Local Services

Mommy Mingle

Natalie Mallett combines motherhood, work, and community. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Jenny Kaufman Natalie Mallett is a licensed professional counselor, specializing in maternal mental health, she is also a mom of 2 little girls. Natalie felt what most mothers do, and that is often the challenge of balancing work and children. It made her wonder if there were other moms out there who wanted or even needed the kind of support and service where a mom could have a few...

Local Services

Creating A Connection

New to town? Or need some inspiration? Come to Connect Belong AZ. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Tara Dunn Walking into Tara Dunn's home there is a flurry of activity and the sound of constant chatter. Once a month, a group of women come together here to do one thing... find a connection, whether it be business or supportive in nature. Hence the name, Connect Belong AZ. Tara says, 'It all started with a few of my clients who had recently relocated to Arizona and were searching...

Food + Beverage

Lavender Lemonade

Sip and savor the flavors of Spring. Article by Breanna Vega Lemonade is a staple in Arizona. Visit Schnepf Farms for fresh lavender and shop locally for desert honey. Ingredients: 6-8 large lemons 4-6 cups of water Raw honey Ice cubes Fresh lavender (10-12 sprigs)  Directions: 1. Juice 6-8 lemons to get about 1 ½ cup of lemon juice. 2. Muddle 6-8 sprigs of farm fresh lavender in the lemon juice. 3. Let steep for the next hour, occasionally agitating the lavender lemon juice...

Life + Culture

Amazing Moms of Queen Creek

Six inspiring women making an impact inside and outside the home. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Kaeden Peterson Tammy Figueroa and Susan Johnson -  Judges When we decided to launch a search for the amazing moms in Queen Creek, we suspected we might find some special stories. What we in fact discovered were women who were quietly but heroically carrying their families and passionately pursuing community and volunteering their time and talent. We asked Tammy Figueroa of The Figz...

Life + Culture

A Queen Creek Original

Margaret Schnepf recounts her memories of motherhood in Queen Creek. Article by Florence Daniels | Photography by Kaeden Peterson In the 1950's Queen Creek was a community of farmers who lived far away from many conveniences we take for granted. Margaret Ann Ellsworth-Schnepf raised her five children  on the farm that she and her husband ran, where their nearest neighbor lived 4 miles away. The kids were, in her words, 'free range'. As she got on with her daily activities, the children would...

Beauty

Healthy Skin, Healthy Life

Alicia Bishop of Queen Creek Med Spa shares her top skin tips. Article by Jared Orr | Photography by Ashley Blake Photography As mothers, we often put everyone else's needs before our own. This Mother's Day, it's time to focus on self-care and skin health. Queen Creek Med Spa offers various treatments to help you have the radiant, healthy skin you deserve. Here's your guide to understanding the perfect treatments for your skin concerns: How to Address Dull, Tired Skin Try the Diamond...

Arts + Culture

The Eye of an Artist

One artist invests in perfecting her craft. Article by Breanna Vega | Photography by Jenny Kaufman “We were born before the wind, Also younger than the sun Ere the bonnie boat was won As we sailed into the mystic”…  These lyrics spin on the soft sound of a vinyl, chosen by Bill Jean Kretschman, local artist and member of San Tan Artist Guild, as her collections soundtrack. When asked what would be played in the background of her creations, Van Morison’s: “Into the Mystic”, swiftly came to...

Food + Beverage

Easy Protein Bowls

Prep and enjoy lunch all week with this easy recipe. Article by Breanna Vega  Saving money and meal prepping goes hand in hand. To increase your health and the money in your pocket weekly, use this nourishing base recipe to meal prep for the whole week.  Ingredients: 2 cups Chicken stock  2 cans Black beans 1/2 Yellow onion  1 Bell pepper 1 cup Long grain white rice Lean beef  Shredded cheese Iceburg lettuce Directions: Use a pressure cooker to prepare rice after...

Wellness

Meal-Prepping

Save money and time by prepping ahead. Article by Breanna Vega | Photography by Jenny Kaufman Meal prepping is the ultimate money saving and health hack. To apply these tips at home, you’ll need to ensure you have the right equipment for storage. Figure how many people versus how many meals and that’s your magic storage number. Once you have chosen a storage set you’re ready to prep and divide. Meal prepping doesn’t have to be fancy or perfect but it does take time. Give yourself the allowance...

Finance + Legal Services

Mastering Money

Diana Turner gives her top financial tips. Article by Jared Orr | Photography by Jenny Kaufman The American Dream. A house with a white picket fence, financial security, and the ability to provide a better future for your children and grandchildren. This dream, however, is slipping further out of reach for many, morphing into a source of anxiety rather than aspiration. The crisis isn't simply a lack of money; it’s a pervasive problem of procrastination and a misunderstanding of how wealth...