You will receive In-Touch Magazine the week of November 19th thru 26th. Be sure to read this issue. It is packed with events, tips for the holidays, useful links on the web and much more all for you. While on our site, please leave us your comments and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to register for all our wonderful events 
You can make good nutrition choices eating on the run. It’s really possible. So take a few minutes before your next drive-thru , and visit these fast food web sites. Check out the nutritional information for what you usually order, and then decide if you’re making wise food choices. (more…)
Which Fireplace is Right For You?
By Peg Ashbrock
The sounds and the smells of a fireplace warm us through a long winter. For most homeowners, the fireplace becomes a natural focal point of a room.
As we opt to spend quiet time at home with family and friends, adding a fireplace increases our home’s livability. In fact, many of today’s homebuyers consider a fireplace a ‘must-have’ feature. A National Association of Home Builders survey found that 77% of homebuyers want a fireplace in the family room where they spend most of their time. And fifty percent of homebuyers want a second one in the living room where they entertain. Homeowners can raise their home’s selling price 6-12% just by adding a fireplace according to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers. (more…)
By Peg Ashbrock
Two women. Two trainers. Six months to change their lives forever.
Patty Scott, 37, Go Red For Women Chair, and Kathy Rambo, 62, Go Red for Women Committee Member, will do just that. For the next six months, InTouch will follow their efforts as they adopt healthy and regular nutrition and exercise habits.
Patty and Kathy met with their trainers Mark Messer and William Hooks at the MercyHealthplex in
By Melissa Haller
If dozing on your couch is the only item on your to do list, it’s high time to get out of your comfort zone. So take safety precautions, prepare wisely, and try one of these 10 ideas to usher in an invigorated, empowered you:
Take AimDiscover your inner huntsman by renting a bow and arrow, getting instruction, and spending time on the archery range at Target World. www.targetworld.net; (513) 772-3343. (more…)
By Peg Ashbrock
It’s 9 p.m., and raining. You’ve just finished a busy night of holiday shopping at the mall and your arms are full of parcels as you head out to the car. Because of the rain the few people out are dashing to their cars, heads down. You head around the big van parked next to your car and a man steps out from between the cars. What do you do?
That’s probably every woman’s nightmare. Our personal safety though probably isn’t something we think about all that often, but we should. During this busy season, it’s so easy to be distracted making you an easy target for thieves and criminals. (more…)
By Greet France, Certified Fitness InstructorWith the holidays getting closer each day, it can be easy for your fitness routine to get off track. While it may seem that there’s no time for exercise, squeezing it in can actually help you feel more energized and better able to cope with the stress of the season.Here are some strategies to stay active:*Make appointments to exercise. Plan out your week, being sure to pencil in when and how you’ll exercise. Hang a class schedule on the refrigerator door and circle the classes you plan to join. Cross them out after you’ve taken the class, to stay motivated. *Get the family involved and make exercising fun. Play outdoor games like football, basketball, tag and hide-and-seek. Make your new holiday tradition a family walk. Not only does walking get you away from the food, it benefits you physically and makes you more mindful about what you eat. (more…)
A well-planned buffet can be a lifesaver at this busy time of the year, and allows you to enjoy the company of your guests.
Decide the type of food, and let the menu match the function. The amount of food you need depends on the age, time of day, and activities of your guests (more…)
By Melissa Haller
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “It is not length of life, but depth of life.” Does that leave you scratching your head, wondering where you should start digging? By asking, you’ve taken the first step to figuring out the rest of your life. It’s a journey that many people choose when they’re in transition with work or family, feel something is missing, or want to create a life they love. If you’re on that path, looking for something, you must first define what it is you want: A new job? Fulfilling family life? Adventure? “Don’t ask for an apple when you want an orange,” says Cincinnati-based life coach Ed Burns. (more…)
By Heidi Botkin
It’s okay to say, “no” this holiday season. Say “no” to the large holiday party or the elaborate gourmet meal. Saying “no” can free you up to saying “yes” to a quiet date with your husband or snuggling with your children reading books by candlelight. (more…)
By Vivian Moore
Mitchell’s Salon and Day Spa
Soft subtle drama is your mantra for holiday hair and makeup this season.
Schedule Now
It’s not too early to schedule hair appointments now for the holidays. Make sure your color and cut are perfect; no matter what your hairstyle, it will look better with a great cut and color. (more…)
By Peg Ashbrock
“Beauty means living life to its fullest, and embracing all that life brings you, both good and bad, and letting the positive from those experiences show through from the inside out.” Lynn M. Ford
More than 400 beautiful
By Diane Agricola Home décor, like fashion has fads and trends- fads are short-lived accents, while trends more long-lived, usually lasting 5-8 years. Trends follow what happens with technology; thin hanging plasma Televisions eliminate the need for bulky cabinets and armoires. We use trends to set the color and tone of our homes. These are the costly investment items; pieces that won’t be changed quickly. We use fads as accents to change the look to keep it current and fresh. (more…)
By Heidi Botkin
Imagine receiving a letter in the mail: “PCM . . . THNQ . . . SYS.” Would you read it? Probably not. But a handwritten letter? It’s the first thing we’d all open.
Handwritten Letters RareIn this world of instant global communication, a handwritten letter is rare. It remains a treasured gift. It conveys the writer’s voice; their thoughts and feelings. Letters from relatives and friends can be cherished for years to come, or put into safe-keeping for reminiscing later. Try that with an email. (more…)
By Leigh Russo
Salt Indefinite Never sprinkle directly from the container into a steaming pot.
Pepper
Whole Indefinite They have found whole pepper corns in
Egyptian tombs that were still good.
Ground 6 months Chefs don’t like to use this because it lacks flavor. (more…)
By: Leigh Russo
Fast food is king. But chew on this: According to a study by the National Heart, Lung and Blood institute, young adults who ate fast food at least twice a week doubled their insulin resistance-a risk factor for diabetes-and gained ten more pounds over time. Are there wise choices when dealing with fast food? Definitely. To help lower fat and calories avoid anything that’s deep-fried or has cheese, mayo or mayo-based dressing.
Let’s say your usual lunch order is a Burger King Tendercrisp Chicken sandwich with mayonnaise. Not only does it have a whopping 780 calories and 43 grams of fat, 8 of those grams are saturated fat. That’s more than half your recommended daily value. Even without mayo the sandwich comes in at 570 calories, and 20 grams of fat. (more…)
By Patty K. Scott
First Financial
SVP Managing Director, Wealth Resource Group
The best gift you give your child this holiday season may not come from any store. Beyond the treasures depicted in television commercials, experts suggest kids need a chance to feel good about themselves by making a difference. And that rarely comes in neatly wrapped packages. (more…)
By Peg Ashbrock
Start with a basic black dress(Michael Stars, cowl-necked, three-quarter sleeve with inverted pockets from Girl, $152) the staple of every woman’s wardrobe and, with a few simple changes, your day time dress goes out on the town! (more…)
By Stacey Dunaway
According to the EPA, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s our garbage will increase by 25 %. This year let’s make it our duty to decrease our “footprint” without decreasing our fun. (more…)
Don’t stop doing good once the holidays are over. By changing to the items below you will be positively impacting the earth all year long! (more…)
