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HEALTH + WELLNESS JA N UA RY 2 02 6

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Get A Quote Courtney Seibold | Agent 586.263.7500 courtneyseibold.com

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

The Year We Level Up Hello, my friends, As we step into a brand-new year, I can’t help but feel energized by all the possibilities ahead for Mount Clemens. Last year brought so many exciting changes to our downtown—from fresh renovations to a renewed sense of momentum— and I’m especially looking forward to the next phase of softscapes coming to Macomb Place. Trees, flowers, and vibrant new touches are on the way, and I truly believe our residents deserve nothing less than a beautiful, welcoming city that reflects the pride we have in our community. This Health + Wellness issue was inspired by my own journey over the past several months. I decided it was time to embrace the idea that “discipline” isn’t a dirty word after all. With the help of an app called Grit, I began tracking daily habits I wanted to strengthen. The results were honest—some great, some needing a little more consistency—but all of it reminded me that growth happens one choice, one day at a time. To help all of us stay encouraged well beyond January’s glow, our Reset: An Insider’s Guide article brings together practical wisdom from three local experts. They offer real strategies for navigating setbacks, staying motivated, and building routines rooted in compassion and sustainability—because wellness should feel attainable, not overwhelming. Our feature story, A Salted Sanctuary, invites you inside Salt Spa—a healing space inspired by a mother’s love. Owner Kristina Perillo opened her doors with the wisdom passed down from her mom, creating a warm, restorative oasis that blends wellness, intention, and heart. Captured beautifully on our cover with model Mina Alwaeli, this piece is a reminder that healing often begins in the spaces we create for ourselves and each other. We’re also thrilled to welcome Mount Clemens native AJ Moore of LivFit Training to our City Lifestyle family this month. As a personal trainer, she brings accessible, real-world wellness insight—including one of her favorite meal prep recipes—to help readers kick off the year with simple, nourishing habits. As always, thank you for supporting our advertisers, our storytellers, and our mission to celebrate every corner of this community. Here’s to a year of health, hope, and choosing ourselves—one mindful step at a time. With gratitude, K I M B E R LY J A N O W I C Z , P U B L I S H E R @MOUNTCLEMENSCITYLIFESTYLE

January 2026 PUBLISHER

Kimberly Janowicz | kimberly.janowicz@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Marshall Zweig | marshall.zweig@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Marshall Zweig, A.J. Moore, Stephanie Hasbrouck, Ana Meyer, Angela Brookerd C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Kevin Shea, A.J. Moore, Janie Jones, Sablin Stanislav, Svittlana, Louis-Paul Photo

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Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Mount Clemens City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Mount Clemens area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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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 Mount Clemens City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

It’s a New Year!

Keep Your Eye Health in Focus! Nutritional Keys For Optimal Visual Acuity A healthy diet is not only important for your overall well-being, but it is also critical for protecting your eyesight. Eating a quality diet enriched with micronutrients including carotenoids, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids is essential.

For optimal eye health, eat a diet that includes: Colorful fruits & vegetables: sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, orange peppers(beta-carotene, Vitamin A & Zeaxanthin), blueberries, avocados, oranges & zucchini (Vitamins C &E). Dark leafy greens: Kale, spinach & collard greens (Lutein). Fatty, cold-water fish or fish oil supplementation: salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel, lake trout & tuna (Omega-3 essential fatty acids). Nuts & Seeds: Walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, hickory nuts, macadamia, peanuts, hazelnuts & flax seed (Omega-3) Be proactive with your eye health! Maintain your overall wellness and book a comprehensive vision exam with Lacroix Eye Care today!

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JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

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

30 12

Featured

12 16

18 30 6

A Salted Sanctuary

Inside the healing spa inspired by a mother’s love

Meal Prep That Fuels Your Goals

Take the guesswork out of eating well with simple, balanced, customizable meal prep

Reset: An Insider’s Guide

Three local experts tell us what actually supports real well-being in the year ahead

Cheers to Cherries

Celebrate Health, Wellness & Dry January with this Superfood Mocktail

18 On the Cover

Departments

Featuring model Mina Alwaeli at Salt Spa, our cover story explores a healing sanctuary born from a mother’s love— where wellness, restoration, and heartfelt intention shape every experience.

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Healthy Lifestyle HEALTH + WELLNESS

Culinary Creations FITNESS

Local Limelight FITNESS

Eat Right FOOD + BEVERAGE

Education Corner HEALTH + WELLNESS

Photography: Kevin Shea Photography

Chef ’s Selection FOOD + BEVERAGE

Events

C H A O S S T U D I O S A L O N . C O M

93 S. MAIN ST

chaos

JANUARY 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

7 6

1: Macomb County Chamber’s 40 Under 40 Honorees: Spencer Calhoun – Commissioner, City of Mount Clemens 2: John Johnson – Agent, CIC, CRM, Nickel & Saph Insurance Agency 3: Jon Furest – Financial Coach, First Financial Coaching 4: Kyle Bruckner – Senior Intelligence Officer, 127th Wing 5: Autumn Colombo – Social Media Coordinator, Advancing Macomb 6: Amanda Minaudo – Program Director, Macomb County Planning & Economic Development 7: Michael Howard – Commissioner, Macomb County Government Photography by Hunch Free

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C I T Y SC E N E

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JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

JANUARY 2026

SHELBY’S PREMIER LUXURY WELLNESS DESTINATION

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

HALO SALT THERAPY

INFRARED SAUNA

Meet LivFit Training: Your Path to Strength, Balance & Wellness We’re excited to welcome LivFit Training—owned by Mount Clemens’ own AJ Moore—to our Mount Clemens City Lifestyle family! AJ offers personal training, group sessions, and energizing boot camp classes designed to help you build strength and confidence at any fitness level. She also offers nutrition counseling and custom meal plans to support your goals inside and outside the gym. Ready to feel stronger? Visit livfittraining.com to book your session today.

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We invite you to reap the health benefits of Halo Therapy in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere at Salt Spa.

SALTSPASCS.COM | (586) 488-1276 45923 HAYES, SHELBY TWP (HAYES + NORTH OF HALL) 10

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

Life’s a Beach Bash— Escape the Cold, Embrace the Cause!

Ditch the winter chill and dive into Kiwanisfest: Life’s a Beach Bash— Escape the Cold, Embrace the Cause! By supporting the Kiwanis Club of Mount Clemens, you're helping us change lives, assist those in need, and uplift organizations that make our community—and world— better. Join us Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 6–9 PM at Tina’s Country House. Early bird tickets are $60 through 12/31/25. $65 per person beginning January 1st. Call (586) 322-6848 for tickets. Photography by Printing by Johnson

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Kayla Kohn Joins Cabinetry By Better Bilt as Design Assistant Cabinetry By Better Bilt proudly welcomes Kayla Kohn as its newest Design Assistant. A 2024 graduate of Central Michigan University, Kayla holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design and brings a fresh, thoughtful approach to the craft. Known for her patience, creativity, and eagerness to learn, she is already embracing hands-on training with the team. The company looks forward to watching Kayla grow into the role and become a valued asset. Photography by Cabinetry By Better Bilt

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Your Premier Nail Salon Whether you’re looking for the latest nail trends or classic beauty treatments, our salon is dedicated to meeting all your needs with excellence.

Walk-ins Always Welcome • Call For An Appointment (586) 991-7740 | nailstudioutica.com 45510 Utica Park Blvd, Utica, MI JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

ARTICLE BY MARSHALL ZWEIG PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN SHEA

Salted

SA NC T UA RY Inside the healing spa inspired by a mother’s love When my wife Heather and I stepped into Salt Spa, the first thing I noticed was the scent. It was clean and oceanlike, hitting the senses the way a wave hits your ankles: soft at first, then unmistakable. I used to live in Los Angeles, so I know that salt-in-the-air purity well. It’s something you usually only find near the coast. Except somehow, it’s here in the middle of Michigan. Well… maybe not somehow. I know exactly how. Because Kristina Perillo wanted to help her son breathe. Years ago, long before she opened three Salt Spa locations across Metro Detroit, Kristina was simply a mom with a baby who had RSV and asthma. That meant sleepless nights for them both. It also meant specialists, steroids, and more questions than answers. And then her mother, an immigrant from Lebanon with her own lineage of holistic wisdom, said something that cracked the whole problem open: “Take him to the salt air.” In Florida, salt rooms soothed her son. He slept. He relaxed. He started asking—begging—to go. “That’s when I knew something real was happening,” she says. “He wouldn’t stop asking for the salt room.” Back home, Kristina told her husband Joe she wanted to build one in their house. Joe “didn’t want people lined up outside our house,” she laughs. So he found her a building instead; it became her first location, in Saint Clair Shores.

Years later, a Shelby Township facialist was closing her business. Kristina walked into the room and didn’t ask a single business question. “I just liked the feeling,” she said. “My gut told me yes.” The space is chic, simple, intentional. A neon ‘get salty’ sign winks from the wall. Heather and I don the luxurious robes and slippers Kristina provides, and settle into the salt room. The floor is salt, like sand on a beach. One entire wall, striking to behold, is built from backlit Himalayan salt bricks. I reflect back to my interview with Kristina. Most rooms like this, she told me, are “decorative. Pretty, yes. Therapeutic? Not really.” Kristina’s rooms look like sanctuaries, but they function like medicine. Heather and I can hear, smell, and even taste the salt filling the air. “It’s the generator,” I remember Kristina telling me. “Pharmaceutical-grade dry salt blowing through the air. That’s where the real benefits come from.” Those benefits? Reduced inflammation, improved skin conditions, respiratory support, sleep support, stress relief, magnesium absorption, and more. Sometimes it takes more than one session to experience these, so Salt Spa also offers a surprisingly affordable unlimited plan. “It’s like going to the gym,” Kristina explains. “You can’t expect a six-pack after one session. But stick with it and you’ll feel amazing.” Her customers agree. Regular visitor Renee Timbeau says the salt “helps my asthma. And life today is so fast-paced… I think it’s CONTINUED >

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

“It’s the generator: pharmaceutical-grade dry salt blowing through the air. That’s where the real benefits come from.”

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

Relax in solitude or with friends.

“It’s impossible to miss: the same magic that helped her son through so important to slow down. I unwind there. I usually bring a book.” Brooke Schwartz uses the spa to stay healthy all winter. “Something about the salt in my respiratory system,” Brooke explains. “I do it regularly, and I stay healthy.” And then there’s Stacey Conigliaro, the front-desk concierge who came for the experience—and stayed. “I’m not a spa girl at all,” Stacey admits. “I get more anxious sitting still, because I start thinking of all the things I could be doing.” But one visit changed her. “I left feeling so great… ten pounds lighter. My skin felt amazing. My congestion went away.” She applied for a job the next week. I tell Kristina that in L.A., there would be a line out the door at Salt Spa. She tells me she believes Michigan is “five to eight years behind” other wellness hubs, so if Salt Spa feels ahead of the curve, that’s by intention. “I want people to experience what’s possible," Kristina says. She adds that she designed Salt Spa to feel luxurious without the L.A. price tag. “Why should calm be a privilege?” she asks. I came in with a day’s worth of tension. As we breathed in the same salted air that once brought relief to a little boy, I felt my ribcage soften. We also noticed our sinuses tingling, and a lightness in the chest that moved outward. Kristina says her employees rarely get sick, simply from working around the salt every day. Her brothers use the spa religiously. Her kids clamor to come on their school breaks. Even her husband goes more than she does, often with friends. “He’s obsessed with it,” she says with a smile. It’s impossible to miss: the same magic that helped her son through his earliest struggles now extends to anyone who walks through Salt Spa’s doors. After the salt room, Heather and I try the infrared sauna, then the dry cold plunge (an innovation currently available at Salt Spa’s Royal Oak location). On the way home, I realize my body has started breathing for me again, automatically, effortlessly. The scent of the ocean is still in my sinuses.

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

his earliest struggles now extends to anyone who walks through Salt Spa’s doors.”

Red Light Therapy

Clothing Boutique

And then I hear Heather say one word: “Wow.” I ask what the wow is about. “I just feel good mentally,” she answers. “Like really good.” Interestingly, that’s exactly what Kristina said when I asked what her goal was for her clients. “I just want people to feel good,” she said. “Really, really good.” So a mother’s determination to help her son has become a gift for the whole community. Michigan winters can feel interminably long. It’s comforting to know there’s a place you can go that smells like the ocean, relaxes like an exhale… and makes you feel really, really good. Offering salt therapy, massage, infrared sauna, red light therapy, and the calmest atmosphere in town, Salt Spa is one of the community’s hidden gems located at 45923 Hayes Rd., Shelby Twp. For more info, or to book a session, visit saltspascs.com or call (586) 488-1276. MODEL: MINA ALWAELI

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

Meal Prep That FUELS YOUR GOALS ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY AJ MOORE OF LIVFIT TRAINING

If you’re starting the new year with a renewed focus on health, meal prep is one of the simplest habits that delivers big results. Long used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts, preparing your meals in advance gives you what most of us need most—consistency and control. With balanced, portioned meals ready to grab and go, healthy choices become automatic instead of aspirational. Meal prep supports your goals by preventing overeating, stabilizing daily calories, and helping you fuel your body with nutrients that boost energy, recovery, and strength. It’s also a major time and money saver. A few focused hours each week keeps you from relying on takeout, delivery, or quick-fix meals that often derail progress. Remember the 90/10 rule: aim to follow your plan most of the time, but leave room for holidays, celebrations, and life’s spontaneous moments. One off-plan meal won’t undo the work you’ve done. To keep things simple, choose one protein, one carb, and one veggie—then switch them out week to week for variety. Your journey is a new lifestyle, not a destination. This flavorful recipe is a favorite starter meal: Marinated Steak Tips with Asparagus and Couscous. It’s balanced, easy to portion, and endlessly customizable.

Mar in at ed St ea k Tips Meal P re p

INGREDIENTS:

Servings: 4 Serving Size: 3 oz steak, 1 cup couscous, 1 cup asparagus • • • • •

2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp kosher salt Juice of 1 medium lemon 2 tsp olive or avocado oil 1 tsp dried dill or oregano

1. Whisk mustard, salt, lemon juice, oil, and herbs in a medium bowl. Add steak tips and coat well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight. 2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Sear half the steak on all sides, transfer to a plate, and repeat with the remaining steak. 3. Return all steak to the pan, add a splash of water or broth to deglaze, and cook to desired doneness. Let cool.

• 1.5 lb. sirloin steak tips • 4 cups chopped asparagus* • 4 cups cooked couscous Thin asparagus can be added raw to containers to steam during reheating. Thicker asparagus can be blanched for 1 minute.

Ta ke t h e g u e s s wo r k o u t o f e a t i n g we l l w i t h simple, balanced, customizable meal prep

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F IT N E SS

DIRECTIONS:

4. Divide evenly into four containers with couscous and asparagus. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Nutrition (per serving) • Calories: 388 • Fat: 10g • Carbs: 42g* • Protein: 33g *To lower carbs, reduce couscous to ½ cup and add extra vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or Brussels sprouts.

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JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

ARTICLE BY MARSHALL ZWEIG

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SABLIN STANISLAV, SVITTLANA, LOUIS-PAUL PHOTO

Sitting outside with tea

Reset: An Insider’s Guide Three local experts tell us what actually supports real well-being in the year ahead

January in Michigan doesn’t care about your resolutions. So by the time the sparkle of the holidays fades, and the sky turns its usual shade of gray, the “new year energy” we swore we’d ride all month feels more like a flickering pilot light. The gyms are buzzing, the apps are tracking, but by the end of the month, most of us feel our resolve dissolving like breath in cold air. For our January Wellness issue, we turned to three local guides: a martial arts master, a psychologist, and a massage and nature therapist. The question: how do you build well-being that lasts longer than a resolution?

Focus on the ‘what,’ not the ‘how’

Thirty minutes with no screens

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | FI TNE SS

“We’ll say out loud what we want to do and we’re really excited about it,” Dean Romanelli says. “The problem is things get in the way.” Dean, owner and master instructor of Romanelli’s International Martial Arts, has taught thousands of kids and families how discipline becomes confidence in motion. For him, well-being starts with getting started—over and over. In his dojo, January is “black belt goal-setting season.” Kids and families write their

goals, create simple vision sheets, and put their own picture on the page. “They think they’re doing it for us,” Dean laughs. “But they’re doing it for themselves, so they can see that reminder every day.” His biggest reframe: stop waiting to have all the answers. “For years, I didn’t implement changes because I didn’t have everything planned,” he admits. “A mentor coached me to just take the first step. The ‘what’ is way more important than the ‘how.’” A first step might be flossing before bed, or doing ten minutes of your half-hour workout. “The action of just getting started is more important than completing the task,” Dean says. Momentum builds discipline.

Dean’s tips for the year ahead:

• Do something, even if it’s less than planned. Ten minutes beats zero. • Use routine as your ally. “Take care of the days,” he says, “and the years will take care of themselves.” • Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Parents can be that for their kids by asking more and telling less. “If parents asked more questions,” he says, “the whole world would change.”

Dean’s final reminder: keep the promises you make to yourself. “Even if no one else knows you skipped the task at hand, you know,” Dean notes. “And that chips away at you fast.”

Parents can brighten a child’s spirit by asking more questions and telling less.

Make room for real feelings

Dr. Karen Groth is the founder of ASK Psychological Services in Mount Clemens, where her all-women team helps clients navigate stress, relationships, and the tender realities of everyday life. “The truth I wish everyone understood,” she says, “is that there’s no such thing as perfect. We’re not meant to live in permanent happiness. We’re designed to experience the full gamut of emotions. When we start to feel the more negative ones, our alarm system goes off and we think something’s wrong with us, when it might just be a completely normal reaction.” That’s especially true in January in Michigan. “It’s our coldest and grayest month of the year,” she notes. Coming off the stress of the holidays, many people make mental health their resolution, then feel they’ve failed when they’re not “better” in three weeks. But Dr. Karen says: “Mental health is an ongoing process. We’re always on a continuum.” Her invitation for the new year: choose two or three things you’d like to see shift — lower stress, better coping, healthier relationships. Then be realistic about your timeline. “It took us years, sometimes decades, to develop our patterns,” she explains. “It’s going to take time to un-develop them.” Dr. Karen’s simple, science-backed tools: • Name what you want to work on. Two clear intentions beat a vague “I should feel better.” • Lean into social support. “Talking is huge,” she says. “Lots of times people don’t want problem-solving; they just want you to listen.” Dr. Karen says the key is being honest. “People think sharing makes them a burden,” she explains, “but being real and open is one of the strongest protectors of our mental health.” • Return to the basics. “I really wish people would learn to get along again,” she says. “We don’t have to agree or like everybody. We just need to remember the messages we learned in kindergarten: everyone has different experiences, and everyone brings something valuable to the table.” Her last reminder: “You don’t need a mental health diagnosis to see a therapist. A lot of people who show up don’t have one. They just have life.”

Let your nervous system exhale

Dean helped us get in motion; Dr. Karen helped us understand. Susan Laurent, owner of Natural Healing Therapeutic Massage, PLLC, helps us calm. Susan is a licensed and board-certified massage therapist, and a certified forest therapy guide; she helps clients regulate their nervous systems through touch, nature, and intentional rest. “Calm your body, and your mind naturally follows,” she says. “Massage doesn’t just loosen tight muscles; it shifts your whole system out of stress mode. As the body softens, breathing slows, the heart rate settles, and thoughts quiet.” Susan also guides people in the restorative gifts of being outdoors. “You don’t need to meditate, hike, or know anything about trees,” she explains. “Just walking slowly, noticing the sky, or sitting beside a tree lowers stress and boosts your immune system.”

This past year, her own nervous system reset came from a different kind of release: Susan deleted all her social media. “Instagram, Facebook, all of it,” she says. “I didn’t realize how overstimulated my brain was until it wasn’t. Removing social media gave me back my attention, my peace, and my ability to actually feel present in my own life.” If you don’t want to go that far, try what Susan calls unplugged moments: • Thirty minutes with no screens • Sitting outside with tea • A massage where your phone stays in the car “Most people think wellness means adding more: more gym time, more habits, more routines,” Susan says. “Very often, the biggest shift happens when you actually slow down, breathe better, sleep deeper—let your body reset, instead of constantly pushing it. Unplugging is recovery.” Like car maintenance, your body deserves care before it breaks down. As the new year settles over Mount Clemens, it’s important to remember that a beginning doesn’t have to be dramatic. You just have to begin: one small action, one honest conversation, one moment where your body remembers how to exhale. Change may feel miles away… but it always starts in inches. JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

ARTICLE BY ANA MEYER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

HAVE A FRESH NEW YEAR! NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS FLAVORED WATER INFUSED

WITH ANTIOXIDANTS AND VITAMINS FOR A HEALTHIER YOU!

If there is one change you can make for your overall health, it is to drink more water! Our bodies need water. Water helps fuel every cell, tissue, and organ, keeps you hydrated, and helps with weight loss, healthy skin, bone health, and digestion. Take it to the next level and create infusion beverages by mixing and adding these ingredients to your water. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. You will love the flavors and the added health benefits!

BLUEBERRY & ORANGE INFUSED WATER:

STRAWBERRY & ORANGE INFUSED WATER:

INGREDIENTS • 1 ½ cups of blueberries • ½ cup sliced thin orange rounds • 8 cups filtered water

INGREDIENTS • 1 ½ cups of diced strawberries • ½ cup sliced thin orange rounds • 8 cups filtered water

DIRECTIONS Pour ingredients into a pitcher. Refrigerate for 3 hours.

EAT R IGH T | FO O D + BEVE RAGE

ORANGE, LEMON & LIME INFUSED WATER:

CUCUMBER, LEMON, AND MINT INFUSED WATER:

INGREDIENTS • ¼ cup sliced thin lemon rounds • ¼ cup sliced thin lime rounds • ½ cup sliced thin orange rounds • 8 cups filtered water

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup of sliced thin cucumber rounds • ½ cup sliced thin lemon or lime rounds • 10 mint leaves • 8 cups filtered water

DIRECTIONS Pour ingredients into a pitcher. Refrigerate for 3 hours.

DIRECTIONS Pour ingredients into a pitcher. Refrigerate for 3 hours. CONTINUED >

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

BENEFITS: • Blueberries: Low in sugar and high in antioxidants, blueberries are very nutrient-dense and contain fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and Manganese. They can help with bones, skin, and blood pressure health. • Cucumbers: Cucumbers are about 95 percent water, have antioxidants that help lower blood pressure, contain vitamin A and are high in vitamin K. • Lemon/limes: Both are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant, which can benefit your skin, blood pressure and immune system. • Mint leaves: Mint’s anti-inflammatory properties can help your digestion, fresh breath and are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. • Oranges: Loaded with vitamin C, which can help your skin and immune system. They are anti-inflammatory and have potassium which can help with blood pressure levels and calcium for healthy bones. • Strawberries: Are loaded with antioxidants, low in sugar, may help improve blood sugar and cholesterol, and inflammation. Strawberries are rich in phytochemicals, vitamin C, vitamin A and Potassium. Try these delicious and healthy recipes or choose your ingredients and create your own!

“You will love the flavors and the added health benefits!” 22

EAT R IGH T | FO O D + BEVE RAGE

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

Mexican Village Restaurant family owned and operated for 65 years! We take great pride in serving generations of families and friends who have been loyal customers.

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HIT THE RESET IN THE NEW YEAR

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BECOME MORE MINDFUL IN THE NEW YEAR Start the year with self-compassion. Learn tools to calm your mind, ease depression, and build a gentler, more supportive relationship with yourself. Rediscover balance, build resilience, and break free from old patterns in this supportive 8-week group. Through evidence-based cognitive therapy and calming mindfulness practices, you’ll learn to understand your thoughts, manage difficult emotions, and reduce the risk of future depressive episodes. As January brings pressure for tough resolutions, choose self-kindness instead.

Register today. Visit askpsychservices.com or call (248) 733-3907 to schedule your free consultation. 85 N. Main St., Suite 101, Mount Clemens, MI 48043

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

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

The New Frontier of Health AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. KYLE GILLETT

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

EDU CAT ION C OR N E R | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

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. CONTINUED >

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

EDU CAT ION C OR N E R | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

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.

5. “WHAT DOES FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE ACTUALLY DO DIFFERENTLY?”

Dr. Gillett: True functional medicine is root-cause medicine, not cookie-cutter supplement regimens. Imagine an older adult with cognitive symptoms who receives multiple prescriptions from a conventional doctor. A functional approach might uncover something entirely different: B12 deficiency, hearing loss, and vision impairment. Fix those, and cognition often improves dramatically with no medications required.

6. “WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE TEST THEIR HORMONES, AND WHICH TESTS MATTER MOST?”

Dr. Gillett: Most adults should get a baseline hormone panel between ages 18 and 28, or earlier if they have symptoms like poor sleep, unexplained fatigue, or changes in heart rate. A proper panel includes testosterone, estradiol, fasting insulin, CMP, lipids (including Lp(a)), A1C, morning cortisol, IGF-1, DHEA-S, vitamin D, and ferritin. These markers catch metabolic and hormonal issues long before symptoms become severe.

7. “WHAT LONG-TERM TESTS ACTUALLY HELP PREVENT DISEASE, NOT JUST DIAGNOSE IT?”

Dr. Gillett: Preventive care is evolving rapidly. For heart health, I recommend Coronary Artery CT Angiography (CCTA) because it detects soft plaque that calcium scores miss. Knowing this data early informs you what is needed to prevent a heart attack. Instead of asking your doctor “Do I need cholesterol medication?” ask “Do I have plaque in my arteries?”. Full-body MRIs can be useful too, but they often find harmless abnormalities, which can lead to unnecessary stress or testing. Always weigh the pros and cons with a clinician who understands your goals.

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.

“I believe that true innovation requires a commitment to constructive self-criticism to continuously raise the standard of care.” JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MOU N TC L E M E N S

ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE HASBROUCK PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED

CHEERS cherries TO CELEBRATE HEALTH, WELLNESS & DRY JANUARY WITH THIS SUPERFOOD MOCKTAIL It’s been said that “life is just a bowl of cherries,” and it just so happens that cherries might improve your life. This nutrient-dense, heart-healthy fruit may lower blood pressure and cholesterol, combat inflammation, help the body manage stress, speed recovery after exercise, balance your mood and help you sleep. To say it is a superfood may be an understatement. So it’s only fitting that we include a mocktail recipe with cherries as the star ingredient this month. Let’s drink to health, wellness and a wonderful year ahead! Cheers!

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

S O CHERRY

fizz :

INGREDIENTS: • • • • • •

¼ cup Frozen cherries ¼ cup Tart cherry juice 1 tsp Honey, optional 1 Lime wedge Sparkling water Mint leaves

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place cherries and honey in glass and muddle together. 2. Add cherry juice and top with sparkling water or ginger ale. (If adding ginger ale, do not add honey.) 3. Squeeze lime juice and add lime wedge. 4. Garnish with mint leaf.

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JANUARY 2026

events A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LO C A L E V E N T S

TUESDAYS (YEAR R OUND)

Hustle Like You Mean It Cairns Community Center, 58 Orchard, Mount Clemens, MI | 7:00 PM Ready to slay the dance floor? Our Hustle Dance Class brings big energy and bigger moves. Beginners dance FREE, and advanced dancers join a $48 six-week session. With an instructor who brings the sass and the skills, you’ll be spinning like a star. Tuesdays, 7–8 PM. Register onsite or call (586) 469-6800 x520.

Reset your budget, refresh your goals, and start the year with clarity and confidence.

Time for a Financial Detox? A new year calls for better habits—starting with your finances. Just like swapping high calorie drinks for a nutrient-packed flavored water, choosing the right mortgage strategy can strengthen your financial health. Whether you want a lower payment, a smarter refinance, or a fresh plan for 2026, Diane Selvaggio blends expert guidance with personal care.

DECEMBER 3 1ST

Kids New Year’s Eve Celebration The Discovery Center of Macomb, 54 Cherry Street, Mount Clemens | 4:00 PM Mount Clemens hosts a celebration just for kids and families from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at The Discovery Center. The event includes kids’ activities, movies, and popcorn. A face painter will be on hand. Face painting fees vary by design. Fireworks show for kids on Main Street at the Clock Tower at 9:00 PM. Visit discoverymacomb.org for more information. DECEMBER 3 1ST

New Year’s Eve Gala Event

New Home Loans | Refinancing Solutions VA, FHA, USDA Loans Diane Selvaggio Branch Manager / Sr. Loan Officer dselvaggio@mortgageone.com selvaggiomortgageone.com M: (586) 612-6714 Diane Selvaggio #203797 | Mortgage 1 #129386

Main & New Street, Downtown Mount Clemens | 9:30 PM The New Year’s Eve Gala takes place in the heart of historic Downtown Mount Clemens on Main & New Street, near the Clock Tower. Entertainment will rock the stage for a Times Square-esque street party with fireworks at midnight. Mount Clemens offers a wide array of restaurants and bars for dinner or to celebrate after the fireworks.

CONTINUED >

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Step into the new year with a bathroom remodel that feels like your own personal spa retreat.

Schedule a design consultation and learn more about our current offers! 99 Cass Avenue, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 cabinetsbbb.com | 586-469-0080

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Kitchens Bathrooms Closets

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Offices Laundry Rooms Interior Design Services

events

CONTINUED JANUARY 10 TH THR OUGH 1 1 T H

Bet Your Bottom Dollar— Annie Is Here! Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Twp., MI Holding onto hope isn’t easy—but Annie reminds us the sun is always just around the corner. Experience the beloved musical as All The World’s A Stage brings Annie to the Macomb Center, complete with all the heart, humor, and unforgettable songs you love. A feel-good show for all ages. Regular: $28. Senior/Student: $23. Tickets at MacombCenter.com. JANUARY 29 TH

20th Annual Fire & Ice: Where Chili Legends Are Born Downtown Mount Clemens | 6:00 PM

BUILD ROCK SOLID KIDS If you’re a parent who wants your child to have: • rock solid confidence • lifelong self-discipline • top level fitness, • and be safe from bullying and peer pressure

“…Karate has helped Frankie gain more confidence in himself. It has taught him how important it is to work hard and remain

dedicated to something you believe in. Most importantly it has taught him how to set goals and achieve them.” Sara E. Sumbera, Mother of Frankie Sumbera, Black Belt Graduate

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Prepare for battle—only one chili will conquer them all! Join the fiery clash at the Fire & Ice Cookoff. Sample the heat, cheer on your favorites, and vote for the champion. Proceeds benefit The Anton Art Center and Mount Clemens Goodfellows. Tickets are available in advance at participating venues. Follow Mount Clemens City Lifestyle on Facebook & Instagram for details. JANUARY 3 1ST THR OUGH FEBR UARY 1ST

Let It Glow: Ice Sculptures Light Up Downtown Downtown Mount Clemens, on Macomb Place and Cherry Street | 12:00 PM Chill out at the 19th Annual Ice Carving Festival, January 31–February 1! Enjoy live carving demonstrations at noon, explore sparkling sculptures around downtown, and savor stops at cozy coffee shops, boutique stores, restaurants, and bakeries. It’s the perfect winter outing for the entire family. Pick up a free map at the Fountain Stage. Details at downtownmountclemens.org/events.

L EVE L U P YO UR L I V I NG T HI S YEAR Imagine a home that motivates your best self—whether that’s a luxury gym, a peaceful retreat, or a space that finally fits your life.

KRISTIE LOHMANN

REALTOR® Associate O: (586) 799-8000 C: (248) 568-3602 KLOHMANN.SOLDBYFIRST.COM

Start the year with a home that inspires your goals. Whether you’re dreaming of a dedicated workout space, a spa-like primary suite, or simply room to grow, Kristie Lohmann can help you find the perfect fit. With her above-and-beyond service, your next chapter starts with confidence and clarity.

CALL KRISTIE TODAY AND TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD ELEVATED LIVING.

Book your complimentary 30-minute consultation and start your LivFit journey today.

Train For The Change You Want. Private and Semi-Private Training Designed To Meet You Where You Are—and Push You Toward the Strongest Version of Yourself. With over a decade of experience in weight loss, strength training, core work, and sports nutrition, AJ Moore takes a no-nonsense, personalized approach to fitness. Whether you're a devoted lifer or chasing a short-term goal, she’ll meet you where you are and guide you toward the change you want to see. livfittraining.com | (586) 718-2950 35442 Jefferson Ave, Harrison Township MI 48045