1. family and parenting
2. children

Robin
Robatcek
Cover Story
Embraces Her Journey
Phenomenal Woman Under 40
Laura Vogel + Apricot Lane
= Dream Come True
Clean Living
Robin Suhsen’s Battle
with Lyme Disease
Organic Food Explorer
Chicken – 3 Fabulous Ways!
One Woman at a Time
Is It Real?
Connect with the businesses in
LOCAL WOMEN’S NETWORK
What’s He thinking, A Flawless Plan’s Fate • Shop at our New MARKETPLACE
We have your Must-Do and Steppin’ Out Events
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
3
E Board of Advisors March-April 2015 Contributors
Publishers
Tamera Farrand: Tamera has been supporting
women through local magazine publishing for over 11
years. She and partner Doug Solinger have published
CMW for six years. She understands the importance of
raising awareness of the work that women do in our
community. E Doug Solinger: Doug has vast publishing, printing, and technology experience. For the past six years,
he has supported the St. Cloud community through
his involvement with CMW. He publishes other magazines in the Rochester area.
publisher - editor - sales
Natalie M. Rotunda: Natalie is a business writer
and nonfiction ebook editor. The mom and grandmom
studies and writes about herbs and organic food. Contact her at (320) 203-7433, or natalie.m.rotunda@
gmail.com. E
design
Tina Gunderson: Tina, wife and mother to
four, travels whenever possible, reads, and spends
time with family and friends – oh, and she dazzles
clients with her creative graphic design work. Visit
her at zappagraphics.com, or email her at tina@
zappagraphic.com. E
p h o t o g r ap h e r s
Sue Dropp: Sue founded and owned Unique
Portrait Design (Dropp’s) 36 years ago, and has
received numerous awards throughout her career. She enjoys travel, photography, organic gardening,
bird watching, and grandparenting! Contact Unique
at portrait@uniqueportrait.com. E
Cindy Pederson: Cindy has been a photographer
for 12 years and loves what she does! Why? Because
photography is about you, your personality, your
style. Her goal is to capture you as you are right at this
very moment. Contact Cindy at ckpphotography@
hotmail.com.
Pete Pederson: Pete’s foundation in photography began in college, but the love and art blossomed
when he and his former spouse went into business.
Polishing his skills behind the lens doing primarily
weddings, Pete’s resume now includes photojournalism and advertisingadvertising. His goal? National
Geographic! Contact Pete at pedersonpete@me.com.
sales
Cynthia Steinke: Cindy’s diverse background –
handcrafted jewelry sales, former flight attendant,
and degree in Interior Decorating -- lends itself to
working with a variety of people and businesses. She
enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband
and daughter. Contact her at (320) 333-6487, or
cindycmwomen@gmail.com. E
Kristi Spaniol: Kristi is a wife and mother of
five, loves keeping active, walking, downhill skiing,
and water sports. She works with a leadership
empowerment company that teaches thousands
of Americans how to go from employee to business
owner. Contact her at (320) 266-8907, or kristispaniol@
gmail.com. E
4
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
Contributor - Sales - Social Media
Heather Rotunda: When she’s not in the kitchen
baking or cooking up something delicious (and
writing about either or both), Heather crochets, knits,
cross-stitches, watches pro-hockey, or old movies.
Contact her at (320) 223-8979, or heatherrotunda@
gmail.com.
contributors
Kristi Anderson: Kristi is a freelance writer based
in the St. Cloud area. She loves using her creativity
whether on paper, in the kitchen, with her kids or at
the workbench. Contact her at sweetpeace_nlove@
yahoo.com.
TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton: TaLeiza is a
lover of the written word. The freelance writer and
journalist enjoys writing about diversity issues
and spending time with her family. Contact her at
tjcalloway2@gmail.com.
Lynn Fisher: Lynn is a writer and photographer
from Champlin, Minnesota. Covering the lives and
interests of central Minnesota women has been a
dream realized. Visit her website: lynn-fisher.com.
Sheila Helmberger: Sheila is a central
Minnesota freelance writer. She has a journalism
degree and uses her love of words to share the stories
of others. As a wife, mother, and grandmother,
she often writes about humor in her own life. Visit
her blog, emptyhousecreationsbysheilahelmberger.
blogspot.com.
Cori Hilsgen: Cori is a central Minnesota freelance
writer with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational
Management and Communication. She enjoys
sharing stories that help and benefit others. Cori is
a wife, mother, and grandmother who cherishes
spending time with family and friends.
Char Hopela: Char has been a contributor to CMW
since 2009, and also enjoys making art from recycled
leather belts. She lives in St. Joseph, a cultural mecca
with a great meat market. Contact her at triennia@
gmail.com.
Lois Johnson: Lois is a freelance writer from
St. Cloud. She enjoys European travel, outdoor adventures, gardening, and healthy cooking. Her current
project is an internationally themed family meals
cookbook.
Crystal Nutt: Crystal is a Development & Communications manager at WACOSA, and a freelance
writer. She has a strong passion for community and
is intrigued with people from all walks of life. Crystal
lives in Monticello with her family.
Kelly Radi: Kelly is a freelance writer and owner of
Radi to Write, LLC, specializing in public relations copywriting. Contact Kelly at radi.to.write@gmail.com.
Debra Schroeder: Debra is Coordinator of Community Education and Outreach for Anna Marie’s Alliance. Since 2000, she has worked to increase awareness
and prevention of relationship violence in central Minnesota with presentations and professional trainings.
Doug Vagle: Doug and his wife Peggy live in
Sartell. They have three children, Abby, Nathaniel,
and Sophie. Doug loves spending time with his family,
and is the pastor at The Waters Church in Sartell,
thewaterschurch.net.
Board of Advisors E
Lisa Barton
Operations Manager,
Sears, St. Cloud
lisags1958@yahoo.com
Dr. Cheri Carlson
Owner, Synergy Chiropractic
and Wellness Clinic
dr.cheri@synergychirowellness.com
Sheila Burski
REALTOR, Premier
Real Estate Services,
sheila@burski.net
Sonja Gidlow
Executive Leadership in
Business & Higher Education
slgidlow@gmail.com
Sandy Hansen
Owner, AgVenture
Feed and Seed
sandy@agventurefeeds.com
Julie Lunning
Executive Director,
Granite Country
julie@granitecountry.com
Sue Poser
Owner, Gruber’s Quilt Shop
sue@grubersquiltshop.com
Geri Randall
Nursing, Centracare
Family Medicine
gerdlr@hotmail.com
Robin Robatcek
Customized Training
Representative
in Advanced
Manufacturing, SCTCC
rrobatcek@msn.com
Debra Schroeder
Coordinator of Community
Education and Outreach for
Anna Marie’s Alliance
debras@annamaries.org
Lori Steinhofer
Owner/Escrow Officer
Quarry Title and Closing, LLC
lori.steinhofer@quarrytitle.com
Central Minnesota Women is published six times
per year by Central Minnesota Women L.L.C.© PO
Box 485, Waite Park, MN 56387. Please do not send
unsolicited manuscripts, contact the publisher. Central
Minnesota Women L.L.C.© All rights reserved. No part
of this publication may be reproduced without written
permission from the publisher. Central Minnesota
Women does not necessarily endorse the claims or
contents of advertising or editorial materials. Printed
in the U.S.A.
New
You,
New Us!
S
By Tamera and
Natalie
easonal changes can be
so exciting! January first isn’t
the only time of year when
we start a fresh, clean page,
filling it with our successes in the
months ahead. How about you?
Have you already relaunched
into the best year of your life?
With our first issue of 2015, CMW
relaunches into the best year of
our (publishing) life! You will see
changes -- but never a change
from our constant commitment
to inspire, support, and uplift
you, the women among us, as
Printed Words
we bring awareness to your
incredible accomplishments.
We hope you’ll like the
stories in our new lineup – of
women calling us to action;
of phenomenal women under
the age of 40; of women
incorporating some aspect of
clean living. And we hope you’ll
like and use the products and
services you need and want,
listed in our new Marketplace.
In our cover story, we tell of Robin
Robatcek’s bold and courageous
journey. She took ownership of a
life-challenge, and in doing so,
inspires loved ones and friends,
alike. By story’s end, we hope
she’ll have empowered you to
take up her call to action, no
matter what your journey or
challenge may be.
Laura Vogel, our Phenomenal
Woman Under 40, tells how
inspiration to make life-
altering changes can come
from unexpected places, at
unexpected times.
Our Clean Living story tells of
Robin Suhsen’s journey back
to wellness from a muchmisunderstood disease.
Debra Schroeder encourages
us to recognize and protect
ourselves from abusive
relationships; while, on the lighter
side, Doug Vagle delights us with
his wise perspective; Cori Hilsgen
picks several family-centered
events to enjoy. Heather
Rotunda went organic a decade
ago, and is now our Organic
Food Explorer. Why should you
“go organic?” She fills you in on
why it makes sense.
Why not take a little time for
yourself right now, and meet the
central Minnesota women whose
stories we’ve specially selected
for you. Read us in print or online.
Our best to you… always! f
Tamera Farrand,
Publisher
Natalie M. Rotunda,
Editor
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
5
Table of Contents
March - april 2015
on the cover
11 19
23 26
in this issue
better work/life balance. This
wasn’t quite what she had in
mind.
7 ◗ CIRCLE OF WOMEN
17 ◗ SPECIAL ADVERTISING
SECTION
Business Women’s Network
8 ◗ MUST-DO’S
By Cori Hilgsen
Cori’s must-do happenings take
us into Spring.
10 ◗ One Woman at a Time
Is It Real?
By Debra Schroeder
11 ◗ COVER STORY
Robin Robatcek: Her Bold and
Inspiring Journey Begins
By Natalie M. Rotunda
Photos by Sue Dropp
Makeup by Michelle Kenric
Studio
CMW board member Robin
Robatcek knew she needed a
6
28 ◗ WHAT’S HE THINKING?
A Rational, Flawless Plan
Goes Bye-Bye
By Doug Vagle
5 ◗ PRINTED WORDS
A New You, a New Us!
by Tamera and Natalie
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
Northern Star Photo
Our Phenomenal Under
40 woman shares how an
unforgettable moment
during her family’s dream
vacation led to an exciting,
meaningful new career.
19 ◗ CLEAN LIVING
Listening to the Body –
Robin Suhsen Shares the Gifts of
Healing Touch and Young Living
Essential Oils™
Story and Photos by Lynn Fisher
At the time Robin Suhsen
became interested in natural
healing, she couldn’t have
guessed this “gift” was headed
her way.
23 ◗ PHENOMENAL UNDER 40
Fairytale Dream Comes True for
Apricot Lane Owner Laura Vogel
By Kristi Anderson
Photos by Pete Pederson,
26 ◗ ORGANIC FOOD
EXPLORER
Making the Move to
Organic!
By Heather Rotunda
Photos by Sue Dropp
Do organic foods taste
better? Some say not just
yes, but YES! Heather’s
in her kitchen, cooking
Coconut Chicken Cakes,
Battered Chicken Breasts,
and Tomato-Balsamic
Chicken Breasts. Delicioso,
says Sue Dropp.
29 ◗ STEPPIN’ OUT
By Natalie M. Rotunda
In partnership with
AroundTheCloud.org.
30 ◗ LEARNING AS I GO
Women, We Have a Long
Road Ahead of Us
By Tamera Farrand
30 ◗ marketplace
Your classified section
Circle of Women
of Women
If you are a reader and love our magazine, we invite
you to become part of our Circle or Women!
We are offering an opportunity to show your personal
connection with your magazine - Central Minnesota Women!
Sponsor our magazine today!
❤ ❤ Lori Steinhofer:
“I support CMW because it
supports and empowers LOCAL
business women. The articles
written are well thought out
and provide good reading. I
have advertised with this
magazine since I started my
business 6-1/2 years ago and
get the most ROI than any
other form of advertising.”
To start your sponsorship, contact:
Heather Rotunda | heatherrotunda@gmail.com | (320) 223-8979
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
7
MustDo’s
Must-Do’s
By Cori Hilsgen
If you’re beginning to feel
confined indoors because of
cold weather, now might be a
good time to venture out and
enjoy some Spring activities.
Perhaps you’ll spot a few
robins, and warmer days might
bring out colorful flowers, such
as hyacinths, daffodils, tulips,
and other harbingers of Spring.
With an early Easter holiday,
area children can enjoy colorful
egg hunts. Here are a few ideas
to get us out and about.
8
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
Everyone’s
Irish on
St. Patrick’s
Day
Southern Friendship
Irish music group, “Ring
of Kerry,” is returning
to the Paramount Theatre for
their annual St. Paddy’s Day
performances at 1:30 p.m.
and 7:30 p.m. on March 13th.
Tickets range from $18 to $20.
For additional information, visit
the website, paramountarts.
org, or call (320)259-5463.
Celtic Music group, “Cherish
the Ladies,” will perform at
7:30 p.m. on March 14th in the
Stephen B. Humphrey Theater
at St. John’s University. Tickets
range from $10 to $28. For
additional information, visit the
website, csbsju.edu/fine-arts, or
call (320) 363-5777.
Pioneer Place Theatre
Company will present “Steel
Magnolias” at Pioneer Place
on Fifth. This story of six southern
women’s friendship takes
place in Truvy’s local beauty
salon. Matinee and evening
performances run from March
13th to 29th. Tickets range
from $18 to $22. For additional
information, visit the website,
ppfive.com, or call (320) 2030331.
A Broadway
Musical
St. John’s Prep Theatre and St.
John’s Boys’ Choir team up to
present the Broadway musical
hit, “Oliver.” This musical tells
of Oliver’s troubles with a
workhouse matron, and his
resulting adventures. It features
songs, such as “Where is Love,”
“I’d Do Anything,” and more.
Show times include matinee
and evening
performances
from March
20th to
22nd at the
Paramount
Theatre. Tickets
range from $12 to $18. For
additional information, visit the
website, paramountarts.org, or
call (320) 259-5463.
Teenage Idol
top 40 music
Pioneer Place on Fifth will
present “Teenage Idol: The
Ricky Nelson Story” at 7:30
p.m., April 1st through 3rd.
The show including many
of Nelson’s popular songs,
including, “Travelin’ Man,”
“Hello Mary Lou,” and more.
Advance tickets are $26. For
additional information, visit the
website, ppfive.com, or call
(320) 203-0331.
Baseball
and Softball
Games
Spring means it’s time for local
softball and baseball games.
Area options to choose from
include the Minnesota Twins,
the St. Cloud Rox, games at
our local colleges including
the College of St. Benedict,
St. John’s University, St. Cloud
Must-Do’s
State
University,
and others.
Area high
schools
such as
Apollo, Cathedral, and Tech
also offer several options to
catch a good game. Bring
a comfortable chair and
some blankets to enjoy fun
competitions at reasonable
prices. For additional
information, visit the websites,
twinsbaseball.com, stcloudrox.
com, csbsju.edu, stcloudstate.
edu, isd742.org, and
cathedralcrusaders.org. f
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
9
One Woman at a Time
One Woman at a
Is It Real?
By Debra Schroeder
Recently, I spoke to several classes
of nursing students about domestic violence and how the health
care system can respond to
people experiencing relationship
violence. It was apparent some of
the students had never considered
the verbal, emotional, and psychological side of abuse or how it
affects so many people. They are
not alone in their perspective. At
Anna Marie’s Alliance, the advocates will often work with women
who think, if they haven’t been hit
or physically hurt, it isn’t domestic
violence. In the battered women’s
movement, the words “violence”
and “abuse” are interchangeable.
Any intentional behavior which
causes fear, loss of self-worth, or
instills guilt in order to gain control
is abusive.
Danielle came to Anna Marie’s just
to talk with an advocate about
what she was experiencing at
home. She didn’t feel the need to
stay at the Shelter, but wanted to
know if what she was feeling and
thinking was “real.” After listening to Danielle, her advocate
showed her a copy of the Power
and Control Wheel developed by
the Domestic Abuse Intervention
Project in Duluth, Minnesota. She
explained how the outer rim of
the wheel represented physical, or
the threat of physical, violence. It
keeps all the other spokes representing non-physical abuses
together in one system. Danielle
began to realize how the mind
games her husband had been
playing were affecting her behaviors. How her children and the
threat of having them taken from
her was keeping her from leaving.
How he constantly embarrassed
her in front of others and would
call her the most horrible names,
even in front of the children. The
advocate was able to show Dani-
10
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
time ...........
.... . .. . . . . . . . . . .
elle that her uneasiness over her
relationship was very real.
The call came late one Monday
night; Danielle needed to come
to the Shelter. It was no longer
safe for her and her children to
stay in their home. Her husband
had forced Danielle to have sex
while the children cried outside
the bedroom door. He had left the
house yelling threats about what
he was going to do to her when
he got home. Danielle grabbed
the emergency bag she had put
together as part of her safety
plan, bundled the kids up, and
drove to the Shelter. She and her
children were in a safe place, at
last. Danielle needed to leave the
area because of her husband’s
connections in the community.
Her advocate worked to get her
into another women’s shelter in
the state. A couple days after
Danielle left, her advocate received a post card:
Susan, I made it safe and sound.
The people here are real nice.
Thank you for everything. You
have literally saved my life, and I
thank God for you. f
If you would like to view a
copy of the Power and Control
Wheel, visit theduluthmodel.org/
training/wheels
Call Anna Marie’s Alliance,
any time, day or night, to talk
with an advocate,
(320) 253-6900 or (800) 950-2203.
Cover Story
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
11
Cover Story
Robin Robatcek:
Her Bold and Inspiring
Journey Begins
By Natalie M. Rotunda Makeup by Michelle Kenric Studio
Photos by Sue Dropp, Unique Portrait Design
she spent four jam-packed
days working and three days
at the cabin. “That was nice
for everyone,” she says of that
period.
Recently, she found work locally.
“It was interesting because I had
this longing to find a balance,”
she says.
“It was only seven months
after I realigned with St. Cloud
Technical & Community College
that I received my diagnosis.
I can’t even imagine how I
could have managed with the
schedule I had had prior to that.
“It’s great. You’re exactly where
you need to be. The job came,
and then the diagnosis, to find
my balance.”
With her personal and
professional life running in high
gear, Robin Robatcek intuitively
knew she needed a better worklife balance. She is fully engaged
in work that she loves and excels
at. Every hour of every workday
holds to the intent, “To aid others
in being the best they can be.”
Just as her work centers on
others, Robin’s personal life
centers on Steve, her fiancé,
Brianna, her stepdaughter, her
parents, sisters, brother, niece
and nephews, friends. When
she does take time for herself,
she gravitates towards arts and
crafts projects. And music. “The
12
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
most beloved gift I received
during my journey,” she says,
“was a CD mix created by my
niece. I cried listening to every
track…as I shared with her ‘she
gets me!’” An ardent fan of Rod
Stewart, Robin and Steve took
in a live combo concert of her
music hero and Santana last
summer, early in her journey.
In 1996, the couple purchased
an RV, and Brianna joined them
as they began their exploration
of Minnesota. In 2008, they
bought their cabin. Today, the
RV is parked there, and serves as
a guesthouse.
The following year, Robin
accepted a job working in the
Metro. During summer months,
It’s Spring – and time for a
mammogram!
To maintain her health,
Robin always makes room
in her on-the-go schedule
for regular checkups.
In Spring 2013, she had a
hysterectomy. She decided
she would not need her gynecologist for mammograms,
so she “put in a request to
transition from a gynecologist
to an internist in Fall 2013.”
The following Spring, her new
internist suggested pushing off
the annual mammogram to late
Fall.
Those closest to Robin know that
she has an uncanny ability to
connect the dots that enable
her to identify circumstances
coming at her. She then takes
Cover Story
whatever measures are needed
to handle or deal with the
situation.
That intuition pestered her not
to wait until Fall. She took the
earliest available appointment
at the Breast Center, June 27th,
a day that signaled changes for
Robin and her loved ones.
A strong indication
Three days after her
mammogram, Robin learned
that she would need an
ultrasound. She’d needed
ultrasounds in the past, twice,
in fact, and they had turned
out normal. The 2014 ultrasound
took place on July 3rd. “I didn’t
expect anything when I went in,”
she says.
“We were at the cabin over the
July 4th weekend with family.
My stepdaughter saw that I was
being quiet. She hugged me
and said I was going to be all
right.
“But I didn’t have that sense that
I was going to be all right.”
However, Brianna’s remark did
succeed in bringing Robin into
the present and appreciating
the day.
Three days after the holiday
weekend, Steve accompanied
Robin to her biopsy
appointment. Technicians took
four or five needle biopsies of the
breast, and three or four of the
lymph node.
It is Robin’s habit to gather as
much information as she is able
about a given circumstance,
and that day was no exception.
There was a strong indication
there was an issue with the
lymph node, she was told.
Pre-diagnosis
Robin expected a call at her
office on July 10th from Juli
Sanner, Coborn Cancer Center
Coordinator. Her less-thanprivate cubicle wouldn’t allow
for a frank conversation, so she
arranged to take the call in a
conference room.
Juli told Robin it was still
uncertain whether the cancer
was showing up in a lymph
node, or the tail of the breast
under the right arm. In another
week, they would have a
determination as to type,
whether positive
or negative for
Her2neu.
Robin
sighed
with relief.
“I was
informed
that, even
if positive for
lymph node, this
was curable.”
The radiologist
needed an MRI with
contrast dye, and that
procedure was scheduled
for the following day. Juli
would arrange for a consult
with a surgeon at the earliest
opportunity.
Like me, you may wonder what
ran through the mind of this
vibrant woman during and after
Juli’s call. Robin says she felt
blessed to have the information.
“I felt calm and collected -- yet
terrified. I sensed I was in the
care of my Higher Power and
that all was well and as it should
be. I felt that if it was positive for
breast cancer -- it was obviously
there prior to the call and was
what it was.”
Further, “I felt confident in
the cancer center team but
somewhat overwhelmed,
as I knew I had a lot more
information to gather; and
struggled with how to inform my
loved ones.”
Juli’s call came late in the day.
Robin ended her workday just
half an hour earlier than usual.
The diagnosis
Robin was diagnosed with triplenegative breast cancer.
Events would be coming at her
at warp speed from now on.
Armed with great courage, a
mindful and fully present Robin
pushed herself to the next step.
Post-diagnosis
Robin’s consult with surgeon Dr.
Maria Mallory and Juli Sanner
took place on July 15th when
it was decided that, in her best
interest, she should start an
aggressive chemo schedule,
followed by surgery three weeks
after chemo ended. Three weeks
after that, she would undergo
radiation.
The day after the consult,
Robin had a PET scan, and she
met with oncologist Dr. Girum
Lemma, who uttered these
comforting words: “Intent is to
cure!”
On July 17th, Robin attended a
chemo class, and she was fitted
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
13
Cover Story
Robin’s Call
t
o Act
ion—
• “Know yourself. Listen to
yourself. We have the answers,
we just have to be courageous
enough to call upon our inner
self. In my case, it was to move
ahead with the mammogram in
the Spring rather than the Fall.
treatments.”
Hear the upbeat tone? That’s
Robin, boldly embracing her
journey.
Educating herself on her diagnosis.
• Whatever the circumstances,
journal or sleep on it. Again,
you have the answers. It could
be about loss of a job, it doesn’t
have to be a medical condition.
Learn more about triple
negative breast cancer at
celgeneclinicaltrials.com/
tnacity/what-is-tnmbc
for a hairpiece Coborn Cancer
Center had given her.
The next day, she had an
Echocardiogram, and three days
later, surgery for port placement.
Following the MRI and PET scan,
Robin and Steve gathered more
information.
“We were thrilled to learn we
caught it early and it was only
located in the breast and lymph
node,” she says. “I immediately
went into action of standing up
boldly to the medical diagnosis.”
“Fight like a girl!”
On July 22nd, Robin had
her first chemo treatment.
The eight-week round (AC
(adriamycin = the red devil
& cyclophosphamide) was
administered biweekly.
A 12-week course of Taxol
came next. It was administrated
weekly. “My initial medication
was approved for pre-surgery
treatment only; it was in clinical
trial waiting for post-surgical, as
well. It had been approved just
six months prior to my diagnosis --
14
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
Robin’s ‘kick-butt” boots worn
during her final treatment.
and shows how quickly medical
advances are happening and
how it benefits me and others
today!”
For each chemo treatment visit,
Robin “brought sass” by wearing
varied hats.
“I wrapped up my final
treatment wearing my ‘kickbutt’ boots,” she says. During
that session, a nurse shared that
a woman a few rooms down
saw Robin in the hall and asked,
‘Can we wear boots like that to
treatment?’”
Early in her treatment, Robin’s
cousin treated her with a bag
with pink bling that reads, “Fight
like a girl” with pink boxing
gloves. “I carried it to each of my
treatments.”
She carried other items in her
personal arsenal, such as a
lovely, pink-stoned ring to
exemplify pink power to fight
breast cancer. “I received it from
a friend. May seem silly; however,
to me, it represented the power
and strength of those around me
that undoubtedly contributed to
my body responding positively to
Realities of her treatment
Not surprising, the rounds
of chemo took their toll on
Robin’s store of energy. To
accommodate the healing
process, she let go or curtailed
some involvements.
“I had enough energy to work,
attend my clinic treatments,
and then plenty of rest at
home during the majority of
the five months I was receiving
treatments,” she says. “My days
were shortened to bedtime
by 7 or 8 p.m. (interrupted by
insomnia).”
For a while, she continued
with her Book Club. She enjoys
reading, and typically reads
a few books at a time, along
with a few magazines for light
reading.
Her days wound down with
several rituals, such as “Simple
Abundance a Daybook of
Comfort and Joy,” by Sarah Ban
Breathnach, and writing in her
gratitude journal.
In the last weeks of chemo,
Robin took medical leave but
only worked two or three days a
week because of her treatment
and its after-effects.
“It was necessary for me to
steer away from crowds to
avoid illnesses and manage my
depleted immune system,” she
says.
A very special support group
Family and friends naturally
wanted to stay abreast of
Robin’s treatment. Shortly
after her diagnosis, she began
emailing them updates,
educating them on her journey.
The original network grew. Their
responses gave something back
to her that she cherishes -- their
insights and support.
treatment days.
“It became a therapeutic way
for me to process the incoming
data and keep loved ones in the
loop,” she says.
Reflections
It’s natural, don’t you think, to
wonder how this unexpected
journey changed or affected
Robin? She answers:
The network, including Robin’s
parents, as well as the expansive
number of family, friends,
and colleagues, helped with
transportation to clinic visits and
treatments, as well as cooking
meals and lending a hand at
home. Her mother, sisters, aunt,
and godchild gifted her in other
ways, as well -- hats and other
clothing items bearing positive
messages, a pair of pink dangly
earrings, and cards and letters
that brought sunshine into her
days. Steve presented her with
a pink sapphire and diamond
necklace, and his colleague’s
wife made fitter hats for Steve’s
team, which they wore on
Thursdays, Robin’s chemo
“It has taken some courage
because I have not always
followed the path that others
preferred, whether family or in
a work structure. I have always
had to stay true to myself.
“For me, the change is a
stronger trust in myself and a
much stronger trust in the Divine.
That there is a larger plan. You
feel that strength more than
ever. I don’t need to manage
everything; again, because I’m
not alone.”
Another question posed to Robin
is, What has been your hardest
challenge? She answers:
“Relaying the realities of my
Cover Story
condition to my loved ones in
a loving, supporting way,” she
says. “And for them to trust in
me that it is going to be all right.
I had to instill in my family and
friends that there is a plan, and
there are blessings in all of this.”
This part of her journey hasn’t
exactly been velvety smooth.
“We had some bumpy roads
and it wasn’t just a one-time
discussion. It was going with the
flow, and the trust was building
and they just couldn’t get over it.
“The beautiful thing is that, as
my trust in the Divine grew, it
grew in them. That has been so
powerful.”
Please follow Robin’s new
column, Robin’s Journey,
beginning in our May-June
issue. f
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
15
16
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
CMW’s
Local Women’s Network
Local Women’s Network
Who’s Who
• College of Saint Benedict
• Eichers Hobby Farm
• Koubsky Dental
• Landwehr Financial Solutions
• Minnwest Bank
• Tri-County Abstract and Title Guaranty
• Whitby Gift Shop
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
17
CMW’s
18
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
Local Women’s Network
Clean Living
Listening
to the Body
Robin Suhsen Shares the
Gifts of Healing Touch and
Young Living Essential Oils™
Story and Photos by Lynn Fisher
It’s almost impossible to peruse
the Internet, chat rooms, or even
Instagram, without running into
people who are suffering from
the lingering effects of Lyme Disease. They often call themselves
Lymies, or Lyme’s Survivors, and
the effects of the disease they
describe can last long after the
initial infection.
Robin
Suhsen
When I met Robin Suhsen at her
home in Princeton, Minnesota,
I felt as if no one would ever
imagine this woman had battled
any illness, much less a potentially devastating one, such as Lyme
Disease. Vibrant and enthusiastic
about her work, her grandchildren -- Demetri, 3, Nicholas, 2,
and Matthew, eight months –
she spoke easily of her life and
the natural path it has taken.
An Elm Grove, Wisconsin-transplant, Robin came to Minnesota
after college.
“I went to college in the late ‘70s
– early ‘80s,” says Robin, “and
my degree was in landscape
architecture, with my specialty
being Native Plant Community
Restoration… specifically prairies.”
Robin has long had an affinity for
plants and herbs as far back as
she can remember.
The Youn
g
in Robin’s Living Essential O
ils™
Healing R
oom
d
an
Touch trade, ancient
Tools of the Healing
om
Ro
g
alin
modern, in Robin’s He
erable work experience in the
Library Science field, she was
able to take a Librarian position
at the Princeton Area Library.
She is still there, 28 years later.
She was working at Prairie Restoration in Princeton, while she and
her husband started their family.
Then the recession hit, and she
was laid off.
Surrounded by books, she read
about and developed an interest in bodywork and natural
healing, something she thinks
stemmed from her previous
dabbling in plants, as well as a
“life-changing” scoliosis surgery
at age 17.
But, because she had consid-
This, she says, is her journey.
Beginnings in the Healing Touch
Program™
“You get to a certain point (in
life) that you just realize,” says
Robin, “that this is your journey,
which is why my business name
is Journey into Wholeness. It’s a
journey into trying to be complete.” She began by becoming
a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner, something she does out
of her home in Princeton, in a
red-painted room overlooking a
wooded lot.
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
19
Clean Living
Robin describes the title of Healing Touch as confusing, since
the technique does not always
include the physical placement
of hands on the body. “You are
assessing the energy field with
the pendulum (or your hands) for
blockages,” says Robin.
In addition, she began using essential oils during Healing Touch
sessions. “I think it totally enhances the process of Healing Touch.”
Robin had been practicing Healing Touch and using essential
oils (the brand she recommends
and sells on her website is Young
Living), around the time her
husband, Scott, noticed that she
had a large bite on her back.
“I’m pretty sure, when I look
back on it,” says Robin, “(that I
was bitten while) mushrooming
(near) my husband’s family’s
home in Hayward, Wisconsin.”
Even though she tried to convince a nurse practitioner at a
local clinic that she had had a
bug bite, it was easily dismissed
as a skin infection. This missed
opportunity gave the Lyme disease -- that she would later be
diagnosed with – more time to
work its way further into her nervous system. She was in horrible
pain. Evenings, she would limp
into another room so as not to
wake her husband, and watch
the clock. She’d think to herself,
“That’s one more minute that I
lived through…and another, and
another.”
Robin explains, “I’m not a baby
about pain stuff. I had two kids
without any drugs.”
Finally, after several trips to
the emergency room, Robin’s
husband, Scott, to whom she
has been married for 32 years,
decided to come with her for
support. Robin had expressed to
him that she felt she was not being listened to… as if somehow
her pain didn’t matter.
“Scott said, ‘Something is wrong
with her…this is just not like her,’”
20
Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 CMWomen.com
Robin Suhsen
is a Certified Healing Touch therapist, and Young Living
Essential OilsTM Independent Distributor - #627374
For more information, visit Robin’s website:
journeyintowholeness.com
Email her at rsuhsen@hotmail.com, or call (612) 889-4318.
From 1996 to 2013, 19,000 cases of tick-borne diseases
(and there are many) were reported in Minnesota.
The majority of them (14,367) were Lyme Disease.
says Robin. By this time, she was
also having trouble walking, and
her parents came from Wisconsin
to help out.
The hospital did blood work and
called her back almost as soon
as they had returned home.
“They were calling to say that
‘we want you to come back,’
and you might want to pack a
bag because we may have to
admit you.’” Her potassium and
sodium levels had gotten dangerously low.
She was hospitalized for three
days. During that time, she had
the good luck to fall under the
care of the physical therapist,
who told the doctor that he
should test Robin for Lyme. It was
only after being formally diagnosed that she began receiving
the correct antibiotics for Lyme
Disease.
Robin returned to the doctor
often over the course of a few
months, with only mild improve-
ment. Finally, she point-blank
asked the doctor, ‘What’s the
next step?’ He answered her
question with a confused look, as
if to say, “What do you mean?”
She now feels that traditional
medicine is limited in what it can
do in such cases.
After finishing her course of
antibiotics, Robin knew that she
would have to take the rest of
the healing journey into her own
hands.
Star Moree, another Young Living
Essential Oils™ distributor, suggested attacking the disease on
all fronts, nutritionally and with
the help of something they refer
to in Young Living as Rain Drop
Therapy (a series of oils placed
on the spine over a period of
time; seven days, in Robin’s
case).
“And that’s when I really started
shifting,” says Robin. “(I felt like I
was) getting better. I started shifting physically, but I also started
Clean Living
shifting emotionally.”
Star had also told Robin about
a Naturopathic doctor in the
St. Cloud area, experienced in
working with Lyme patients.
Breaking down the walls
Robin and the Naturopath began to work together with the
oils and muscle testing to break
down the walls that the disease
tends to build around itself.
The doctor had explained to
Robin that Lyme “is sort of like
a syphilis-type of disease that
likes to hide. It goes into a latent
stage, going behind a ‘biofilm’
to protect itself. So, every three
weeks, we’d switch up (what
they were using). I was very
good about it because I was
thinking, ‘I’m getting over this.’
People would say to me…’Oh
yeah, you have Lyme…you’ll
never get over it,’ and I’d say,
No! I’m getting over this.”
She found that her words and
thoughts were becoming powerful tools against the disease.
“Our thoughts and our words
are powerful,” says Robin, “and
when (I work with) the oils, I think
about it…I call it activating, but
I’m sending my intentions. I’m
putting active prayer into what I
want those oils to do…for myself,
or whoever I’m putting them on.”
Robin now refers to the disease
as a “gift,” and she is thankful
for her “Young Living family.”
When she attends conferences
with other distributors, she feels a
sense of belonging…of being “at
home.
“I am going to look at all the
positive things that have happened because of this. I could
see the wonderful support system that I have with my family,
my husband, that I had insurance, and my friends.
“I really started to listen more to
my body,” she continues, “I have
learned from this experience,
and I have grown.” f
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
21
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March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
Phenomenal Under 40
to open an Apricot Lane store
back home. “This is what central
Minnesota needs. I can do this,”
she told him.
er),
n
ogel (ow
r, Laura V
sa Gillitze Jaida Vogel
re
Te
,
n
o
ars
and
ht: Kristi C Alyssa Mundhal
Left to rig
er,
Katie Turn
Fairytale
Dream
Comes True for
Apricot Lane Owner
Laura Vogel
By Kristi Anderson
Photos by Pete Pederson
On a family trip to Disney World
in August 2012, Laura Vogel and
her husband, Jason, were enjoying the magic of the legendary
vacation spot by taking a leisurely stroll through one of the area’s
scenic shopping venues with
their daughter, Jaida, and son,
Laklen. Surrounded by fairytale
characters and enchanting
landscapes, the couple was casually discussing Laura’s future.
“I was thinking about going
back to school,” explains Laura.
“I remember walking down the
sidewalk with my husband, who
is so focused and committed to
his work, and thinking that my
resume looked like Swiss cheese.
I wondered to myself, ‘When is
my day going to come?’”
Just a few steps later, Laura spotted a dress she liked in a store
window and popped inside to
take a closer look. What happened next, Laura recalls, was
like something out of a storybook.
“When I walked into Apricot
Lane Boutique in Florida, it truly
was love at first sight,” she says.
“Not only did I love the dress
from the window, but also the
next one I picked up – and the
next one, and the next one.”
Laura declared to Jason that
very moment that she was going
Within moments, she was in the
dressing room trying on the dress
she had seen in the window.
“I had my cell phone with me,”
she says, “and I quickly did an
Internet search to see if Apricot
Lane was a franchise…and it
was.”
In the days that followed, the
idea was never far from Laura’s
mind. When the family returned
to their home in Cold Spring,
Laura reached out to the Small
Business Development Center in
St. Cloud just days later, in early
September, connecting with
consultant Matt Wells.
“Matt was such a blessing in
those first days,” Laura says. “I remember him telling me, ‘At some
point, you are going to cry, but I
am going to push you because I
Laura welcomes you to visit her at
Apricot Lane:
Crossroads Center
4101 W. Division St. #C20
St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 774-1533
stcloud@apricotlaneusa.com
facebook.com/
ApricotLaneStCloud
Matt Wells, Consultant
Small Business Development
Center Network
No-cost business consulting
services
(320) 308-4842
stcloudstate.edu/sbdc
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
23
Phenomenal Under 40
have your best interest at heart.’
He was and continues to be a
strong support for me.”
Though Laura says even the
challenges are part of the fairytale, she faces them head on.
Matt gave Laura 30 days to
complete her business plan. By
September 26th, she was back
on his doorstep, ready to get
down to business. She received
her acceptance letter in November, and began the very strict
testing standards and intensive
training program that the corporate Apricot Lane Boutique
requires.
“Buying is our biggest challenge,” she says. “In the Midwest,
as a rule, we are behind on fashion trends. What we do is to take
the rest of the country’s current
fashions and incorporate them
here and into our weather.”
And on August 1st, 2013, her
hard work paid off. Laura’s
fairytale dream came true with
the opening of Apricot Lane
Boutique in Crossroads Center,
St. Cloud.
“We have an incredibly awesome staff,” she says. “Our approach is distinctive. We pride
ourselves in being friendly and
outgoing, but our goal is not
to ask if we can help you find
something, but to be your friend
and to help you feel good about
what you are purchasing.”
Your best friend’s closet
When Laura’s clients step
through the door of Apricot
Lane, she wants them to feel as
though they are stepping into
their best friend’s closet.
“My number one concern is our
level of customer service,” she
explains. “I want each person
to feel like we are there to help
them look and feel their best.
Sometimes, friends and family
won’t give an honest opinion
about whether a look is right for
them. We will.”
According to Laura, the store is a
“true boutique” that has something for women of all ages and
sizes, and all items are exclusive
and of exceptional quality.
“Our customers know our products are amazing,” she says. “This
is where I live, so I don’t want
someone to come up to me and
say that something they bought
from me fell apart. We intentionally look for quality products that
are different from other retail
stores. You could walk into an
Apricot Lane in another city and
see a dress there, but it won’t be
the same dress we have in our
store. That is the beauty of it. Our
clothes are unique.”
24
Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 CMWomen.com
A role model
Part of Laura’s vision is to be a
role model for her staff.
Under Laura’s direction, the staff
maintains a close-knit environment by sticking to Laura’s
realistic goals, by shadowing
her and by role-playing possible
customer scenarios.
“We practice knowing when
customers do or don’t want us to
approach them,” Laura clarifies.
“We want to make sure that every customer has a good experience in our store.”
Laura knows that her role as
owner-operator comes with
some struggles.
“The staff knows my expectations because I share with them
what my vision is,” she says. “But I
also know that I need to be able
to step back and remember this
is my dream, not their dream. We
work hard at honest communication.”
And she prides herself on maintaining open communication
with her clients, as well. Her most
rewarding moments are hearing
from satisfied customers.
“We have had customers that
have texted us a picture on their
phone at 5 a.m. saying, ‘Does
Laura Vogel,
owner of Apricot Lane Boutique
this look right?’” Laura laughs.
“We have mothers of brides stop
by, and high school and college
graduates looking for a special
outfit to celebrate their accomplishments and special moments. Many of their experiences
humble us, like the woman who
recently had a mastectomy and
asked us to help her dress for her
new body and make her feel
good about the way she looked.
Those are the moments that
inspire me. It is a humbling job,
and it makes me want to be better and do better for the people
we serve.”
Part of a bigger picture
Laura is also inspired by the community outreach that the Apricot
Lane corporation promotes.
Most franchises offer 3Strands
bracelets that are created by
and help support women who
are rescued from human trafficking.
“It feels good to be able to offer
products that are gifts that keep
on giving,” Laura shares.
They also offer a variety of head
wraps made by single mothers,
and other locally made items.
Phenomenal Under 40
Customer service is a top priority.
A family affair
Throughout Laura’s fairytale
story, her husband, Jason, has
proven over and over to be her
Prince Charming. The two are
complete opposites – Jason,
who works at GNP in Cold Spring,
is “conservative and really not a
risk-taker,” says Laura, while her
outgoing spirit and positive energy drive her to try new things.
Jason helps with all aspects of
the business.
“He really is my partner in life and
in business,” Laura says. “He is
amazingly supportive and runs all
the stuff that doesn’t involve the
physical store. I really couldn’t
have done this without him.”
Laura educating her employees.
Her soft heart and down-toearth attitude remind her that
she is part of something bigger.
“My mom always told me that
I could do whatever I put my
heart into,” Laura reminisces.
“I believe that anything worth
doing is worth doing well. Every
day, I see that I am part of a
bigger picture and I hope that
I am creating a legacy with the
people I meet. “
Their kids, Jaida, 12, and Laklen,
8, also take an active role in the
business.
“Jaida loves to help run the
computer and tag jewelry,
and Laklen likes to open pack-
ages and unpack boxes,”
Laura shares. “It really is a familyowned business, which you don’t
see much anymore.”
Laura’s mother is one of her
biggest supporters as well as her
inspiration.
“Mom remembers me saying
since I was four years old that I
wanted to own a store with as
many dresses as I could find,”
Laura recalls fondly. “She instilled
such a sense of confidence
in me from a young age that
made it easy to say, ‘I can do
this,’ and to really believe that I
could.”
“It is just such a blessing and such
a fairytale,” she shares. “Every
day is so fun and so different.
It doesn’t even feel like work. I
think when it does begin to feel
like work, I will have to look for
ways to keep motivated, but for
now, I love every day.” f
Laura hopes that other women
find their passion, and that they
won’t be afraid to follow their
own dreams.
“Anybody who believes in
themselves can reach their
goals. With a lot of hard work,
and by keeping things realistic,
taking baby steps, staying on
track and keeping your focus,
you can do it,” she encourages.
“If someone has a bad experience, I encourage them to
come back. Not only does it
give me a chance to salvage
the relationship, but I learn
what I can do better, and how
to encourage my staff to be
stronger.”
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
25
Organic Food Explorer
Coconut Chicken Cakes
Battered Chicken Breasts
Tomato Balsamic Chicken
Making the Move to
You may have noticed something new
here this issue: we’ve gone organic!
What IS organic food? The USDA
National Organic Program (NOP)
says, “Organic meat, poultry, eggs,
and dairy products come from
animals that are given no antibiotics
or growth hormones. Organic food
is produced without using most
conventional pesticides; fertilizers
made with synthetic ingredients or
sewage sludge; bioengineering; or
ionizing radiation.” Food grown
without sewage sludge? Say no more!
So, there are pesticides in your
conventionally grown food. No
biggie, right? Wrong. The National
Academy of Sciences says that lowlevel exposure to pesticides may cause
neurologic and behavioral effects [in
humans]. A 2012 report issued by
the American Academy of Pediatrics
cited research that linked early-life
26
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
!
c
i
n
a
g
Or
pesticide exposure
to “pediatric
cancers, decreased
cognitive function,
and behavioral
problems.” Other
studies show that
pesticides can adversely
affect the nervous system, increase
the risk of cancer, and decrease
fertility.
Every year, the Environmental
Working Group releases a list of
the most contaminated produce
(the Dirty Dozen™) and the least
contaminated (the Clean Fifteen™).
Among 2014’s Dirty Dozen, some of
the very dirtiest, pesticide-wise, were
potatoes (more pesticides per weight
than any other food), and grapes
(a single grape sample contained
15 pesticides). In contrast, any
pesticides were detected in only 1% of
avocados.
By Heather Rotunda
Photos by Sue Dropp
Pesticides aren’t the only nasty
things lurking in your food to
be aware of. More and more
conventionally grown food today
-- and the bulk of processed food
-- comes from GMOs. What are
they? The Institute of Responsible
Technology defines them this way:
“A GMO (genetically modified
organism) is the result of a laboratory
process where genes from DNA
of one species are extracted and
artificially forced into the genes
of an unrelated plant or animal.
The foreign genes may come from
bacteria, viruses, insects, animals, or
even humans.”
Supporters of genetically modified
food tell us to move along, there’s
nothing to see here, GMOs are
perfectly safe. After all, government
bureaucrats have ruled that
genetically engineered (GE)
crops are “substantially
equivalent” to those bred
conventionally, which allowed
GE food products to be classified
as “generally accepted as safe.”
A group of bureaucrats deemed
GE foods to be safe? How
comforting! Not surprisingly,
those bureaucrats were under
documented corporate pressure,
and that classification exempted
GE foods from extensive tests
that would ensure the food
you’re consuming is safe. Most
of us wouldn’t take a prescription
drug that hadn’t been put
through exhaustive human
clinical trials to determine its
safety, but that’s exactly what
we’re doing with our food. GMO
ingredients are banned in Europe
and elsewhere; but while we in
the US are being warned about
everything from cigarettes to
salt, the FDA doesn’t require
labels on foods containing GMO
ingredients. Call me skeptical,
but if there’s nothing wrong with
these ingredients, why can’t we
know they’re there?
Buying organic or sustainably
raised food will help you avoid
pesticides, growth hormones,
and GMOs. Look for the USDA
Organic and Non-GMO Project
Verified labels. Yes, organic
food is more expensive than
conventionally grown or raised
food, although the gulf between
the two is narrowing. But
consider this: Organic farming is
more labor-intensive, and organic
farmers do not receive federal
subsidies. So, the price you pay
for organic is the true cost of
growing our foods.
Switching from conventionally
grown to organic doesn’t mean
giving up all of your favorite
foods, especially now that the
demand for organic has grown so
much. You can find an organic
version of most things, from
meat and dairy to junk food, and
they’re more readily available
than ever before. One of my
favorites is chicken; I love its
versatility, and never get tired of
finding new ways to prepare it.
Coconut Chicken
Cakes
This is a perfect way to use up
leftover chicken.
1 tsp. olive oil
1 stalk organic celery, minced
1/4 medium organic
onion, minced
1 tsp. dried thyme
2 cups cooked organic or
hormone-free chicken,
minced
3/4 cup desiccated coconut
2 organic eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
2 Tablespoons olive oil
or coconut oil
Heat olive oil in small skillet;
saute celery and onion until
translucent. Remove from heat,
stir in thyme and let mixture
cool.
Heat olive or coconut oil in a
large skillet over medium heat.
Combine sauteed vegetables,
chicken, coconut, eggs, salt
and pepper in a large bowl.
Divide mixture into 4 portions
(approximately 1/2 cup each).
Form each portion into a cake,
pressing mixture together.
Coat cakes with breadcrumbs,
reshaping cakes if they break
apart. Carefully add to hot oil
and brown on each side, 3 to 5
minutes. Be very careful when
turning them.
Battered Chicken
Breasts
These would be great on
waffles, drizzled with maple
syrup. Make sure the oil is hot
before adding the chicken, and
don’t move the chicken until
you’re ready to turn it.
3 Tablespoons olive or
sunflower oil
2 organic eggs
4 Tablespoons flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
Organic Food Explorer
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper
4 organic or hormone-free
chicken breasts
Heat oil in a large skillet over
medium heat.
Whisk eggs, flour and seasonings
in a shallow bowl. Coat each
chicken breast in egg mixture,
allowing excess to drip off. Cook
in hot oil, working in batches,
if necessary, so as not to
overcrowd the pan, 7 minutes
per side, or until cooked through.
Drain on paper towels.
Tomato Balsamic
Chicken Breasts
4 organic or hormone-free
chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 large tomato, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. Italian seasonings
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup shredded
mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Season chicken with salt and
pepper; place in 2-quart baking
dish. Combine tomato, garlic,
Italian seasoning, vinegar and oil
in a small bowl. Top chicken with
tomato mixture.
Bake in preheated oven for 40
minutes, or until chicken is no
longer pink. Sprinkle cheese over
chicken and return to oven for 5
minutes more. f
Sue Dropp says: When I entered “Heather’s
Healthy Kitchen,” the aroma of these 3
chicken entrees made my mouth water!
The Tomato Balsamic Chicken was
extremely tender in the juices of garlic and
tomato. It was out-of-this -world! So simple
and diet-friendly! The Coconut Chicken
Cakes were a huge hit! They were so
crispy and tasty with the subtle flavor of
coconut paired with the slight crunch of
celery. This is definitely the recipe to use for
chicken leftovers! I loved the simplicity of
the Battered Chicken Breasts. They were
so juicy and delectable! They were perfect
served alone as an entree, but could be
used in a chicken sandwich! As usual, I had
a Bon Appetit afternoon with the Rotundas!
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
27
What’s He Thinking?
and made of stainless steel! One
edge was jagged; the other,
razor sharp. It had a black
super-grip handle and a
case.
What's He
Thinking?
By Doug Vagle
A Rational,
Flawless
Plan Goes
Bye-Bye
Hey, ladies, did you know that
men sometimes think differently than you? Sometimes, our
reasoning is so profound that all
the explaining in the world can’t
make you understand the depth
of our brilliant way of thinking. At
least, that’s how us guys see it.
Let me explain one of those
times for me! A few years back,
my eleven-year-old son had
earned ten dollars, so he and I
went shopping. We walked and
we walked – through the toy
section, sporting goods section,
and the electronics area, and
found nothing exciting.
But as we walked through the
camping and hunting section, it
was like we were seeing a bright
light from heaven. Well, maybe
not from heaven, but what we
saw was simply breathtaking and
did have a reflection. The object
of our attention was shiny, sharp,
28
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
What was it? A huge,
24-inch, all-purpose
camping knife! I’m not
sure who was more
excited. It cost way
more than the ten
dollars my son had,
and, anyway, I knew
my wife would not want
her precious son to be
the sole owner of such a
sweet piece of sharp metal, so
this super-responsible dad told
him he could not use it without
me. I figured it was a “win-win”
situation cuz my mom had never
let me have one!
I told my son I would pay the
rest of the cost, and we could
share joint custody of our
brand-spankin’-new treasure
that would be any Boy Scout’s
dream.
We were so excited that we
opened our new possession
in the car. It was so sharp that
he cut himself checking it out
before we had even left the
parking lot. A minor cut and a
very minor detail!
We were bursting with excitement when we got home. But
we couldn’t understand why
my wife didn’t share our same
excitement. I have to believe it
was the few tiny drops of blood
that got our rational and flawless
plan of joint ownership off to a
bad start.
So, after a long discussion, and
two nights on the couch....I am
the sole owner of a beautiful 24inch camping knife. I could not
be happier -- even though I still
owe my son ten dollars!
Well, I have to run. I’m living the
dream and have to go whittle
something! Till next time... f
March
Steppin’ Out
Community
10: Big Brother/Big Sister’s Magic Moments
Gala, St. Cloud Rivers Edge
Convention Center, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Tickets: magicmomentsgala.com, or
(320) 253-1616.
13-15: Craft Retreat Weekend, Riverside Inn of Cold Spring.
Register: riversideinnofcoldspring.
com/conference-center/retreats/
13-15, 20-22: CMBA 2015 Spring
Tour of Homes, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Info: cmbatour.com, or (320) 2514382, or info@cmbaonline.org.
14: Sports Cards & Collectibles Show, Stearns History Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. Info: stearns-museum.org.
14-21: Wilderness First
Responder 8-Day Course
#25575, offered by Audubon Center
of the North Woods. Info/online registration: audubon-center.org/event/
wfr-2015, or (888) 404-7743.
21: 1-2-3 Magic, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Register: resourcetraining.com,
or (320) 255-3236.
28: Annual Maple Syrup
Day, Audubon Center of the North
Woods, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; breakfast, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info/Online
registration: audubon-center.org, or
(888) 404-7743.
30: The New Self-Esteem:
Creating a Mindset for
Success in Your Child, 7 to
9 p.m. Register: resourcetraining.com,
or (320) 255-3236. f
!
Steppin’
Out
28: Mark “Hazzy”
Hasbrouck, Pioneer Place on
Fifth In the Lounge, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Free!
By Natalie M. Rotunda
Arts
(320) 203-0331.
6: The Kingston Trio,
Paramount, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets:
paramountarts.org, or (320) 259-5463.
6: Harmony, Peace and
Love, Pioneer Place on Fifth Main
Stage, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: ppfive.com,
or (320) 203-0331.
6: Jacob John, Pioneer Place on
Fifth In the Lounge, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Free!
13: Ring of Kerry, Paramount,
1:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets: paramountarts.org, or (320) 259-5463.
13-15, 19-22, 26-29: Steel
Magnolias, Pioneer Place on
Fifth Main Stage. Performance times/
Tickets: ppfive.com, or (320) 2030331.
14: James Sewell Ballet
– Guy Noir: The Ballet,
Paramount, 7:30 p.m. Tickets:
paramountarts.org, or (320) 259-5463.
14: Broken Fiddle, Pioneer
Place on Fifth In the Lounge, 9 p.m.
to 12 a.m. Free!
14: Cherish the Ladies, SJU
Stephen B. Humphrey Theatre, 7:30
p.m. Info: (320) 363-5777.
18: Granite City Radio
Theater, Pioneer Place on Fifth,
7:30 p.m. Tickets: ppfive.com, or
For
20: Arts Crawl, Downtown
St. Cloud, 5 to 9 p.m. Free parking
after 6 p.m. For locations, visit
artcrawlstcloud.com.
20-22: St. John’s Prep School Theater
Dept. and St. John’s Boys Choir
present Oliver! Paramount.
Performances: Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 2
and 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Tickets:
paramountarts.org, or (320) 259-5463.
21: Chamber Music Society of
St. Cloud presents Cuarteto
Latinoamericano, Calvary
Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt
Road, 7:30 p.m. Info: (320) 292-4645.
27: Matt Velline, Pioneer Place
on Fifth In the Lounge, 9 p.m. to 12
a.m. Free!
27-28: Veranda Variety
Hour, Pioneer Place on Fifth, 10:30
p.m. $5 at the door.
28: C. Willi Myles, Paramount,
7:30 p.m. Tickets: paramountarts.org,
or (320) 259-5463.
28: St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra
presents Eternity, Ritsche
Auditorium, St. Cloud State
University. Pre-concert discussion,
6:30 p.m.; concert, 7:30 p.m. Tickets:
stcloudsymphony.com/concertseason–tickets.
Arts and Community Events, visit cmwomen.com
CMWomen.com March/April 2015
29
Women, We Have a
Long Road Ahead of Us
By Tamera Farrand
Market
Your Classified Section
ATTORNEYS
I worry.
I worry.
I worry about all the
violence I see against
women on TV and in
movies today.
Now those images are
more prolific than ever.
I wonder what the next
generation of women
will endure.
You cannot watch
prime time TV without a
30-second commercial
clip showing someone
being killed, lying in a
pool of blood, or being
brutalized in some
unimaginable way.
Watching an episode
of Scandal, they
actually showed a
woman being raped.
I was horrified and
vowed not to watch
another episode. That
series is doing well.
I worry.
I worry that we are
getting more and
more desensitized
to violence, not just
against women but
violence, in general.
When I was in my
twenties, I remember
having conversations
about how we
can each make a
difference in this world,
and raise women
up and fight against
negative images.
30
March/April 2015 CMWomen.com
I worry.
I worry about our
children. I cannot
comprehend how
this battle is winnable.
Media, technology -all have taken control
over what our children
are exposed to, at
ages too young for
them to comprehend.
As parents, we shelter
them as much as we
can, but, face it, there
is only so much we can
do against the giants.
Experienced.
Trusted.
• Divorce
• Estate Planning
• Real Estate
• Business
jeddelohsnyder.com
AUTO
MILLER
LINCOLN
(320) 251-8900
stcloudlincoln.com
2930 2nd St. S.
St. Cloud, MN
I wonder if we care,
and, if we do, do we
care enough?
I worry that we
each perpetuate
the destruction of
our gender by our
complacency. f
bankvista.com • 320.257.1600
Member FDIC
bremerbank.com
Downtown St. Cloud • 251-3300
West St. Cloud • 656-3300
Sauk Rapids • 252-1938
Sartell 255-7121 • Rice 393-2600
Visit mycmcu.org
SERVICES
E-Scent Oils
BY TINA
Member
#1881386
c: 320.360.5121
e: tina@zappagraphics.com
Natalie M. Rotunda,
Business Writer
Specializing in case studies
and business profiles. FREE
15-minute initial consult.
Call (320) 203-7433, or email
natalie.m.rotunda@gmail.com.
Team Farrand
Your Local Real Estate
Professionals
Tamera Farrand
Realtor®
(320) 250-4902
HomesForSaleStCloud.com
Tamera@PremierHomeSearch.com
BEAUTY
TITLE SERVICES
Exceptional experience
...every time!
• Haircuts and Styling
• Massage
• Color, Restructuring
and Conditioning
A company built from the ground
up based on ethics and morals
•Residential, Commercial
•Witness and Remote Closing
Services •Title Insurance
• Construction Disbursing, Document Preparation •O & E Reports
Damn. Why? After
50 years, why isn’t it
better?
I worry.
FINANCIAL
Member FDIC
Your Health. Your Future.
Place
Learning As I Go/MarketPlace
(320) 252-3313
michellekenric.com
Pine Cone Marketplace
Sartell, MN
320.654.0050
Quarrytitle.com
3312 3rd St. N. • St. Cloud MN
CMW marketplace Representatives:
Cindy Steinke • (320) 333-6487 • cindycmwomen@gmail.com
Heather Rotunda • (320) 223-8979 • heatherrotunda@gmail.com
NATALIE M. ROTUNDA • (320) 203-7433 • rotunda56303@hotmail.com
title
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March/April 2015 CMWomen.com