By Cassaundra Brooks

PAR EXSALONCE GIFT CARD
With an assortment of spa packages to choose from, Par Exsalonce is the perfect retreat for the mom who enjoys being pampered. Prices vary. (480) 860-0717 or parexsalonceaz.com

PANDORA BRACELET
Available in Sterling silver, solid gold, or two-tone, this is more than a charm bracelet. Over 300 different beads and charms help you personalize your gift for your mother. Coordinating earrings and rings are an option. Basic bracelets start at $43, and beads begin at $20. (623) 551-6892 or andrewzdiamonds.com

PEARLS
Your mother may have pearls, but she doesn’t have these! The 18K yellow gold and diamond Chocolate 11mm South Sea cultured pearl pendant necklace and earrings from Ganem Jewelers make for a sophisticated, classy look. $3,100 and $5,300 respectively. (480) 706-1850 or ganemjewelers.com

AFTERNOON TEA
A trip to England may be out of your budget or schedule, but an afternoon at the English Rose Tea Room isn’t! With delectable English dishes—both the food and the china!—and a quaint, Victorian atmosphere, the tearoom is the perfect setting for a delightful afternoon. (480) 488-4812 or carefreetea.com

HOT AIR BALLOONING
Take relaxing to new heights with a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Sonoran desert. The breathtaking views will have your mom on cloud nine. (480) 502-6999 or hotairexpeditions.com

DANCE LESSONS
With studios across Arizona and in other states, a dance package at Fred Astaire Dance Studios is the perfect gift for your mother, wherever she happens to live! Your mom can enjoy learning ballroom, Latin, swing, or country dances at her own pace with private instructors, in group classes, and at dance parties. Prices vary. fredastair.com

By Keith Jones

One of the greatest challenges that healthy and fit people face in maintaining their nutrition and fitness routines occurs when traveling. For many of us, eating properly and exercising is easy when we are home. The gym is close by, which allows us to work out often. At home, our refrigerator is stocked with nutritious items, and our favorite restaurants feature delicious and healthy dishes on their menus. All is healthy, until we travel. Here are a few tips on how to stay true to your nutrition and fitness while traveling from Arizona to New York to Paris, and everywhere in between.

Like everything in life, a bit of preparation goes a long way, and it goes even further when you are trying to eat right while away from your usual environment. First, call ahead to determine if there will be anything healthy on the menu. Call the hotel or your friends and family to see if breakfast will consist of oatmeal and fruit, or eggs benedict and pastries. Will lunch be a pastrami sandwich or a grilled chicken breast over a salad rich in green, leafy vegetables? If it sounds good but not good for you, pack plenty of rice cakes, organic bars, or other healthy snacks to tide yourself over until you hit the local market. I believe nutrition contributes 65 percent to the way we feel and look physically, and every meal counts.

Calling ahead is also a good idea when planning your travel exercise schedule. Find out if the hotel has a fitness center. Ask for the hotel’s Web site so you can take a virtual tour of the workout room to ensure that it has the equipment you will need. If staying with family or friends, check to see if there is a gym nearby. If there is not, go straight to Plan B and invest in resistance bands and a jump rope. Both are portable and small enough to fit in your carry-on luggage. The resistance bands should come with instructions for performing exercises that target the upper and lower body and the core muscles. The jump rope can be used indoors or outdoors. I suggest jumping rope for thirty to forty-five minutes. If that is beyond your fitness level, try a jump rope-abs exercise interval. Jump rope for two minutes and follow it with a one-minute increment of an abs exercise, and repeat for at least thirty minutes.

Make the commitment to stay healthy and fit whether at home or away. Stay true to You, wherever You may be!

By Diana Bocco

Tim Crum, the new executive director of the Arizona Humane Society, describes himself as “your prototypical Pittsburgher.” He was one of four brothers in a blue-collar family in which Dad was a steelworker and Mom was a homemaker who eventually went back to school to become a registered nurse. Crum learned early the importance of sharing your home with others.

“We always had dogs growing up,” he says, and many of those dogs came from the Animal Rescue League in Pittsburgh, a connection that may have inspired his later involvement with the world of animal welfare. While his parents seemed to favor shih tzus, Crum says he always preferred playful breeds like labs and retrievers. In many ways, he says, these breeds embody what he sees as his characteristics: playful, energetic, easygoing, loyal, intelligent, and easy to train.

“Or at least my wife would hope so,” Crum quips.

After college, Crum was involved with several charities, including working as the director of development and public relations for the Animal Rescue League; the executive director of the Humane Society of Harford County, and the director of Animal Care and Control in Loudoun County. Most recently, he took over as director of marketing and development for PetSmart Charities. While there, he missed the work that goes on in an animal shelter, and wanted to get back to what he loves best.

Crum says that when the position as the Arizona Humane Society’s executive director position became available in January, he knew that this organization was one he could lead and infuse new energy into. “By that time, I had already been involved in the animal welfare world for a decade, and I knew I enjoyed being able to help those that cannot speak for themselves,” he says.

Crum’s passion for nature and animals is evident in every aspect of his life. The proud father of three-year old Olivia and owner of two dogs and one cat (Buddy, Daisy, and Two Socks) is also an avid hiker and a fan of photography, especially when it relates to the desert Southwest. One of his more interesting outdoor encounters was coming within three feet of what he thought was a diamondback rattlesnake, but later identified as a Mohave rattlesnake, whose venom is ten times stronger than that of the Western diamondback.

Whether out in the desert or immersed in paperwork within the confines of his city office, Crum is at his best when surrounded by people who share his love for animals. His ultimate goal for the Arizona Humane Society is to create an organization that is supportive of the staff and volunteers. “I know that with a happy and motivated staff, the care of the animals will be the best possible, and our happiness will show to the public and in turn give them confidence to adopt from us as well as support us,” he says.

For more information on the Arizona Humane Society, visit azhumane.org. To see some of Crum’s desert photography, visit southwesternhiker.com.

By Andrew Z

We’ve all heard the old sayings “Where did all the years go?” and “Life is too short!” You’ve probably even used them yourself—I know that I have. These are comments of regret that may sound corny and overused, but they stick around because the truth rings through them. I’m very fortunate to be in a business that allows me a special opportunity to share many of life’s important moments with my friends and clients. Every day, somebody is celebrating a personal event or milestone, such as a new baby, an anniversary, an engagement, or a “Just because I love you.” I get the pleasure and privilege of helping them select or create a tangible symbol of their love, commitment, and joy. Try this: Just ask anyone about a nice piece of jewelry they’re wearing, and I’ll bet that nine times out of ten, their face lights up with a huge smile and they start to tell you a story about a special anniversary, or a significant birthday, or a special evening with a special someone!

The economy will always have cyclical ups and downs, and good financial times will always return. However, if you don’t stop and celebrate life, you may be the one saying, “Where did all the years go?” Don’t let special moments pass you by.

Another one of those shopworn sayings that I like is “It’s the thought that counts.” A large budget isn’t always necessary to give a thoughtful gift of jewelry. The Pandora brand charm and bead bracelet with a few meaningful, well-chosen charms is one lovely example. The charms start at under $20, and additional ones can be added. The bracelet is suitable for women and girls of any age. You could always keep a few charms or beads handy as a reward to your daughter for a job well done, or as a little token of affection to be added to your wife’s bracelet. Let your children give one to Mom. All the women in the family can share in the fun of giving and receiving, and having a similar piece of jewelry to compare and talk about.

My last little platitude: “Life is good; let’s enjoy every moment.”

By Patti Jares

A lot of us realize the physical and emotional benefits of yoga, but not many have tapped into its advantages in relation to children. Diane Kline is one of the few to explore the possibilities of yoga for kids, and her success has been phenomenal.

A certified yoga instructor, Kline conceived the idea the day she taught her first adult class.

“Everyone looked like they were 5 years old,” says Kline. “I realized it was a clear message to teach children.”

In May 2006, Kline took yoga into the Phoenix area elementary schools as a children’s yoga specialist. She employs a simpler form of the practice as shown on her award-winning DVD, Yogaland, The Australian Adventure. The DVD simulates an imaginary trip to Australia, and children from kindergarten through sixth grade respond to the benefits of yoga through exercise, calm, and entertainment.

In the past two years, Kline has taught over 4,000 children in 24 schools throughout the Phoenix area. In addition, she now provides workshops throughout the state of Arizona, equipping educators with “energizers and relaxers” for the classroom. Kline has received numerous awards and recognition, and is endorsed by John Gordon of the Arizona School Board Association. She is currently seeking a corporate sponsor to help provide 2,800 Yogaland DVDs to graduating teaching students throughout Arizona.

Kline has experienced dramatic results that affirm the advantages of yoga for children. “We need to get kids moving,” she says, “and this is a great way [to do it].”

For more information, call (480) 244-7676 or go to myyogaland.com.

By Lee Nelson

Chuck Theisen’s love of the outdoors, especially fishing, prompted him to go “green” when building his new Mercedes-Benz of Arrowhead dealership.

“I love the Valley. But as I’ve seen our population grow, I’ve been upset with pollution,” says Theisen, who has been a dealer in Phoenix for forty-five years.

The $13 million facility became the first luxury car dealership to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Sustainable features can be seen inside and out, including within the roof-mounted solar panels. They generate thirty-five percent of the power during off-peak hours. Any extra power can be sold back to the electric company.

Sweeping roof extensions and canopy screens shade the building from the summer sun. Many of the items used in construction came from recycled products, including steel, concrete, and asphalt.

Water conservation also gets a boost with water-saving toilets, an innovative six-gallon car wash as compared with the typical twenty gallons, and a water-recycling system to irrigate landscaping. Theisen also believes that running a good business means taking care of the employees. A state-of-the-art air system improves his employees’ quality of air, with less carbon dioxide. They also receive incentives to change their environmental impact, with a shuttle service to public transportation, close parking spots for those driving environmental-friendly cars, and showers and lockers for those biking or walking to work.

“Social responsibility has become very important in business,” Theisen says.

Visit arrowheadmb.com for more information.

By Diana Bocco

If the idea of spending your spring evenings pedaling a Lifecycle exercise bike is less than appealing, take heart.

“There is really no good reason to go to a gym to work out on a beautiful day,” says nationally certified personal fitness trainer Annette Hudson. “In fact, if you usually work out inside, an outside workout can be just the variety that your muscles crave. When muscles are challenged in new ways, they adapt and work harder. This makes them stronger while burning fat.”

Working out outdoors provides a number of benefits that gymgoers never get. Hudson believes that the number-one advantage of working out outdoors is the fact that it beats gym boredom. Another major advantage would be the convenience and affordability (free!). Then, there’s the multitasking: you can get your vitamin D and your suntan all at the same time!

In a gym, things are pretty simple for the muscles, as the main challenge is increased weight. In nature’s gym, the core muscles (abs, obliques, and other stabilization muscles) have to work harder. This doesn’t mean an outdoor workout is always superior, but when used for variety, it can literally work your butt off. “I remember a time when my body-builder husband was complaining that he wasn’t going to get a chance to go to a gym during our vacation,” Hudson says. “I offered to give him a ‘gymless workout.’ He assured me that one of my cute little workouts wouldn’t be effective for a strong guy. Of course, that was a challenge I couldn’t resist. My big buff hubby got very sore, and I proved my point. By the way, he’s never let me train him since.”

There are really no limits as to what you can do outdoors. Besides the obvious biking and running cardio routines, Hudson recommends swimming as a great way to get your heart rate up without ever noticing that you’re breaking a sweat. She also likes hiking in the great outdoors for a heart workout; and playing tennis, basketball, Frisbee, golf, or volleyball won’t even seem like a workout because you’ll be too busy focusing on scoring points.

Remember that when working in our warm climate, you must protect yourself from the heat. Remember to drink enough water, use sunscreen, and wear light-colored clothing, preferably made of 100 percent cotton.

“One great trick is to weigh yourself before and after a workout,” says Hudson. “If you weigh less after, you didn’t drink enough water.”

If you’re not ready to completely give up the gym, by all means, don’t. Instead, use outdoor workouts to add variety and intensity to your normal routine. Most importantly, do them to have fun!

By Lee Nelson

For twenty-four hours, Angie Simon experienced firsthand the difficult life of an impoverished African woman. She slept the night in a cramped mud hut with seventeen family members. She worked hard in the fields planting potatoes and walked three miles to the community water well, and then found enough energy to haul heavy buckets back home.

Simon is the director of development and communications for Hope 4 Kids International. “The physical aspects of what they have to do to just survive are amazing, but then you have to add in the layer of life that every member of this family is living with AIDS,” she says.

Hope 4 Kids, headquartered in Phoenix, makes a minimum five-year commitment to these poverty-stricken countries. The time is spent educating residents and enabling them to become self-sufficient economically and spiritually.

Hope 4 Kids is a not-for-profit Christian-based organization that had a humble beginning in the form of one man’s quest to smuggle aid behind the Iron Curtain in Russia. Tom Eggum spent his youth in Iowa as a troubled teen. His strict home life brought out his rebellious side. After the police arrested Eggum for toting a sawed-off shotgun, the department decided to give him a second chance. That pivotal moment changed his attitude and steered him toward helping the destitute.

Eggum made eight successful trips with suitcases of Bibles, medicine, clothes, and other things into the Soviet Union. In 1981, the KGB arrested him, revoked his visa, and sent him away. Undaunted, Eggum began his journeys of assistance to China and Vietnam.

His organization now leads teams of volunteers on two-week missions into villages devastated by poverty and disease. They help restore dignity to children by establishing feeding programs, providing medicine, launching vocational ministries, and digging water wells to help the entire community. The volunteers—who pay up to $4,000 for their own trip—help build hospitals and medical clinics, give out toys, teach work skills, and nurture abandoned and sick children.

“It’s always life-changing for the volunteers,” Simon says. “They catch a passion on these trips. They begin helping out in their own communities, or they come back with us every year.”

Sponsorship for orphans may be done through the organization for $26 per month. Corporations or individuals also can fund the transformation of an entire African village for about $28,000. This pays for construction of a church, medical clinic, and more. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to the projects designated to receive them. Administration costs come from Eggum’s speaking engagements and church sponsorships. Help 4 Kids recently hosted a Charity Poker Tournament at Piñata Nueva in Anthem to raise needed funds.

Since its founding thirty-five years ago, Hope 4 Kids has assisted children in 96 countries. Presently, Hope 4 Kids serves impoverished children in Uganda, Peru, Romania, and Russia, bringing them the basic needs for their survival and, it is hoped, for a long and happy future.

For more information, visit hope4kidsinternational.org or call (602) 979-5516.

By Myriam Joseph

In our ever-expansive eventful lives, conjuring up another idea for a dinner event can take more creative energy than you are willing to sacrifice. Few people can count on having a list of such talents as event planner, chef extraordinaire, and sommelier. So, why is it when it comes to planning, we take on so many responsibilities? Madness, I tell you—it is madness. With so many professional resources available, why not cater to yourself and embrace a catered life?

Personal chef services and event-staging specialists offer not only culinary and party services, but they also make your life literally more abundant. Many harried hosts make the assumption that personal chefs are only hired to cater special events. Oh, how wrong they are! A personal chef will come into your home at your requested time, create your desired meal, and then lovingly package, label, and place it all in your refrigerator for you to serve whenever you want to eat. Personal chefs are hired to use the full range of their expertise, not only in cooking elaborate meals, but also in creating daily, weekly, and monthly balanced menus; selecting the freshest and best ingredients at the market; stocking your cabinets with intriguing condiments; and having everything positioned so that you can easily have dinner served and ready on Monday night in under twenty minutes. The time you spend considering what you will make for dinner, all the while knowing you don’t even want to cook, could be better spent honoring yourself with an activity that you truly enjoy and savor. Dream abundantly about what you want to eat, and your personal chef will make it happen. In addition to routine dinners, there may be an evening during which you want the personal chef to prepare a more elegant dinner for your associates in your home. A true professional will design the menu and create an appropriate serving presentation for you, making it as comfortable as you like.

When it comes to abundantly arranging the other elements of a more formal dinner, a staging specialist is another new best friend. A staging specialist is the enchanted prodigy who comes into your home and sets your table, arranges your fresh flowers, selects your music, lights the candles, creates a beautiful presentation on your buffet, and then hightails it out when your guests arrive so you can take all the credit for making the evening fabulous. While you shower and pamper yourself in preparation for your guests to arrive, a wizard is working magic in your home, making sure you have delicate orchids in the bathroom and that the cocktail napkins are perfectly fanned on the coffee table. All the details you fretted over in the past fall under the auspicious eye of your staging specialist. Once guests arrive, hosts have a responsibility to set the tone for the evening by creating an experience for guests in which they, as hosts, may enjoy as well. Setting a tone that is welcoming, relaxed, and inviting and not being preoccupied with details such as making sure there is enough ice.

An abundant, perfect social event is certainly the bliss of the flowers arriving and the Cristal being poured into sparkling flutes. It also is finding ways to make planning and creating the event easy. Determine which part of the creative process you enjoy doing yourself, and leave the rest to a professional you trust.

By Theresa Willbye

Temperatures are heating up all across the country, and this spring’s 2008 collections are hotter than any of them. This year, there seems to be something for everyone. From vibrant, electric statements to laidback bohemian chic, fashion staples are available to all, regardless of age and body shape.

Fashion as art takes form with hand-painted flowers and designs embellished on garments. Tribal, tropical, and floral prints accentuate outfits. Palette choice is a key to this season. According to the Pantone Fashion Color Report for spring 2008, top season colors include Golden Olive, Spring Crocus, Rococo Red, Pink Mist, Croissant, Freesia, Cantaloupe, Daiquiri Green, Snorkel Blue, and Silver Gray.

Stylish fabrics of silk, chiffon, and lace adorn top models as they maneuver gracefully down the catwalk. Denim has taken a shift from the traditional dark blue, and style icons will now sport shades of light-wash denim.

Dresses are a strong feature in all the 2008 collections. More figure-enhancing shapes are replacing the mock dress, which has graced our closets throughout previous seasons. Think Grecian goddess, as maxi dresses and skirts hit the runway hard, enveloping sensuality and feminism. The spring maxi is more close-cut than the 2007 version. Many designers are employing tiering, allowing them to add extra dimensions to their style, and dresses also favor one-shoulder or halter-neck styles. Shorts are another popular choice this spring. They are shorter than usual, and the most fashionable trend is wide and loose with a smart, casual feel.

The fashion-savvy businesswoman can avail herself of the new in-style sharp tailored lines designed for the work environment. The new asymmetrical cuts are in the new black: silver gray. Pencil skirts make a refreshing comeback, ending either slightly above or below the knee. Trousers wave goodbye to the low hip-hugging style as highlighted in previous seasons and say hello to high waists, low crotches, and wide legs. Shirts make dramatic statement with high or ruffled necklines.

Feet will slip into changes, too. The wedge sandal is the trendiest footwear of the season. Like the previous flat styles, the wedge heel offers great comfort and support, making it a must-have for the extra height and glamour we have been waiting for.

Keeping with current trends, no outfit is complete without the use of accessories. Belts are thin, and worn to accentuate the narrowest part of your waistline. You will still see plenty of oversize tote bags in bright, daring colors, but the clutch bag is making a comeback on the runway. Silk scarves, gypsy hair bands, and hats are all used to adorn the head. Jewelry remains large and chunky, in various colors.

The spring 2008 trends are the most diverse seen in a long time. This season, everyone will be able take their favorite catwalk look to their local high streets.