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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Happy February!

February 2023 PUBLISHER

Greg Gewalt | greg.gewalt@citylifestyle.com STAFF WR ITER

Jordan Gray | editorial@meridiancitylifestyle.com

As we welcome the start of a new month, we at Meridian Lifestyle are excited to bring you a fresh batch of content that celebrates all things about living in Treasure Valley. From fashion to home decor, travel to beauty, we strive to inspire and elevate your daily life. This month, we’re highlighting the art of indulgence with a special focus on experiences for you and your loved one. With the winter weather and busy schedules taking a toll on our bodies and minds, it’s important to carve out time and treat yourselves to a little extra pampering. In our latest issue, we showcase some of the best experiences and self-care ideas to help you relax and rejuvenate. We’re also taking you on a virtual tour of some of Idaho’s most breathtaking and exclusive destinations — from an epic five-course feast in a snow-covered mountain yurt to a brunch or dinner cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene while watching elk, moose or a migrating population of bald eagles. But it’s not all about the material things—we believe that true luxury is also about living life to the fullest and finding joy in simple pleasures, whether it’s after 26 years of marriage or exploring creative ways for new love and date nights. As always, our partners have the latest fashion and beauty trends to keep you looking and feeling your best. From bold and colorful statement pieces to natural and radiant skincare routines, we’ve got you covered. We hope this month’s issue helps you escape the winter blues and embrace a more luxurious and fulfilling lifestyle. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for daily inspiration and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our team’s adventures. Thank you for your continued support, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for us.

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Kendall Houlton | kendall.houlton@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Jordan Gray, Shelly West, Pamela Kleibrink Thompson, Tara Bruner, Sarah Larson CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Tara Bruner, Aisling Gammill

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Meridian Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Meridian 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 without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Meridian Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

inside the issue The Local Love Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

16 Keeping a Marriage Fresh

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Inspired By

Locally Sourced

Must See

Travel Journal

Happy Hour

Healthy Lifestyle

Our Town

Fueling the Spark

22 Love is Blind

A Sensory Experience with Wine & Chocolate

38 Mixing It Up

Mixologist Aisling Gammill Shakes Things Up on Netflix’s “Drink Masters”

44 The Key to a Healthy Heart

LI FE + C U LT U R E FO O D + B EV ER AGE

ENT ERTA I NMENT LI FE + C U LT U R E

FO O D + B EV ER AGE HEA LT H + WELLNES S

ENT ERTA I NMENT

February is American Heart Month: Eating to Better Heart Health with the Right 5-A-Day Mix

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Courtesy of Aisling Gammill Netflix’s “Drink Masters” featured Aisling Gammill and 11 other contestants in a competition to determine the best mixologist around. Aisling’s cocktail, “When the Smoke Clears,” won her the show’s very first challenge, reinventing the margarita.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

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K E E P ING A MARRIAGE

F R E SH Fueling the Spark

ARTICLE BY SHELLY WEST | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

The spark ignites when you fall in love, and then you nosedive into fiery love oblivion. It’s natural to romanticize the notion of happily ever after. It’s part of the human condition. After you say I-do and the honeymoon period is over, real life sets in, and that is when the work begins. It’s not easy to make the doldrums of the day-to-day repetition exciting. You have jobs, school, kids, church, and other obligations that take you in directions that often interfere with your balance. Whether you have been married for six months or sixty years, it is important to keep your marriage alive. You need to work at keeping your relationship a priority. Spending the rest of your life with just one person is both comforting and daunting because we want that lifelong stability but also worry about whether we have made the right decision. Namely that the person you chose is actually yours forever. Ultimately, we all seek someone to walk hand in hand with down life’s pathways. The journey is a shared one; all of the experiences, good and bad, are encountered together. They say whom you choose to marry should also be your best friend. I agree with this notion wholeheartedly. I have been married to my husband, photographer Jonni Armani, for 26 years. We were high school sweethearts and dated for nearly ten years before getting married. Without realizing it, we learned early on how to keep things interesting. We worked hard all week to play hard on the weekends. We sought new adventures and traveled extensively around our region. Our zest for seeking adventures has taken us to many exciting places over the years, and after having three kids, we haven’t let that stop our quest to explore new roads.

Jonni Armani and Shelly West

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

Having been together for over three decades, we are often asked what we do to keep our relationship thriving. I often have to stop and think about it. There are many different answers that I could come up with depending on the day. Like most, we have our good and our bad days. What works one day may not work the next. The principal thing you can do in a marriage is to keep the communication flowing. It may not always be the most important conversation, but sometimes those talks may be life-altering. It doesn’t matter, just as long as you practice talking to each other. It’s easy to sink into parenthood, your jobs, or other distractions that are innately designed to create a wedge between you. If you are a couple pulled in a hundred different directions at any given moment, schedule a time for the two of you. It doesn’t need to be a long session; just set aside time to touch base with each other.

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

To that end, find ways to infuse laughter into your lives. They say laughter is the best medicine, and I can’t agree more. My husband is probably one of the funniest people I have ever known. He had me laughing from the moment I met him, and he still makes me smile and giggle and sometimes guffaw. Sharing a laugh with your spouse clears stress and opens things up for more meaningful dialogue, and the bonus: some studies show laughter releases feel-good hormones. Send each other little notes during the day. It doesn’t take much to send a quick text message that lets your person know you are thinking about them, even if it’s just an emoji. Make time for each other. We schedule frequent date nights. You must date your spouse. Before having kids, we could go out whenever possible, but after having kids, sneaking away is not always easy. If you have kids, get a babysitter, and do something together that encourages you to enjoy each other’s company and reminds you why you got together in the first place. You did not join your kids’ lives; they joined yours. Also, going on date night does not mean you have to spend a fortune or do something beyond your means. Go for a walk along a romantic path, rent a canoe on a lake, go see a show, or grab a cup of coffee. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do it together. Lastly, always remember to maintain your interests; that is what made you the person your spouse married.

“DON’T MARRY THE PERSON

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LOV E IS BLIND A Sensory Experience with Wine & Chocolate

Love may be blind, but what do the other senses have to say? Taste, feel, smell… Smell just happens to be the strongest sense going straight to the brain and it has the strongest connection to memories and emotions. For me, its just like smelling lilac—I will smell lilac and forever be taken back to early summer childhood days. Memories associated with smell can last a lifetime. Experiences that incorporate more than one sense can create stronger emotional connections and bonding experiences. Since this is the month for love and connections, let’s explore a more sensual and creative way

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TARA BRUNER

LOCA LLY SOU R CE D | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

to experience date nights. Let’s turn off our sense of sight and let the other senses play. Grab a blindfold, two different bottles of wine—we suggest a red and a white, and at least three different types of chocolate. Out of sight of your partner, pour a half glass of each of the wines into different glasses and plate the chocolates. Have your partner sit down somewhere comfortable but safe for wine glasses (stemless work best in this scenario—less chance of tipping over). Once seated, blindfold them and then bring the wines and the chocolates over. It doesn’t matter which

to taste first, this is just for fun. Have them—and help guide their hands to the plate or glass—smell first. What do they smell—fruitiness, sweetness, cocoa, espresso? Then they can go for texture. Is it a smooth ganache, a rough and nutty bark, a velvety taste of pure dark chocolate? Or how about the wine? What does the wine feel like in the mouth? Do you feel it on the tip of your tongue, the back sides of your cheeks? Does it feel linear, sharp, round? Have fun, there’s no wrong answer. And of course taste, the best part! How much detail can they use to describe the flavors? This doesn’t have to be

a guess-the-flavor exercise—maybe unless you want to get competitive? A reward of each correct guess equalingfive minutes of a back or shoulder massage might be incentive enough! Next date, role reversal with different sensory objects. When it comes to attraction, we shouldn’t ignore our senses. Letting loose and showing your playful side just may spike that dopamine needed to keep that spark going. It was inevitable, the Chocolat Bar and Olive and Vyne’s Wine Shop are now side by side in Eagle.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

President Deborah Hertzog talks about ETC's first production.

Directors Joseph Wright and Rick Andersen will direct ETC's first shows.

M UST SE E | EN TERTA INME NT

Alan Mortimer and Tara Bastian perform a scene at an ETC Community Gathering.

ARTICLE BY JORDAN GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY EAGLE THEATRE COMPANY

break leg A

The lights go up. The actors hit their marks. And three years after its first planning meeting, Eagle Theatre Company (ETC) will see its first production come to life. “Having lived in Eagle for over 20 years and seen the growth and influx of new people, I was sure Eagle could support its own theater,” cofounder, charter board member, and ETC president Deborah Hertzog said. Hertzog wasn’t alone. “I addressed the Eagle Arts Commission (EAC) in December 2019 and shared my interest in starting a theatre in Eagle,” she said. “Following the EAC meeting, Vicki Walch, one of the commissioners, shared that a 2018 Arts Survey showed interest in the performing arts and that a ‘performing arts working group’ had met to share ideas. Bethany Bertulis had participated in this group and soon the three of us stepped up as cofounders of a new theatre.” The ETC board picked up additional volunteers, Kathryn Hendricksen and Jim Walch, and settled on Eagle Theatre Company as a name. COVID paused everything, but the group picked back up in 2021 with a roundtable discussion at Eagle City Hall: ‘Let’s Start a Community Theatre.’

EAGLE THEATRE COMPANY TAKES THE STAGE WITH FIRST PRODUCTION

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

The cast of "Graceland" appear at the December ETC Community Gathering.

Issac Chavez

M UST SE E | EN TERTA INME NT

“In the course of a year, more dedicated volunteers (Linda Odom, Irina Kazakova, Ross Ely, and Siobhan Reynolds) joined the board,” Hertzog said. “We developed bylaws, a business plan, launched a charter membership drive, kicked off a fundraising plan, bimonthly Community Gatherings, and planned our first production, ‘An Evening of One-Acts.’” The one-acts, “A Mad Breakfast” and “Graceland,” will play at Eagle Performing Arts Center (1125 E. State Steet) January 27, 28, and 29, and February 11 and 12, and at the Idaho Association of Community Theatre Festival (100 E. Fort Street, Boise) February 3 and 4. “Deciding to participate in the festival was a manageable goal, and gave us a direction and a timeline,” Hertzog said. “It’s a really fun ride to be able to work with a startup,” “A Mad Breakfast” director Rick Anderson said. “Everything’s new. Everything’s the first time. It’s a tremendous amount of positive energy. This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to help establish a community theater.” “Taking the first steps with a new theatre company is always an exciting prospect,” “Graceland” director Joseph Wright said. “It’s like creating the first page of a memory book, knowing that as a director, you will be giving audiences their first impression of what lies ahead. It’s even more interesting that the first production is a double-dip: two one-acts with two different styles and directors.” “An Evening of One-Acts” will serve as the first of two productions in ETC’s inaugural partial season, with a full-length play planned for the end of April. ETC plans to stage its first full season in 2023-2024, utilizing the EPAC space. “We brainstormed various possibilities in Eagle for a venue,” Hertzog said. She met with Liz Keller, the director of EPAC (a ballet school) and the Idaho Regional Ballet. “Liz gave me a tour, and I knew their black box theatre would work great for ETC. Liz shared they had always wanted their venue to be utilized by community groups, so our partnership was established right then. We lease space for our Community Gatherings and will hold our future productions at EPAC.” If performing arts are your thing, ETC is ready for you. “There’s a place for everybody at ETC: on stage, backstage, or in the audience,” Hertzog said. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit eagletc.org.

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

ARTICLE BY PAMELA KLEIBRINK THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Romantics Take Heart HOT WAYS TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY

Whether you’ve spent many years together or this is the first Valentine’s Day you’ll share, here are some hot ideas that will fan the flames of passion. “Coeur” means heart in French and what better getaway than Coeur d’Alene for Valentine’s Day? Dine by candlelight on a four-course feast catered by the Coeur d’Alene Resort at the privately owned Idaho Wildlife Museum, while being serenaded with live performances of arias and operas, and helping non-profits. Only $200 per couple—all proceeds will be donated to a featured charity. NightAtMuseum.org Delight in brunch or dinner on a Love on the Lake Valentine’s Cruise February 10, 11, 12 and 14. Explore the northern bays of Lake Coeur d’Alene and spot wildlife like elk or moose or a migrating population of bald eagles that visit the area to feed on spawning kokanee salmon. Savor delicious food, including pink heart macarons. cdaCruises.com

CONTINUED >

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | L IFE + CULTURE

Blue Moon Yurt. Photo: Jamie Laidlaw

W h eth e r you’ve s pe nt m a ny yea rs t ogeth e r or th i s i s th e f i rst Va l e nt i n e’s D ay you’l l s h a re , h e re a re som e h ot i d ea s th a t w i l l fa n th e f l a m e s of pa s s i on .

Burgdorf Hot Springs. Photo: Chad Case

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

“ Ta m a ra c k o f fe r s m u c h m o re t h a n s k i i n g a n d s n o w b o a rd i n g . G u e s t s l o o k i n g fo r a d v e n t u re a n d a c t i v i t i e s a way f ro m t h e s l o p e s w i l l f i n d 1 5 m i l e s o f d og-f r i e n d ly s n o w s h o e i n g , fa t- b i k i n g a n d No rd i c s k i t ra i l s a s w e l l a s g u i d e d i c e -f i s h i n g t r i p s o n n e a r b y L a k e C a s c a d e . O r, i f y o u p re fe r s o m e re l a x a t i o n a n d re j u v e n a t i o n , t h e n i n d u lge i n o n e o f t h e re s t o ra t i v e t re a t m e n t s a t t h e re va m p e d S p a a t Ta m a ra c k .” — Wo l fe A s h c ra f t , V P Ma rk e t i n g a n d O p e ra t i o n s , Ta m a ra c k Re s o r t

Fat Biking at Tamarack. Photo: Sherri Harkin

Sweets at Konditorei. Photo: Kevin Syms, Sun Valley Resort

Champagne Living at The Grove Hotel. Photo: Tony Andrew, Grove Hotel

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | L IFE + CULTURE

Embrace winter’s romance and your partner with a classic horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy hills and enjoy the scenic views from Bald to Proctor Mountain in Sun Valley. Cuddle your special someone at the iconic five-star Sun Valley Lodge. Originally built in 1936, it’s been completely reborn, with a luxurious 20,000-square-foot spa, heated pool, and fitness center. Treat yourself and your sweetheart to a sweet fresh baked pastry at the Austrian-inspired Konditorei. Admire celebrity photos and maybe spot a few stars yourself while enjoying the ambiance, elegance and glamour of a bygone era. In the evening, soak in the pool and gaze at the stars overhead. SunValley.com Burgdorf (near McCall), “the historic hot springs homestead resort has been family owned for nearly 150 years, since 1923, when Jim Harris purchased the resort from Fred Burgdorf. Current family owners for the past 54 years have striven to preserve the unique historical authentic turn-of-the-century 1900 atmosphere, to share with guests a relaxed, peaceful experience,” shared owner Scott Harris. Reservations required. Snowmobile required in winter. BurgdorfHotsprings.com Just 90 miles north of Boise, Tamarack Resort is an all-season destination and home to the country’s newest alpine village with luxurious, mountain-modern lodging options and 1,100+ acres of lift-accessed terrain. “Tamarack offers much more than skiing and snowboarding,” noted Wolfe Ashcraft, VP of marketing and operations at Tamarack Resort. “Guests looking for adventure and activities away from the slopes will find 15 miles of dog-friendly snowshoeing, fat-biking and Nordic ski trails as well as guided ice-fishing trips on nearby Lake Cascade. Or, if you prefer some relaxation and rejuvenation, then indulge in one of the restorative treatments at the revamped Spa at Tamarack.” Bring romance into your relationship by learning how to rub each other the right way from Tamarack’s certified massage therapist. You can also treat yourself and your loved one to a massage and facials in your own space with your favorite tunes and fireplace burning. TamarackIdaho.com

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Relax at the Spa. Photo: Kevin Syms, courtesy Sun Valley Resort FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

If your partner is passionate about pucks sliding over ice, book a suite at the Idaho Central Arena in Boise to watch the Idaho Steelheads hockey team face off against the Tulsa Oilers (February 8, 10 and 11) or the Maine Mariners (February 22, 24 and 25). Skate on the same ice as hockey players at the public skate February 26 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Or catch comedian Jo Koy on February 4. Don’t feel like battling traffic after the game or show? Share a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider and chocolate truffles in your room at The Grove while you enjoy the sunset over a fabulous view of Downtown Boise. IdahoCentralArena. com and GroveHotelBoise.com His name means love. On February 7, Amor Towles will appear at the Morrison Center as part of The Cabin’s Readings & Conversations Series. MorrisonCenter.com A hot spot just 45 minutes from Boise, The Springs in Idaho City opened on Valentine’s Day in 2013. A 40’ x 80’ geothermal pool or a 16’ hot tub raising the mercury to 104 degrees are two options at this hot springs resort located on 80 acres of wooded bliss. Another option is to rent a private pool. Too relaxed to drive home? Inn The Pines, located less than a mile from the Springs, makes for a perfect overnight getaway. TheSpringsID.com and InnThePines.com Once in a blue moon you’ll have an experience like dining at Blue Moon Yurt in Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall. This unique culinary recipe for fun combines cross-country skiing or snowshoeing into the woods by torchlight with a panoply of stars overhead, a warm cozy yurt lit by candles, and an epic five-course feast. Owner Lisa Whisnant shared, “The natural world inspires us. We love to cook outdoors. It makes us feel a wee bit primal which truly ignites our love of gatherings, bringing humanity and the natural world together in a very magical setting. The Blue Moon Yurt instigates joy and we think that’s the perfect recipe for life.” BluemoonYurt.com Take these ideas to heart and create a perfect day for yourself and your special someone. Sun Valley Resort pool. Photo: Hillary Maybery, courtesy Sun Valley Resort

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

Mixing It Up MIXOLOGIST AISLING GAMMILL SHAKES THINGS UP ON NETFLIX’S “DRINK MASTERS” Aisling (Ash-leen) Gammill of Boise can now add a new line to her resume: Netflix star. Netflix’s “Drink Masters” featured Gammill and 11 other contestants in a competition to determine the best mixologist around. “We had to find the intersection between what is bartending and what is high-level craft,” she said. “People can’t smell your drinks. People can’t taste your drinks. You have to make a drink that someone who is watching on a screen can get the vibe of, without having any other help with the sensory inputs. It was like this weird alternate universe of where bartending meets TV.” Aisling’s cocktail, “When the Smoke Clears,” won her the show’s very first challenge, which was to reinvent the margarita. “Every challenge, I really tried to do something that I had never done before,” Gammill said. “I really tried to push myself outside of my comfort zone.” She also pointed out the difficulty in executing the different tests under a ticking clock. “High-level cocktails take a whole lot of prep on the backend,” she said. “It can take weeks, sometimes months, to get all of the different elements in place and execute them at the highest level. And so when they give you 40 minutes to do that, it’s like a lot to figure out how to do it.” For instance, in episode 2, Gammill used liquid nitrogen for the first time to make one of her specialties: bespoke ice. “I figured out how to execute apple glitter ice in under 40 minutes, which is awesome.”

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Filmed in Toronto, Canada, Gammill earned her spot on the show through Zoom auditions after a fellow bartender posted an application link. “I’m very grateful for the experience and for having the opportunity to show people what I do and what high-level craft bartending is,” she said. “Because this is the first time I think most people have seen that and I think that’s really important. And it’s so cool to have been a part of it.” Now that she’s done filming the show (you’ll have to watch to see where she placed), Gammill is back home in Boise as the owner of Jellyfish Drinks Consulting and the taproom manager for Meriwether Cider Company. With a degree in Culinary Arts and Beverage Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Gammill said she’s worked at just about every type of bar concept there is. “I really felt like my superpower was going to be in drinks,” she said. Gammill’s superpower has taken her all over. She’s kept up her education through things like the Cocktail Apprentice Program, competed across North America, and poured drinks at events like Portland (Oregon) Cocktail Week, New Orlean’s Tale of the Cocktail, Texas’ South by Southwest, and Boise’s own Treefort. Part of the appeal of bartending, Gammill said, is the conversations she gets to have. “I really like talking to people and pairing,” she said. “I feel like that’s what a good bartender does, is you talk to someone, you figure out what they’re into. And you make something and it clicks, and it’s like the perfect drink for them. I also like getting people to step out of their reality and just take a minute and hang out with me and give me their trust to make something awesome. Because a lot of times I feel like my job is to have all this education and all

ARTICLE BY JORDAN GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY AISLING GAMMILL

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this nerdy stuff so that you don’t have to. And when I can have the trust of someone for them to let me show them this new cool thing, that’s really awesome.” When not showing off her skills to big crowds, you can find her at Meriwether Cider Company. “Pretty much everybody helps do everything,” she said. “And being the taproom manager means that I try to focus on maintaining that space and helping with the programming. I bartend. I get to help in production. Sometimes I get to help dial in the flavors of ciders or brainstorm methods of how we’re going to prepare certain ciders. And I get to help bottle and package.” And while asking a bartender what their favorite spirit is may be like asking a parent to pick a favorite child, Gammill had no trouble. “My all-time favorite spirit is mezcal because it is super diverse. Every single bottle is different. The process of making mezcal means that even every distillation is different. So to me, that’s like the multiverse spirit, because there are infinite possibilities within mezcal. And it also has really, really distinct terroir. Terroir is basically everything that happens to a plant as it’s growing as it’s connected to the earth, and that has the impact on how it tastes. For mezcal, you’re tasting years of terroir at a time, which is really cool.” If you’d like to learn more about cocktails from Gammill, follow her @jellyfishdrinks on Instagram or TikTok.

H AP PY H OU R | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Want to get better at bartending? “Expensive is not always better, especially with cocktails,” Aisling Gammill said. “You want something that tastes good to you, but is reasonably priced.”

When the Smoke Clears won Gammill the show's very first challenge. Photo: Netflix

1. Get one bottle of something that excites you. 2. Make one classic shaken and one classic stirred drink. 3. Expand your repertoire. 4. Repeat with a new liquor as desired. Gammill also offered this tip: “For anybody, your brain’s only going to process about four flavors at a time. Think whatever spirit it is that you want to work with. Taste it like you would if you were tasting wine and pick out the first four things you taste. Build your drink around those four flavors and you’ll have a perfect, awesome drink every time.

The cast of "Drink Masters." Photo: Netflix

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

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The Key to a Healthy Heart

February is American Heart Month: Eating to Better Heart Health with the Right 5-A-Day Mix ARTICLE BY SARAH LARSON

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | HE ALTH + W E LLNE S S

Studies representing nearly two million adults worldwide show that eating about five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, in which two are fruits and three are vegetables, is likely the optimal amount for a longer life, according to new research published in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables help reduce risk for numerous chronic health conditions that are leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Yet, only about one in 10 adults eat enough fruits or vegetables, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “While groups like the American Heart Association recommend four to five servings each of fruits and vegetables daily, consumers likely get inconsistent messages about what defines optimal daily intake of fruits and vegetables such as the recommended amount, and which foods to include and avoid,” said lead study author Dong D. Wang, M.D., Sc.D., an epidemiologist, nutritionist, and member of the medical faculty at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Wang and colleagues analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, two studies including more than 100,000 adults who were followed for up to 30 years. Both datasets included detailed dietary information repeatedly collected every two to four years. For this analysis, researchers also pooled data on fruit and vegetable intake and death from 26 studies that included about 1.9 million participants from 29 countries and territories in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Analysis of all studies, with a composite of more than two million participants, revealed: • Intake of about five servings of fruits and vegetables daily was associated with the lowest risk of death. Eating more than five servings was not associated with additional benefit. • Eating about two servings daily of fruits and three servings daily of vegetables was associated with the greatest longevity. • Compared to those who consumed two servings of fruits and vegetables per day, participants who consumed five servings a day of fruits and vegetables had a 13% lower risk of death from all causes; a 12% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke; a 10% lower risk of death from cancer; and a 35% lower risk of death from respiratory disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). • Not all foods that one might consider to be fruits and vegetables offered the same benefits. For example, starchy vegetables, such as peas and corn; fruit juices; and potatoes were not associated with reduced risk of death from all causes or specific chronic diseases. • On the other hand, green leafy vegetables, including spinach, lettuce, and kale, and fruits and vegetables rich in beta carotene and vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, berries, and carrots, showed benefits. Wang said this study identifies an optimal intake level of fruits and vegetables and supports the evidence-based, succinct public health message of “5-a-day,” meaning individuals should ideally consume five servings

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of fruits and vegetables each day. “This amount likely offers the most benefit in terms of prevention of major chronic disease and is a relatively achievable intake for the general public,” he said. “We also found that not all fruits and vegetables offer the same degree of benefit, even though current dietary recommendations generally treat all types of fruits and vegetables, including starchy vegetables, fruit juices, and potatoes, the same.” A limitation of the research is that it is observational, showing an association between fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of death; it does not confer a direct cause-and-effect relationship. “The American Heart Association recommends filling at least half your plate with fruits and vegetables at each meal,” said Anne Thorndike, M.D., M.P.H., chair of the American Heart Association’s nutrition committee and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. “This research provides strong evidence for the lifelong benefits of eating fruits and vegetables and suggests a goal amount to consume daily for ideal health. Fruits and vegetables are naturally packaged sources of nutrients that can be included in most meals and snacks, and they are essential for keeping our hearts and bodies healthy.” If you’re interested in learning more about how you can improve your own heart health, consider working with a dietician to formulate a personalized plan that supports your vision of well-being. Visit Idaho Nutrition to learn what your options are for living your best life: IdahoNutritionAssociates.com.

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

Meridian + Valley Events FEBRUARY 2023

1-6 — COEUR D’ALENE BOAT EXPO

12 — SPRING ORCHESTRA CONCERT

Hagadone Marine Group: brands such as Regal, Cobalt, Malibu, Axis, Chris-Craft, Harris, Barletta, Cruisers Yachts, Coeur Custom. cdaResort.com

Morrison Center, 7:30 PM: Boise State University Department of Music. MorrisonCenter.com

2 — JOHN CRAIGIE At The Egyptian Theatre: EgyptianTheatre.net

3-5 — CANYON COUNTY SPRING HOME SHOW Ford Idaho Center: Local experts, Master Gardeners on hand to answer your garden questions. CanyonCountySpringHomeShow.com

8 — ADULT PAINT WITH PENGUINS Zoo Boise, 5:30 PM: paint and sip with our Magellanic penguins. ZooBoise.org

18 — PAUSE, LOOK & LISTEN Idaho Shakespeare Festival, 9:00 AM: Mindful birding approach to observing birds and being in nature. GoldenEagleAudubon.org

18 — BLACK & WHITE GALA: TURNING GOLD Boise Centre: black-tie event with wine, dinner, dancing, and special performance by Opera Idaho’s Emerging Artists. OperaIdaho.org

18 — WATERSHED WEEKEND - WONDERS OF WINTER

8-12 — BALLET IDAHO: ANTHOLOGY

The Watershed, 10:00 AM: How snowflakes are formed, how animals hibernate, or what causes an avalanche. BoiseWatershed.org

Boise State University: works by Daniel Ojeda, Jonathan Fredrickson, Danielle Rowe, and Christopher Stowell. BalletHerald.com

18/19 — SPRING DREAM WEDDING EXPO

9 — LEWIS BLACK: OFF THE RAILS

Expo Idaho at 9:00 AM: bringing the best wedding vendors in the Treasure Valley all under one roof. iblEvents.com

The Egyptian Theatre, 8:00 PM: Known as the King of Rant, Lewis Black uses his trademark style of comedic yelling and finger-pointing to expose the absurdities of life. EgyptianTheatre.net

9-11 — BOISE GOLF AND TRAVEL SHOW Expo Idaho: deals on golf rounds, equipment and golf travel. BoiseGolfShow.com

10 — WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL The Egyptian Theatre, 7:00 PM: The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is a call to action. EgyptianTheatre.net

11 — CUPID’S UNDIE RUN

18/19 — SHEN YUN Morrison Center: Classic stories of love and loss, of humor and heroic deeds, come to life. MorrisonCenter.com

21 — STEP AFRIKA Morrison Center, 7:30 PM: first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. MorrisonCenter.com

22/23 — IDAHO CONFERENCE ON REFUGEES Boise State University: Conference on Refugees is geared toward professionals working with refugees. IdahoRefugees.org

Boise, 12 noon: Race in your undies. RaceEntry.com

25 — BOISE PHILHARMONIC’S SORCERER’S APPRENTICE

11 — ST. MARK’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL AUCTION

Morrison Center: Overture to The Anonymous Lover, Gloria, Mother Goose Suite and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. MorrisonCenter.com

Boise Centre, 4:00 PM: school’s largest fundraising event of the year! StMarksBoise.com

11 — BLACK HISTORY GOSPEL WORKSHOP & CONCERT College Church of the Nazarene, 9 AM: In celebration of Black History Month, the Idaho BCA would like to invite you to a Gospel Workshop and Concert. IdahoBCA.com

12 — WEST DOWNTOWN BOISE LITTER CLEANUP Rhodes Skate Park, 1 PM: Come join us to help keep our community litter-free. CityOfBoise.org

O UR TOWN | ENTERTA INME NT

25 — LYTE SKY LANTERN FESTIVAL Location to be announced, 4:00 PM: Come with your family and friends as we Lyte the Night Skies. LyteFestival.com

26 — SNAKE RIVER CONCERT Givens Hot Springs, 3:00 PM: Michele McLaughlin and Lynn Tredeau Contemporary Solo Pianists & Composers. GivensHotsprings.com

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