SavvyJanuary2012

Where women shop, talk, learn and laugh.

JANUARY 2012

Where women shop, talk, learn and laugh.

JANUARY 2012

Kate Herzog’s House of

Talents connects artisans

in developing countries

with consumers worldwide

Kate Herzog’s House of

Pathout of

Poverty

ways to

embrace

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Look inside forreader giveaways

& discounts

ookk inside forPlus!

2 savvy.mn | Januray 2012

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savvy.mn | January 2012 3

Publisher | Jennifer Sorenson

Editor in Chief | Melissa Gilman

Graphic Designers | Jennifer Baker, Renee Fette

Circulation Manager | Ruby Winings

Lead Writer | Sara Glassman

Contributing Writers | Meryn Fluker, Kristin Holtz

Photography | Amy Zellmer/Custom Creations Photography,

Brian Sorenson, Traci Zellmann

Web | Steve Delmont

Savvy.mn Magazine is published monthly by

Southwest Newspapers. No part of this publication

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted in any form by means, electronic,

mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,

without the prior consent of Southwest Newspapers,

952-445-3333, P.O. Box 8, Shakopee, Minn. 55379.

CONTACTS:

Content: Melissa Gilman, 952-345-6387 or [email protected]

Advertising: 952-345-6477 or [email protected]

Subscription and address change: Ruby Winings, 952-345-6682 or [email protected]

4 Letter from the Editor

5-6 Shopper Sara’s Style; clothes that play as nice as they look.

7-8 Local Finds Clothes, jewelry and décor from our advertisers.

9 Health Rethinking fi tness resolutions.

11 Budget Helping women reach for retirement.

15-17 Me New course teaches how to embrace change; Patty Hlava on the practice of giving thanks; Minnesota Orchestra’s French horn player fi rst made music with a ukulele.

18-19 Fun Learn how to write a blog you really love; new uses for olive oil; ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ at the Guthrie.

20 Family Skate, slide and sled in our winter wonderland.

22 Scene Photos from Savvy Soiree with The Cheap Chick and Savvy Soiree at Custom Creations Photography.

contentsJanuary 2012

Path Out of Poverty

As a child growing up in Ghana, West Africa

Kate Herzog dreamed of helping people in poverty

create a better life. As the founder of House

of Talents she’s doing just that by creating a link between talented

artisans and paying consumers.

12-14

This and cover photo by Amy Zellmer.

7Local FindsWhere to top it off.


Letter from the Editor

adj., Being well-informed, astute, knowing, keen, smart, clever, intelligent, discriminating, discerning, canny, perceptive, sharp, far-sighted and artful.Savvy

Melissa Gilman

Editor in Chief

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UPCOMING EVENTS:TEASE THE NIGHT AWAY WITH HAIRSPRAYTime: 6 to 7:45 p.m., Thursday, January 12, 2012

Location: CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES 501 W 78th St., Chanhassen

Cost: Free

Join us for the Savvy Soiree as we celebrate HAIRSPRAY at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres! Complimentary appetizers, cash bar, Q&A with HAIRSPRAY creative team and meet the cast members from HAIRSPRAY!

Limit of 100 guests total.

Catch HAIRSPRAY after the Soiree for only $25!

Visit Savvy.mn and click on Soirees to register

As a child growing up with

little money in Ghana,

Kate Herzog dreamed of

doing something for people living in

poverty. She wasn’t clear what exactly

she would do but she knew it needed

to show people respect and have a real

impact. With House of Talents Herzog’s

childhood dream is becoming a reality.

Artisans create products – such as

bicycle baskets praised in the New York

Times Home & Garden section – that

are sought after because shoppers value

their style and quality, not because they

are swayed by the diffi cult situations

some artisans are living in. We admire

Herzog because she is creating an

environment that allows people to build

their own path out of poverty. Read

Meryn Fluker’s story, page 12, to learn

more about House of Talents.

Welcome to our

Special Savvy

January! Throughout this

month’s issue you’ll see

a Savvy Special star indicating there’s

a discount or giveaway related to the

story. Reader discounts include:

Cosmopolitan Cuties.com. Receive

25 percent off your online order using

discount code “savvy”

Mermapillar: Receive a 25 percent

discount at etsy.com/shop/

mermapillarorganics with the code

“HOLIDAYCRITTER25”

Immunity to change workshops: Receive 50 percent off by mentioning

“Savvy.mn

Magazine”

Liv Lane’s How to Build a Blog You Truly Love course: Receive a 10 percent

discount with the

code “SAVVYMN”

Visit the Savvy.mn website to enter

to win one of the following reader

giveaways:

Life Time Fitness, Life Time At Home

Weight Loss DVD

Oilerie, Maple Grove, $25 gift card

Oilerie, St. Paul, $25 gift card

Guthrie Theater, tickets to “Cat on a Hot

Tin Roof”


Sara’s Style By Sara Glassman

Winter FlowersBrush off the cold in this season’s moody, full-spectrum blooms. Spring’s favorite print gets darkly dramatic for winter in high-contrast palettes and large-scale patterns. Spotted all over the Fall 2011 and Resort 2012 runways, these gorgeous prints are bold, dramatic and the perfect way to add a sign of life to your New Year’s wardrobe.

� Madden Girl pumps, $45, DSW, dsw.com. Don’t be afraid of statement heels to punch up any outfi t, but keep these out of the snow. � Gap sweater, $60. Flowers have never been so soft and cozy. � Elle fl ower stretch ring, $28, Kohl’s, kohls.com. An easy-to-wear blossom that will go with everything. � Topshop dress, $85, topshop.com. Pair this fl irty dress with tights and an oversized chunky knit sweater. � J.Crew Suzette silk-chiffon blouse, $130, netaporter.com. This Van Gogh-like print is dark enough to go with all of your black pants, but adds a bright spot to any outfi t.

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When dressing your kids, there are more pressing issues than making them look adorable. (They do that on their own!) With a little help from some local lines,

you can support small business and get them dressed without any guilt. Proving that Minnesotans have a great sense of style: All of these options are available at shops across the country.

COSMOPOLITAN CUTIESWho: Gretchen Wynia and Emily Bath. The

stay-at-home moms were always asked where their girls got their hair accessories and tutus, so they went into business themselves two years ago.

Where: Cottage Grove. “Our basements are fi lled with fl owers, glue sticks and tulle,”

they said.

What: Pettiskirts, tutus, leg warmers, boutique bows, crochet hats and headbands with fl ower clips

and cotton beanies. “We wanted to offer customers boutique qual-ity accessories for the most stylish girls at reasonable prices. We also wanted everything to be interchangeable, so the fl owers are on grossgrain ribbon-lined alligator clips so that they can easily be

clipped to any of our hats, headbands, cotton beanies or tutus.”

Where to shop: cosmopolitancuties.com, Kowalskis’ Gift Shops and Paci-fi er, 310 E. Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-623-8123, and The Enchanted Tree House, 1157 Wayzata Blvd. E., Wayzata.

GO.BEWho: Sara Ead of Rosemount needed win-ter hats for her four young kids. She liked the idea of ski masks for coverage, but not for the appearance. “We wanted to design a cuter, warmer, stand-alone style of hat, not just a liner, that was fuss-free, no velcro or things that tie,” she said. “Easy for caregiv-ers and kids!”

What: Fully lined top quality polar fl eece “balaclavas,” which Sara calls “clavas.” They offer full head, neck and ear coverage. There’s also a waterproof hat and micro-fl eece fi tted crib sheets and pillow cases. “Our company philosophy revolves around healthy outdoor play, family time and keeping kids more com-fortable in harsh climates,” said Sara, who is a Canadian and cur-rent Minnesota resident. “We encourage outdoor play no matter what the weather!”

Where to shop: gobegear.com, nine metro area locations, including Pacifi er, 310 E. Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-623-8123 and Valley Natural Foods, 13750 County Road 11, Burnsville, 952-891-1212.

MERMAPILLARWho: Alice Berman and Mariko Savitt from Minneapolis. The childhood pals combined talents four years ago – Al-ice is a graphic designer and Mariko is her business partner. When Mariko had a baby, Alice put quirky little critters onto handmade baby gifts. The name came from a drawing Alice made of a shrimp before the duo started the company. As a long-time server in a local restaurant, Alice would often draw little animals on her regular’s checks. Mariko teased her that it looked like a caterpillar with a mermaid tail, and called it a “Mer-mapillar.” The name stuck.

What: A variety of tees, one-pieces, hats, pants, thermal tops, bibs, pillows and nursery décor featuring the “Merma-Critters,” including ladybugs, squirrels and bees. “The way we see it, ‘Going Green’ is not just a passing trend or something reserved for only the wealthy,” said Alice. “It’s a shift in thought and values that is gaining momentum today. The generation that is now starting to have families wants to make the right choices about keeping the earth beautiful and safe for their children to grow up in.”

Where to shop: Online at mermapillar.com, Moss Envy, 3056 Excelsior Blvd., Mpls., 612-374-4581 and Manufactory, 2648 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls, 612-872-8094.

Clothes that play as nice as they look By Sara Glassman

Photo by Maria Juranic


local fi ndsSponsored Feature

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Studio J Salon & SpaHead wraps and crocheted hats are the trends that will keep your head warm and looking fabulous this winter. Whether it is solid or has a little sparkle, you will be keeping your ears warm and looking good all winter long. Find these styles at Studio J Salon & Spa,217 1st St. East, Jordan, 952-492-6602; studiojss.com

The Jewelry LiquidatorBling in the New Year! Over 100 styles and colors of necklace and earring sets. Austrian and Swarovski crystals necklace and earring sets, great for holiday parties - prices $25-$60 for all sets. Open every Sat. from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jewelry Liquidator, #5 - 11th Ave., Hopkins, 612-801-1242; facebook.com/thejewelryliquidator

houndstoothSpecializing in premium clothing, shoes and accessories. Navy blue stretch Hudson jeans, Wild

Fox red top with silver, sparkle heart and Koolaburra boots. houndstooth, 5749 Egan Dr., Savage and 582 Priairie Center Dr.,

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Iris Valley Boutique & GiftsJump start your NEW look for the upcoming New Year. Floral Blouse with a delicate ruffl e, $54.95.

Necklace featuring fl ower detail, $29.95 (set). Champagne colored purse ,$59.95. The fi nishing touch to your new look is the faux fur boot topper, slips right up over your jeans or leggings to change

the look of your boot, many faux furs available for every mood every occasion, $44.95.

Iris Valley Boutique & Gifts, 110 Eldorado Dr.,Jordan, 952-492-3360; irisvalley.net


Home Accents, Etc.Cuddle up with our throw and a delicious

bowl of soup or chili. Compliment these with our hot dip mixes and fun beverage elixirs.

These items will warm you up inside and out. Home Accents, Etc., 16161 Main Ave., Prior Lake, 952-440-5624; homeaccentsetc.com

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Add Warmth To Your Winter! Thymes Frasier Fir scented products include candles, reed diffusers, potpourri, air fresheners and hand soaps. Find these and other unique gifts and home décor items at Carver Country Flowers & Gifts, 109 3rd St. E in Historic downtown Carver, 952-681-7582; Carverfl owers.com.

Camille on RougeOil picture. Terra cotta bust.Brass candle holder w/ crystals. Camille on Rouge, 16220 Main Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, 612-756-1556; camilleonrouge.vpweb.com

The Vintage GypsyRust colored bird print dress with pockets, black infi nity scarf which also comes in many other colors, vintage chair covered in re-purposed feed sack and an architectural corbel. You can now shop online! The Vintage Gypsy, 16228 Main Ave., Prior Lake, 952-388-9478; thevintagegypsy.com

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health

It’s that time: New Year’s resolutions. Gyms get crowded

and you can’t walk outside without spikes on the bottoms

of your shoes.

Instead of making a resolution you’ll halt come Presidents

Day, take charge of your health for good. Britt Ringstrom,

pictured leading a class at right, is a certifi ed personal trainer

and strength coach for Life Time. She wants to help you

change your habits for good. She’ll even come to you, thanks

to a recently launched series of Life Time at Home Weight

Loss DVDs.

She’s familiar with the January 1st crowds. “There should

be a purpose and passion behind your exercise,” she said.

“It’s getting people to stick to it by getting to a deeper goal.

As soon as you involve the emotional aspect, they’re going

to work harder.” It’s the difference between saying “I want to

lose 20 pounds” and “I want to watch my grandchildren for

the next 20 years.”

Britt herself was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age

20. Though her condition is now under control, it gives her a

unique perspective. “Not being able to move at 20, I decided I

wanted to help people with their bodies,” she said.

If you are starting a new plan in 2012, don’t give up too soon.

“It takes your body time to respond,” said Britt. “People love

to make excuses. It’s getting people to stop the excuses, cut

them out, commit to something and go after it.”

To get you started on a path to better health, Britt suggests

making yourself a triangle that involves exercise, nutrition

and education. Here are additional details.

Exercise: Britt recommends that you “just get

moving.” That means actually making it to

the gym or popping in a DVD. As you progress,

she steers people toward adding strength

training. “People get so ramped up on cardio,

cardio, cardio, but the biggest kicker is strength

training to increase bone density and increase

metabolism,” she says. She recommends cardio

three to four times a week and strength training

two to four times a week. There are group fi tness

classes (free to Life Time members) that combine cardio

and strength training.

Nutrition: According to Britt, nutrition accounts for 70

percent of the results. Her biggest tip is to focus on “clean

eating,” which involves shopping the outer edge of the

grocery story – where you typically fi nd non-processed

foods (stay away from those low-fat bars!). She’s also a fan

of avoiding gluten because of its infl ammatory properties.

“If it doesn’t have a mother or come from the ground,

don’t eat it,” said Britt. “If it’s in a box, odds are it isn’t very

good for you.” She recommends that if you start logging

what you’re eating, you’ll be more aware of what you’re

eating. “People don’t realize what their putting in their

mouth half the time,” said Britt. She suggests enrolling

in a website such as myfi tnesspal.com to help track all of

your food.

Education: Get inspired by the latest research through

websites. “You can never read enough,” said Britt. She’s a

fan of keeping up with online newsletters and websites.

Rethinking resolutions By Sara Glassman

Fitness, Fun & Friendship• Learn to Run• Improve Your Speed and Endurance• Increase Your MetabolismSee Inspiring Testimonials Online!

651.560.MOMSwww.MomsOnTheRun.com

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Ask now about how to join our 2012 Spring

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SPECIAL ADVERT IS ING SECT ION

OUR EXPERTS CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONSSubmit your questions to our experts at [email protected]

ASK the Expert

Ever wonder why some people start a weight loss plan and successfully keep the weight off, while others gain it back?

Success breeds success! The National Weight Control Registry (www.nwcr.ws) contains over 5000 successful weight losers. What the study found was that the essential equation for success is the age-old motto: eat less calories and exercise daily to lose weight and keep it off. Nearly all registry members stated that weight loss led to improvements in energy, mobility, mood, self-confi dence, and physical health. The successful majority reported eating lighter, healthier foods, exercising 1 hr/day (cardio + strength training), eating breakfast, and weighing themselves weekly. Skip the gimmicks, real success starts and ends with healthy lifestyle changes for lifelong results!

Eric Mattson, Owner/Fitness Dir.BA Health Fitness, MS, NSCA CSCS

ExpertQuestion

FEELING OVERWHELMED BY YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? ARE THE CHANGES TOO BIG TO OVERCOME?SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO ERIC.

Fitness Together Chanhassen(952) 934-9346

I know I need to go to the dentist but I am terrifi ed. What can I do?Do you break into a sweat at the mention of the word “dentist”? Why not make your appointment more comfortable and fearless with a pill that we dispense to you?

There are many levels of sedation and most people are aware of being completely out. This is a much milder form that starts with you taking a pill one hour prior to your appointment and turns an uncomfortable procedure, to a painless, anxiety free appointment. Unlike the nausea with being completely sedated, you only feel tiredness the rest of the day. The medication has an almost amnesic effect, and patients often report remembering very little, if anything about the appointment.

This simple one pill form of sedation can also help an individual who is physically handicapped, has severe “TMJ”, injuries that prevent opening comfortably, or a breathing impairment. These individuals can greatly benefi t from this minimal sedation.

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IF YOU HATE GOING TO THE DENTIST, REST ASSURED THAT SIMPLY TAKING A RELAXATION PILL BEFORE YOUR VISIT CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

How do I know if I should see a chiropractor?

Many people come for aches and pains; however, pain may come years after a problem started. Sometimes, the fi rst sign of heart issues can be a heart attack!

Your brain talks to your body through your spine and nerves. If this communication is interrupted, your body can’t function at its best. Chiropractic focuses on removing that interruption so the body and brain talk again and function is restored. Getting checked by a chiropractor is the best way to know if both chiropractic care and a specifi c doctor are a fi t for you.

Health Seminar Series: Want to learn how I lost 30 pounds in 3 months? Wed., Jan. 11th & Mon., Jan. 23rd at 6:45 pm at our clinic. RSVP requested.

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ExpertNOTE“YOUR BRAIN TALKS TO YOUR

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With the fi nances of the world so up in the air, sometimes it

feels like it’s going to be a while before you can hang that “go-ing out of business” sign on your career and enjoy retirement.

You’re not alone. According to fi nancial advisor Mary McDougall of Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, women have about two-thirds the amount of money in savings as their male counterparts. Paired with longer life expectancies, the equation doesn’t add up. Here are some points to consider so you don’t get stuck in the gender gap:

Start early: The sooner you start saving, the better. “The magic of compounding interest” refers to the benefi t of put-ting away even just a little bit of money. Since women tend to avoid risk when investing, it’s even more important to start early so you can multiply your investment over time. Taking advantage of 401(k) plans and payroll options will help since “putting a little money in there each year will add up very quickly,” said Mary.

Prepare for the Unexpected: Even if you’re trying to focus on retiring, it’s important to have easily accessible savings. “We’re living so close to the cash fl ow,” said Mary. “The aver-age American is two paychecks away from bankruptcy.” The goal is to have three to six months of expenses saved up in case the unexpected occurs. That will free you up to think about retirement. “It really helps women to move ahead. If you don’t have to worry about short-term expenses, you can concentrate on the long-term.” Women should make sure they have adequate life and long-term care insurance, which can make a big difference for their fi nancial future, should an unforeseen health event arise.

Stay Informed: Resist that urge to toss out all of the state-ments that you get in the mail. “They’re diffi cult to interpret,” admitted Mary. However, she advises women how to read those in a few minutes, which can save time and money. It’s import to make sure that you can access all the legal documents, account statements, real estate deeds, policies, long-forgotten rolled-over 401(k)s and IRAs. Mary is a fan of checklists to stay on top of it all.

Don’t go it alone: As you might have guessed, a trusted advi-sor can help you. Finding someone who can help you priori-tize your needs now will come in handy later if you end up in a more diffi cult situation.

~ Sara Glassman

“So many women need to become fi nancially literate

and they don’t realize how simple it is. It has been a personal mission of mine to fi gure out how we can get to

the end goal together.”Mary McDougall

Reach for retirement

Financial advisor Mary McDougall,

Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management,

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Kate Herzog’s life has come full circle.

Living in a garage in Ghana as a child, she now operates out of a storage space, very similar to a garage, in St. Louis Park. Only now, instead of sharing the area with three siblings and her mother, Herzog’s warehouse is fi lled with gorgeous rustic, rural-tinged wall hangings, scarves, jewelry and other assorted goods – many of which are from her homeland.

As the founder and face of House of Talents, Herzog connects products and customers, all with a goal of

allowing the artisans behind the crafts to replicate Herzog’s own American Dreamlike ascendance.

“I would say that I’ve been blessed, where forces of great things come together that generally you don’t deserve, but they come together for the cause of your life,” says the Shoreview resident and mother of three. “My husband would say I am the ultimate optimist.”

Building the houseAs a child Herzog yearned to “tell the stories of the poor,” particularly those

in her village. She taught herself to read and speaks English and French in addition to her native language Twi. She was able to go to primary and secondary school – which students’ families must pay for in Ghana – through a family friend who paid for Herzog to attend boarding school. She then took a year to do government service in exchange for full tuition at the University of Ghana, Legon, where she eventually earned her bachelor’s degrees in economics and statistics.

During her year of government service, she met a young man named Phil from Marshall, Minn. who was in the Peace

Kate Herzog's House of Talents connects

talented artisans with consumers

Story by Meryn Fluker

Photos by Amy Zellmer

Pathout of

Kate Herzog's HouseKate Herzog's House

Poverty


Corps. The couple married in 1997 and after a year apart, she came to Minnesota to start her life with Phil.

After working a number of corporate jobs in her fi eld, including positions at Target and what was once Dayton’s – “I’m a very restless human being,” she says of her career changes – Herzog decided to go back to school in 2007 to earn her master’s in business administration from the University of St. Thomas.

“I wanted to now put my dream into motion to see if it was doable,” she says. “I knew that I wanted a platform

to talk about the poor with the respect I yearned for as a child.

Eventually, the dream became “to alleviate poverty by connecting artisans from developing countries with consumer markets worldwide,” which is House of Talents’ mission. Herzog started the company in June 2009.

“The poor just want a chance,” Herzog says. “Sometimes when the dream is perpetually shut down, you start to ask yourself, ‘Am I crazy for wanting to be successful?’”

Importing excellenceWith House of Talents, Herzog has committed herself to answering that question with a resounding “no.”

The House of Talents warehouse overfl ows with colorful clothes, accessories and art – the products of 12 artisan groups and approximately 645 workers, mostly from Ghana.

House of Talents isn’t a handout though, by any means. Herzog’s goal is to help these artisans help themselves out of poverty.

“I think of myself as the bridge,” she says. “If I’m in an orchestra, then I’m the conductor.”

The very busy Herzog spends her days traveling, showing and selling House of Talents products. She is planning a trip to Thailand and is growing the business internationally. Though customers are welcome to buy pieces, Herzog’s goal is to get retailers, individuals or large companies to place

bulk orders of the goods, allowing the artisans to sustain their livelihoods. While she acknowledges that her mission is compelling, Herzog is adamant House of Talents is not about handouts.

“We are not selling your stories. What we are selling is your God-given talent, and that’s why it’s called House of Talents,” she says. “I don’t want you to buy something you don’t need. I don’t want you to buy dust collectors.”

As a result, Herzog demands excellence – but not perfection – from her artisans.

“It has to be beautiful,” she says of the products. “It has to be well-made. They have to leave some of themselves in it.”

In just two and a half years, Herzog has expanded House of Talents’ reach to Italy, Germany and the Netherlands – and she’s not planning on stopping. She eventually wants to build the company to do more European business. House of Talents already offers Thai scarves and Herzog hopes to sell more goods from throughout the world and beyond Ghana.

It is a business, though, and Herzog has taught her artisans how to set their prices in order to make profi ts and cover their labor and supply costs. Herzog also hopes to take home a paycheck – something she anticipates being able to do as the business grows.

In the meantime, though, Herzog has her eyes fi xed on a much broader ideal.

“Collectively, we can all change the world,” she says.

“The poor just want a chance. Sometimes when the dream is perpetually shut down, you start to ask yourself, ‘Am I crazy for wanting to be successful?’”

Kate HerzogFounder House of Talents


Bringing goods from there to here

Kate Herzog visits Ghana for six to eight weeks annually and wanders

through the villages, stopping to examine artisans’ goods. If she likes them, Herzog then asks herself:

Is this person obsessed with getting out of poverty?

Is he or she community-oriented?

Can I trust this person?

Herzog communicates with her arti-sans via phone – “Everybody has a cell phone,” she says of Ghana – to discuss orders and shipping. Once the items sell, Herzog wires the money to the artisans’ bank accounts in part because “There’s

some level of dignity having money in the bank.”

House of TalentsLocation: 6997 Oxford St., St. Louis Park

Info: (651) 962-4556, houseoftalents.com

Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays

Wares are also available at:Dichotomy, 611 E. Lake St., Wayzata

Francis King Ltd., 275 Market St., Suite 465,

Minneapolis

Pangea, 421 Second St., Hudson, Wis.

Photos courtesy House of TalentsKate Herzog visits Ghana annually meet-ing with current artisans and seeking new ones who are equally talented and committed to improving their lives.

House of Talents artisans make and sell products like jewelry, soap, tapestries, baskets, handbags, clothing, musical instruments, candle holders, chandeliers and picture frames.

The Asungtaba baskets are handwoven from a tropical elephant grass by a com-munity of basket weavers in northern Ghana. Asungtaba means "helping each other succeed" in Frafra, the language of that community. House of Talents baskets come in myriad shapes, size and colors including with straps for use as bicycle baskets.


Stories by Sara Glassman

New Year,New MeTo get inspired for 2012, Savvy.mn chatted with several previous cover sub-

jects to fi nd out what they were planning for themselves.

“In 2012, I want to continue being kinder to myself and learning to gracefully

say ‘no’ so that the ‘yes’ answers mean more. In business I’ve found that I

emotionally budget more to projects that might need less. In 2012, I’m going to

fi nd the perfect recipe for the equation of yes and no.” – Kate-Madonna Hindes, GirlmeetsGeek.com, May 2010 cover

“My goals & 2012 resolution? Continue the lifestyle and be a great role model

for others, of all ages, by creating a positive environment for individual and

group success. I practice what I preach, so I follow the same tips I share with

you!” – Stacie Clark, Tiger Athletics, www.tigerathletics, June 2011 cover

“I’m always working on my wardrobe and I’m not going to get sidetracked by

all of the pretty things I see. I’m sticking to colors that work well on me and

trying to go with quality over quantity for those better pieces. I’m also looking forward to taking a

trip with my husband – someplace really tropical and warm.” – Sara Rogers, Mall of America’s trend specialist, May 2011 cover

The word “change” gets thrown around a lot. Even if you’re all for it, it can be a challenge. You

can work through those obstacles at the workshop “Overcoming Resistance: Under-standing Our Immunity to Change.” Julia Johnson, who has a master’s degree in pub-lic health, has studied with the research-ers at Harvard University who created the program. She’s also a professional personal and team leadership coach, consultant and trainer and an artist, kayaker and yogi. “The workshop is in the realm of adult per-sonal development – and has the potential to help us think about how we are stuck (in our own lives, in the work we do, projects we are a part of,” said Julia, adding, “and

more importantly – how we get unstuck!”

Change might mean losing weight, reducing stress, fi nding a better life balance, manag-ing time more successfully or being a better partner, friend or parent.

Savvy.mn readers can preview the work-shop with Julia’s list of what women can do to achieve the change-related goals or

visions they set for themselves or to fi nd a different perspective on feeling stuck.

• Be clear about what you want: What is the dream you want to hold for yourself? Is it really to lose 10 pounds or to be a healthier, happier and more balanced person? It’s easier to work toward something that matters, that we genuinely believe in, than it is to work at a task that seems undesirable to us. Make sure this dream is your dream or goal and not just one you think you should have, or one that others think you should have. We don’t (and won’t) make changes we really don’t want to make.

• Feeling “stuck” tells you something valu-able: If something big or important is

trying to happen, be curious about the ways you’re stuck and explore creative ways to better understand it.

• Commit to the belief that anything is possible: If you don’t believe you can change, why should anyone else?

• When the dream is big, create opportunities for small wins along the way: Use opportunities to learn more about what might have you stuck to fi nd out how

you might work with it to get to where you want to go.

• Ask for support, advice and counsel when you need it (and sometimes even when you don’t): Keep asking until you fi nd what you’re looking for!

Immunity to change workshops:Jan. 27 (www.jan2012itc.eventbrite.com) and Feb. 25 (www.feb2012itc.eventbrite.com) in Minneapolis),$150 each.

See change


Guidance counselor A survey of 1,000 professional women found one in fi ve women has never had a professional mentor and more than half have never had a female mentor. The LinkedIn survey found having a mentor is nearly universally benefi cial to profession-al women. But some women have never found a suitable mentor.

Only 34 percent of Baby Boomer women say they’ve been mentored by a woman. Generation X women reported an uptick in instances of being mentored by another woman, with nearly half receiving help from a more seasoned female veteran. And just over half of 18- to 29-year-olds say they’ve worked closely with an older female colleague.

Of women who have never been a mentor, 67 percent say they’ve never been asked.

Did you know giving thanks can help you sleep better, experience less pain and enjoy happier

relationships?

Patty Hlava, Ph.D., is fascinated by the restorative effects of practicing gratitude. She’s been studying the effects of gratitude since her college days and has recently published her third book on the subject, “Cultivating Gratitude,” which is a guide for practicing gratitude in daily life. Hlava is a marriage and family therapist at River Valley Behavioral Health and Wellness Center in Savage and is an instructor in the Global Master’s Program at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Learn more at pattyhlava.com.

Why are you so interested in gratitude? About 20 years ago, I was in Belize studying Mayan art. One day I was standing in the rainforest overlooking this expanse of trees surrounded by the sounds of the tropical birds. Suddenly, I found myself full of this immense emotion. I was crying and feeling so much joy. It was interesting because I was there by myself, but I felt so deeply connected to the people in my life: my parents, siblings, friends and mentors. I was so grateful for the opportunity to be there and I realized the part all of those people played in my life to help me get to that very spot in the rainforest.

That feeling stayed with me for days. When I started my doctoral research, I was interested in relationships—what brings people together and what keeps people together in healthy, sustained relationships. I remembered how connected

I felt to everyone in my life in that moment of gratitude.

What is gratitude?Gratitude is a feeling, an emotion and a way of being. It is an emotional experience that spontaneously arises within us in response to our experiences, but it is more than that. Gratitude is also a choice—an attitude or a disposition. Essentially, gratitude is the recognition of value in our experiences and relationships. It’s recognition of the positive things that we did not actively work toward or ask for, but continue to come our way. With this choice of recognition, come the emotional feelings of gratitude. I tend to think of gratitude as a daily practice of choosing to recognize the gifts that we are continually offered in life.

What if we don’t honestly feel grateful? Gratitude can certainly be learned! It’s so easy to get caught up in day-to-day striving for what we don’t have and what we need, that we forget about acknowledging, or even noticing, what we already have. Gratitude is a practice. It’s a skill, and just like any skill, it can be learned, cultivated and developed. That is what “Cultivating Gratitude” is about. My book outlines specifi c exercises that people can practice to increase their experiences of gratitude every day.

How does feeling and expressing gratitude help us? Research has shown that people who practice gratitude (something as simple as keeping a gratitude journal for 2-3 weeks) were rating their overall happiness as 25 percent higher than before starting

the practice (and 25 percent higher than the people that didn’t do the gratitude practice). These same people also reported feeling more optimistic about their future, were exercising more, sleeping better and even experiencing fewer physical pains like headaches and backaches!

Can practicing gratitude help relationships?Yes. When we come to our relationships with a sense of gratitude, we come in with more energy, hope and patience. When we feel gratitude we’re more likely to be focused and present with others and with our work. We’re more likely to respond to the person or situation than react to our own frustration. It’s important to remember, we can’t change other people—but we can change our responses to others and to situations. We do this by changing the fi lter that we see it all through. Gratitude helps us do just that.

~ Melissa Gilman

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Ellen Dinwiddie Smith has always reveled in the joy of making music. “Great art and beauty, that’s what

we all strive for,” the Edina resident said.

The 48-year-old French horn player has been a member of the Minnesota Orchestra since 1993. She talks about her busy life as a professional musician, chamber series founder, wife of conductor Mark Russell Smith and mom to two teenage boys.

How did you get started with music?In fourth grade, I attended a Honolulu Symphony concert and came home and said “I want to do that.” So a year later, I actually made my mom go back to school to make sure she had signed me up for band. It was funny because I didn’t have any real idea of what instrument I wanted to play. I just knew I wanted to play in band.

What was your fi rst instrument?In elementary school, we lived in Hawaii so I played the ukulele.

What do you enjoy about the French horn?When you play with colleagues who make a beautiful sound together, you can create this rush of sound. The horn tends to be the grand moment. We often get to be the romantic moment. There’s so many different moods that we create.

What is your rehearsal schedule like?Generally speaking, we rehearse all day Tuesday, Wednesday and then have concerts on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and sometimes Sunday afternoon. It’s a vast amount of repertoire we go through each week. I think at the beginning, I’d come home dreaming music because I had so much going through my head.

You started the Colonial Chamber Series in 2006 as a benefi t for the Indian Ocean tsunami. Tell us about the series.Basically it’s my service project to the community. I feel like we all have to give back in a certain way, and for me, when people hear chamber music up close, it makes them feel more connected to it.

What’s the secret to balancing a musician’s career, family and volunteerism?Every once in awhile, I’ll just take off and do a scuba trip, so that’s my mom away trip. It kind of gives me time away where I can decompress and when I come back I’m just kind of ready to go.

What is it about scuba diving that helps you relax?When you get under the water, it’s quiet. It’s really quiet. It’s like being on a scavenger hunt because each time you go down you don’t know what you’re going to see. It makes me more aware of the environment and the world around me.

What’s one piece you’ve always wanted to play?There’s a piece by Richard Strauss called “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks.” This piece starts out very sweetly, and then a horn, Till the prankster, comes in. It’s basically a horn thing you practice from college until the time you get to play it. And, believe it or not, I was a professional for 25 years before I got to play it.

If you were not a musician, what would you be doing?A Marine biologist, for sure.

Ellen Dinwiddie Smith was named third French horn in the Minnesota Orchestra in 2000.

PHOTO COURTESY JAKE ARMOUR

Upcoming concerts

Hear Dinwiddie Smith and the Minnesota Orchestra (minnesotaorchestra.org) perform:

Osmo Vänskä Conducts Future Classics, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

Brian Stokes Mitchell with the Minnesota Orchestra, 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

Bravo Brahms! Serkin and Piano Concerto No. 2, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 or 8 p.m. Saturday,Jan. 21 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

Musical inspirationBy Kristin Holtz


You’ve got something to say. Actually, you’ve got a lot to say. Make 2012

the year you start your blog, but instead of just launching a site that only your friends and family click on, take some advice from Liv Lane. The popular local blogger and per-sonality is offering an eCourse about “How to Build a Blog You Truly Love.” In addition to covering the technical ins and outs, she’ll help you focus in on what you can bring to the Internet that expresses who you are and attracts an audience.

Here’s some of her advice on what to think about before you start a blog:

Focus: There are a lot of people who think if they just document their lives, that will be easy because there’s plenty of content. Rather, they get stuck because there’s too

much to choose from and their blog lacks any focus. It doesn’t get a niche or generate an audience, because it’s just too much.

Benefi t to your readers: So think about what you get out of the blogs you read. Is it inspiration? Is it great tips? Is it insight on an industry you care about? Think about the

reader when you’re writing and what they will take away from your post.

Personality: People go to blogs expecting to get your personal insights, experience, humor; you need to infuse it with you. You are the magic ingredient that will make your blog successful.

How to build a blog you truly love, starts January 9, livlane.com, $111.

Learn to be a bloggerLearn to be a bloggerBy Sara Glassman

New usesfor olive oilThank you Rachael Ray. The daytime cooking show expert has made EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) a household name and it seems the Twin Cities is quite enthusiastic as you can tell with the popularity of olive oil bars from Vinaigrette to Annona Gour-met. That’s good news for you because olive oil is a heart-healthy substitute for butter and other animal fats. It also tastes great. The Oilerie, which just opened its second location on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, of-fers samples of its many fi rst cold-press 100 percent EVOOs straight from Italy. The Oilerie, 13551 Grove Dr., Maple Grove, 763-657-0857 and 1045 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-356-2968, oilerie.com.

From beauty to cleaning, here are some non-cooking olive oil ideas:

• Using a small amount of olive oil, rub a cloth along the inside of your clean and dry kitchen sink. It prevents water stains makes your sink shine.

• Take a sip of olive oil before heading to bed to lubricate your throat muscles and help prevent snoring.

• Wipe olive oil on your baby’s bottom to prevent and help minimize the irritation of diaper rash.

• Add a teaspoon of olive oil to your cat’s food to help prevent hairballs. Olive oil also tends to be gentler on a cat’s digestive system than petroleum-based solutions.

• Use a small amount of olive oil to mois-turize cuticles, or mix oil and water and immerse your fi ngertips before a mani-cure to smooth, strengthen and soften them.

• Use olive instead of shaving cream. Olive oil is a safe and organic alternative for shaving foam and results in a close shave that is less expensive and leaves your legs feeling silky and smooth.

• To deep condition your hair, warm a small amount (1/4 cup) of Rosemary EVOO in the microwave. Be careful not to get it too hot. Massage a small amount into your hair paying special attention to the ends. Comb through. Cover hair with a shower cap. Shampoo after 30 minutes.

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Cardholders receive special discounts on items like clothing, accessories, gifts, fl owers, personal and home services and entertainment.

Women’s Winter GetawayThree Rivers Park District is offering an active retreat experience for women ages 18+ at Near-Wilderness Settlement, Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain (6 p.m.Friday, Feb. 10 – 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12). Learn to embrace and experience Minnesota’s winter. Participants may snowshoe hike under a waxing moon, learn to cross-country ski or track winter wildlife. Food will be fabulous and each day will end around a roaring fi re in the picturesque lodge with your fellow adventurers sharing laughter and stories. Cost is $210. Ski rentals available, all other equipment will be provided. Register at threeriversparks.org or 763-559-6700. Reference code #120322-00.


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Who do you think you are? How long has your family been in Minnesota? Who were your

ancestors? What does your family tree look like? Learn how to

navigate the census, courthouse, church and naturalization

records to fi nd your roots with help from local genealogist Betty

Dols (10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 21, Scott County Historical Society,

Shakopee, registration required, www.scottcountyhistory.org).

‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’After last year’s “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the Guthrie is bringing another Tennessee Williams classic to their stages Jan. 14 through Feb. 26, Guthrie Theater, Mpls., 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-377-2224, guthrietheater.org). The Pollitts are brought together at the family’s Mississippi plantation as the patriarch is dying from cancer and his two sons have returned to secure their inheritance. Alcoholism and domestic trouble show just how fragile relation-

ships can be.

Emily Swallow will lead the cast in the iconic role of the troubled, lovelorn Margaret (Maggie the Cat). PHOTO BY LISA KEATING

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Tubing: If sledding is too slow for your speed demons, try tubing. At the Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area (threeriverspark.org), you can ride up a 10-story high hill on a moving sidewalk then zip down the chutes, which range from laidback to more daring. Two-hour sessions are $12.

Sledding: It’s free and usually fun, though most spots prohibit metal sleds. If you try the 700-foot Staring Lake Sledding Hill (edenprairie.org), you can revive yourself in a warming house in between runs. At Hyland Lake Park Reserve (.threeriverspark.org), you can even enjoy a fi re and hot cocoa at the visitor center after zipping down the lighted sliding hill. Venture to Como Park (stpaul.gov) to enjoy the steep drops and rolling hills of the winterized golf course.

Skiing and snowboarding: The Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area (HSSA, threeriverspark.org) offers lessons through the SnowSports Academy. In Burnsville, there’s also Buck Hill (buckhill.com), which has skiing lessons for kids as young as 4-years-old and snowboarding for ages 7 and up.

Dog sledding: This is a true adventure. Take a car trip to the Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge in Ely (dogsledding.com). For around $300, your family

(up to 4 people), can experience a half day of dog sledding. You’ll bond with the well-trained four-legged friends and enjoy a bonding experience that brings new meaning to the word “mush.”

Ice skating: Twirl and glide your way through winter at The Depot (thedepotminneapolis.com). The Minneapolis rink has been named to the top ten best in America by MSNBC, thanks to the historic train shed’s scenic views of downtown. You might try the Bloomington Ice Garden (bloomingtonmn.org) Also known as BIG, there are three rinks designed for different levels. To go outdoors in an urban setting, try the Wells Fargo WinterSkate (wellsfargowinterskate.com) in downtown St. Paul’s Landmark Plaza.

Slide, sled, ski and skate in a winter wonderlandBy Sara GlassmanIf you can’t escape the snow, you may as well enjoy it.

Plan to play in the snow with a few fun activities.

TONKA BAYHazellewood5635 Manitou Rd.Tonka Bay, MN952-401-0066

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Savvy Scene

Amy Zellmer, owner of Custom Creations Photography, welcomed visitors into her Shakopee studio Nov. 10 for a Savvy Soiree. She shot free photos for guests to use on Facebook and gave three winners valuable gift cards for photography services. Congrats to winners Ty Eggers of Chaska, $100 gift card, Jennifer Buss of Carver, $200 gift card, and Stephanie Wentz of Chaska, $300 gift card. In addition, Deb Fath of Shakopee won a $50 gift certifi cate to Arizona’s Leinie Lodge, Lori Gardner of Savage won four passes to the MN Zoo and Kimmer Connell of Shakopee won two passes to Five Star Cinemas.

~ Photos by Amy Zellmer and Melissa Gilman

The Cheap Chick, aka Erin Schneider, shared her bargain hunting secrets with Savvy.mn readers at our Oct. 27 Savvy Soiree at Dangerfi eld’s in Shakopee. From double couponing to second-hand clothes shopping, Schneider taught us how to be a savvy shopper. Attendees also took home some terrifi c door prizes, while sipping cocktails and enjoying appetizers.

~ Photo by Carrie Rood


Train the Brain. Up Your Game.Michaela and Mackenzie improved their performance in the classroom and on the ice!Special education wasn’t enough to help Danielle’s 11-year-old twins overcome their reading and math issues. When she read about brain training, Danielle knew it was the answer. “It just made sense,” she says, “and I was committed to getting Michaela and Mackenzie the help they needed.”

After six months of brain training, Danielle is amazed at the transformation in her daughters. Their reading has improved and they’re testing at their grade level in math.

It even helped the girls learn to play hockey! “They tried sports before, but lost interest,” Danielle says. “Now they focus on the game, can follow the rules, and are having fun!”

What’s holding your child back?Get to the root cause of your child’s struggles —their ability to focus, think and learn. Unlike tutoring that only re-teaches subject matter, our proven program strengthens the key parts of the brain that students need to learn and read better. The results are amazing.

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Live Well. Be Well.

SavvyJanuary2012

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