Issuu

Summit Orthopedics F I N A N C E + LE G A L S E RV I C E S

AN DY GREGO RY L AW LO C A L S E RV I C E S

POSERS PH OTO GRAPHY J EFF GRIFFITH CRE ATIV E LI F E + C U LTU R E

GRACE CHU RCH

JA N UA RY 2 02 6

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Feeling Ill? Read Our Annual Health & Wellness Issue! Dear Eden Prairie Lifestyle reader, As you are no doubt already aware, the sinister Batman villain Ra's al Ghul owes his immortality to the Lazarus Pit: a pool of magical, glowy green chemicals that cures all disease, heals any injury, and indefinitely extends the lifespan of whosoever soaks in it. It’s a darn shame the Lazarus Pit doesn’t exist in real life. It sounds pretty helpful! Fortunately, you’re now holding something almost as good as the Lazarus Pit, and Batman will never try to stop you from using it. It’s the annual Health & Wellness issue of Eden Prairie Lifestyle! In this issue we are delighted to feature Summit Orthopedics – the finest comprehensive orthopedic care provider in the Midwest, whose very own Dr. Michael J. Forseth had the pleasure of being interviewed by our very own Dave Scheller. We are no less delighted to feature Life Time, whose Signature Group Training programs take members’ health and fitness goals to the next level; Grace Church, which teaches us that mortality isn’t all that bad a thing; and Andy Gregory, whose legal services are of inestimable value to anyone lacking access to a Lazarus Pit. Are you already healthy and well enough? Then read on to discover Office Golf, where you can stay in the swing of things all winter long; Posers Photography, which specializes in making fond memories immortal; and Jeff Griffith, the local design, branding, advertising and video content virtuoso whose work has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and once sparked debate between the ultimate experts on all things. I am speaking, of course, of the hostesses of The View. It looks like Dave tucked some of his own health and fitness tips into the back of the issue. They’re all exhaustively researched, no doubt! And I’d like to give a special thanks to Dave’s dad for contributing a dynamite cheesecake recipe, which has no business being in our Health & Wellness issue … wait, did I even approve that? As always, I would like to thank all of Eden Prairie Lifestyle’s sponsors, without whose generous support we could not mail our magazine directly to our readers’ homes. I always welcome any feedback or interest you may have in appearing on our magazine’s pages! Best regards, JOHN LEE, PUBLISHER @EDEN_PRAIRIE_LIFESTYLE

January 2026 PUBLISHER

John Lee | john.lee@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

David Scheller | david.scheller@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bill Scheller C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Hayden Koughan, Diane Wilke, Posers Photography

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Zach Miller LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Eden Prairie Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Eden Prairie area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form

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without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Eden Prairie Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue JANUARY 20 2 6 | HEA LT H & W EL L N ES S

24 54 Featured

18 24 48 54 12

Summit Orthopedics Talk to the Hand Specialist

Office Golf

"A Good Walk Spoiled" Minus the Walk

Grace Church

Connect and Grow Your Faith

48 On the Cover

Departments

From evaluation and diagnosis to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, Summit Orthopedics' team of experts will work with you to develop a plan to get you back to your healthy and active lifestyle. SummitOrtho.com

Lifestyle Letter

Business Monthly

Expert Help HEALTH + WELLNESS

Athlete Life FOOD + BEVERAGE

Legal Compass FINANCE + LEGAL SERVICES

Artist’s Palette LOCAL SERVICES

Giving Back LIFE + CULTURE

Trend Setter PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Our Town LIFE + CULTURE

Self Care FITNESS

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAG E

Education Corner FITNESS

Must See HEALTH + WELLNESS

Events

Life Time

Much More Than a Gym Photography: Summit Orthopedics

Polar Vortex Lionel

Maintenance Tech

Accessory

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SAFETY INSPECTION

JANUARY 2026

business monthly A ROUNDUP OF NEWS F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Kyra Nygard Photography Cuts the Ribbon Make a decision to stay in your home or move to a new one with the help of our safety inspection. Our detailed reports and suggestions outline what is working now and what needs to be addressed so you can live as long as you want safely in your home. This is where Accessibility = Independence

Fine art and portrait photographer Kyra Nygard believes everyone should experience the wonder and joy of a personalized and unique photoshoot – and photos that look like they belong on the cover of a magazine. Kyra Nygard Photography specializes in high school graduation photos, professional headshots, creative portraits, and pets. Reach out today to plan your session! KyraNygardPhotography.com

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Guys and Dolls Live at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Opening February 13th, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres presents Guys and Dolls! Set in a mythical vision of New York City, the Chan’s fresh production is thrilling – electric – a grand spectacle of music and comedy rife with dance and romance! The Tony Award for Best Musical winner features “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” and many other classics of our time. Directed by the Chan’s new artistic director Tamara Kangas Erickson! ChanhassenDT.com

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SUMMIT OR T H OP E DIC S TA L K T O T H E H A N D S P E C I A L I S T ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

“Hands. Wrists. Elbows,” said Dr. Michael J. Forseth of Summit Orthopedics. “In the grand scheme of things, I admit that my areas of focus aren’t quite as essential to life as … say, the heart, or the brain. “But then I ask you, what is life? One thing’s for certain: it’s a lot more than vital signs. It’s providing for your family. It’s raising your children. It’s competing in sports. It’s fishing, canoeing, gardening, camping, and the million other things you need hands for. “That’s something I remind the students I teach to never lose sight of. Behind every hand, wrist and elbow is a living, breathing person who just wants to get back to doing what they love. In that sense, orthopedics is only a means to an end. We restore hope! “I got my introduction to orthopedic medicine the same way as many of my peers: by being on the receiving end of sports injuries. I looked up to the surgeons who treated me so well during my childhood. That, plus encouragement from a couple of my parents’ friends, who were also orthopedists, left me with zero doubt that I chose the right residency after med school. “If you removed the human element altogether, then I would still appreciate my specialty from a purely intellectual standpoint. I may be a man of science, but I can’t describe the intricate interplay between nerve, ligament, tendon and bone as anything less than miraculous. “Fortunately, I study a fascinating field of medicine that just so happens to put me in touch with people from all walks of life. We treat babies and small children with traumatic congenital abnormalities. We treat high school and college athletes, including more than a few hockey players, football players, and gymnasts with significant upper extremity injuries. (Telling mom and dad that their kid’s sports career isn’t over? One of the best

EXP E RT H E LP | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

Michael J. Forseth, MD

“I M AY BE A M A N OF SCIENCE, BUT I CAN’T DESCRIBE THE IN T R IC AT E IN T ER P L AY BET WEEN NERVE, L I G A M E N T, T E N D O N A ND B O NE A S A N YTHING LESS THAN MIR A C UL O U S .”

CONTINUED >

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ED E N P R A I R I E

feelings in the world.) And of course we help plenty of seniors who are eager not just to maintain their independence, but to fully enjoy their retirements. “I’m grateful for Summit Orthopedics’ philanthropic efforts, including One World Surgery which provides free, life-changing primary and surgical care in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The time I spent volunteering in Central America proved to be nothing short of enlightening. And though I pray I never have to repeat something like it again, I’m glad to have been of service during our mission to Port-auPrince immediately following the earthquake of 2010. “Suffice to say I was also glad to return to my home clinic afterward. And it’s not just Summit Orthopedics’ state-of-theart facilities and technology that I missed most during my time in Haiti. I missed our great people: the physicians, surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified athletic trainers and therapists who make expert, compassionate orthopedic care accessible to everyone at twenty-five clinics throughout the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota and Western Wisconsin areas. If you were to come to us with an elbow fracture, then you may interact with as many as fifty different people by the time you’ve recovered. I’m confident each and every one of them would have your best interests at heart. “We truly are a big family here!” From evaluation and diagnosis to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, that family is standing by to get you back to your healthy and active lifestyle in the wake of any orthopedic injury. Call (651) 504-8461 to schedule care at Summit Orthopedics’ 11995 Singletree Lane, Suite 325, Eden Prairie location – or, alternatively, to disclose that you’re on your way for urgent care. SummitOrtho.com

EXP E RT H E LP | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ED E N P R A I R I E

REVOLUTIONIZING THE WEIGHT LOSS INDUSTRY Our clinic specializes in Semaglutide and Tirzepatide treatments along with offering the new and promising Retatrutide. On average, patients lose 15% of their body weight. These game-changing medications have given our clinic over 400 local success stories and climbing. No matter what your weight loss goals may be, we are here to help you! Feel free to call or stop by, walk-ins welcomed!

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OF F IC E GOL F "A GOOD WALK SPOILED" MINUS THE WALK

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

AT H LE T E LIF E | FO O D + B E VE RAGE

I once read an article about snow golf. Do you know what I learned? I learned I do not want to play snow golf. No. I want to play golf as it was intended to be played during the winter: in the lap of luxury. Visualize this. You’re a golf ball (and a mighty fine one at that). You’re being teed up at your house. THWACK. Good swing! It sends you ten miles – straight down 494 to Bloomington – and lands you in a glade by the bank of Ninemile Creek. Hole in one. Nice. You’re at Office Golf: the largest golf simulator establishment in the country.

Office Golf’s thirty thousand square feet house eighteen state-of-the-art Trackman iO golf simulators, which combine radar, infrared, and high-speed imaging to calculate real-time club and ball analytics. Translated? If you miss the green, it’s your own fault (but you can still blame the Trackman). St. Andrews. Pebble Beach. Valderrama. These are just three of the four hundred seventy-four world-class courses a Trackman faithfully simulates. You’ll feel the warm Pacific sun on your back as you soar down the fairways of Ke’olu. The view of Mount Fuji from Kawana might just inspire you to write a haiku. You’ll practically taste the delicious croques that await at the nineteenth hole of the Kempferhof. Cruise through eighteen holes solo in just under an hour. Play as a party of four in just as many hours. Post up at the simulated driving range for a whole day. Reserve multiple bays for the mother of all indoor outings. Even guests who don’t know a seven iron from a three wood can enjoy playing darts, pool, corn hole and ping-pong. And it only gets better, because Office Golf also serves:

something a hundred times better: a wide selection of upscale pub-inspired delectables prepared by The Boardroom, Office Golf’s on-site restaurant. “We have perfected our menu ever since our grand opening three years ago,” says Katie Rose, co-owner. “At this point, I can confidently say we exclusively serve crowd favorites. It’s little wonder why so many people are visiting Office Golf for The Boardroom alone!” I want the potstickers. I want the sliders. I want the burrito. I want the stir fry. I want the truffle tots. I want the Hole in One pizza with pepperoni, jalapeño and hot honey. I want the bacon. My wife wants the quinoa and chopped kale bowl with shrimp. I want the bacon. I want the fried chicken sandwich with special new OG sauce. I want the warm chocolate chip cookies. I want a drink.

FOOD

DRINK

FORE

At this point you’re probably asking yourself: “What is croque?” It doesn’t matter, because Office Golf doesn’t have it. Instead they offer

What’s golf without booze? I have no idea. I haven’t experienced it. That’s why I cherish each of CONTINUED >

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ED E N P R A I R I E

Office Golf’s three bars, which serve every color of wine, every incarnation of beer (including the exclusive OG Amber Lager), and liquor both cocktailed and pure. Now, for me, it’s gotta be the Fairway Fizz made with gin, grapefruit juice and elderf lower liqueur. For a certain quinoa enjoyer who will remain anonymous, the star of the bar is the OG Gimlet made with vodka, rosemary and lime. And you? Well, you might just be a prime candidate for The Rattle – a feisty hat dance of tequila and orange liqueur with a ker-pow of muddled jalapeño.

PARTY

“Office Golf is the perfect destination for parties of all sizes,” says Katie. “Want to host a small company get-together? We have just the space to make as few as ten guests feel like they’re the only ones here. Want to host a birthday, wedding, anniversary or retirement bonanza for as many as four hundred? Office Golf’s dedicated event specialists will make sure the entire thing goes off without a hitch!” Every game day is a party at Office Golf, where there are only slightly fewer TVs than there are air molecules.

AT H LE T E LIF E | FO O D + B E VE RAGE

HEART

“Too many businesses like ours are owned by massive corporations,” Katie continues. “Office Golf is the anomaly – solely locally owned by myself and my husband Ernie. “I love being here because it reminds me so much of my father, John Richard Harris. He was one of Minnesota’s most renowned golfers, who taught me to appreciate the game when he wasn’t playing on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. “My dad was one of golf’s greatest advocates. He believed everyone should play, and did his part to introduce countless newcomers to the game throughout his lifetime. I like to think Office Golf keeps that legacy alive by offering the most convenient access to golf in the Twin Cities. Stop by and see us sometime!” Go to 7807 Creekridge Circle in Bloomington. Visit OfficeGolf.com. Call (952) 324-5236. Just whatever you do, don’t not play golf close to home this winter!

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A Lifestyle Full of Opportunities

W I T H AWA R D - W I N N I N G CA R E W H E N YO U N E E D I T

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JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ED E N P R A I R I E

ANDY Gregory ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIANE WILKE

L AW

Specializing in the Before and the After Eden Prairie Lifestyle typically avoids reminding readers that they will die someday. As tidbits go, it’s not the cheeriest. What happens to you after you die? That is not for this magazine to say, although you would be well advised to be as kind as possible to others so long as you’re here. What we can say for certain is that you will be missed. Immensely. The world will have lost one of its greatest treasures – an Eden Prairie Lifestyle reader – and your loved ones will have lost you. Don’t compound their grief by darkening their lives with needless strife, expense and confusion. Do them a kindness. Put your affairs neatly in order with Andy Gregory’s help. “I started working for the federal government fresh out of undergrad,” said Andy. “Over twenty years of public service provided the perfect crash course for becoming an estate planning and probate attorney – and I’m not just talking about practicing law. I learned how to navigate sensitive and terribly stressful situations. To sympathize with others during their darkest hours. To meet everyone at their level, and make byzantine legal matters crystal clear to them no matter their prior experience.” Andy hadn’t known he was training for his future career throughout his time with the government. He wouldn’t realize his true calling until tragedy struck home. “My wife’s grandmother and grandfather both passed away without an estate plan,” Andy continued. “I looked on with great sadness as family dysfunction ensued – lovely people, who would

L EGA L C OM PASS | FI NAN CE + LE GAL SE RVICE S

have been spared so much strain and tension if grandma and grandpa had had a little more foresight. “It’s not their fault, of course. They simply weren’t aware of how much harm their inaction would eventually cause.” Eager to help others avoid so much discord, the Mitchell Hamline alum founded his own law firm in 2022. “Most attorneys in my field focus on the before or the after. I chose to become one of the rare few who specializes in both: wills, trusts, and incapacity planning on one side, and trust administration and probate on the other,” Andy recounted. “I knew doing so would give my clients the peace of mind that only comes from knowing and trusting the same attorney who will one day serve their beneficiaries. “Sadly, many of my clients only come to me after a loved one’s passing. For example, I recently represented a woman whose mother had sold her house two months before her death. My client had no idea how to access the hundreds of thousands of dollars still inside her mother’s bank account. I guided her through the probate process and to the happiest resolution possible, although I spent that entire time wishing I could have shared even the briefest moment with her mom before the fact. “Many estate planning challenges are far more unpredictable, yet no less avoidable. I’m reminded of another case in which a woman had been caught stealing from her mother while the latter was going through early-onset Alzheimer’s. She wasn’t caught until her mother was in hospice, which is when her brother sought my help. Once again, I stood by him, but I also couldn’t help but

“...the peace of mind that only comes from knowing and trusting the same attorney who will one day serve your beneficiaries.”

CONTINUED >

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“Some of the messiest cases of all involve small business ownership. Too many imagine how much better off everyone would have been had mom only known about the necessity of incapacity planning. “Some of the messiest cases of all involve small business ownership. Too many great mom and pop shops have been destroyed once mom learns she can’t access the bank accounts. “Hindsights like those are what motivate my pro bono work. I volunteer for Wills for Heroes, which provides free estate planning services to first responders and their spouses in Minnesota, as well as the Minnesota State Law Library’s Probate Clinic for which I give free legal advice to the general public – many of whom live right here in Eden Prairie. I also give back by teaching reduced-cost estate planning educational courses in local school districts throughout the southwest suburbs. And thanks to my extensive involvement with the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota State Bar Association, and Rotary International, I’m able to reach even more people in pressing need of legal aid. “I’m proud to say those efforts have made me a North Star Lawyer: one who provides fifty or more hours of pro bono services per year. “But that still leaves me with plenty of time for new clients. Reach out today if you want an estate plan that is perfectly tailored to your needs, or representation that secures your interests in the wake of a loved one’s passing. It’s never too soon or too late for my services.” Visit AndyGregoryLaw.com or call (612) 562-9130 to book a virtual or in-person consultation.

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great mom and pop shops have been destroyed once mom learns she can’t access the bank accounts.”

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L I G H T M A D E I M M O R TA L ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

POSERS

PHOTOGRAPHY The greatest lights in your life are all changing. One instant they glow like phosphorus. The next? Pouf. Love grows gray. Kids grow up. Pets go too soon. Family follows not long after. Don’t let light escape you. Capture it with the aid of Eden Prairie’s best portrait artists for hire, whose experience spans decades: photographers Liz and Tom Hanly. CONTINUED >

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“I was glued to my Brownie by the time I turned ten, and devoured every high school photography class I could take,” said Tom. “I loved looking for new perspectives on the world; views that shatter the ordinary.” “I was also smitten with the artistry of photography at a young age – particularly taking pictures of people,” said Liz. “More than that, I loved taking pictures for people: understanding their vision, planning their perfect shoot, and seeing their reaction once everything glides to fruition. Knowing they would cherish my work forever? There’s no greatest reward.” “We met in photography school,” said Tom, “and we would continue to bond by studying together for many years to come. In addition to earning Craftsman and Master Photographer degrees, we both became Certified Professional Photographers. It’s a title held by fewer than eight percent of photographers in the United States, which requires proof of technical and artistic mastery.” “Many wonderful photographers hold fewer distinctions than Tom and I,” said Liz. “That being said, photography is treated as an entry-level job by many, and few consumer protections are available to those who hire unprofessional ‘professionals.’ Our accreditations show that we are qualified, and share the skill we need to capture precious moments in their fullest.” To Liz and Tom, planning the perfect shoot extends well beyond the where and who. Lighting. Composition. Background. Clothing. Mood. Even the size of the room and style of frame the photo will hang in. No detail escapes their design.

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“We go into even greater specifics depending on the subject,” Liz continued. “Take, for example, a newborn, who would be lost in a wide shot or against a busy background. Newborn photography requires intimacy, connection between the parents, and, ideally, a freshly fed and rested newborn.” “Toddlers bring the exact opposite energy,” added Tom. “It takes patience and persistence to photograph a child after they have learned the word ‘NO!’ You have to make a game of it, and associate with them at their level. It is not at all beneath this Certified Professional Photographer to have his wife bonk him on the head with a rubber chicken.” “Senior photos underscore the importance of having a consultation before every shoot,” said Liz. “We want to learn what makes each soon-to-be grad unique. What are they looking forward to? What are they most interested in? For one recent client, it was Star Wars, so we got a great shot of him flourishing a lightsaber with a brilliant arc of light trailing behind him. For another, it was baseball. It took some fine-tuning, but we soon determined the best exposure to capture the full drag of his swing. “We adore working with pets as well, and have so far photographed dogs, cats, rabbits, and even a chinchilla, porcupine and ball python. As always, consultation beforehand is key. It helps us gain insight into the pet’s personality, and know which demeanor, stimuli, and treats will help them reveal their truest self.” “Dogs are the opposite of newborns,” noted Tom. “The best dog model is hungry and tired!” Liz and Tom are here to make your light immortal. Visit PosersPhoto.com or call (612) 719-6661 to learn more.

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TEAM Samurai Raising Money for Melanoma Research, Dirtily

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

Augustus Gloop: a frenzied wade through chest-high water, followed by ascent through a slippery tube. Electroshock Therapy: a dash amidst dangling wires, each coursing with ten thousand volts. Cry Baby: literal tear gas. Devil’s Beard, Ladder to Hell, and Berlin Walls: just a few more perils awaiting athletes during the ten-to-twelve-mile Tough Mudder. Team Samurai members don’t just subject themselves to these tribulations because they enjoy testing their mettle (and are a skosh crazy). They also do it for love. “I founded Team Samurai in 2015 in memory of my father, who lost his battle to ALS five years earlier,” said Adam “Curious” Kobler. “The team went on hiatus because of the pandemic, and stayed on break while I took care of my life partner, Kate, after her diagnosis with stage 3 melanoma. I stayed by her side until the disease took her in November of 2023. “But now we’re back, stronger than ever, and partnered with the National Cancer Institute, for which we intend to raise $5,000 for melanoma research at this year’s Tough Mudder in Lake Elmo. “I’m grateful to everyone who wears the Tough Mudder colors – especially my great friend Davin Lillegard, whose help leading the charge has been invaluable – as well as our sponsors Associated Skin Care Specialists and Vespasian Technology, and each member of our community who makes Team Samurai’s mission possible.” Join the fray! Email Adam at teamsamuai@protagonist.life.

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JEFF GRIFFITH CREATIVE BRAND SUBSTANCE ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY HAYDEN KOUGHAN @KOUGHANPICS

Anyone can start a business. Few entrepreneurs can build a business that reaches a broad range of clientele with completely different needs, from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits and local retailers. Jeff Griffith is one of those few. He is a bold creative personality, whose talents for design, branding, advertising and video content have brought businesses to life for over thirty years and in every American time zone. Rest assured that Jeff is no upstart. His work has been discussed on CNN, MSNBC, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the subject of heated debate on that most authoritative of public fora: The View. He has worked on magazines that could be argued to have even greater cultural bearing than Eden Prairie Lifestyle, such as Men’s Health and O, The Oprah Magazine. He once produced a digital campaign for a Norwegian gaming company so persuasive that YouTube, eager to study it at greater length, extended its run for a month free of charge. And one time, Jeff spearheaded an extensive (and successful) grass roots multimedia campaign to prevent construction of a proposed casino adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. He recruited famed composer John Williams, who CONTINUED >

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provided the poignant score, along with Ken Burns, actor Sam Waterson, and other celebrities who volunteered their time. “I was one of those strange kids who always knew what he wanted to do when he grew up,” Jeff recalls. “Movies. Television. Even commercials. Especially commercials. I wanted to be the one to conceive them – then bring them to life.” Jeff’s freshly earned UW–Oshkosh degree in journalism and advertising would land the Dairyland native in a most un-Dairylandian place. “Honolulu,” said Jeff, in a tone that indicated he was presently speaking in Minnesota during winter. “I joined an advertising agency there and quickly learned to adapt my work to Hawaii’s distinctive ethos. I would spend many more years honing my sensitivity to local cultures while working at various media companies, ad agencies and publishing houses in Atlanta, Chicago, Winston-Salem, San Francisco, West Chester, New York City (for 26 years), and now the Twin Cities. “Of course, now that I’ve returned to the Midwest, I’m once again surrounded by the mindset I grew up with – a homespun appreciation for authenticity. “But wherever you are, the need for thoughtful branding and advertising are the same. They must make the audience feel something. I want to build brands that are impossible to ignore! “When I first sit down with a client, my goal is to understand precisely what their business and customers are all about. How will people interact with the brand? Through social media? Yard signs? Online video? A mobile app? Business cards? A diner placemat? No touch point is too small to overlook. If you’re opening a hotel, I’ll envision the guest experience from the second they walk in the door right down to the swizzle sticks in the lobby bar.

“It’s all about finding the universal truth – the emotional connection that doesn’t just drive people to your business, but keeps them coming back. “Sometimes that calls for humor, as was the case for rebranding a staid forty-year-old barber shop called ‘Don’s’ in Ponte Vedra, Florida. ‘Three talented barbers and 1 crazy one.’ ‘Even mullets need some love.’ ‘The best thing next to donuts.’ (Noting that Don’s is located next to a donut shop.) Those are only a few examples of what turned out to be a very effective multimedia campaign including outdoor, social media, in-store experiences and branded events. It’s quite crazy! Within six months, we were discussing possible franchising! “Other times, the universal truth calls for boldness. That’s what caused Whoopi Goldberg to hold up my work on the air. It was a full-page New York Post ad for a small addiction treatment center in Central New Jersey, headed by an enormous ‘DON’T DIE LINDSAY,’ which ran when a certain very famous Lindsay had been very publicly in trouble with the law. Among other things, The View ladies argued for seven minutes whether the ad crossed the line. “But you know what? The treatment center was booked solid as a result. At the end of the day, that single ad started a powerful discussion on national television!” Whether you’re building a brand from scratch or revitalizing one that’s begging for a refresh, you need an expert who can understand your business, shape your identity, and execute it across every touchpoint with intelligence, heart and grit. Choose Jeff Griffith Creative, where a single Swiss Army Knife of a man will conceive your brand identity from the logo all the way down to its swizzle sticks.

JEFFGRIFFITHCREATIVE.COM | JEFFGRIFFITHCREATIVE@GMAIL.COM | (646) 418-2800

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“EVERY DAY I STRIVE TO CREATE BREAKTHROUGH, THOUGHT-PROVOKING AND OFTENTIMES FUN, OR POIGNANT, SOPHISTICATED, ENTERTAINING AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE CONTENT AND BRANDING FOR MY CLIENTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, NO MATTER THE SIZE OR THE MEDIUM.” – JEFF GRIFFITH

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GRACE

Church

O UR TOWN | L I FE + C ULT U RE

“CHRISTIANS ARE MADE, NOT BORN.” – TERTULLIAN

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

“Seventeen years. For seventeen wonderful years, I have had the privilege of knowing the finest people I could ever have hoped to meet. Minnesotans are joyous. Generous. And, dare I say it, nice. They care genuinely for their friends and their family, and they aren’t gossips. And when we worship at Grace Church together, I know in my heart we all share the highest esteem for the truth of God’s word. “If I weren’t the pastor of this church, then I’m certain I would still attend it. And I’ll be perfectly frank: I can’t say the same for some of the other churches I’ve led over the decades.” Pastor Troy Dobbs began his career shepherding a decidedly unrulier flock. He took a job as a probation officer straight out of college, for which he supervised a caseload of one hundred twenty-five adult offenders. During that time, Pastor Troy felt that God wanted him to do something different – a revelation no doubt warmly received by a young man who wanted the same. “I envisioned my future with zero clarity, but with total passion,” said Pastor Troy. “I considered myself hired by the highest Boss there is, and enrolled in seminary school not long after.” Pastor Troy was recruited, in a sense, by the Midwestern snowbirds he formerly preached to at First Baptist Church of Cocoa Beach, Florida. They invited the Sunshine State native to speak at a family conference in Wisconsin. There he made introductions with a few of Grace Church’s lovely congregation, who were presently pastorless. He followed them to L’etoile du Nord in 2007. “God draws people. The Bible draws people. Love draws people. It’s no coincidence that Grace Church has the same effect on people. They come here for worship, teaching, growth, and community to which they feel true belonging. “The world is a fractured place right now. People are starving for truth, and for purpose – the very same gifts God gave to the world when He sent His only Son, and which are still in free supply. Our nondenominational church is here to help anyone accept them.” CONTINUED >

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Pastor Troy Dobbs

Up to four thousand two hundred souls can fill Grace Church’s pews on any given Sunday. It’s a moving scene, to say the least – vast, yet intimate, where hearts thrum in unison as Pastor Troy speaks in an accent as sweet as Key lime pie. “But we’re much more than Sundays here at Grace Church,” said Pastor Troy. “In fact, during the last year alone, more than ninety thousand people who walked through our doors had nothing to do with the church itself. Our original goal of becoming a linchpin of our community has come to full fruition, which is why we now host public gatherings of all shapes and sizes. Craft shows. School events. Hennepin Technical College and various southwest metro high school graduations. Sport meets and competitions, which we have just the gymnasium for. If our community has any need for our beautiful sixty-acre campus and three hundred sixty thousand square-foot building, then it’s fully welcome to them.” The Women’s Ministry, where sisters in Christ learn and live out the Gospel. The Men’s Ministry, where sons of Adam become men of the Word. The Co, where fellowship and guidance await believers in their twenties and thirties. Marriage Ministries, which provides Bible-based insights into navigating that most sacred yet oftentimes baffling social contract. The Special Needs Ministry,

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which provides classes and support for families impacted by disabilities. Grace Beginnings Academy, and Grace Kids, which reveal age-appropriate Biblical truths to the heritage from the Lord. The re:generation program, which offers discipleship to those seeking recovery from any type of struggle. The Grace Cafe, which isn’t an especially religious place but which has got dynamite stuff for coffee lovers. Grace Church’s light shines on all subsets of creation. “And our work extends well beyond our campus,” added Pastor Troy. “I normally try to refrain from feeling pride, but I can’t help but take it from Stop the Trafficking. It’s the southwest metro’s largest 5K, which we organize, and which draws eleven to thirteen hundred runners in support of eradicating human trafficking each year. “We’re always trying to figure out new methods for spreading the Gospel. There is no greater way to honor Jesus Christ than by sharing and respecting His word. That’s the higher calling – mankind’s true purpose, and precisely what you stand to gain by joining us at Grace.” Grace Church is located at 9301 Eden Prairie Road. Visit this Sunday, or go to Grace.church to learn more.

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LIFE TIME

Stronger Together ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

S ELF CA R E | FI TNES S

I’m pretty strong for a magazine writer. I can bench two hundred (maybe two hundred fifty) magazines, tops. And I became that way the least fun way there is: by lifting weights in my basement, alone.

“Wherever you are on your fitness journey, you never have to be there alone. Join Life Time today to connect with our amazing and supportive community!” Life Time is the polar opposite of my creepy writer basement. Their two Eden Prairie locations are airy and sumptuous – country clubs sans golf courses, really. They offer weight training and every other imaginable avenue to wellness. And most importantly, Life Time is brimming with life. There you’ll rub elbows with your neighbors. You’ll make new friends. You’ll get your heart pumping in the kind of warm, inspiring, convivial atmosphere that can only be created by passionate staff! “My passion, purpose to serve, and DNA are all Life Time,” said Kevin Ahmann, general manager of Life Time Eden Prairie Athletic. “I grew up in this industry as a trainer and performer, so I’ve seen a lot – and what I like about Life Time is our mission and vision. They’re the reason I am here and will remain here.

“We create an environment where superlative luxury meets exceptional fitness. It’s a vibe in which every member feels seen and recognized, and is reminded of why they joined Eden Prairie’s best-inclass resort at the moment of their arrival. “We have it all: tennis, an indoor and outdoor pool, cycling, cardio machines, weights and weight machines, saunas, whirlpool tubs, cold plunge, and even eucalyptus steam rooms. And because we’re much more than a gym, we also have a cafe, restaurant, beauty spa, nail salon, massage, medispa, and kids programming for ages three months through eleven years. “Out of everything we offer, I’m most passionate about our team and performers who deliver Life Time’s best-in-class Signature Group Training CONTINUED >

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(SGT) programs. These take our members’ health and fitness goals to the next level by creating group training experiences filled with motivation and accountability. “Our SGT programs are fun, innovative, and taught by talented and passionate performers who can make even the largest group feel like one-on-one training to everyone present. They deliver real results because they’re grounded in real science. And most importantly, they bring people together, which I truly believe is how people are meant to exercise.” GTX: a high-octane yet accessible blend of strength and cardio, and perfect point of entry to many new members. Alpha: Olympic-style strength training, with advanced cardio and metabolic conditioning added in for good measure. Ultra Fit: Life Time’s most intense treadmill workout, where competitive athletes achieve new personal records. “Those are our bread-and-butter SGT programs,” continued Kevin. “But we’re always developing the next big thing here at Life Time, which is why I’m especially excited for the latest additions to our lineup. Core, Tone, Reform (CTR), our newest athletic class, brings the proven techniques of Pilates to life with music, rhythm, and drive. Life Time currently offers thirty CTR classes per week. They are all waitlisted. We’ve also recently added MB360, which centers on the mental side of physical training. It’s about meditation and mindfulness, and conditioned around strength, endurance, and everyday movement. MB360 is already garnering a huge buzz among our members, who have found it to help with everything from posture and balance to stamina and weight loss. “ARORA, which is Life Time’s community for active older adults, has become a mainstay in many senior members’ routines since its introduction in 2022. It’s an expansive program, and includes group yoga, chair fitness, aqua classes, a lower-intensity version of GTX called ‘ARORA Fit,’ and a walk club. The classes focus on everyday essentials: strength, cardiovascular health, balance, and flexibility, all adapted to different ability levels and taught by instructors who specialize in training this age group. “And of course there’s that ever-popular form of exercise across all age groups: pickleball. As the biggest destination for the sport in the country,

S ELF CA R E | FI TNES S

Life Time offers open play, league competition, clinics, and mixers that conclude in our on-site restaurant. ‘Pickleball and Beer’ and ‘Pickleball and Wine’ are just a couple types of our pickleball socials that I enjoy best! “Wherever you are on your fitness journey, you never have to be there alone. Join Life Time today to connect with our amazing and supportive community!” Life Time Crosstown is located at 6233 Baker Road, Eden Prairie; Life Time Eden Prairie Athletic, 755 Prairie Center Drive. Visit LifeTime.life today to learn more!

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T H R E E CI T I E S OF SPA I N CH E E SEC A K E A Special Treat in Celebration of Eden Prairie Lifestyle's Annual Health & Wellness Issue

Serving Suggestion

No, cheesecake wasn’t invented in New York. That’s a common belief, with menus everywhere offering “New York Cheesecake,” and Big Apple delis serving skyscraper slabs of the stuff. Cheesecake dates back to the ancient Greeks, who made it with honey and yeast. By the 1700s, European bakers were using eggs, but it still wasn’t the cheesecake we know and love. That

had to wait till 1872, when cream cheese was invented. Bakers discovered that this was the ideal ingredient, and really went to town … the town being New York. Gotham is still the star of the cheesecake world, but our recipe comes from a Santa Fe coffeehouse called Three Cities of Spain. It closed years ago, but its cheesecake lives on.

ARTICLE BY BILL SCHELLER

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

THREE CITIES OF S PA I N C H E E S E C A K E Ingredients:

Crust • 2 cups finely ground graham crackers • 1/3 cup sugar • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted Filling • 2 8oz. packages cream cheese • 4 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla • 1 cup sugar Topping: • 1 pint sour cream • 2 tbsp sugar • 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Crust Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place graham crackers in a Ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin, or use a food processor. Mix with sugar and melted butter. Pack tightly on the bottom and along the sides of a 10” springform pan. (A flat-bottomed mug is useful for this.) Bake for 15 minutes, until light golden brown. Set aside. Filling Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, then add vanilla and sugar and beat at low speed until well mixed. Scrape sides of bowl as you go along. Put the springform pan with crust in a shallow baking pan (to catch drips). Pour in the filling. Bake on the middle oven shelf for 45 minutes, or until cake is set 3 inches from edge but center is still slightly wobbly. Let stand in the baking pan on a rack for 5 minutes. Leave the oven on. Topping Stir together the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla. Spoon topping onto cake and spread gently, smoothing evenly. Bake cake with topping for 10 minutes. After removing the cake from the oven, run a knife around the top edge to loosen it from the pan, and cool completely in the pan on the rack. The cake will continue to set as it cools. Chill, loosely covered, for at least 6 hours. Remove the side from the pan and transfer cake to a plate, leaving the pan bottom attached. Bring to room temperature before serving.

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New Year, New You Get in Shape FAST With These Neat Tips ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER Fitness? Yeah. I know all about fitness … “fitness” Philly cheesesteak in my mouth, that is. But it is possible that you are actually serious about getting fit this year, and even just recently made a resolution that you absolutely must follow or else you’ll have to wait a whole ‘nother year before making it again. Dreadful!

GET A DOG Want to exercise with encouragement from a cute pal? Get a dog (or another dog, if you already have one or more dogs). Your new dog will require walks, or else (s)he will become an irascible scoundrel who: • Chews on your priceless antique furniture • Wakes you up by barking at odd hours of the night • Growls rudely And do you know what else walks do, aside from civilizing the dog? They burn calories. You and your dog will be ready for swimsuit season before either of you know it.

DO EXTREME SPORTS The Eden Prairie Lifestyle editorial team has conducted exhaustive market research*, and determined that the average Eden Prairie Lifestyle reader is an inveterate adrenaline junkie. It’s a trait all magazine readers share! Tightrope walking across the Grand Canyon. BASE jumping off the IDS Center. Saying truly rude things to big, scary-looking dudes and then running away real fast. Are all of these activities legal, or even advisable? No. But you can’t argue that they won’t burn calories. *Disclaimer: We actually did not.

EDU CAT ION COR N E R | FIT N E SS

Don’t worry. If you live in an area where Eden Prairie Lifestyle is distributed, then you are never alone. You have Eden Prairie Lifestyle, which is rammed full of neat tips on how to live healthier, get fitter, and just generally be more healthier and fitter than you currently are.

Follow any of the following tips if you want to add multiple decades to your life. Follow them all if you wish to achieve immortality, which may ultimately inconvenience you as you become the only sentient organism remaining in our solar system once the sun burns out five billion years from now (give or take a couple of years).

EAT HEALTHY Enjoy salads.* *Disclaimer: Do not eat healthy at the expense of failing to dine regularly with beloved Eden Prairie Lifestyle sponsors Baker’s Ribs, Butcher and Bartender, The Hearth, Office Golf, and Tavern 4&5. Make sure to also patronize Sergeant Shortbread and Nothing Bundt Cakes. What – are you supposed to stop eating cookies and cakes altogether just because you’re trying to be healthier? Ha! A ridiculous proposition, even for a disclaimer to pose for rhetorical effect.

READ EDEN PRAIRIE LIFESTYLE The Eden Prairie Lifestyle editorial team recently hooked up scientific equipment to rats’ brains and then instructed the rats to read Eden Prairie Lifestyle. Here’s what we learned until the rats started biting us: • Reading Eden Prairie Lifestyle increases brain activity by over ninety-five percent • Increased brain activity resulting from reading Eden Prairie Lifestyle requires the body to burn so many calories • Rats are surprisingly good biters Want even more neat health and fitness tips? Consult the internet.

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AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. KYLE GILLETT

The New Frontier of Health

Why do so many people feel exhausted, foggy, or unwell, even when their medical tests insist everything is “fine”? Why are we prescribed quick fixes instead of being given real answers? Across modern medicine, a shift is happening. More patients are demanding real explanations, and more clinicians are rethinking what “healthcare” should actually mean. Leading that shift is Dr. Kyle Gillett, a dual board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine and an expert in metabolic, hormonal, and preventive health. Through his clinic, research, and The Gillett Health Podcast, he’s become a trusted voice for people seeking science-based, root-cause solutions rather than symptom-based band-aids. “Functional medicine is really ‘root cause medicine,’” Dr. Gillett often says. “It’s about asking why the problem exists and not just quieting the noise.” In this Q&A, Dr. Gillett breaks down the most common questions he hears from patients and offers simple, actionable guidance anyone can begin using today.

1. “WHY DO I FEEL AWFUL EVEN THOUGH MY LABS ARE ‘NORMAL’?”

Dr. Gillett: I like to say, “There is no such thing as ‘we’ve done everything.’” We can always dig deeper. Often, the labs ordered are the wrong type of assay, or important markers like ferritin or SHBG—which binds testosterone and estrogen—are completely missed. Beyond lab work, there are other factors: mitochondrial health, sleep quality, mental health, and even how sensitive your dopamine and serotonin receptors are. “Normal” labs do not always equal normal physiology for you.

2. “HOW DO I FIX MY ENERGY, BRAIN FOG, OR SLEEP WITHOUT 20 MEDICATIONS?”

Dr. Gillett: Start with a good, comprehensive lab panel to assess nutrients and hormones. Then build the foundation with sleep. My favorite tool is the 10/3/2/1/0 rule: • 10 hours before bed: No caffeine • 3 hours: Avoid large meals and alcohol • 2 hours: No vigorous exercise • 1 hour: No bright blue or white light • 0: No snoozing and no inconsistent sleep/wake times

M UST SE E | HEALTH + W ELLN E SS

U N D E R S TA N D I N G T H E “WHY” BEHIND WELLNESS ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES AND PROVIDED

Aim for 7+ hours of high-quality sleep. When sleep improves, energy almost always follows.

3. “IS MY GUT ACTUALLY CAUSING ALL THESE OTHER PROBLEMS?”

Dr. Gillett: Gut health influences most major health issues, but it’s rarely the only problem. Diet is my second pillar of health for a reason. Exercise, sleep, and stress reduction all improve gut function too. Even simple tools like self-hypnotherapy apps can reduce gut-related symptoms.

4. “WHAT CAN I DO RIGHT NOW, TODAY, TO START FEELING BETTER?”

Dr. Gillett: Focus on the pillars of health: diet, exercise, sleep, stress, sunlight, social connection, and spiritual health. Treat them like habits and find ways to make them enjoyable or easy to start. Supplements and medications are supportive tools, not substitutes. Think of them like turbo chargers: they enhance a system that’s already functioning.

A FINAL WORD FROM DR. GILLETT

“The goal isn’t to tell people what to do, rather it’s to give them the information they need to decide what’s best for themselves.” By understanding the why behind your symptoms, labs, and lifestyle choices, you become the driver, not the passenger, of your health journey.

To hear the extended conversation with Dr. Kyle Gillett, scan the QR code for an exclusive podcast episode.

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JANUARY 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S

D EC E M BE R 3 1 ST

Fat Pants Brewing Co. New Years Eve Celebration 8335 Crystal View Rd, Eden Prairie | 7pm-1am Ring in 2026 with Eden Prairie’s own brewery! This high-energy NYE bash is filled with great live DJ music, equally great beer, and vibes. Your $25 ticket includes: midnight champagne toast, interactive photobooth, prizes, surprises, and the greatest time you’ll have this year and next! FatPantsBrewing.com JA NUA RY 1 ST

Body Pump at the Eden Prairie Community Center 16700 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie | 6-7am Don’t have too much fun during New Years. Fitness instructor Marie G. expects you at Body Pump first thing in the morning! This revolutionary strength workout challenges all major muscle groups with squats, presses, lifts, and curls as you strengthen, tone, and define your entire body. Please arrive five to ten minutes early for setup. EdenPrairieMN.gov JA NUA RY 2 2 N D

Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce State of the City Luncheon 11840 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie | 11:30am-1pm Hear about YOUR city! This member-favorite catered event invites members of the community to hear from city leaders and ask questions about our town’s future. Featuring presentations by Eden Prairie Schools superintendent Josh Swanson, City of Eden Prairie manager Rick Getschow, and Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce president Pat MulQueeny. EPChamber.org

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Add a little bit of bod©2024 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. y text

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