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northwest Indiana, over 50, Uncategorized

It’s Restaurant Week

Jane Bokun

In case your turkey doesn’t turn out, we are putting together a first Restaurant Week and we hope it helps.

A few years ago, my son attended the University of Miami and it gave me the chance to take lots of vacations (he was really scared) and check out a lot of the local restaurant fair.

By far the most impressive restaurant in Miami is Versailles Restaurant. The waiters wear white suit jackets and one of the most famous desserts is the Cronut, a croissant-doughnut pastry invented by New York City pastry chef Dominique Ansel.

The Cronut is delicious. I am a Cuban fan for life.

First of all, I love donuts and I absolutely love croissants. The outer shell of the Cronut is a hybrid of the two and the middle is filled with creme. What is not to love? The second best meal here? Anything Cuban including the iconic Cuban Sandwich made of ham, cheese, pork, and anything else you want to put in it. The sandwich is all tucked inside the most delicious bread that I’ve ever tasted: Cuban bread. It has a crisp crust and a soft middle. In Tampa, where I lived for 20 years, it is wrapped in Palmetto leaves. You can find it in larger cities across the country. It is heaven.

It’s easy to see why this busy eatery is a hub for Cuban Americans. The restaurant, 3555 SW 8th St., in the heart of the city in Little Havana, is a throwback to a time when people were more social and they wanted to stay and talk after dinner.

It’s known for its mirrors on the walls and a delicious time-honored menu that always has wall to wall people waiting in line. According to the Travel Channel, it’s the place to be.

Versailles is open from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. For more information call 305-444-0240 or access http://www.versaillesrestaurant.com.

Angel's Envy Bourbon, northwest Indiana, over 50, Uncategorized

What makes turkey even better?Angel’s Envy bourbon

Jane Bokun

By Jane Bokun

Wes Henderson is talking on the phone from his car while he contemplates pulling over and helping with a traffic incident on the road.

Henderson is what people would call a multiple threat. He’s a volunteer fire fighter and part of a family that has successfully distilled a premium bourbon called Angel’s Envy. Henderson is part of a company that began when Wes, his late father Lincoln, and his oldest son Kyle, had the idea to make a good, quality bourbon that is made in Louisville.  It would be a new kind of whiskey, made in the U.S. and finished in ruby port barrels made from French oak and imported directly from Portugal.

Give Bourbon a second look

“Dad was happy to come out of retirement to work with us,” Wes says.

It worked. The family’s $27 million state-of-the-art facility, which sits in downtown Louisville, was a dream the Henderson family finally achieved after 12 years.  It’s taken off too, with many followers.

“Great stories go hand in hand with bourbon,” Wes says about his obsession with great bourbon.

Angel’s Envy is unique as well as smooth tasting.  The handcrafted, quality bourbon is finished in used port barrels.  Wes’ father Lincoln was a legend in the industry, having worked at Brown-Forman for more than 40 years and who is often credited with developing Woodford Reserve.

“He liked to try things that were unique,” Wes says. “The reason Angel’s Envy is finished in port wine barrels is that gives it some interesting characteristics.”

Lincoln died in 2013, but with his fine-tuning finesse, Angel’s Envy had already become a popular bourbon brand not only in Louisville, but around the country.

The bourbon company has no national advertising. It can be found at Binny’s Liquor’s in Chicago.

“It’s harder to get, you have to search for it,” Wes says.

According to thewhiskeywash.com, “The finish is medium, warm. Reminiscent of snickerdoodles, the finish leaves the drinker wanting more of the same.”

Angel’s Envy launched in 2011. It sells for approximately $45-50 per 750 mL bottle. For more information access angelsenvy.com.

northwest Indiana, over 50, Uncategorized

Restaurant provides comedy with Polish sausage

Jane Bokun

By Jane Bokun

At Big Frank’s Sausage in East Chicago, Indiana you can get more than Polish sausage, there’s big-time, nightclub-like entertainment as well.

“We started doing some comedy shows in the restaurant,” says owner Stan Stefanski.  “I knew one of the comedians and set up a show. On the ticket, along with the shows, there’s a full bar and Polish food buffet in the modest restaurant on 1417 Carrol Street in East Chicago.”

“We plan on doing another comedy event in the summer,” Stefanski said.

Comedian Nick Gaza often shows off his comedy stylings at Big Frank’s Sausage. He often brings in friends from shows such as Comedy Central.

“The comedy was great,” said patron Pam Grkinich.

Right now, Stefanski is focused on the restaurant and its beefy golabkis (or hamburger and cabbage rolls) along with fluffy pierogis and potato pancakes garnished with sour cream and apple sauce. Big Frank is not around. He’s the restaurant’s namesake and brother of Stan. He also provided the secret sausage recipe.

“We’ve been open for about five years and so far, the restaurant’s been successful,” Stan Stefanski said.

Indeed, customer Ismael Bonilla eats frequently at Big Frank’s along with his friend. George Hook.

“I’m a vegetarian and Stan suggested I try the mushroom pierogis,” Bonilla said. He also likes the cabbage and noodle dish.

Along with potato, sauerkraut, spinach, meat, mushroom and cheese pierogis, there are belly buster subs, homemade Polish sausages, deli dogs, pizza and much more. Food can be eaten in or taken out of the restaurant. There also are Polish groceries, deli meats and homemade sausage to take-out. Patrons wanting to join in Big Frank’s events should check the web page at http://www.bigfrankssausage.com.

“There’s something for everyone here,” agreed George Hood.

When opened: July

Location: 1417 Carrol St., East Chicago

Phone: (219) 378–9556

E–mail: stanstefan@msn.com

northwest Indiana, over 50, Uncategorized

Shh! Latest new foods at Disney

Jane Bokun

By Jane Bokun

Frozen 2 will debut in theaters on November 22, so parents and grandparents will want to be ready for a good time with their kiddos in their local theaters.

I have a good friend at Disney who gives me the low down on everything new at the happiest place on earth from when we were both reporters at the Tampa Tribune. I, of course, want to pass it along to you. Who knows when you’ll be struck with hunger pangs in Disneyland or Disney World?

Elsa’s Frozen Wave – yum!

Let’s start with new foods: in the Magic Kingdom Park (available starting Nov. 8):

  • Olaf’s Frozen Hot Chocolate Cake (Main Street Bakery, available all day) – gluten-friendly chocolate cake layered with chocolate crispy pearls, chocolate panna cotta, and marshmallow fluff
  • Sven’s Carrot Cake (Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café, Exclusive to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party) – carrot cake topped with cream cheese frosting, sugar carrots, and a chocolate piece

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Leaning Palms

  • Elsa’s Frozen Wave – cotton candy vanilla milkshake with whipped cream, fall and winter sprinkles, and a white chocolate coins

Disney Springs, The Ganachery (available starting Nov. 15)

  • Chocolate Olaf – creamy milk chocolate Olaf filled with mini pumpkin spice marshmallows frolicking in a pile of chocolate leaves
  • Pumpkin Spice Ganache Square
  • Chocolate Ganache Pop – salted caramel ganache pop

Disney Springs, Marketplace Snacks

  • Olaf Dole Whip Slushy – vanilla soft-serve on top of blue raspberry slush with Olaf chocolate piece and chocolate chip buttons

Disney Springs, Amorette’s Patisserie

  • Anna and Elsa Petit Cake – cinnamon-nutmeg chiffon cake with Calvados caramel mousse, cranberry-cherry pate de fruit, and roasted hazelnuts
  • Arendelle Anna Petit Cake – cinnamon-nutmeg chiffon cake with Calvados caramel mousse, cranberry-cherry pate de fruit, and roasted hazelnuts

Epcot, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe

  • 4 Pack Mini Spirit Cupcakes – 
    • Earth – chocolate cupcake with cookie crumbles and candy rocks
    • Wind – vanilla cupcake with vanilla buttercream and fall leaf sprinkles
    • Fire – chocolate cupcake with fire buttercream
    • Water – vanilla cupcake with blue buttercream and sugar bubbles
  • Fall Cheesecake – lemon cheesecake with graham cracker crust topped with Olaf and fall leaf sprinkles
  • Caramel Mousse – sea salt caramel mousse with vanilla cake crust and white chocolate piece
  • Frozen Orange Vanilla Cream Soda – served in a souvenir sipper
  • Sven’s Apple Cheesecake – apple-filled cheesecake

Resorts

  • Dark Sea Chocolate Cake (Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort) – chocolate cake with caramel cream cheese swirl, a dulcey chocolate mousse dome, glaçage, and a white chocolate glaze
  • Frozen Waves Cupcake (available starting Nov. 17 at Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort) – chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate ganache and topped with vanilla mint buttercream and sanding sugar
  • Frozen Fractals Cupcake (available starting Nov. 1 at Food Courts at Disney’s All-Star Resorts) – blue confetti cupcake with shades of blue frost buttercream and a white chocolate piece
  • “Frozen 2” Pumpkin Spiced Donut Tart (Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort) – vanilla tart shell filled with pumpkin custard and topped with a spiced donut cake top, cinnamon glaze, and chocolate leaves
  • Hidden Truth Cupcake (Good’s Food to Go at Disney’s Old Key West Resort and The Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa) – chocolate cupcake with blackberry ganache, blackberry buttercream, white chocolate garnish, and blue and white sprinkles
  • Water Spirit Cupcake (Food Courts at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort and Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort) – chocolate cupcake filled with white chocolate mousse and topped with vanilla buttercream, crispy pearls, and a white chocolate garnish
  • Enchanted Forest Leaves (Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa) – maple leaf-shaped sugar cookie sandwich filled with maple and praline buttercream and garnished with a chocolate coin
  • Fall Into Winter Dessert (available starting Nov. 24 at Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) – spiced cheesecake with a caramel apple compote, embossed fondant, and sprinkles

For more information on all of the locations listed above, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or check out the My Disney Experience mobile app. 

northwest Indiana, over 50, recycled clothing, Uncategorized

Mouth-watering designer duds at affordable prices

Jane Bokun

By Jane Bokun

One of the most popular new and used clothing stores in Indiana will soon celebrate six years in business.

The reason for the boutique’s success is fairly easy to deduce: it’s fabulous fashion with high end labels and affordable prices,” says Diane Gross, who owns Eco Chic Boutique along with her friend Trish Caruso.

Eco Chic Boutique owners

The two women met while they were young mothers with entrepreneurial goals thinking of a series of money-making ideas such as the Perfect Playhouse. When the kids were grown, both women decided to start a clothing boutique in Dyer, Indiana. Originally, Caruso was a hair dresser who owned her own shop, and Gross was an administrative legal assistant.

Now, they are like a family. If there’s a problem, they work it out. So far, in the light-colored, 4,000-square-foot pristine boutique, it’s working with both new and used designer clothing, jewelry, shoes, and even accessories like a fascinator hat. There are multiple sizes including plus sizes for women who want basic tops, casual, work wear or party clothes. The shop recently opened up a new department for mothers of the bride or groom that offers better labels in gowns, dresses and more.

The boutique takes in clothing including Chico’s, Anne Taylor, and even St. John knits by appointment. Prices are based on both condition and label. Some of the labels are from places as far away as Italy or Paris. It’s the prices that keep customers and consignors coming back.

Designer Duds

One customer named Maria says she shops for all her clothes at Eco Chic and often recommends the personalized customer service to her friends.

Maria

Both Gross and Caruso are constantly talking to new customers and guiding them towards complete outfits for any occasion. Maria says every stitch of clothing she’s wearing comes from Eco Chic.

“I was just going out to the pharmacy, but I thought I had to stop in Eco Chic Boutique,” she says.

The store used to have painting parties and comedy shows, but now has taken a turn toward the clothing women want to have.

They get along, Caruso says, like an old, married couple.

“There’s a lot of give and take,” Gross agrees.

over 50

Need to lose weight? Try the sleeve

Jane Bokun

By Jane Bokun

My friend Ashley Brecka knew she wanted to make a change.

For years, the 20-something Highland, Ind., woman had been going to doctors to find out how to lose weight. After a doctor recommended the bariatric sleeve, she was convinced it would help.

Now, Brecka has lost more than 100 pounds using this latest technology.

Ashley Brecka before and after

According to WebMD, sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure in which the stomach is reduced by about 15 percent of its original size. After that, the stomach looks like a sleeve or tube-like structure.

The procedure is generally performed through laparoscopy (where work is completed through an incision in the navel).

How did Brecka find the procedure?

“It was painful,” she said at a Whole Foods Market in Indiana.

The procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach, although there could be some dilation of the stomach later in life.

The sleeve is the latest in a line of bariatric surgeries. It was originally performed as a modification to another bariatric procedure, the duodenal switch, and then later as the first part of a two-stage gastric bypass operation on extremely obese patients.

Sleeve gastrectomy is a fast-growing weight loss option in North America and Asia.

In many cases, but not all, sleeve gastrectomy is as effective as gastric bypass surgery.

Bariatric surgeons are becoming more popular. Typically, a physician will complete a residency in family medicine, internal medicine or general surgery, then pursue additional education to become board certified in bariatric medicine.

Bariatricians practice weight loss medicine, treating patients who need to lose excess weight.

They may prescribe a specific weight loss regimen, a specific diet or prescribe medications that can assist with the process.

For bariatric surgeons, a general surgery residency is completed, which may be followed by a fellowship with specialty training in bariatrics. This advanced training provides experience in performing weight-loss surgeries and should be considered essential when looking for a surgeon to perform the procedure.

Dr. Gerald A. Cahill, of the Midwest Bariatric Institute at Franciscan Health Dyer, is a well-known area bariatric surgeon.

He said the gastric sleeve has gained in popularity since 2010, when it first was covered by insurance.

Patients must be about 100 pounds overweight or a have body mass index of 40.

There is one caveat, Cahill said, the weight can come back after the surgery. There also are hormonal changes along the way.

“All it does is change the stomach,” he said.

For the most part, he said, the surgery is successful.

Uncategorized

Amish Donuts

Jane Bokun

By Jane Bokun

A new Amish donut store opened up in my neighborhood and since no one takes a chance on anything here, I went to check it out. I love donuts and even if they are made with love by a modern-day, life-eschewing cult, I’m still in.

As an Amish store, I wondered if there was electricity and if they had to make change by hand or wooden abacus. I wondered this because Amish history started with a church led by Jakob Ammann. One of the things that separated the Amish were their ways of living designed to avoid the distractions and temptations of the wider world.

I do have some history with the Amish once living in Elkhart, Indiana. Besides what I’m doing now, I consider it the worst time of my life. There were factories there which the Amish worked in and they would get out on the road in actual buggies at 7 a.m., not that they had an electric alarm clock. I visited the farm where they worked and lived and found instead of Serta beds, there were beds made of straw. If you’re thinking you don’t want to connect with the rest of the world, a bed of straw may make you mad enough to become an outcast who can’t cut your beard.

Raspberry and cream Amish donut

One of the things the Amish do have is a monopoly on good food with cream, butter and real sugar – and plenty of it. The reason they are not fat is because they have to churn the butter. The donuts inside the Rise n’ Roll Bakery in Schererville, In. are the creamiest, freshest tasting pastries I’ve tried. They are almost too decadent. For example, almost all of them have creamy fillings that are paired with fruit.

The Rise n’ Roll Bakery started in Middlebury, In. and has things like pies, cinnamon rolls, breads, cheeses, jams and more. It’s kind of a dichotomy between the extremely clean living of the Amish and their penchant for a meal that you need to do a major city marathon to get off. I’ve decided to cut my donut into slivers and eat them for a year – like a wedding cake.

Uncategorized

Cute and truly outer space-comfortable high heels

Jane Bokun

By Jane Bokun

Even though most of the women I see have given up on high heels, and I have a broken back, I still want to wear them.

Why?

I am short and they level the playing field and best of all, they’re pretty. Have you ever checked out Manolo Blahnik shoes? Sometimes you can get them for a low as $59 dollars at Nordstrom Rack stores. I bought them and had to give them away to a friend of mine who works at the White House (a woman friend). They were beautiful, but not comfortable enough for me. I even tried only wearing them to my car and having help to get out of it. But, alas, I need to be comfortable.

 

Dolly Singh by Felix Magazine

Hopefully, I found a solution. Years ago, I did a story on Dolly Singh for Felix Magazine out of Chicago. Singh is a beautiful former Elon Musk SpaceX employee. She knew the deal. Women need a stunning and comfy high heel that we can wear ANY WEAR. Before her interest in creating the perfect high heels, Singh was that Space X executive recruiter. She now has a company called Thesis Couture. According to the Wall Street Journal, the shoes look somewhat like the design of Jimmy Choo designer shoes. A quick look at the Thesis Couture website will tell you the shoes beautiful and great for a wedding – wearing cute shoes all night, not taking them off and going barefoot with the possibility of athlete’s foot. They are comfortable because they have been designed by true engineers and have been redesigned for comfort. What’s the secret? According to the website, “traditional high heels are built around a single, thin metal strut called a shank, and a compressed cardboard insole, this core architecture results in relatively poor structural support. The Thesis LIFT is engineered to better support the foot and body at large, using structural design and advanced materials. With LIFT, Thesis stilettos feel and function like wedges. In a traditional 4 inch/ 100mm high heel, the average person will have 80%+ of their body weight on their forefoot and toes; with Thesis LIFT, the center of gravity is closer to a natural state. The result is shoes that feel better, wear longer, and distract less.” The website is at https://thesiscouture.com. See if we can pool our money and get some comfy, beautiful shoes.

Uncategorized

Uplifting Lipstick

Jane Bokun

By Jane Bokun

I’m the kind of person you’ll always find wearing her lipstick. I layer it on all day and it makes me feel like I can fool the world into thinking I look a little better.

Lately, it’s bordering on obsession. I’m looking for minty, creamy lipsticks that will stay on all day and look as fresh as if the lips I’m layering are natural. It isn’t easy pretending your lips are always vibrant red or even pugnacious purple. I keep a tube in my pocket and have been known to secretly scrape some off the top and rub my hand secretly across my lips when I think no one is looking.

This obsession started because I am currently somewhat out of funds. I’ve heard that lipstick is always popular when women are tapped out. Rich? They buy a real Louis Vuitton purse or pair of shoes – and some Botox. Poor? It’s a tube of lipstick.

-Any woman anywhere

My choice of lipstick recently has been Color The World Lipstick at http://www.colortheworld.com. This lipstick feels great, is creamy, and doesn’t feather on your wrinkled lips. Doesn’t feather on your wrinkled lips? That’s a miracle indeed. I always overshoot my lips and look like a deranged doppelganger for Lucille Ball, and I like it that way. The thing I also like is the company gives back 10 % of its profits to causes such as Empowered – helping depression and one called Rose that gives to the save the sea turtles movement. I tried Empowered and the lipstick’s creaminess and long lasting wear won me over. It doesn’t always help my weird, wrinkly lips, but, you can’t have everything. It’s best that I don’t notice the wrinkles when I’m wearing Empowered. I feel kind of empowered.

Lipstick is a great way to do your part for self care. It’s fairly inexpensive, about $10, and a real face changer.

Others agree. Some women say the self-esteem boost of adding color to their faces makes them feel accomplished.

It’s more a great way to be nice to yourself and feel great before a day of fighting ageism, your husband and kids.

Uncategorized

You Go Grandma

Jane Bokun

By Jane Bokun

The other day I was at the beach and there was a group of youngish women there having a grand picnic/drunken hoedown.

They were laughing, cussing and hard to ignore, and about five of them were standing in the water when I decided, “I’m at the beach,” “I should swim off some calories and depression.” To be fair, I was reading “Girl, Stop Apologizing” a great book by Rachel Hollis. It tells women they can be what they want – freely and openly.

I was caught up in the sentiment of the book so I put on my Billabong (r) wet suit (you never know when you need one) and goggles and said to myself, I’m going to swim out to that faraway buoy, touch it and swim back. I also plan on being alive when I do it to meet my unborn grandchildren.

DARE DEVILISH older women everywhere

The blackish water was rolling and there were several waves, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. If it stops me, I said to myself, I deserve to go to my watery grave because I truly am an out-of-shape old woman.

The rowdy gang of women saw me leaving to swim and yelled, “you go grandma.”

You go grandma? Geez, this age is humbling and even worse when you can’t afford a face lift.

“Did I hear them right?” I thought. Surely they were saying you go girl or goyle like in gargoyle, anything but grandma (mainly because I don’t have grandchildren yet (see above paragraph). I might have welcomed the name if I had them). I made it out to the buoy and touched it with the vigor that one adapts to kiss a Blarney Stone. Then I swam back.

Those younger women were watching me the whole time. When I got to the beach, they said, You’re living your best life aren’t you? Are you some kind of a triathlete?”

“Not even close,” I thought.