Todays Woman Feb 2012

February 2012

Comfort in a CrockPot

8 Easy Recipes From

Local Women RENEW YOURSELF

Meet

Check your spice rack!

‘SergeantMom’

CONTENTS

3Sunday, February 5, 2012 | TODAY’S WOMAN

ADVICEMONEY MATTERS: You can start over financially 10FAMILY: Every stage in life is an opportunity 4

TRENDSGUILTY PLEASURES 5WEDDING: Tips for a perfect wedding album 12FASHION: The little black dress does it all 14THINGS TO KNOW 16DIY Diva: It’s like I was born to Pinterest 24RECIPES: Find comfort in a Crock-Pot 26GARDENING: Grow flowers for every season 28GOT 5? Truffingly delicious 30

FEATURECOVER STORY: Lessons of deployment 6

HEALTHRENEW YOURSELF: Enhance your performance improvement 18FITNESS: Make walking a priority 19SKIN CARE: Good news! Porcelain skin is in 20FOOD: Spice up your health with medicines from the kitchen 22

TODAY’S WOMANWe hope you enjoy the seventh edition of Today’s Woman. This quarterly magazine pays tribute to women and all that we do. Send your comments to [email protected]. Visit us on the web at idahopress.com/todays_woman.com for more stories, ideas and photos.Follow us at Facebook.com/todayswomantreasurevalley

To advertise: Angela Sammons at 465-8136For story ideas: Vickie Holbrook at 465-8110For copies to display at your business: Shelley Thayer at 465-8185

Today’s Woman is a product of the Idaho Press-Tribune, 1618 N. Midland Blvd., Nampa, ID. Copyright 2012.

We, the women of the Today’s Woman staff, promise that this magazine will:

Foster conversations among Treasure Valley women.Celebrate local “she” power.Embrace community.Ignite, empower and liberate women.Delight in “she” things.And yes, even have a rip-roaring good time!

Today’s Woman staffVickie Schaffeld Holbrook, editor Angela Sammons, retail ad managerTrish Usabel Grohs, marketing directorRandy Lavorante, news editor and designerGreg Kreller, multimedia editorHolly Beech, writerCharlotte Wiemerslage, writerKaty Jacobs-Howard, designerJenessa Farnsworth, designerShantel Bugby, ad-visr and contributorMelissa Valencia, salesAmanda Weaver, salesShelley Thayer, customer service manager and contributorCharlie Litchfield, photographerAdam Eschbach, photographer

Other contributorsMachele Hamilton, columnistJennifer Deroin, Intermountain BankMichelle Cork, writerTabitha Simenc, writerCarol Huffman, writerBen Thomas, writer

Every stage in life is an opportunity

FamilyADVICE

4 TODAY’S WOMAN | Sunday, February 5, 2012

A vivid memory from my childhood is standing in the doorway of my parent’s bathroom watching my mother put on her makeup. In those days women had children

at a younger age, and at 17 my mother was even younger than normal. This resulted in a beautiful twenty something mother all through my grade school years.

Memories from childhood are abstract, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason why we recall the things we do. But one thing that has remained clear to me all these years is those conversations with mom. As I became a teenager, one day as she stood there, she turned to me and said, “It doesn’t matter how much time passes, you always feel the same inside. There are times when you can actually be surprised when you look in the mirror.”

Years later, those simple sentences stay with me. I feel exactly the same inside, often surprised by the slow and inevitable changes to my physical being. I didn’t get it when my mother said it to me, and telling a young person the same thing today will be just as futile.

We each are born with a clean slate, our lives our own to grow, cultivate and celebrate. But the reality is certain stages in life are inevitable, and facing major milestones with grace and acceptance will only add to your happiness in life.

Once an avid reader, before kids and life took over, my current stage has allowed me to return to that passion. With the new e-readers and countless books available, it is a reader’s dream, and even if you are not a techie, with used book stores, second-hand stores, garage sales, there are no limits on finding a good and cheap read.

Perhaps reading is not your passion, maybe you love movies or television. Once again technology has provided outlets for movies and TV that are amazing. With sites like Netflix or Hulu, decades of movies and TV are available instantly. Most networks have their popular shows streaming at any time at no additional cost on the Internet, and many cable stations show movies 24/7. Once again, if you do not have a computer or Internet, Redbox movies are only a dollar, and where you find those used books, used DVD’s can also be found.

Maybe now is the time to finally learn to needlepoint, or knit or crochet. Maybe, like me and my reading, it was something you loved, but life got in the way. Now is the time to revisit those things you loved. Why not work on those scrapbooks you always prom-ised yourself you would do, or actually put those photos into an album?

With all these activities, we need to get our bodies moving as well. There are walking clubs, dance lessons, sports leagues, and many fitness centers now cater to a more mature clientele. Opportunities for exercise are limited only by our own desires.

The bottom line: My Mom was right when she said you always feel the same, because we are forever the same person inside. We need to accept the life changes, the physical changes, and learn to make the best of them, remembering that every stage in life is an opportunity for a new beginning.

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A NEW YEAR FOR A NEW YOU!

MACHELE HAMILTON

Machele Hamilton writes a column about painting and home

improvement. It is published every other week on Saturdays. She also writes a blog, Don’t Get Me Started, at idahopress.com.

Guilty PleasuresTRENDS

Sunday, February 5, 2012 | TODAY’S WOMAN 5

The gameboardBe forewarned: You may become obsessed with

this board game. Up to five people can play Carcas-sonne, building roads, cities and churches to earn points. This is a great way to beat the winter blues — for older children and adults. It will cost about $25.

The Animal Ball by DysonThis amazing vacuum will suck up anything! Animal

hair? No problem! This machine really sucks and it should, costing more than $450. But hey, it’s purple!

Keurig Coffee MachineWith your very own Keurig Coffee Machine, you

can have coffee ready in less than 60 seconds and you’re out the door. “I don’t know how I have lived this long without my new machine … The coffee is not cheap by any means but the convenience and ‘no cleanup’ is the best a person could ask for. The cups are about .67 each so it is still cheaper than stopping and paying $4 at a coffee shop,” Shelley says. Let’s see, how many cups must you buy before you pay off the initial investment of $150?

Crock-PotStock your kitchen

with a slow cooker if you don’t have one. Then turn to pages 26 and 27 for some recipes. This guilty pleasure pays for it-self in just a couple of meals. These sweet babies start at $20.

COVER STORY


By HOLLY BEECHToday’s Woman

W hen Staff Sgt. April Davis had been deployed in Iraq for nine months, all she wanted to do was lie in bed all day with her three young boys and

watch movies.During her 15-day leave in June, that’s exactly what

they did.After the break, April returned to Baghdad rejuvenated

and ready to finish her remaining three months as a public affairs officer for the Idaho Army National Guard 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team.

“One thing about deployment that you learn is the importance of human connection, especially human touch,” she said. “Not a lot of hugs going around in the military. So when you’re deployed for a year and you get home, all I wanted to do is just hug my kids and be close to my husband.”

Now April is back home in Nampa and working full-time at Gowen Field in public affairs.

She chose to join the Guard 13 years ago, fresh out of high school, and plans to continue for the next seven years until she’s eligible to retire.

Sergeant and mother transitions after tour in Iraq‘What I liked about joining the

Guard vs. joining active duty is

that I felt like I was serving my

local community. I was serving

my local state, my neighbors,

my friends, my family — not

necessarily just my country.”— Staff Sgt. April Davis

April Davis and her husband Dean with their three sons, from

left, Tyler, 7, Jonathan, 4, and Nathan, 9, along with their dog

Sirius inside their Nampa home.

Charlie Litchfield/IPT

Although most of her family and surrounding commu-nity were supportive of her deployment, April did receive some shocking criticism.

“People have such strong opinions about women in the military that they are willing to attack you where it hurts — your children — just to try and prove their point,” she said. “ … It’s OK if you disagree, but sometimes people

don’t realize the impact that they have on your morale.” It was difficult as a wife and mother to leave, April said,

but she had to — and wanted to — fulfill the oath she made to the military.

“Deciding to enlist, I had to weigh that possibility that I could deploy and possibly even give my life for my country,” she said.

Male soldiers also go through the struggle of missing their kids and special moments, April said, but it was slightly different as a mom.

“Children rely so heavily on you because you’re mom,” she said. “When they get hurt or when they need some-thing, they always cry for mommy, and so that’s tough.”

The support for her service outweighed the negative

“Don’t take your loved ones for granted and don’t sweat the small

stuff. Focus on the things that really matter in the end.”— Staff Sgt. April Davis

From April’s scrapbookTop left: Me, August 13, at Camp Liberty in Baghdad.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Raper) Top center: Jonathan tries on my parts of my uniform as I pack to go back to Iraq at the end of my leave in June. Top right: Me inside a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle as I wait to depart on an Exterior-Perimeter Patrol with Alpha Company, 145th Brigade Support Battalion, July 15, 2011, at Camp Victory in Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kurt Rauschen-berg) Center: Me helping Iraqi Boy Scouts paint a craft project, Nov. 27, 2010, at Victory Base Complex in Baghdad. Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. forces partnered together to provide an all-volunteer scouting program for local youth. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tresa Allemang) Bottom center: Me meeting an Iraqi Security Forces officer May 19, 2011, while escorting media on an Exterior-Perimeter Patrol with Alpha Troop, 2nd

Squadron, 116th Cavalry Regiment, near Camp Slayer in Baghdad.


TODAY’S WOMAN | Sunday, February 5, 2012

comments and carried her through the deployment. Her mother-in-law, Charleen Collyer, moved in to help take care of the boys: Nathan, now 9, Tyler, 7, and Jonathan, 4.

“Having my mom move in for this deployment was the main thing that kept us emotionally afloat,” Dean, April’s husband, said. “I don’t know how we would have made it through this without her. … The boys needed their normal routines so it wouldn’t feel like their whole world was turned upside down.”

Although April and Dean did their best to prepare the boys for April’s departure, it took time to sink in.

“It wasn’t until I was gone for about a month and a half

that it really hit ( Jonathan) that — when is Mommy com-ing back?” April said. “He kind of got resentful towards me a little bit at the beginning of the deployment, where I would be on Skype and he wouldn’t want to talk to me.”

But Dean talked to the boys about her constantly throughout the day, and each night the boys got to move a picture of April one space further on a calendar quilt April’s mom had made. The family would Skype about once a week and on holidays.

“One day April started playing games with Jonathan over Skype and he started warming up to her again,” Dean said. “She made plans with him about what they would

do together when she came home on leave and showed him the teddy bears she would bring home for him and his brothers. That is when he started believing that she was coming back.”

Dean greatly missed his best friend while April was gone, he said. During her leave in June, he pampered her with a couple’s massage, hair appointment and surprise limo ride to a fancy dinner.

“It was nice to feel like a girl for a day,” April said, smiling.

Although being separated from her family has been the hardest part of her military service, April is grateful for the

8


Davis shows off the cutout of her that her family used to track her journey on a quilt made by her mother. Davis’ three sons moved the cutout one space every day during her recent deployment to Iraq with the 116th.

impact the Guard has made on her life, she said, and the close bonds she’s made with other service members.

“What I liked about joining the Guard vs. joining active duty is that I felt like I was serving my local community,” she said. “I was serving my local state, my neighbors, my friends, my family — not necessarily just my country.”

She was fortunate to have a “mild” experience during her deployment, from September 2010 to September 2011, as Operation New Dawn in Iraq came to a close, she said.

Returning home, April had to readjust to the transitions her family had made while she was away. It took a somewhat “awk-ward” transition, she said, to get back in the groove of scheduling and home life.

“Your kids grow so fast and change so fast, especially at these young ages,” she said. “So it was a lot of catching up with

who my kids had grown to become in that year that I missed.”

Her 9-year-old, for instance, was already starting to act like a pre-teen.

“He used to wrestle and play with his brothers and want more attention from me and my husband, and now not so much,” April said. “Now he wants to do his own thing, and I wasn’t ready for that.”

This spring, April will return to part-time status with the Guard — one week-end a month and two weeks a year — and is looking for a full-time job that’s closer to home.

“Things were really, extremely busy lead-ing up to the deployment, and so now that I’m back home, I just want to spend more time with family,” she said. “… A couple of things that deployment teaches you is don’t take your loved ones for granted and don’t sweat the small stuff. Focus on the things that really matter in the end.”


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Davis gets a hug from her oldest son Nathan, 9.


You can start overMoney Matters

ADVICE


Look forward financially after difficult life events

T he road of life can have curves, twists, bends and giant potholes. Some days you might even feel like you’ve gone off the cliff. Major life challenges, however, are

overcome with the same approach that you would take with any significant task — one step at a time.

Finances after divorceIn all likelihood, your income situation has changed, and you

need to be diligent about reviewing your monthly budget to determine what your new income and expenses are. You may need to identify other potential revenue streams to bridge the gap. Other important matters to consider during this emo-tional time include:

4 Your ex-spouse cannot keep you on his/her health insurance. Identify a new source for coverage prior to the finality of the divorce.

4 Review all life insurance and retirement account plans and make appropriate changes to beneficiaries.

4 Review your will and make appropriate changes including estate asset distribution and child guardianship.

Finances after a short sale or foreclosureThe first and most important step after the loss of a home is an analysis of the

systemic cause. For many people, the reality of job loss or wage reduction affected their ability to fulfill the commitment made when the home was purchased. However, if the situation was brought on by other factors such as overspending or a lack of savings for emergency, then it’s important to address those behaviors. If the latter is the case, seek professional counseling to identify best money management practices and develop a new plan for future success.

Here are some typical expectations: 4 You can consider purchasing a home again in 2-4 years after a short sale if proper

credit is rebuilt and/or maintained, and 5-7 years with a foreclosure.4 When re-establishing credit, be careful not to over use credit cards. Look for a

secured credit card if you’re unable to obtain a traditional card and don’t use more than 30 percent of the available balance during a billing cycle, and pay it off every month.

4 Stable employment and building a savings surplus will look favorable to lenders in the future as you repair credit and prepare for a new possible mortgage.

4 Use this rebuilding time as an opportunity to enjoy a lower rent situation that allows for the elimination of any other debt and the building of an emergency fund.

4 While both of these life changing experiences create emotional challenges, they don’t have to be a road block for a new financial future. As with most difficult experi-ences, realization, acceptance, and forgiveness will move you ahead as you begin a fresh start and continue on your journey.

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WeddingTRENDS


W

hen the guests have left and the flowers are wilted, the memories of your special day are perfectly preserved in a beautiful wedding album. But, getting the best album doesn’t happen by chance. Local photographers lay out these

tips to make sure your photos are picture perfect.

Find your photographerGetting the right photographer for you and your groom is crucial. When picking

a photographer, Lisa Crane with Crane Studio Imaging in Boise recommends the cou-ple look at photographs on different websites to get an idea of what photos they like.

“Different photographers shoot with different styles,” she said. “You really need to look and see what photography appeals to you.”

Once the bride and groom have narrowed the list down to a few companies, next the couple needs to meet with the photographer in person.

“It’s very important you have someone who can really mesh with the group, who cap-tures things that are most important on your day,” Lindy English, of Lindy Photogra-phy in Boise, said. “Make sure you click because, if you feel awkward, you’re not going to like your pictures.”

After the couple decides on a photographer, they need to discuss their expectations and wedding plans to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.

English said many couples come in with an idea of what photography package they want based on price, but it’s helpful to work with your photographer to pick your package based on how much you want.

“Make sure you know what you want and make sure you are getting that,” Jenny Col-lins, with JA Blake Photography of Nampa, said.

Collins said some packages will include all the digital images taken but other photographers can charge a fee for photos. It’s important to ask what could incur costs later.

Memories to last a lifetime: Tips for a perfect wedding album

TABITHA SIMENCToday’s Woman

Lisa Crane

www.Highlightsphoto.net


Plan the dayTo have the wedding day run smoothly, make sure to plan enough time for photos.While many brides and grooms chose to have photos together before the ceremony,

it’s nice to plan time for some after the ceremony so the photographer can capture the real emotion.

“You can really photograph that joy and sense of relief after the ceremony,” Collins said.Some photographers offer an engagement shoot with their packages, which allows the

couple to get to know their photographer ahead of time. This also makes things run well on the day. Some brides write a photo itinerary so everyone knows who will be in what photos and when and where to be.

The wedding albumAfter the celebration is over, your photographer will start to compile the photos and

put an album together. Some photographers will ask the couple to select their favorite photos for the album and others will pick their best ones. Check in with your photogra-pher to make sure you have the desired level of input.

Chat with your photographer about the time frame for your album. For example, Kim Mitchell with Highlights Photogra-phy in Nampa has the album ready 30 days after the wedding. She also puts up her favorite photos on a blog about three days after the wed-ding so the bride and groom can get a taste of what is to come and prolong their excitement.

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FashionTRENDS


Simple, sassy, sophisticatedThe little black

Bella Blue, NampaBlack feather earrings: $13.50

Story & Co., Caldwell White flower necklace, left, and beaded necklace, right: $6 each

Idaho Bag Ladies, NampaTan, ruffled clutch purse: $15

Calvin Klein black dress, red heels, black heels, black and tan wedges, and pink sweater may be found at local department stores.

Ad executive Melissa Valencia shows off the versatility of the little black dress.


Fashion is like a fickle friend, but the little black dress never goes out of style. Just add sweaters, shoes and accessories to the equation, and you can look like you’re wearing a new outfit every time you go out.

Bella Blue, NampaBlack sequins sweater: $37.50

Story & Co., CaldwellGold flower/feather hairpiece: $6

Idaho Bag Ladies, NampaGold scarf: $10

Story & Co., CaldwellTan purse: $38

By HOLLY BEECHToday’s Woman contributor

dress does it all

Things to KnowTRENDS

16

Are you gluten intolerant?Celiac (SEE-lee-ak)

disease is a digestive

condition triggered by

consumption of the

protein gluten, which is

primarily found in bread,

pasta, cookies, pizza

crust and many other

foods containing wheat,

barley or rye. As more individuals

discover they are gluten

intolerant, food manu-

facturers are developing

products to make it easy to still enjoy popular foods.

For instance, the baking aisle at the grocery store now

features a Betty Crocker gluten-free Bisquick and a brownie

mix. I have not been tested for celiac, but I’ve noticed that I

control my weight easier if I stay away from gluten products.

I made biscuits — they didn’t taste very good — but the

brownies were a hit with tasters.

I also scooped up a few bags of munchies and they re-

ceived high marks with the snackers.

You may want to check out a new magazine, Living

Without. We found this magazine at the grocery store

checkout stations. It features several gluten-free recipes and

suggestions for living with food sensitivities.

— Vickie Schaffeld Holbrook

For more information:

livingwithout.com

celiac.comglutenfreefoodideas.com


Stuck in a peanut butter rut?

Try alternative nut butters or the very popular “Nutella.” Two

tablespoons equals 200 calories, 3g of protein, 11g fat, 21g

sugars, and 22g carbs. But the yum —chocolate flavored hazelnut

butter — may be worth the guilt. Just don’t get addicted.

The All Natural Peanut Butter & Co. also creates scrumptious blends of

white chocolate and … to give your taste buds a jolt every once in a while.

Want to learn more about nut butters? Of the seven different nut butters tested

at Cookinglight.com, macadamia butter tasted the best. Almond, pecan, cashew,

pistachio and walnut butters are worth trying, too.

n Check out cookinglight.com and search for “Nut Butter Primer”

How’s your heart health?

Think F-A-S-T!February is Heart Month and it’s a good reminder to make sure you know the symptoms of a stroke. If you spot early signs of stroke, get to a hospital at siren speed. Call 911 and say “Stroke!” It can double or even quadruple the chances of getting to a FAST treatment after you’ve suffered a stroke.

Think F-A-S-T. If you even vaguely suspect that someone (you?) is having a stroke, act F-A-S-T. It’s short for: Face. Ask the person to smile (if it’s you, look in a mirror). If one side droops, it could be a stroke.

Arms. Ask the person to raise them. If one arm drifts downward, it could be a stroke. Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. If the speech is garbled or strange, it could be a stroke.

Time. See any of the signs? Call 911 right away.

Cut out this list, and stick

it on your fridge.

Read with TebowAmerica’s new sweetheart — Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos — will read Green Eggs and Ham on a Feb. 15 web-

cast at http: //www.bookitprogram.com/biggeststorytime/It’s all part of Pizza Hut’s “Book It” reading program. Your school may participate, but you can enroll on your own as well. Visit the website for more information, fun printables and more.

Why read to your kids? So they will want to read as well. It’s the foundation of learning and you can help them and have fun, too.

The rebirthing seasonRenew Yourself

HEALTH


5 ways to enhance your own performance improvement

By CAROL HUFFMANFor Today’s Woman

“A h, spring! Winter past, the earth and all therein awakens. A thousand spikes of green poke through the darkened world followed by a myriad of colors.

Newborn animals try out rubbery legs or take first flight. Days longer, nights warmer, we too, rise from winter slumber.”

The rebirthing season is all about transformation. Even though a few months ago we were all talking change, taking new directions, and writing resolutions, it’s by now ancient history. So 7,776,000 seconds ago. It may not be just our phones that need updating. Perhaps our own performance improvement could use a little kickstart.

Gardens of glory take time and effort. Pruning old hab-its, just like dead-heading old blossoms, yields new growth. We will always need to revitalize our goals, attitudes, and life. The key is to get started — yet again.

Here are five suggestions to help get you up and growing again:

Renew — renovate, refurbish, revamp

We willingly renovate homes, closets, or gardens, but when it comes to ourselves, change is not always a word we want to hear, much less do. It might be im-portant to take stock of attitudes growing inside. Joan Endicott, professional speaker, author, and life coach from the Treasure Valley says, “Change is inevitable. Our response to it is optional.” In performance improvement terms, it’s reframing why we can’t change from “No, because…” to “Yes, if…”

Regenerate — redevelop, rein-force, restart

To attain your goals, consider Endicott’s 3PA formula: positive

attitude, positive action, and positive ac-countability.

“Look at the big picture of what you want to accomplish, break it into small actionable items, and finally, gather the resources, tools, and trusted advisors to develop a roadmap for success,” Endicott says.

If it gets overwhelming or you’re stuck in neutral, ask yourself, “What can I do today to get me one step closer to my goal?”

Recommit — entrust, pledge, executeCommitting to a goal is not an easy task. We can grow lax

when no one is watching.“It’s usually when we are held accountable that we experi-

ence long-term success,” Endicott says. “When what we want to accomplish or change in our lives takes us on an emotional roller coaster, a personal life coach may be what we need.”

“I can see the situation objectively and make simple sug-gestions that allow for major improvement.”

Reject — refuse, rebuff, discardEvery garden is a battlefield between flower growing and

weed pulling. Just like our home gardens, we need to be willing to break the hardened areas encrusting our minds and pull a few weeds.

“To make a true change in our lives, we first have to reject an old habit and then replace it with a healthy one.”

The road to change can have twists, turns, and detours along the way. But whether it’s un-

employment, a health condition, or a devastat-ing loss, we can still grow through the turbulence. “Crisis creates clarity,” Endicott says, “In it, what

matters most becomes crystal clear.” It could yield a new direction in our job search or finding

the support we need to help focus our efforts on healing once more.

Recharge — Refresh, revive, replenish, regainIt might be time to take a class or pursue a new hobby.Marilyn Nelson, manager of Bluebird Quilt Studio in

Nampa says, “Quilting allows you to express your creativity. Working with a rainbow of vibrant colors is like working among flowers!”

Owner Shirley Blakely points to other benefits as well.“It’s the original social networking. Women gather togeth-

er to quilt and end up connecting and getting the support they need from each other.”

Canyon County is rich with local businesses and colleges that offer classes to express your individualism and chal-lenge your mind. For more information check out the list of ideas and places above and have fun!

Excellence in manufacturing, health care, and busi-ness means “creating a culture for continuous quality improvement.”

Professional development

The College of Idaho: collegeofidaho.edu or 459-

5011Northwest Nazarene Univer-

sity: nnu.edu or 467-8439College of Western Idaho Com-

munity Education Department: cwidaho.cc/community-education or

562-2718Treasure Valley Community College:

www.tvcc.cc or 454-9911Idaho Department of Labor in Canyon

County: For workshops and events to assist with employment opportunities, 364-7781

JOAN ENDICOTTJoan Endicott is an internationally

known professional speaker, author and life coach, whose

personal and professional mission is to encourage, educate and

empower individuals and orga-nizations to grow their teams,

increase morale and productivity. Joan is the founder and author of the “I Get To!”® perspective

principle. Visit JoanEndicott.com, call 453-8056 or email Joan@

JoanEndicott.com.

Pursue a hobby

Bluebird Quilt Studio: From appliqué to long arm quilting and everything in be-tween, www.bluebirdquiltstudio.com or 467-4148

Puffy Mondaes: Offers classes in sustainable arts: fiber arts, spinning, pottery and others; www.puffymondaes.com or 407-3359

Nampa Parks and Recreation: Classes include arts and crafts, dance, cooking, fly-tying and photography: nampaparksandrecre-ation.org or 468-5858

Caldwell Parks and Recreation: Classes include arts and crafts, dance, concealed weap-ons, train and massage; cityofcaldwell.com/page/172855 or 455-3060

Make walking a priorityFitness

HEALTH

19TODAY’S WOMAN | Sunday, February 5, 2012

By MICHELLE CORKFor Today’s Woman

A ngela Emling has been working out to get healthy for about a year and a half. She sometimes swims, lifts weights or rides a stationary bike

at the gym, but says walking is the type of exercise that keeps her moving — even on the days she’d rather not.

“I can’t say I love working out, but I enjoy walking and getting activity in,” says Emling, who works in the medical records department at Saltzer Medical Group in Nampa. “I can fit it in my schedule, and you can change the scenery: I can go to the park. I can go to the mall.... No matter your level of fitness, you can do it.”

When she started walking, Emling was having back issues and would stop after 20 minutes. But she kept walking. And today, in combination with other types of exercise, she walks at least 30 minutes a day — on the Nampa Recreation Center’s indoor or outdoor tracks, or on the way to work with her mom, Karen Luther, with co-workers during her 15-minute breaks, at Karcher Mall or to a walking workout video.

Emling joined the Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program and has set a goal to lose a pound or two a week.

She says walking helps. “I no-ticed that when I’m not walking, I don’t meet that goal.”

Nicholas Lewis, a doctor of internal medicine and pediatrics at Saltzer’s Family Medicine Clinic in Caldwell, says walking has short- and long-term benefits, including:

4 Weight control4 Minimizing back pain and

the effects of arthritis4 Improved cardiovascular fitness, balance and bone

density“The more you walk, the more likely you are to main-

tain that same functionality later in life,” Lewis explains. “All patients benefit from an increased activity level.”

Lewis, who’s a biker and runner himself, says even individuals who have heart or lung problems will see results from walking. The everyday task of grocery shop-

ping, for example, gets easier when you don’t have to stop to rest every 30-50 feet.

Lewis says many people, particularly those with desk jobs, take just 3,000-5,000 steps a day. To improve your health and burn more calories, he says you should take 10,000-15,000 steps. He recommends working out six or seven days a week so it becomes part of your daily routine.

Like any form of exercise, Lewis says it takes about a month and a half to make walking a habit.

“If it doesn’t take priority in your life, there’s always an excuse not to do it,” he says, adding that if you fall off track, don’t give up. “If people make it through the first six weeks, they’re pretty successful.”

Greg Kreller/IPT

Angela Emling, left, and her mother Karen Luther, right, walk on the path outside the Nampa Recreation Center during their lunch break.

“If it doesn’t take priority in your life, there’s always an excuse not to do it.”

— Dr. Nicholas Lewis, Saltzer Medical Group

DR. NICHOLAS LEWIS

Saltzer Medical Group

Get startedAccording to Dr. Nicholas Lewis, how long it takes to see ben-

efits depends on the intensity of your workout and how often you walk. The goal is to get your heart pumping at 60-80 percent of your maximum heart rate. Here’s how, he says, you can determine yours: Take the number 220 and subtract your age. Multiply your answer (maximum beats per minute) by .6 or .8.

If you can’t afford a gym membership, Lewis suggests taking advantage of free community amenities, such as a high school track. To get the whole family moving, take the kids along. They can play on the field while you walk. Emling does laps at Karcher Mall when it’s cold.

If you walk outdoors, pay attention to your surroundings — par-ticularly during the early morning or at night. Or walk with a friend.

Walking is a relatively inexpensive workout that doesn’t require a lot of gear, but Lewis says the right shoes are key. Look for a tennis shoe with lots of support that fits well so you don’t get blisters and sore feet. Emling also bought reflective material for safe walking to work.

Part of what keeps Emling walking is its versatility. To increase intensity, she says you can add hand weights or do step-ups on the curb.

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‘Skin as white as snow’ Skin Care

HEALTH


Good news! Porcelain skin is in

I gave up my quest for a golden tan long ago. My parents combined European DNA produced a ghost, prone to acne, rosacea and second-degree sunburns.

There aren’t enough tanning beds on Earth to give me a “bronze glow.”

Lucky for me, and pale-faced beauties everywhere, that porce-lain skin is in this season. The last two “fashion weeks” featured less-than-sun-kissed models for Prada, Marc Jacobs, Gucci and Alexander McQueen. Some style experts point to “Twilight” as the source of the trend. Whatever the reason, I’m relieved I can purchase my L’Oreal True Match “Porcelain” without shame.

But even if the Jersey Shore look was all the rage, Idaho’s skin cancer statistics are reason enough to ease up on the sun bathing. We rank 7th in the nation for melanoma cases and 14th for melanoma deaths. Add tanning beds into the mix and you increase your chances of developing skin cancer by 75 percent.

So, cancel the tanning package, throw out your bronzer and follow these tips for pale, but glowing skin.

ExfoliateSkin cells constantly regenerate, pushing old cells to the top. The result? A dull, scaly

appearance. Gentle exfoliation is the answer. Avoid cleansers with harsh “exfoliants” and opt for one with soft beads. For particularly sensitive skin, look for products with salicylic or glycolic acid, which slough away dead skin without abrasives.

Moisturize Regardless of the season, keeping skin hydrated in Idaho’s dry climate can be a

challenge. Moisturize often with a product containing ceramides, dimethicone and glycerin, and/or lanolin, mineral oil and petroleum jelly. All these ingredients help skin retain moisture. I’m prone to rosacea, so I use Aloe Vera as a primer — it calms the redness.

Know your colors Colors stand out against more distinctly against light skin, so know your palette use

it well. Most very pale women are pink- or blue-toned, and look best in silver, gray, blue, pink and some shades of brown and green. But remember, there are no rules in fashion. I have a copper-hued eye shadow from Sephora that I swear by. The important thing is to experiment often and find what works for you.

Wear sunscreen You’ve heard it time and time again — you should wear sunscreen everyday. Even in

the winter. Even if you’re only going outside for a few minutes. So, why aren’t you?

n Sources: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, World Health Organization, WebMD.

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Spice up your healthFood

HEALTH


Alternatives to medicine may be in your kitchen

By MICHELLE CORKFor Today’s Woman

C innamon for lowering blood sugar, turmeric as an anti-inflammatory, ginger for aiding digestion — the use of herbs and spices is becoming more

popular as people look for natural ways to get healthy.

Or maybe the rest of us are catching up to Cheryl Wear, who’s owned World of Nutrition since 1977, including nearly 17 years at its current location along Caldwell Boulevard in Nampa. Her daughter Kris Wear grew up around the store and says its customers have been aware of the health benefits of herbs and spices for a long time.

“It’s not new at all. More people are using cinnamon and turmeric, but not the rest of it,” Kris says as she

scans jars of herbs that fill the back wall of the store. “Dr. Oz helps (increase awareness). There are articles that come out in magazines and newspapers, but there’s not a huge percentage of increase.”

Wear says World of Nutrition’s bulk herbs and their capsule counterparts make up 15-20 percent of business.

Results of studies into whether cinnamon has an effect on blood glucose are conflicting, but it keeps showing up in cereals, coffees and chocolate. Turmeric is known

Greg Kreller/IPT

World of Nutrition co-owners Kris Wear and her mother Cheryl Wear at the bulk herbs section of the Nampa store.

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as the main spice in curry, but it’s also used as an anti-inflammatory and for heartburn, stomach ailments, loss of appetite, and liver and gallbladder problems.

Garlic has long been touted for warding off colds and flu and lowering cholesterol, and some people use it to prevent a host of cancers, including cancers of the breast, prostate and lung.

“You’re better off doing it fresh or (in) a capsule, but it helps even as powder garlic in your food,” Wear says.

Ginger is an ingredient in many digestive, anti-nausea, and cold and flu supplements. Peppermint is used for a host of digestive problems and topically for headaches, muscle pain and toothaches. Wear says cayenne pepper can improve blood pressure, circulation and bleeding ulcers. While its results have been in dispute, Echinacea is believed to boost the body’s natural immune system. So does oregano, elder berry and goldenseal, Wear says.

Registered dietitian Rhonda O’Brien works with people who have eating disorders and diabetics who are referred by their physicians, as well as others looking for

general guidance on healthier eating. She says the health benefits of herbs and spices are exciting news. But she sounds a note of caution.

“It’s important to not throw medication out,” says O’Brien, noting that spices and herbs could change the way drugs work or cause side effects. “At this point, they’re not a cure-all. ... We just have to keep things in perspective.”

O’Brien doesn’t recommend supplements, but is all for adding fresh basil to a sandwich or sprinkling cinnamon

over cereal. She says using herbs to boost flavor could help cut out salt.

“The nice thing about herbs and spices in food is that it’s tough to overdo it because of the taste factor,” she says.

And O’Brien points out that in terms of antioxidants, there are some herbs and spices — cloves, oregano and rosemary as examples — that score high on a list that ranks the absorption capacity of foods, and even higher than some “super foods” such as blueberries and acai fruit. For a ranking, check out www.oracvalues.com. ORAC stands for “Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.”

“One problem with all of this is that people see this list and unintentionally leave out other nutritious foods,” she cautions. “It’s like everything with nutrition — it’s about balance.”

4 World of Nutrition is located at 314 Caldwell Blvd., Nampa. Find it on the web at worldofnutritionnampa.com.

n Learn more about registered dietitian Rhonda O’Brien’s practice at dietfreeidaho.com.

Herb and spice safety

Talk with your doctor before using herbs or spices to treat a health problem.

MedlinePlus — the National Institutes of Health’s website produced by the National Library of Medicine — discusses the effectiveness of herbs and supplements at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus. Here are just a few other informative websites:

4 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - www.eatright.org4 Herb Research Foundation - www.herbs.org4 American Diabetes Association - www.diabetes.org.

It’s like I was born toDIY Diva

TRENDS


By SHANTEL BUGBYToday’s Woman

L ove crafts? Love to be inspired? Love to decorate?

Do you enjoy being organized and finding exactly what you’re looking for?

Ever wanted to explain an idea but lacked the words? Wanted to tell a joke but couldn’t remember the punch

line? Tried to remember a website and

couldn’t find it? Do you love networking and

being a part of communities that share your interests?

If you relate to any or all of these things, then you’ll want to join Pinterest.com!

Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that enables you to organize and share all the things you find on the internet. It can motivate you to start and finish crafts, move you to create masterpieces in the kitchen, or prompt you to create your dream home. I know that for me, the inspiration has been a huge motivator.

It’s an incredible way to organize ... anything! Pinterest is one of the top 10 most popular social websites, with 32 million visits.

How it works: First you must sign up for an invite and it usually takes about a week or so to get one. They build their prestige this way.

Your next step is to create pinboards — start with one, or if you’re feeling ostentatious, more. You may want to browse pinboards created by other people to gain ideas. You can even add friends. It’s a great way to learn about new things from people who have shared interests.

You can even upload crafts and fashions for other people to pin!

Pinterest is also full of ideas to repurpose things you already own. I’ve pinned how to change my baggy T-shirts into cute fitted tees, jewelry that clashes into something I adore, décor that I would have donated into pieces of art, and so much more!

And you are not limited to what’s on Pinterest. You can “pin” anything you find on the web to your boards. Just add the “Pin button” to your browser tool bar.

I have a photography board that inspires me in my photo sessions. It’s a great way to get me thinking outside of the box. I love being creative and using my Pinterest finds. Everyone should have a “things I’ve finished” board

so we can see that our hopeful creativity can actually be accomplished and come to life. I’m excited for a family/newborn shoot that I have and am hoping to take pictures that I’ve found on Pinterest and turn them into reality for my portfolio.

Plan a Pinterest Day!By VICKIE SCHAFFELD HOLBROOK

Today’s Woman

My sister and her daughter threw around the idea of doing a “Pinterest Day.” Six of us will each choose a project and

‘Pinterest: Where women go to plan imaginary weddings, dress children that don’t exist, and decorate houses we can’t afford.’

Check it out!

There are applications for the iphone and Android so you can take Pinterest with you anywhere you go.

Once you’ve signed up for Pinterest, consider “following” Shantel Bugby and Vickie Schaffeld Holbrook so we can follow you and share ideas. There are several local women with great ideas.

Screenshot from pinterest.com

Pinterest a bunch of free ideas and it can help solidify your dream wedding. You can have a board for locations, photos, caterers, cakes, wedding party attire, etc. It allows everyone to be on the same page and you can even allow others to add ideas to your boards.

SHANTEL BUGBYShantel is an ad-visor and

contributor for Today’s Woman.

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bring the kits so everyone can make them. Much like a “Make & Take It Day,” we should each take home six completed projects.

We’re pinning ideas to a “group” board and planning special, fun food items as well. The ideas and emails are flying! Here are a few snippets …

“If we are not careful and organized, our fun day could turn into a mess!Think about what you want to do and if everyone would have interest in it,then think about how long your project will take. If we each have one project and

every project is 1.5 hours, that is a 9-hour day of working.”…“OK, now you’ve made my brain dizzy. : ) I’m open to a variety of ideas ...”…“Also, I have lots of ideas for ‘woodworking’ projects that are big and would take dad

being signed up? Mom, is dad okay with working on our crew? …“Yes, he’s is in.... he may not know it yet but ‘he is in.’…“I was thinking a little crafting, a little fun/laughing, maybe a little wine!”…“Just one last email from me today — I created a Pinterest Craft Day ‘board’ for us to

‘pin’ our ideas. You are all contributing members so pin away — and if you see some-thing you want to learn about that is on the board — leave a comment, or ‘like’ it!”

I’ll share the outcome next month. It should be a lot of fun!

My pinterest-inspired apron

I joined Pinterest about six weeks ago, fell in love with it, and shared with my crafty friends and family members. You can make it whatever you want it to be.

For the record, I was inpatient, and couldn’t wait a week for an invite. So I whined on Face-book and had two invites in 5 minutes.

There are so many ideas, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed with a sense of urgency that you must hurry and make everything you see. I was inspired to finally make an apron. I created a whole “board” for apron ideas and patterns. I can go back and look at different ideas when I make more aprons.

— Vickie Schaffeld Holbrook

RecipesTRENDS


T he first Crock-Pot debuted in 1971. Since then it has evolved, and other companies have offered their own versions of the slow cooker. Now, more than 40 years later, the Crock-Pot is still a

woman’s best friend. Fill it up, plug it in and come back home to a cooked meal or a special dish for dinner.

Today, you can personalize your Crock-Pot, adding family photos and choosing your own special colors. For more information and more recipes, check out crock-pot.com.

The Today’s Woman team put the wonder machine to the test and whipped up eight dishes and shared their recipes.

Find comfort in aCrock-Pot

First place:

Pepper SteakShelley Thayer

2-3 lbs. beef cut into strips (I used bottom round roast)2 red bell peppers2 yellow bell peppers2 orange bell peppers2 green bell peppers1 large red onion2 cups beef broth28 oz. can diced tomatoes16 oz. sliced mushroomsMontreal Steak Seasoning ½ t garlic powder½ t onion powder½ t pepper2 T vegetable oil

Slice all ingredients into strips and put everything into the slow cooker except the beef and Montreal Steak seasoning and oil.

In a separate pan, brown the steak strips in the oil and coat with Montreal Steak Seasoning.

Add the browned steak to the slow cooker and cook on medium for 6-8 hours. Note: Can cook on high for 3-4 hours

Serve over rice.

Second place:

Chicken ChiliAmanda Weaver

1 lb. leftover chicken or 2 chicken breasts — cut into bite size chunks 1 cup chopped onions3 garlic cloves, minced2 pkgs. frozen white shoepeg (white) corn or 2 cans of whole kernel corn, drained2 4 oz. cans diced green chilies 1 t ground cumin2-3 T lime juice2½ cups chicken stock2 cans white beans,

undrainedMix all ingredients and

put in a slow cooker.Cook on low for 6-8

hours or high for 4-6 hours.

Serve over crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of a bowl

Top with grated cheddar cheese.


StroganoffRhonda McMurtrie

Serves 61 lbs. stew or deer meat cut into 2-inch pieces 10¾ oz. beef bouillon1 medium onion, rough chopped½ t garlic powder4 oz. can mushroom pieces1 can cream of condensed mushroom soup1 cup sour cream1 T paprikaServe on noodles

Place meat, onion, bouillon, garlic and mushrooms in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours. Turn crock up to high, heat until bubbling.Stir in soup, sour cream and paprika, blending until smooth. Heat through, 15 to 30 minutes. Note: For thicker sauce, mix 3 T cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold

water, add to crock.

Pork SlidersColleen Yellen

2 small pork roasts1 large onion, chunked2 cans Italian stewed tomatoes, diced2 cloves garlic minced2 T Italian seasoning1 T oregano1 T seasoning salt1 T pepper½ tsp celery salt2 chicken bullion cubes½ cup Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce¼ cup A-1 Sauce

Brown pork roasts on all sides with salt, pepper, seasoning salt, chopped onion.

Add remaining seasonings and cook on low temp for 4 hours. Add cans of tomatoes and cook an additional 4 hours or until pork

pulls apart easily with a fork.Shred pork and serve atop sliced rolls.

Bean Soup with HamVickie Schaffeld Holbrook

1 20 oz. bag of Bean Soup Mix with ham seasoning16 oz. cubed fat free ham1 diced red or white onionWater to fill crock

Add beans, onion, ham, seasoning to the slow cookerAdd about two quarts of hot water, less if you like thicker soup.Cook on high for 8 hours.Note: Add brown sugar to sweeten dish if desired.

Cherry Chocolate DessertShantel Bugby

Serves 121 21 oz. can cherry pie filling 1 18 oz. package chocolate cake mix ½ cup butter

Pour pie filling in slow cooker.Combine dry cake mix and butter.Sprinkle over filling.Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.Note: Works well in the oven, too. Consider whipped cream as a

topping

Peach CobblerCori Buck

2 cups frozen peaches, sliced (undrained) 1 T cornstarch ½ t vanilla ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ - 1/2 t cinnamon 9 oz. Jiffy white cake mix (or ½ package of a 2-layer cake mix) 4 T melted butter

Lightly grease the slow cooker; place peaches in the bottom. Sprinkle with cornstarch; toss. Drizzle with vanilla and sprinkle brown sugar over all. Sprinkle with cinnamon then cake mix. Drizzle melted butter evenly over cake mix. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours.

Easy Chicken BurritosShawn Killingsworth

4 boneless chicken breasts1 16 ounces jar of your favorite salsa (fruity salsa is great)1 package of medium tortillas2 cups shredded cheese8 oz. container of sour cream

Place chicken breasts in slow cooker and pour jar of salsa on top.Cook on high for 6 hours.Shred chicken; mix with the juice collected in pot.Warm tortillas and spread sour cream on, then add a little shred-

ded chicken and sprinkle with cheese on top.Roll it up and serve.

Paint your garden with flowers for every season

GardeningTRENDS


By BEN THOMASFor Today’s Woman

A s spring arrives and you’re thumb begins turning that light shade of green, do you

get that itch “rooted” deep within to get outside and start working?

These few simple tips and some planning can help your flower garden — large or small — look spectacular month after month.

1. When the ground is still too cold for sowing, somehow broadleaf weeds take root and thrive. Douse these young weeds with boiling water and they’ll shrivel up faster than a slug shootin’ up with salt.

2. Start cutting back last year’s perennials and clear your “canvas.”

3. In early spring while the flower-beds are bare, decide where to plant bulbs, ranging in various varieties, colors, sizes, and blooming times. These flowers will bloom the next spring. Because you must wait until

fall to plant the bulbs, mark your se-lected spot by stabbing a plastic knife into the ground. Use a permanent marker — select specific colors for varying bulbs — to write the bulb name on the handle. This cost-effi-cient technique will easily withstand the elements until autumn when you can clear away some of the foliage and get those bulbs in the ground.

4. Meanwhile, start planting spring-blooming perennials in a variety of colors and sizes around the flowerbeds that will complement the bulbs.

5. Add some summer/fall flowering perennials as the season progresses. You could use additional plastic-knife markers — seasonally color-coded — to designate the location of other spring, summer and fall flowering perennials.

6. Mix in grasses of various heights, texture and color to add interest to the landscape.

Grow beautiful blooms in the spring, summer and fall

Submitted photo

Ben Thomas’ yard in spring features a variety of colorful plants and flowers.

Not sure which flowers to plant? Check out these seasonal blooms that often thrive in our Treasure Valley climate:

ClematisClematis is a landscape

must-have. Different clematis varieties add great interest in the garden for many weeks throughout the growing season. Arbors, posts, fences, lattice, chicken wire attached to the garage or shed — you name it, and clematis will climb it. You can even use old trees or dead trees tied to T-posts with wire or zip/cable ties in the garden for a 10- 15-foot clematis to climb. Just be sure groundcover is planted around the roots to keep them from drying out from the sun’s heat. Place a couple large limbs inside a patio pot for a clematis showcase as well.


Bulbs— plant in fall, bloom in spring

CrocusTulips DaffodilsHyacinthsAlliumsAnemone typesIrises (These are rhizomes actually, not

bulbs. Plant in August or September.)

Perennials, mixture of sun and shade varieties

Spring: PeonyPoppyBleeding heartRock cressRose campion orange gnomeColumbineCatmintBellflowerBeardtongueSpiderwortShrubs: Forsythia, lilacs, snowball bush

(viburnum), pink flowering almond, wei-gela, flowering sand cherry

Summer: SalviaPhloxHollyhockDayliliesYarrowPink coneflower (Echinacea)

FernsAstilbeCoral bellsLavenderCoreopsisScabiosaWhite daisiesGaillardiaSpike speedwell (Veronica)LiatrisGuaraShrubs: Butterfly bush, mock orange,

honeysuckle, spirea (goldmound, anthony waterer), hydrangea (heat tolerant variet-ies), roses

Fall:Aster and chrysanthemums — Cut back

to 4 inches on Memorial Day and again on the 4th of July, which allows for sturdy stems in fall.

HibiscusBlack-eyed

SusanJoe-Pye weed

and sneezeweed — Don’t worry,

these aren’t really weeds; they’re nice look-ing flowers with misleading names.

Russian sageMallowHostasShrubs: Burning bush, Rose of Sharon,

staghorn sumac

Tri-seasonal plants: Boxwood, viburnum varieties (American

compact cranberry, sargentii/onondaga, ar-rowwood), English laurel, ninebark, black beauty elderberry, “ivory halo” dogwood,

crimson pygmy barberry, euonymus plants, yew

Groundcovers: Geranium crane’s billIce plantSnow-in-summerLamium Missouri primroseSedumCreeping phloxWoolly thymeVinca

Ben Thomas’ yard includes a variety of flow-ers and plants which vary by the season.

Submitted photo

Coreopsis

Peony

Hibiscus

Need plants for your yard? Plant Swap April 28Local nurseries will be well stocked by mid-April. But be sure to check with your family, friends

and neighbors for excess plants they may want to share. Why? Because some plants multiply by seed or grow so large they need to be divided.

Local farmer’s markets also feature local plants perfect for growing in the Treasure Valley.And the annual Plant Swap will be held at the Nampa Farmer’s Market on opening day, April

28, in downtown Nampa. It starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m.This is a great way to meet new people, give away your extra garden plants, offspring, seed-

lings or seeds to others who might have something you don’t. It will be held in the parking lot next the railroad tracks. Watch for signs.

For more information, email Vickie at [email protected].

Trufflingly delicious Got 5?

TRENDS


W ith Valentine’s Day just around the corner, maybe your sweetheart wants a truffle. Think romance. Are your taste buds turned on?

1. Fresh black winter truffles — 1.5 ounce — from France will cost you about $220 at gourmetfoodstore.com.

2. Godiva Gems — Dark Chocolate Truffles — come in a bag for $3.

The uglier the better if you’re eating the underground ver-sion of mushrooms. Most chocolate truffles — think crème and liqueur — are rich in flavor and always very pretty.

You could dig for your own truffles — Oregon’s Willa-mette Valley is your best bet — or you could make your own chocolate truffles for your sweetheart.

And if truffles are out of your financial reach, consider a bottle of truffle oil, starting at about $15. The popular televi-sion chefs tease your taste buds with a little truffle oil here and there.

It must be hip to make your own truffles because AARP’s February magazine includes a recipe.

Chocolate Hazel Nut TruffleAARP.comIngredients:4¼ oz dark chocolate, chopped4 oz (112 g) heavy cream½ oz or 2 teaspoons (14g) light corn syrup1/16 cup Frangelico½ oz or 1 tablespoon (14g) salted butter, cubed, soft but not melted1½ cup chopped hazel nuts1 lb (453g) dark chocolate

Place the chopped chocolate in a medium-size bowl. Set aside.Combine the heavy cream and the corn syrup in a small, heavy-bot-

tomed saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat while continually stirring. Once the cream mixture comes to a rolling boil, pour directly over

the chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir slowly, incorporating all the ingredients, allowing the chocolate to fully melt. If the chocolate

has not completely melted once it is fully incorporated with the hot cream, place the over a double boiler to continue melting.

Using an immersion thermometer placed in the center of the bowl, check the temperature. Once the ganache has reached 95 degrees F, add the butter and stir well. Let the ganache sit for 30 minutes, or until it is firm enough to pipe — approximately 75 degrees F. When it reaches the proper temp, line a baking sheet with parchment.

Place the ganache into a pastry bag and push it down, applying pressure from the top of the bag. Deposit small amounts of the truffle ganache onto a baking sheet. If you do not have a pastry bag, you may drop a teaspoon size on the ganache on the tray.

Place in refrigerator for an hour. After one hour’s time, roll each small piped amount into a ball. Once again, let chill in the refrigerator for approximately ½ hour.

Place the hazelnuts in a shallow bowl or casserole dish. Dip the truffle in the tempered chocolate one by one, making sure that they are fully coated. Immediately after dipping, roll each truffle in the nuts until the truffle is fully covered.

Let the chocolate fully set before removing the truffle from the hazelnuts.

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