Local Men: Noel Heikkinen
Noel Heikkinen began attending Riverview Church with his wife when they were students at Michigan State University in the early 1990s. He became one of the pastors in 2001 and now teaches at weekend services. His mission is to introduce people to Jesus; he also helps oversee the big-picture vision for the church. Q: HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT PREPARING FOR PREACHING? A:...
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An Impression on Education: Micaela Balzer
Photo by Lisa Twenter It’s not often that you have a conversation with a grown woman and in the middle of listing off her skill set she stops and says with great joy “I can make slime in my sleep!” But then again it’s not often that you have a conversation with someone as interesting as Micaela Balzer. Born to a single mom in Bolivia, Balzer and mom...
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Recipe of the Month: Spicy Chickpeas and Rice
From the kitchen of Sarah Phillips, East Lansing 1 ½ C. rice 1 T. olive oil 1 medium onion, minced 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 can diced tomatoes 2-3 t. chana masala spice mix ½ c. water 2 T. flour Salt and Pepper to taste 1/4 c. fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped Prepare rice according to package. In a large skillet, saute the onion in olive...
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Stump Seats
Finally, it’s porch time! I love pulling out the patio furniture, planting flowers and getting my backyard decorated for the summer season. My husband and I retrieved three tree stumps from a friend’s removal effort last summer. They provide the extra seating we need for nights around the bonfire or happy-hour on the deck. To spruce them up (no pun intended),...
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Making Dad Dashing
Photos by Lisa Twenter Let’s be honest, when you love to shop it usually means you love to shop across the board — for anything. Such is definitely the case with the staff here at Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine, so while June might mean shopping for Father’s Day gifts for Dad, we really don’t mind. Since we like our dads to be as well dressed...
Continue ReadingDiapers & Deadlines: Beautiful … Me?
There are many things I’d happily label myself: smart, funny, caring … but for some reason, beautiful never makes the cut. And you know what? It doesn’t matter how many times my husband, a loved one or a random stranger tells me. I have to feel it to believe it. The problem with that, however, is I’m not happy with where I am physically. I’m overweight...
Continue ReadingCapital Area Literacy Coalition
The ability to read and write is a basic need for individuals today, yet thousands in the Lansing area are illiterate. The Capital Area Literacy Coalition (CALC) opened in 1985 to help adults and children learn to read, write and speak English. This past year, CALC helped 1,093 adults and children in more than 75 locations. According to U.S. Census statistics...
Continue ReadingWith a Capital EM: Personal Style Under Pressure
Sweat dripped down my brow, I could feel my blood pressure rising and I knew the next person to get in my way was going to regret it. No, I was not running a marathon. I was shopping. Don’t get me wrong, I love, love, love to shop, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that it’s not all shopping I love. I love leisure shopping. I like to browse and...
Continue ReadingThe Hidden Heart
How often do we overlook the true essence of someone ― the hidden heart? In our busy, busy lives, we zoom from one activity to another, from one quick conversation to another. One of my former clients has toiled away for years in an analytical job. When she’s in the middle of a project and someone interrupts her, I’m sure she is perceived as gruff and...
Continue ReadingFor Pete’s Take: Style DNA (Don’t Know Anything)
When my editor told me this month’s issue was going to focus on “your personal sense of style,” I got nervous. Not sweaty-palm and sick-to-my-stomach nervous, but the you’ve-studied-extra-hard-for-a-test-and-none-of-the-questions-make-sense nervous. You see, women are born with the chromosome that determines their style. That’s not the case with...
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Simple Spinach Souffle
From the kitchen of Mary Adelman 2 bags frozen spinach (12 oz.) 6 eggs 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 tsp. each of salt & pepper 1 tsp. baking powder 1. Partially cook the frozen spinach or simply defrost overnight. Drain any excess fluid. 2. Beat eggs until thick & creamy. 3. Mix in salt, pepper & baking powder 4. Fold grated parmesan into...
Continue ReadingPut Civility in Action
“Civility means a great deal more than just being nice to one another. It is complex and encompasses learning how to connect successfully and live well with others, developing thoughtfulness and fostering effective self-expression and communications. Civility includes courtesy, politeness, mutual respect, fairness, good manners, as well as a matter of...
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