Food + Beverage

Exploring Local Flavors

Construct the perfect meal with friends by sampling multiple restaurants’ cuisines – all in one night! Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by Stephanie Slezak Enjoy some of the best dining Ahwatukee has to offer by planning a restaurant crawl with friends, where you can experience selections from a few different restaurants in the community in just one night. We’re sharing quick tips and a curated itinerary to get you started, but make it a regular occurrence and try all the restaurants...

Life + Culture

Loving Ahwatukee Life

Izzy, a morning host on ALT AZ 93.3, finds Ahwatukee to be a peaceful sanctuary Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Stephanie Slezak As a host on ALT AZ 93.3 in Phoenix, Izzy spends Monday through Friday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m. playing a variety of alternative rock, and speaking with listeners who call into the show. But when she’s played the final Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fall Out Boy, No Doubt or other song for the morning and her workday is done, Izzy loves nothing more than...

Beauty

Love Through Inclusivity

23-year old Mateo Wood owns Verbena, The Salon, a thriving local business that gives back to the community Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Stephanie Slezak Mateo Wood first dreamed of becoming a hairstylist and owning a salon when he was a student at Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee. “Looking back, I always knew I wanted to own my own business in some aspect, and I knew it was the perfect fit for me when I entered the beauty industry,” Wood says. While Wood figured it would...

Home + Design

Bottles in Bloom

A DIY guide to creating a stylish and heartfelt gift Article and Photography by Amy Crist This beautiful arrangement is one of the easiest DIY projects you’ll create this year – all you need is a drawer storage tray, floral foam, champagne and fresh flowers. Choose a mini or pre-made bouquet that matches the champagne bottle or your recipient’s personality. To start building your gift, place the bottle in the tray (either straight or on an angle) and cut the floral foam pieces to fit around...

Fitness

Hit the Trails

Expert tips on how to get started mountain biking Article by Michelle Talsma Everson | Photography by Stephanie Slezak When you find a sport you love, you hopefully can find a way to stick with it for a lifetime. That’s what Ahwatukee resident Mike Dale has found with mountain biking – a sport he’s participated in for more than 30 years.   As the head coach of the Desert Vista Mountain Bike team, which welcomes local youth to experience the sport, Dale hopes that his enthusiasm for mountain...

Health + Wellness

Beyond Aesthetics

Adult orthodontic treatment provides a wealth of wellness benefits Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Lifestyle Media and Branding Orthodontics may be considered a rite of passage for many teenagers, but it can also be beneficial to adults. In fact, Dr. Aubrey Young, founder and owner of Young Orthodontics, says her adult patients currently outnumber kids, about 55 to 45 percent. “My oldest patient started her treatment when she was 84,” Dr. Young says. Whether adults want to...

Food + Beverage

Weekday Winners

Nick Quintero (@MealPrepOnFleek on Instagram) shares some of his delicious meal prep recipes with us Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by Nick Quintero | Meal Prep On Fleek Meal Prep on Fleek Cheeseburger Pizza INGREDIENTS 1 pound chicken breast, pounded thin ½ cup Sir Kensington special sauce 4 oz.  Colby Jack cheese 4-6 oz. ground beef, cooked ½ small red onion, thinly sliced 1/3 cup dill pickles, drained Salt and pepper, as desired 2 cups broccoli   DIRECTIONS 1.     Preheat...

Wellness

Mindset Refresh

15 journal prompts to help promote positive thinking Article by Beth Del Ville Mindful reflection in gratitude can bring a fresh perspective on the present. Check out the following journal prompts to help you practice self-care and focus on the positive things in your life. 1.     Write down any acts of kindness you received or witnessed in the past week. 2.     Where is your favorite place to recharge and why? 3.     Write down the most influential affirmation you have received. 4.    ...

Life + Culture

It’s Cool to Care

Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical gives back to the community Article by Michelle Talsma Everson | Photography by Stephanie Slezak It’s the holiday season – a time when community members and local businesses come together to give back to causes that are close to their hearts. With this in mind, the staff at Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical, a locally owned and operated HVAC company, are busy creating Christmas magic for those who need it most.     “As a company, it’s important to us to...

Food + Beverage

Cozy Confection

Elevate your holiday hot chocolate with a charcuterie experience Article and Photography by Mindy Wester As winter settles in and the air chills, there's nothing more comforting than a steaming cup of hot chocolate. While a simple cup of hot cocoa can warm the soul, why not take it up a notch and indulge in a hot cocoa charcuterie board? Picture a delightful spread of various hot chocolate flavors, mix-ins, and toppings, inviting you to create a personalized, delicious mug of joy. Let’s...