thanwe think. During winter months,always remember to never turn off theheat entirely to avoid flooding fromfrozen pipes bursting.

BURIED CARS

For those of us not lucky enough tohave designated parking, its neverfun to walk out to your car only to findthat the street is clean, but your car isbeneath a thick layer of snow and icefrom the plows.

BROKEN HEAT LAMPSON EL

Can we say BRRRRRRR?

LACK OF HEALTHYLATE NIGHT DELIVERY

If only we had more healthy options,then we wouldnt feel bad in the morningafter giving in to our 3am cravings.

WHATSANNOYING US

While theresmuch to love about

Chicago, here aresome things that

could be better

FROZEN PARKING METERS

Its bad enough that its so expensive.Parking meter problems are never ending.



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RAVESWHATSTHRILLING US

Here are someof the practicalthings in our livesthat make ourday better

EXOTIC SCRUBS

Bath & Body WorksSignature Collectionoffers this seductive, floral scent inspired bythe gardens of Japan. Exfoliating sugar crystalscombined with aloe and jojoba + almond oilsleave skin feeling silky smooth.

Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Scrub$15.00www.bathandbodyworks.com

SalesDirectors

Pick

+STYLISH COMMUTE BOOTS

Gabriella Rochas comfortable and hip bootsare perfect for the winter commute. The full sidezipper makes them easy to slip on when yourerunning late in the morning.

Gabriella Rocha Pauline Boots$129.95www.zappos.com

StylistsPick

ALL-IN ONE COMPUTERS

This stylish and affordable Acerdesktopmodel is sleek and completely wireless. The23-inch touch screen is perfect for designers.

All-In-One Desktop PC$899.00www.acer.com

EditorsPick

LOVELY SCENTS

The Body Shopoffers a light, candy scent.Its the first Eau De Parfum to feature alcoholmade from a fair trade and organic ingredients,promoting environmental sustainability andbiodiversity. 100% of the profits are donatedto EPCAT, an organization that aims to EndChild Prostitution, Child Pornography andChild Trafficking.

LOVE ETC...

$29.50 ~ 1.69oz$24.00 ~ 1ozwww.thebodyshop-usa.com

EditorsPick

CHIC LAPTOP BAGS

This ultra stylish laptop bag by Juicy Couturecombines fashion and function. Youwill surelyturn heads as you tote your laptop around town.

Laptop Sleeve in Fuchsia$98.00www.chiclaptopbags.comwww.juicycouture.com

DesignDirectors

Pick



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YOURE

INVITED!

Like many holidays,Chinese New Year is aboutpeace, prosperity and beingwith friends and family. Aspart of the Me: IN FOCUSfamily, you're invited to joinus on February 12 as wecelebrate good fortune withgreat food at our favoriterestaurant in Chinatown.

For more details and to RSVP,please visit our website:www.meinfocusmag.com


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L

anternslightup

thenight.Theycomein

a

llshapesandsizes.

Jiaozi(Potstickers)areapopulardish.

Theysymbolizetogethernessasfamilies

reunitefortheholiday.

Atraditionalcustom

includesvisitingalocaltemple

toblesslovedonesandwishfor

goodluckinthenew

year.

TheChinesezodiacisbasedona12-

year

lunarcycle.ThisyearistheYearoftheTiger.

Peopleborninthisyeararesaidtobe

brave,

competitiveandengaging.

HAPPY

CHINESE

NEWYEAR

Stuffedwi

thmoney,

redenvelo

pesaregivento

childrenandsubordinatesas

atokenof

goodfortune.

Lightingfirecrackers

areoneofthemostpopularactivities

duringChineseNew

Year.

PHOTOGRAPHYBYBIANLI

YEAROFTHETIGER

Coincidentally,February14

isalsoChineseNew

Year,

themostimportant

holidayintheChine

se

culture.Hereareso

meof

thewaysitiscelebr

ated

throughouttheworld.


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PHOTOGRAPHY

Danny Finleywww.dannyjive.com

CLOTHING

Bryan K. Osburn Collectionwww.nationalitiesbeautyfirm.com

Foxswww.foxs.com

STYLIST

Ogi Merzier

MAKEUP

Malgorzata Gorniak

HE RTWITH MODEL +ACTRESSJERRITA HALLFebruary is American HeartMonth. Heart disease is thenumber one killer of women in

the country. Its never beenmore important to take controlof our health, starting byimproving our daily habits.Chicago native Jerrita Hall, 29,shares her inspiring story ofhow she transformed her lifefrom 245 pounds (size 22) to ahealthy 155 pounds (size 8). Inaddition to modeling andacting, Jerrita is also a personaltrainer and hopes to inspireothers to be healthy.

HE RTTO



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Q: Were you always overweight and howdid that affect you growing up?

A: I have always been overweight as achild, into adolescence and my early adultyears. I had low self confidence and lowself esteem. I had a rough childhood; mymother became disabled when I was 10years old so I had to take on a large re-sponsibility of helping my parents. It wasbeyond difficult, so in turn I would eat tomake myself happy.

Q: Was there a particular moment whenyou decided to finally take control of your

weight problem?

A: I was 21 years old when I decided that Iwanted to lose weight. I remember goingshopping one day and trying on jeans. I

was normally a size 18/20 but this particu-lar day going shopping was different. I hadbeen depressed and wanted a quick fix, andshopping always helped! I tried on the18/20 but they were too small, so I triedon a size 22/24, which fit just right. I pur-

chased the pants and as I left the store Ivowed to myself to never let my pants sizeexceed my age.

Q: How hard was it to begin the process oflosing weight? Did you ever find yourselftempted to go back to your old ways?

A: It was extremely hard to begin the proc-ess of losing weight; the education, dedica-tion and lack of support were the biggesthurdles I had to overcome in order to getstarted. I had to read and understand whatI needed to do and how I needed to do it. Ihad to dedicate myself to sticking to myplan of eating healthy and making a life-style change - not dieting. Dieting worksfor a vacation or a short term fix. The deci-sion to lose more than 40 to 50 poundsrequires a lifestyle change to maintain re-sults. I did not find myself tempted to goback to my old ways once I gave up thosehabits, but I found it harder to keep up

with doing more and more to stay healthy.

In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater thanyour fear of failure.

~Bill Cosby

Before/Jerrita in High Schoolat her heaviest weight.

JERRITA`SFAVORITE QUOTE


I was 21 years old whenI decided that I wantedto lose weightI vowedto never let my pants sizeexceed my age.


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I reach my target heart rate. Weight train-ing allows me to tone and lengthen mymuscles and also increases my strength andendurance. Getting outside is more for atherapeutic experience more than anything,allowing me to become one with nature.

Activities such as hiking, bicycling andwalking are also great forms of exercise.

Q: What is your life like now? Were youtreated any differently after you madethe transformation?

Q: How did you stay motivated to lose theweight and how long did it take? What typeof exercises were most effective?

A: I stayed motivated because of my familyhistory of certain diseases, which was al-

ways in the back of my mind. I also desiredto lose the weight and look like a younglady would want to: healthy and fit by herown standards. I found that cardio, weighttraining and getting outside worked best. Ilove cardio because it gets my heart rate upand allows me to burn more calories when

A: My life at this present time is on a posi-tive journey. I noticed some people treatingme differently along the way because I wasdoing something different and trying tobetter myself in the process. Women usu-ally commend me for losing weight and askhow they could do what I did. Men woulddo the same and sometimes were a bitmore supportive in the process.

Q: What has been the biggest personachange in your life after losing weight? Do

My mother became disabled when I was 10 years old. I had to take ona large responsibility of helping my parents...it was beyond difficult, soI would eat to make myself happy.

JERRITA`S OWNROLE MODELS

A PERSONAL ROLE MODEL would be my

mother; she had three strokes at age 36. Herlivelihood was cut short though she is stillliving and getting around well with assistancefrom family, friends and me. She is my inspi-ration for exploring my passions in life. If younever try you never know the result. My momhad dreams and could not accomplish themdue to her disability. I tell people that younever know how it feels to want to do thesimplest things and can't because of a physi-cal handicap. Therefore, if you have the abil-ity, dont let any obstacles stop you fromachieving your dreams in life.

A PROFESSIONAL ROLE MODEL would beOprah. Oprah has accomplished so much, butshe started with a dream, a genuine heartand a strong spirit. These three importantattributes are the foundation for success. She

impacts lives of so many by being free. Heal-ing, overcoming stereotypes and following her

own path are great inspirations in my own life.



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you still have body image issues or are you

comfortable with yourself?A: The biggest personal change in my lifehas been the level of confidence, self es-teem and determination I gained. I dosometimes still feel like a fat girl stuck in asmaller body but I have lost 90 pounds andam proud of myself. I am just starting tograsp the mental adjustment that needs tohappen for me to look in the mirror and becomfortable with what I see. Although its

very difficult for women not to get suckedinto the societal expectations for a certain

weight, I believe that as long as you areproud of yourself and your accomplish-ments with your body, embrace it and loveyourself- mind, body and spirit.

Q: What's your fitness routine now andhow do you keep the weight off?

A: My fitness routine now consists of a workout three to four days out of theweek. Some days, I even work out twice aday, whether its a DVD workout, cardio,Pilates, yoga, weight training, or outdoor

activities. I have a busy schedule but I al-

ways manage to fit in my exercise, healthyeating, meditation and prayer. I keep the weight off now by maintaining a healthylifestyle. I dont overeat like I used to. Itake healthy snacks with me if Im not athome. I also have more self control.

Q: For those that want to make a lifestyletransformation, whats your advice?

A: I have overcome the past and thestruggles that held me back. Life is aboutchange; nothing stays the same. Still, manypeople allow certain things in their lives to

hold them back from making a change forthe better. When we realize that changemust come from within ourselves, it allowsus to be free. This is how I keep the weightoff now. I am free of the old me and amready for the journey ahead.

I do still feel like a fat girl

stuck in a smaller body, butI have lost 90 pounds and Iam very proud of myself.

I am just starting to graspthe mental adjustment thatneeds to happen for me tolook in the mirror and becomfortable with what I see.


As women, we shouldntworry too much about Whatwe should be or What weought to be in terms ofweight. As long as you arehealthy and comfortable withyour body, then embrace itand love yourselfMind,Body and Spirit.


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BRENDADELLA CASA

Is an internationallypublished author whospecializes in romancelifestyle and wellnessfeatures. Brenda haswritten for and beenfeatured in dozens ofmajor publications. Sheis a recent transplantto Chicago.

cinderellawasaliar.com

CINDARELLAWAS A LIAR

CONVERSATIONS WITHAUTHOR & ROMANCE GURU

BRENDA DELLA CASA

For her book, Brenda spent a yearinterviewing over 1,500 single, married

and coupled men and womenworldwide. We sat down with Brenda

to get her expert opinion on body, sex,dating and love. Brenda shares some

realistic words of wisdom below.

LOVESEX

DATINGBODY

Men love the hunt and the mystery. If yougive it up too soon, the allure is gone. Themore they have to earn the reward, themore theyll appreciate it.

Most men watch porn because they are

visual creatures, not because they areattracted to you any less.

If he only calls you between 11pm and3am, especially from Thursday throughSaturday, then youre only a booty call.

Theres no golden rule of when youshould sleep with someone. However,NEVER sleep with someone unless you

TRULY want to sleep with him andunderstand your motivations for doing so.

Ladies, relax. The truth is that most menare so much more forgiving of our bodiesthan we are ourselves. Most of the time,they dont even notice the cellulite, thelove handles or the perceived physicalimperfections that we are so insecureabout and try so hard to cover up. Theyare just so grateful and thrilled that we are

willing to be with them that they couldcare less.

Confidence is the sexiest characteristicof all.

And dont forget - men are insecure abouttheir bodies too.

True love is never about giving up yourown life to be a part of your partners. Itsabout sharing your lives together. Askyourself: Does he fit into my life?

Carry yourself with dignity and respect.

The biggest mistake that women make isnot being their authentic self. Ask your-self: Do I feel respected?

When taking the plunge, remember thatyour time and energy is better spent onbeing married, not getting married.

Dont over-share your intimate details with others. It hurts your brand as acouple and makes it easier for others tocome between you.

Happiness should never come from some-one else. It comes from inside of you.

Men are uncomplicated. His sense of selfworth is not attached to whether or not hegets a second date. Neither should yours.

Dont go into a relationship with unrealis-tic expectations or a sense of entitlement.

You should always offer to pay on thefirst date. He may not accept your offer,but it shows that you were gracious andnot using him for a free meal.

Date yourself first. Once you are person-ally fulfilled, you become a happier and amore confident you. And that, to a man, is

very attractive.



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FABULOUSLYSINGLEJUST THE GIRLS

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JUST THE TWO OF US

If you do have a honey,here are some ways toget closer

COUPLESPHOTOS

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MANYTHANKS

to Pastoral Artisanfor their expertise and

recommendations

PAIRINGS BYPastoral Artisan Sommelier

Jan Henrichsen

INGREDIENTS BYPastoral Artisan Fromager

Cesar Olivares



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FOND-OOH!DINNER OR DESSERT,ITS THE PERFECT V-DAYINDULGENCE

Go ga ga for your mate (oryour single friends) over a gooey,warm fondue meal and acomforting drink (or two)

DOMESTIC/INTERNATIONAL

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BEVERAGE

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CHEESE

OPTIONSRECIPE

Serves 2 to 4

1 1/2 cups shredded COMTE or CAVE AGE EMMENTHAL cheese (4 oz. approx.)

1 1/2 cups shredded PLEASANT RIDGE RESERVE cheese (4 oz. approx.)

Coarse sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Pinch of nutmeg

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 clove garlic

4 oz. white wine

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Cubed bread, for serving

Boiled, chopped potatoes, for serving

Mushrooms, for serving

Asparagus, for serving

Cooked shrimp, for serving

Sausage, for serving

Chopped apples and pears, for serving

1. Place 1 teaspoon salt in a fondue pot or a 2-quart stainless steel saucepan.Rub cut end of garlic over inside of pot, starting in the sea salt and coating theentire surface; discard garlic.

2. In a large bowl, mix together both cheeses and cornstarch until well combined;set aside.

3. Add wine and lemon juice to fondue pot and bring to a boil over medium-highheat. Gradually add cheese mixture, whisking constantly, making sure eachaddition is melted before adding the next addition.

4. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 1 minute. Season with nutmeg and pepper;remove from heat and enjoy with your serving selections.

PASTORAL ARTISAN

Pastoral Artisan is an authenticneighborhood cheese shop in theEuropean tradition offering artisanal,

international and domestic cheeses,freshly baked breads and selected wines.

All of the cheeses, small batch winesand artisan beers featured are availableat all three locations.

2945 N. Broadway,Chicago53 E. Lake St., Chicago131 N. Clinton, Chicago800 721 4781www.pastoralartisan.com



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TWOTOTANGO

RITZ TANGO CAF

Nothing says romance like thesensuality of Argentine Tango.Co-owners Dinah DAntoni andJorge Niedas combined theirpassion for dance and food intothe Ritz Tango Caf. The cafis a tiny bit of Buenos Aires righthere in Chicago, where coffeelovers and milongueros (tangodancers) share the floor.

For more information and tojoin one of their many milongas(mixers), call or visit the website.

933 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago773 235 CAF (2233)www.ritztangocafe.com

PhotographbyBianLiofMe:INFOCUSStudios



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HOTSPOTS

a

yD

Good food, goodcompany and goodconversation.

WEBSTERS WINEBAR

Dimly-lit venue with gourmet, small-portioned food selections and extensivewine list. Their global wine flight menuis a must try and a deliciously fun way tostart a lovely evening.

1480 W. Webster Ave., Chicago773 868 0608www.websterwinebar.com

YES THAI

A modern restaurant in the heart ofAndersonville with exceptional serviceand yummy curries. Great for bothsingles and couples.Vegan Friendly.

5211 N. Damen, Chicago773 878 3487www.yesthaichicago.com

EditorsPick

FRANCESCAS AMICI

A small, quaint restaurant located in theheart of Elmhurst. Perfect ambiance andlighting for a romantic night. Winner ofOpenTable.coms Diners Choice Awardlast year.

174 N. York Rd., Elmhurst630 279 7970www.miafrancesca.com

BISTRO CAMPAGNE

A charming, simple French restaurantin Lincoln Square known for its organicmenu and easy atmosphere.

4518 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago773 271 6100www.bistrocampagne.com

BEST FOR LOVE BIRDS

Cozy places to find tablesfor two

SOCCA

A stylish Mediterranean inspiredrestaurant in Lakeview thats perfectfor both late night dining or a ValentinesDay brunch.

3301 N. Clark St., Chicago773 248 1155www.soccachicago.com

ROSE ANGELIS

Located in a quiet part of Lincoln Park,this hidden gem boasts a charming patioand an intimate setting.

1314 W. Wrightwood Ave., Chicago773 296 0081www.roseangelis.com



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Failing in the past has been a result ofthose diets. We focus more on overallbehavior when it comes to nutrition.

Vimbor insists that those expecting instantresults will be disappointed and thateverything worth while takes time and hard

work. We like to take things one step ata time. Focus on taking it slow and

work on one behavior until it becomeshabitual. Then, its ok to start introducingother behaviors. Its a slow process sothey're not returning within a year with thesame problem.

An example of behavioral change iswater intake. If you're not drinking enough water, which is very important because it

flushes your food through, you shouldpinpoint exactly how much you need basedon your lifestyle. Buy two to three water

bottles; bring one to work and keep onhome. Commit to drinking up to 64 oua day - more if needed, and then tr

incorporate something else along the wRemember to keep in mind that its imtant to introduce a new behavior rathan take something away. Theres nothing that you have to eaabsolutely cannot eat - thats where pego wrong. If youre doing well and cget pizza out of your mind, then bymeans have the pizza, Vimbor says.youre doing well the rest of the tit wont make a difference. Its when repeat the bad habit every day thabecomes a problem.

Another habit Vimbor tries to help clilose is being consumed with couneverything they eat.

As February begins, we often find that thefitness resolutions we made in January aregetting off track. According to Health Net,more than 100 million Americans makea New Years resolution to lose weight orget fit. Unfortunately, about four of everyfive people who make resolutions fail tokeep them.

This year, why not keep your resolution bypermanently eliminating the D worddietfrom your vocabulary. A lot of peo-ple have tried diets - Weight Watchers,

Jenny Craig, Atkins - and its just a cycle.They go on it, they lose weight, stop andthen most gain the weight rightback. Rather, we must work on behavior

change, says Registered Dietician Jennifer Vimbor of Nutrition Counseling Servicesin the Loop. You don't have to fail.

n M

BY KERRY SAYERS

IIIINFONFONFONFORMRMRMRM

FITNESSKEEPING YOURPROMISE TOYOURSELF IN THENEW YEAR

This month, it's all aboutstaying focused so we canstick to our resolution



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over after breaking your normal routineover the holidays is daunting, DePaulooffers good news.Muscle has memory, so its not going totake you as long to get back to where you

were before, she says. Dont worry. Eve-ryone gets derailed and everyone takes the

wrong turn sometimes. You just have toget back on the road.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and fitnessroutine is a lifelong journey. Youre nevergoing to reach the destination because itsan ongoing process.

2. Center a program around activities youlike to do instead of those you find gruelingso that you are more likely to keepdoing them.3. Work out with a friend. Workouts aremore fun and you can motivate each other.4. Incorporate cross training into your rou-tine, which means not only working out

with equipment, but taking classes as well.5. Vary the types of classes you take.Learning something new prevents youfrom hitting plateaus and keeps yourprogram fresh.6. Write your goals down and post them athome and at work so you are constantlyreminded and motivated to achieve them.

7. Determine where youd like to be in2011 so if you fall off pace, you wont bedown for long. If the thought of starting

Whether its counting calories, or count-ng fat - I dont want them to develop poorhabits, she says. And counting calories,can be dangerous behavior since it can leadto eating disorders. Therefore, we work onnot counting so you can live without think-ng about food all the time.One of the best ways to keep your resolu-tions is to set reachable goals, whether itsregarding food or exercise habits. JenDePaulo, a certified personal trainer andmanager for Womens Workout World inChicago, offers a few other tips to stayon track.1. If significant weight loss is a priority,break the number down into smaller goals.

For example, focus on losing a number ofpounds per month rather than focusing onan overall final number.

U C

BEHAVIOR CHANGEIS THE KEY

Registered Dietician JenniferVimbor of Nutrition CounselingServices in the Loop suggests afocus on overall behavior whenit comes to nutrition.

To learn more, visit:

www.chicagonutritionist.com



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OLYMPIANSINTERVIEWS WITH TWO OF OURHOMETOWN ATHLETES

GOING FOR THE GOLD

TWO

INGRIDMARCUMQ:Weightlifting is typically thought of as anon-traditional sport for women. How didyou get into it?

A: I was actually a gymnast for 20 years.

After I finished competitive gymnastics atthe age of 21, I still wanted to continuecompeting since I always was a very strongathlete. I took a weight lifting course,discovered that I loved it and was told bythe instructor that I had potential to com-pete. At th

Documents

ME: IN FOCUS Magazine February 2010 (BackIssue)