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Journey For St Louis BBQ ~ Road Trip

By 4chionlifestyle | May 22, 2018

Today is our journey to St. Louis for BBQ. Waking in the morning on our road trip there is a fresh coat of spring snow and 27 degrees in Eagle River Colorado. The morning birds are still happy and enjoying a little winter fun. Cherie and I get ready for the day and make our plans for the shortage from the snow closing I-70 in the Colorado Rockies.

Journey Denver to St Louis 4Chion Lifestyle Tammy Forchion and Cherie — Road Trip Cherie and Tammy Forchion

Vail Colorado Road Trip

This was a real eye-opener in the morning. We had planned to try to go up further north towards Yellowstone, but as the week got closer the weather indicated snow. It has been a beautiful journey so far. We get ready for the day. Grateful for Burt’s Bees Foot Creme, Coconut this is perfect for my feet to stay soft and non-drying. We are looking forward to some Medical Ball Tea at Starbucks for our drive to Vail and Denver.

The snow is slowly melting and roads are clearing up. The traffic is heavy as drivers try to get to their destination after an overnight road closure (thank you Expedia for all your assistance with the many reservations changes) We get to Vail Colorado just in time to hear the melting snow, capture a few photos, and watch as skiers get ready for a day of skiing.

The town brings a sense of a European Mountain town. The town was explored by Irishman George Gore, known as Lord Gore, and American frontiersman Jim Bridger was among the first explorers to venture into the mountainous region. There are little shops, skiing, and wonderful architecture. Many buildings have high A-frame roofs and beautifully set into the landscape of the Rocky Mountains.

The town is perfect for winter sports and fun, but spring and summer are wonderful for travel. Vail Colorado offers:

Skiing
Snowboarding
Cross-country skiing
Snowmobiling
Fly fishing
Hiking recommended
- Vail Recreation Path
- Piney River Trail
- Minute Mile Trail
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Spa Services
River Rafting
Tubing

Continental Divide Journey

We head down the highway to one of the most impressive engineering creation Eisenhower Tunnel. This tunnel is 1.7 miles going under Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. This tunnel is staffed with employees monitoring carbon levels and traffic. They walk the sidewalks inside, there are fire exits in the tunnel, and old booths where employees sat to watch traffic. The tunnel has a downgrade from the 11,000′ elevation. This section of I-70 through the Rocky Mountains is a wonderful journey of beauty and engineering.

Entering Denver, you quickly realize that the Rocky Mountains are behind the city to the West. Everything to the East is flat and you can see for miles. We stop for lunch at Zeppelin Station. This is a great place with a vast variety of healthy restaurants and a local bar. Many locals gather here on Saturday afternoon to share stories and enjoy a great meal.

Journey Denver to St Louis 4Chion Lifestyle — Road Trip Denver to St. Louis

Aloha Poké Co. provides a light refreshing meal with a wide choice of vegetables and rice. This is a perfect meal for this long day of road travel. Cherie and I sit outside enjoying lunch in the spring sun and looking back at the Rocky Mountains thinking a strong contrast from the last two days to the journey that lays in front of us.

Kansas Journey

Heading back on our journey again the landscape becomes flat and almost desolate. It seems at times there is nothing but land here. The road seems to go forever and the earth seems flat. The journey begins to become endless. We begin counting water towers for entertainment. We counted 68 total from Kansas to Champaign IL. I am sure we missed a few here and there.

Missouri Journey

Rolling into Kansas City, MO. the city is beautiful. This is not on our scheduled stops, but one to return to for visiting. We see our first baseball stadium, The Kansas City Royals. We make our way into Independence MO. Our ancestors were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We stopped by the Independence Visitors Center.

This center represents a time in the lives of the members of loss and contention with the government. They built homes and had plans for a temple for worship. The Saints entered the area in 1831 and by 1833 twelve hundred members in the area. This was a slave state and members did not support slavery. The voting power became a concern. The members were driven out of Independence in December 1833. The area is strong in religions started in the 1800s in the USA. The Community of Christ has a temple across the street. It is a great place to explore early American religion. As we make our way towards St. Louis there is a strong religious influence seen alone the freeway.

St. Louis City is a place that Cherie is excited to stop and explore. The first place we stop of course is the baseball stadium for the St. Louis Cardinals. It is a great place to explore the team and history. There are statues outside representing the best ballplayers. Looking behind the stadium, you see the Gateway Arch. This is the gateway to the West designed by architect Eero Saarinen. The St. Louis arch is the tallest arch in the western world. There are great things to do in St. Louis including:

Private beer lovers tour
Augusta wine tour
Lewis and Clark historic tour
Get a one-day adventure pass for admission to
- Children’s Zoo,
- Zooline Railroad
- 4D Theater
- Conservation Carousel
- Stingrays at Caribbean Cove and Sea Lion Show

St. Louis is known for its arch and barbecue. This being a late Sunday afternoon we realize that many locations are not open, but find one near the ball field, SugarFire SmokeHouse BBQ! This is an award-winning restaurant under Chef Mike Johnson has studied with Myron Mixon, cooked under Emeril Lagasse and Charlie Trotter. It was a great experience of community, exceptional food (sweet potatoes the best) and BBQ pork and salmon. It was a great meal for the remaining day’s journey to Champaign IL. We finally make it across the Mississippi River and enter Illinois.

To follow the road trip read here:

Discovering The Great Outdoors of Arizona ~ Road Trip

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

@4ChionLifestyle

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Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

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Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

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Royal Wedding Dutch Harry and Dutchess Meghan Markle 4chion lifestyle

Royal Wedding ~ Two People Fell In Love and We all Showed Up

By 4chionlifestyle | May 20, 2018

Two people fell in love and we all showed up for a royal wedding. His Royal Highness Duke Henry Charles Albert David (Harry) married Her Royal Highness Duchess Rachel Meghan Markle (Meghan) of Sussex. This fairy tale day began 18 months ago with a blind date set up by Meghan’s friend.

Royal Wedding Dutchess Meghan Markle 4chion lifestyle — Duchess Meghan Markle

Wedding Style

The wedding took place at Windsor Castle at St George’s Chapel. The flowers and plants designed by Philippa Craddock include beech, birch, hornbeam, as well as white garden roses (late Princess Diana’s favorite), Myrtle (represents love and marriage) a tradition for all royal wedding bouquets, peonies and foxgloves. Some flowers came from Princess Diana’s garden as well. Prince William sat next to an empty seat in honor of their mother’s memory. The chapel is a high-medieval Gothic style. This is a beautiful place to share vows with friends and family.

The dress code for the bride includes dress must have sleeve, lace, and be white. The 600 guest to the wedding dress for the day is for men military uniform, morning coats, or lounge suits and women’s dress for the day is choosing a day dress with hat.

Many guests including George and Amal Clooney, Oprah, Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham, arrive in the best finery. The best-dressed guest is David Beckham. He wore a Dior Homme charcoal grey super 130’s wool twill morning coat and pants, a light grey super 150’s wool twill double-breasted waistcoat, a white 200/2 Egyptian cotton poplin shirt, a grey silk satin tie, a grey silk satin pocket square and derbies in black calfskin leather. He seems to upstage the groom, Duke Harry.

Duke Harry wore his frock-coat uniform of the Blues and Royals. Duchess Meghan wore Claire Waight Keller Givenchy boat neck neckline silk crepe and 3/4 sleeves. 2019 spring collection, Queen Mary’s diamond Bandeau tiara, and Cartier jewels. She looked stunning in the beautiful gown. Her veil was absolutely the show stopper of the day. It was cathedral length, made from silk tulle, and featured a trim of hand-embroidered flowers from the commonwealths, Wintersweet from the Kensington Palace, and California poppy, with crops of wheat representing love and charity. Her veil is well crafted by hand and hundreds of hours of work.

Her makeup was beautiful and light. This added a sense of innocence and you could still see her freckles. Duchess Meghan gave six of her dear friends and sister-in-law Princess Catherine gold disc bespoke bracelets called the Kensington Bracelet designed by Zofia Day.

Wedding Ceremony

Duchess Meghan entered the chapel nave alone. This was a strong representation that she is an independent woman and a change from tradition for royal weddings. Prince Charles walked to the last pew then he steps aside while Duchess Meghan walks to Duke Harry. This again shows her strong independence and strength. Duke Harry thanks his father, looks at his bride, and says, “You look amazing, and you look so beautiful. “They exchange rings, something not traditionally done. The rings made from gifted Welch gold from Queen Elizabeth. The ceremony was one of love and commitment. The most Revd. and Rt Honored Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, officiated. Duke Harry could hardly look away from his bride.

Royal Wedding Royal Family 4chion lifestyle — Royal Wedding
Royal Family

Wedding Reception

The couple took a carriage ride around the town of Windsor after sharing their first public kiss outside the chapel. They then enjoyed a ride in an electric silver-blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero to the reception at Frogmore House. Duke Harry changed into a tuxedo and Duchess Meghan wearing bespoke Stella McCartney high neck lily-white gown in silk crepe with an aquamarine ring that once belonged to Princess Diana. They looked exceptional for the evening reception hosted by Prince Charles.

The menu for the evening reception included:

Scottish Langoustines wrapped in Smoked Salmon with Citrus Créme Fraiche
Grilled English Asparagus wrapped in Cumbrian Ham
Garden Pea Panna Cotta with Quail Eggs and Lemon Verbena
Heritage Tomato and Basil Tartare with balsamic Pearls
Poached Free Range Chicken bound in a Lightly Spiced Yoghurt with Roasted Apricot
Croquette of Confit Windsor Lamb, Roasted Vegetables, and Shallot Jam
Warm Asparagus Spears with Mozzarella and Sun-Blush Tomatoes
Fricassee of Free Range Chicken with Morel Mushrooms and Young Leeks
Pea and Mint Risotto with Pea Shoots, Truffle Oil, and Parmesan Crisps
Ten Hour Slow Roasted Windsor Pork Belly with Apple Compote and Crackling
Sweet Canapés including
- Champagne and Pistachio Macaroons
- Orange Créme Brülée Tartlets
- Miniature Rhubarb Crumble Tartlets
Beverages for the evening reception include:
- Pol Roger Brut Réserve Non-Vintage Champagne
- Selection of Wines
- Soft Drinks
- Apple and Elderflower mocktail (using the same syrup as the wedding cake)
- Sandringham Cox’s apple juice
- When Harry Met Meghan ginger and rum cocktail

Royal Wedding Wedding Cake 4chion lifestyle — Wedding Cake

The reception included a beautiful wedding cake. Clarie Ptak designed the wedding cake. The wedding cake features:

Elderflowers syrup using elderflowers from the Queen’s residence
A light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple
Filling Amalfi lemon curd and elderflower buttercream
Decorated with Swiss meringue buttercream and 140 fresh flowers that are in season

Elton John played a set of four songs after Harry asked, “Anyone here know how to play the piano?” Taking away from tradition Duchess Meghan gave a speech. The tradition is for the father of the bride to make a speech, but Duchess of Sussex (Duchess Meghan). This wedding brought modern traditions fusing with royal traditions to a new forefront. The event concluded with fireworks.

Congrats to the newlyweds on their wedding day. There is no official notice of their honeymoon.

@4ChionLifestyle

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Brunch Toasted Sandwiches

By 4chionlifestyle | May 9, 2018

Brunch is a beautiful time to create toasted sandwiches. It is a great time of year to have brunch outside. These recipes children can assist.

The sandwiches featured here are:

Opened faced egg and avocado sandwich
Fruit bagels
Scrambled eggs with sausage sandwich
Fried egg and bacon sandwich

It is a great time to come together and celebrate life.

ToBox Breakfast Sandwiches 4chion Lifestyle Brunch — Brunch Breakfast Sandwich

Opened Faced Egg and Avocado Brunch Sandwich

Serves 4

boil 5 eggs
- Egg boiling tips
  - place eggs in the bottom of a saucepan
  - cover with cold water
  - bring to just boiling
  - cover with the lid and remove from heat
  - let sit for 12 min (large eggs)
  - drain immediately
4 English Muffins
3 TSP Hummus, mashed avocado, or Butter to spread on the toasted muffin
2 large almost ripe avocados peeled and sliced lengthwise
- avocado ripeness
  - darker green to black riper that light green
  - You should be able to apply some pressure when squeezing in the palm of your hand do not use your fingers they cause bruising
Salt and pepper

Boil the eggs, peel, and slice lengthwise set aside. Toast English Muffins to your likeness. We toasted using ToBox 4 slice toaster. It provides great settings for toasting perfect bread every time. Butter or place hummus on each slice of the toasted English muffins. Layer on entire egg slices across the top of the buttered area. Top the eggs with sliced avocados. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.

ToBox Breakfast Brunch Sandwiches 4chion Lifestyle — Brunch Breakfast Sandwich

Fruit Bagel Opened Face Brunch Sandwich

Serves 4

8 lengthwise sliced strawberries
4 sliced bananas
4 plain bagels
8 oz package of Neufchatel cheese softened

Toast the bagels to your liking. Our bagels toasted up nicely using the ToBox toaster. It offers a bagel setting that toasts only one side. Spread Neufchatel cheese on each bagel not too heavy. Place the strawberries on the outer edges of the bagel slightly hanging off the edge and bananas on the inside of the bagel.

Scrambled Eggs with Sausage Brunch Sandwich

serves 4

1 lb sausage (your favorite is best) made into 4 patties and cooked in skillet till done
8 large eggs beaten and scrambled salted and peppered to taste
- Scrambled eggs tips
  - Use water instead of milk. This makes them softer milk tends to add a heaviness and tough
  - Salt right before you pull them off the stove. This keeps them moister.
  - Pepper right before you pull them off the stove. This helps the eggs keep their bright yell
8 toasted (ToBox toaster is great because it understands bread and toasting to perfection) bread slices buttered
8 slices of sharp cheddar cheese

Lay the cheese on each slice of toast. On one slice of toast place the sausage, then the scrambled eggs. You can add a favorite sauce hot sauce, salsa, or ketchup. Top with the other slice of bread with cheese. Cut the sandwich into quarters.

Fried Egg and Bacon Brunch Opened Faced Sandwich

serves 4

4 slices of bread toasted and buttered
4 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
4 slices of bacon cut in half and cooked
- Bacon Tips
  - cook bacon in the oven
  - line cookie sheet with wax paper or tin foil
  - cook for 15 to 20 minutes on 375 (time depends on your likeness)
8 eggs fried until firm but not overcooked salt and peppered to taste
- Fried Egg tips
  - cook eggs one at a time
  - heat the pan on medium with butter in the pan
  - when the pan is hot break one egg in the pan
  - turn heat source down to low immediately
  - cook slow until the white in the egg is cooked and yolks thicken but not stiff

Set up your toast place a slice of cheese on each toast. 4 slices of toast layer 2 fried eggs, 4 slices of bacon, and place the other 4 slices on top of the bacon.

We have an exclusive offer for the ToBox toaster Dealspotr Exclusive: 50% Off All Kitchenware and Appliances | ToBox.com (Site-Wide) use code ILOVEMYDAD at checkout.

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Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

By 4chionlifestyle | May 6, 2018

The Rocky Mountains (Rockies) was home for me for decades. Many of my ancestors crossed over these mountains to settle the Salt Lake Valley. These gorgeous mountains brought each seasons beauty with exceptional colors. Heading over the Rockies my sister, Cherie, joins for the rest of the journey.

Utah Rocky Mountains

Growing up near the mountains, the seasons each bring a wonderful set of adventures. Mount Timpanogos, a view seen from the deck of my childhood home, is the second highest mountain the Wasatch Range. It is a great place for:

Summer
- hiking including to Timpanogos Cave
- camping
- fishing
- river rafting
- boating
- Alpine Slide in Park City
- Seven Peaks Water Park
Fall
- Drive the Alpine Loop at the peak of the leave colors
- Picnicking
- Visit Bridal Veil Falls
Winter
- Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Shopping in Park City
- Sundance Film Festival
- Alpine Slide in Park City
Spring
- Thanksgiving Point
- Utah Film Festival
- Crandall Historical Printing Museum (covers 400 years of printing)

The area has exceptional art and culture events as well. This is a great place for family road trips and staying for a week of fun.

Lunchtime

Leaving Utah County through Spanish Fork Canyon is a beautiful drive. Spanish Fork Canyon goes south over Soldier Summit (7,477 ft.) and then back down through Price Canyon. The drive is very scenic and great for Geology fans. It is full of wildlife. The Rocky Mountains are such a beautiful relaxing place to play and explore.

We stop in Green River just before Colorado. Lisa Sherman recommended having lunch at Ray’s Tavern. This was our first travel contest. Congrats, to Wes Hawkins at Utah Travels for knowing what city we were enjoying lunch. We ordered the chicken sandwich and a Garden Burger®. They had a Utah tradition on fry sauce, created by Don Carlos Edwards in the 1950s. It is as simple as ketchup and mayonnaise whipped together. I have seen variations with adding sour cream or buttermilk. This was a treat for sure. It was a great place. The waitress extremely friendly and the food fresh, including the fries.

Ray's Cafe Rockey Mountain Road Trip Travel 4Chion Lifestyle — Ray’s Cafe Road Trip Travel

Colorado Rocky Mountains

Full and ready to get through Colorado to Denver. We hit the road again and see the landscape change more. You lose sight of the Rocky Mountains. The Green Rivers flow into Colorado River (the mighty river that creates the Grand Canyon). The highway follows this along through Colorado Rockies.

Cherie and Tammy Road Trip 4chion lifestyle — Cherie and Tammy Road Trip

The I-70 takes on new meaning to the Rockies. You enter this large canyon and marvel at the engineering feat you are driving. Colorado River runs through the narrow canyon that has two-lane traffic in each direction through Glenwood Canyon. The rain and temperature begin falling. Soon iMaps lets us know that we are not going to make to Denver for the night. The freeway closes just up the road for snow. I need to find a hotel before they fill-up. We find the Eagle River Lodge. This was a perfect place to stay for the evening.

The driving time cut short we enjoyed an evening of great local food and beauty time. Cherie went out to pick-up dinner from Luigi’s Pasta House salad and a medium vegetable pizza. After dinner, we enjoyed a night of cleansing, moisturizing, and using masks on our faces and lips with Burt’s Bees. I have been on the road for a week and traveling through various climates, different types of soap and water, and sleeping locations my skin was feeling tired and dry. Burt’s Bees is so wonderful. Cherie even enjoyed the results. When on a road trip it is important to remember to take care of your skin. Playing on the television in the room was a marathon of Tom Hank’s movies. We head off to sleep for another day of road tripping across the US.

@4ChionLifestyle

Connect with 4Chion Lifestyle for your best lifestyle here:

Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Ray’s Cafe

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

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Sara Sider Mank and Sass Musician 4chion Lifestyle feature

Dreamer and Believer ~ Sara Siders

By 4chionlifestyle | April 18, 2018

Sitting in the local Champaign coffee shop, Cafe Kopi, with Sara Siders a musician, composer, and guitarist. She is a boundary pusher not only in her music but life. Sider’s is a transplant to the Champaign, Illinois music scene. Her strong sense of rock, blues, and funk to her performance and music.

Sara Sider Mank and Sass Musician 4chion Lifestyle a — Sara Sider Mank and Sass Photo Credit John Moore

Sara Siders is the lead singer for Mank and Sass, she grew up around the music world. Her father, Bruce Hall, is the lead bass guitarist for Reo Speedwagon. Siders states, “My father has lived his dream so you cannot tell me that dreams do not come true.” Seeing her father’s happiness she learned that you can make anything happen.

Enjoying her childhood, staying out of the limelight most of the time. Siders recalls, “going on stage with the ‘fambamfamily’ to sing “Roll With The Changes” As a child, she enjoyed pushing the boundaries. She says, “The joke is sports or jail for me.”

She enjoyed playing softball. She earned a place on the practice team on the Olympic Women’s softball team at the age of 15 she states, “I could not even drive myself to practice.” She earned a scholarship to Purdue for softball. This was a great opportunity for her, but her junior year her dream to play softball ended because of 5 knee surgeries.

The day she found out she was no longer able to play sports. She locks herself in her room. She was not sure what she was going to do with her life at this point. “School was not my forte.” Her roommate, Matt Zimmerman, threw her a guitar and told her to figure it out. That was the first time she had taken an interest in music. She did figure out the guitar and that she could sing.

Sara Siders Mank and Sass Musician 4chion Lifestyle a — Sara Sider Mank and Sass Photo Credit John Moore

Sara Siders discusses how she has huge stage fright. She began singing with her back to the audience. To this day she still has stage fright. She is still trying to get over stage fright. She has recently made a choice to stop drinking and that has intensified the fear. Her approach now is singing with her eyes closed. Sometimes friends will come up to the stage and stand there for minutes before she realizes someone is there. The smaller intimate performances are much more frightening for Siders than the larger arenas. She states, “she feels like the intimate settings are more personal and come with expectations of more talking.” The expectation that she should tell her story about each song and the inspiration behind the music.

She has taken the challenge of facing a change in her dreams to figuring out a new passion and facing her own fears of performance to make her new dream come true. She feels that the uncomfortably is present in her performance. She remembers even as a young child being coaxed to the stage to sing with her family. Her performances include music she composes as well as covers like My Neck My Back.

Sara Siders is also a music composer. The ability to hear the song and play songs, she believes is genetically inclined to her family. Siders is like her father in that there was no formal structural music training. She is able to write the lyrics and the music without the ability to read music. This gives her the believer and dreamer aspect of the world. She as a child was guided to believe in yourself and what you’re doing. Her dad lived out his musical dream. How can anyone tell her that a child of a dreamer it is not possible?

Strict playing is something she feels takes away from the art of music. She has a sultry raspy voice that is just intoxicating to listen too. She has always tried to stray away from the structure. “Structured music scene is difficult when you enter a venue that is small or empty,” Siders feels. She goes on to discuss that when any musician is starting out they do to the various audience and by the time you have made the big house you have played to every kind of audience there is out there. She wants to go with the flow. She never starts with a set list again there is no structure.

Jared Manker, “Mank” of Mank and Sass, is classically trained in music. He has the strict background insight into music. He assists her with the theory and structure of the songs. Mank has a strong structure in music and is learning to enjoy the improv with her personality. His schooling allows for Siders to see where she is with her music and how to find her personal style of music.

She met her wife in high school here in Champaign, even though she was living in California. Her family often visited family in Champaign. She met her at a high school party. She fell in love with Erin Siders right off the bat. It took a journey to get together. Between college and military, they stayed connected. Eventually, Siders moved from Indianapolis to Champaign where she reconnected with Erin on Valentines Day 2012. They married in 2015. Siders does not understand the confusion over love.

She knows that even walking down the street she is not the pretty straight girl. Her mother was concerned with her moving to the midwest. Having grown up in California the comfortably being gay was not found in Indianapolis. She says, “There were many times I felt like the only gay person walking in the state.” Her philosophy is if she is the only gay person someone meets she wants that will be a great encounter. Be good to people.”

Siders influences to keep going is that it makes her heart happy. The work she did before this time there was no connection. This just makes her happy. Her father is so happy with what he does was a great lesson she learned. She grew up around good timeless music. Her musical inspirations include:

Janice Joplin
- She said, “you got to give it to a woman who looks like she is going to pass out every time she is singing on stage.”
Ella Fitzgerald
- “A truly amazing talent,” she says.
David Bowie
- “You got to love Bowie. You got to love someone who can be himself,” Siders states.
Tina Turner
- She said, “She is strong and a great achiever.”

Mornings are her favorite time of the day. She is a very early riser and makes her bed every day. It is a challenge at this time her wife works the graveyard shift, but she makes the bed when Erin gets up in the afternoon. It is a closing to the night and a beginning to the day. Makes the room a lot better. She enjoys a morning of songwriting and coffee. She drinks at least a cup of coffee every day. She really loves coffee, mornings, and writing. Recently wrote More Than Caffeine.

As we finish our coffees she discusses her family and wife. How much they bring to her life. She has embraced the struggles she faced, stayed true to herself and continues to believe and dream.

She is releasing an album June 16, 2018 album on iTunes or message them on Facebook for T-shirts and a CD.

You can catch Mank and Sass at:

Clark Bar Champaign IL. (Every other Wednesday)

@4ChionLifestyle

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Things Return as They Were ~ Japanese Matcha Tea

By 4chionlifestyle | April 17, 2018

Japanese tea ceremony is a formal presentation. The service is the winter presentation. This ceremony is preparing and presenting the matcha. This ceremony is centuries old and is about purification, harmony, respect, and tranquility.

Matcha Tea Leaves Preparation

This matcha is the highest grade of matcha specifically used for ceremonies. The flavor is a stronger umami. This blend of tea leaves specifically grown for the ceremony. The farmer covers the leaves shortly before harvest. This stimulates an increase in chlorophyll (increases the dark leaves) and amino acid (producing theanine). The handpicked leaves, only the highest grades of matcha are handpicked. The leaves steaming prevents oxidation. The leaves are gently rolled, shaped, and dried (laying them flat to dry causes the leaves to crumble). The leaves sorted by grade and slowly stone ground, watching the temperature of the stones hot stones causing a taste in the aroma. The Japanese matcha is a strong grassy flavor.

Sensei (先生), at the Japan House in Urbana, Illinois, discusses how the matcha is fabulous for the skin. She says, “it is high in vitamin C. When you wake up tomorrow your skin will feel renewed.” There are many benefits of matcha tea the include:

Burning calories (high concentration of catechins)
Decrease cholesterol
Increase energy
Improves immune system
Boosts memory

This is great for a wonderful set of health and wellness benefits, but the ceremony is a connection to the person.

Matcha Tea Ceremony

The Japan House motto is, “the Way of Tea,” representing nature, heaven, and earth. This service was a winter presentation. The mats are laid in the pattern that each guest sits and the hearth is low to bring more warmth to the room. The hostess and guests bow to each other. The ceremony develops for westerners who find the traditional floor sitting difficult. A chabana, a beautiful flower arrangement sitting to the side. The seasonal arrangement represents winter This connects the room to nature. There is a connection to water, earth, wood, fire, and metal with the utensils used for preparation. This ceremony and ritual date back centuries with details being the key to the ceremony.

The ceremony is a stand and bow. This takes place at the beginning and end of the ceremony. The hostess presents each guest with a sweet. These handcrafted sweets are eaten just before the service. The sweet enhances the matcha flavor.

The matcha tea preparation is meticulous and precise movements. The master prepares each chawan (茶碗), bowl, of tea with as if conducting a beautiful symphony. The hostess delicately scoops the tea powder into a ceramic cup, pours hot water from a hot iron kettle into the cup with a long-handled ladle, and then mixes the powder and water together with a bamboo whisk to create a thick tea. The chawan are bowls that have one side that is more beautiful than the other. The hostess presents the tea with the prettiest side facing the guest. Prior to drinking the tea, the guest turns the bowl 90 degrees to face the prettiest side back to the hostess. The bowl presented during the ceremony is a painted flower blossom.

The ceremony is one of purification even down to the socks worn. Hakama, they are white and clean representative of purity. The cleansing of the equipment in front of the guests is not to clean, but to show purity. Respect as the guest receiving bowl with the hostess and when the tea bowls presented to them bow to the person seated next to them. This as if to say this is for you, and the guest replies with a bow as if saying no please you go ahead.

The tea is a beautiful vibrant green with a strong earthy flavor. This is a time for the guest to focus and stay in the moment. Each step of the ceremony requires a focus and concentration to the ritual. The ceremony ends with the utensils being cleaned and placed back as when the ceremony started.

Things all returned the way they were except us. The ceremony brings a deeper sense of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility changing us while all else remains the same.

@4ChionLifestyle

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Zion and beyond road trip 4chion lifestyle

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

By 4chionlifestyle | April 12, 2018

Planning the road trip across the US there was a detour from Yellowstone National Park due to weather. The next best stop for national parks was Zions National Park just off highway 89 in Utah. Stopping in Page to meet with high school friends and fill up for the next leg of the journey to Zions and Utah.

Ranch House Grille Road Trip 4chion lifestyle — Ranch House Grille Road Trip

Page Arizona to Kanab Utah

It was a great morning meeting with Jeff Lott and his beautiful wife at Ranch House Grille where we enjoyed reconnecting and enjoying a beautiful breakfast. Leaving Page Arizona you cross Glen Canyon Dam taking you into the beautiful1.25 million acres of the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. This area is home to Lake Powell, a place that brings fun, sun, and water sports to the southwest. The white ring you can see is known as the bathtub ring and a formed from calcium carbonate deposits. A few of great activities in the area include:

Boating
Camping
Rainbow bridge (only accessible by boat or 14-mile hike)
Escalante Arm
Fishing (a favorite of foodie Ellie)

Foodie Ellie Fishing Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle — Foodie Ellie Fishing Road Trip

Zions National Park is about 104 miles from Page. It is a beautiful drive as the landscape changes from the red rocks to a borderline Mediterranean climate. Kanab is the first town you come to after Page. This town is the center of all sorts of great outdoor adventures including Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon (North Rim). This is well-known for the great Hollywood film production. A few of the films produced in this region are:

Stagecoach (1939)
The Lone Ranger
Death Valley Days
Duel at Diablo
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Buffalo Bill (1944)

Utah Boarder to Zion Road Trip 4chion lifestyle — Utah Boarder to Zions National Park Road Trip

Zions National Park

Highway 89 takes you to the stunning and resplendent Zions National Park. This park became a national park when by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. The park continues to keep the natural beauty with a project called Zions Forever. This project is in place to protect and sustain the park for all living beings and future generations. This is a leave no trace area. You need to make sure that you have trail etiquette and leave nothing behind:

Remove all waste (make sure you use the restroom you must take this waste of the trail)
Keep dogs on a leash
Place trash in designated receptacles
Be considerate of other visitors
Hike quietly
Enjoy the sound of nature
Hike in single file
Ascending hikers have the right of way
Have plenty of water this is a desert terrain
Be ready for changes in weather from rain forecasts, extreme heat or cold
Careful on trailheads they are slippery

You enter the park, there is a $30 fee, but well worth it. The canyon stretches 15 miles long and spans up to half a mile deep. You drive on the Zions-Mount Camel Highway that winds slowly downgrading with gorgeous views of Navajo Sandstone that is tan, cream, pink, and red color. There are locations where you can see hanging moss, trees at different angles, and You follow the Virgin River on the path taken to carve this canyon. It is so It was fantastic seeing the snow against the colored mountains. You pass through several tunnels. There is a tunnel that is more than a mile long. This is one impressive drive even in the dark. You continue down the hill until you reach the visitors center.

Zion National Park Road Trip 4chion lifestyle — Zions National Park Road Trip

Here is your opportunity to continue to explore more of the park. The concept of keeping the pristine the rest of the park is accessible by shuttle, hiking, backpacking, and hiking. The many activities at include:

Hiking
Camping
Ranger Tours
Helicopter Tours
Cycling
Angels Landing eHike (great visual online of what you experience in Zions)
Horse Back riding
Tram Rides
Photography

This was a wonderful journey on the road trip. Many years as a child this was one place we enjoyed as a family. It was a sunny bright day just as winter was beginning to change to spring. There is plenty of lodging in the area as well as food and restaurants.

Orem, Utah

The remainder of the drive continued on interstate 15 to Orem Utah where I grew up. It was wonderful getting to a warm home with my parents. The days filled with reconnecting with friends and family before continuing the road trip.

Meeting up with my dear friend Lisa Sherman was like we never missed even one day, even though it had been a few decades. Lisa and I have known each other since we were three. We ran the neighborhood streets as two determined little girls could. We enjoyed breakfast at Joe’s Cafe. The food was so delish. Lisa even enjoyed the grits. A dish she was convinced she did not like. Joe said, “You will love them. Nothing comes between your lips and my grits.” It was so wonderful catching up with Lisa after all these years.

Dinner was a fabulous reunion with my bestie from high school, Brenda Anderson. She and I meet at the Spicy Thai in Orem. This was an excellent choice for the food was excellent. Their menu had a great selection of Thai food with the ability to choose your heat. The evening ended at her home where we spent time catching-up, relationships talk, and a little (very little) drinking. Her cute little dogs entertained up throughout the evening. They are both such a ball of energy.

The next day was spent with my parents. We enjoyed dinner at King’s Buffet. My time with my mother we went over old photos, stories, and the fun times we shared in our life. She brought me a photo of my first haircut that she taped back together after tearing. My father enjoyed being the dad he has always been, making sure the car is ready for the next part of the journey. He took to put Rain-X on the windows. This was a great addition to the journey. Stay tuned for all the details in the next part of the journey.

@4ChionLifestyle

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Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Sweet Orange Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer).

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

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Connect With Zions National Park Here:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ZionNPS

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ZionNPS

Instagram https://instagram.com/zionnps

Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/zionnps/

Cameron Trading Post Highway 89 Arizona BWTH e

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and More ~ Cameron Trading Post

By 4chionlifestyle | April 7, 2018

Cameron Trading Post located directly off Highway 89 between Flagstaff and turn off for Tuba City is a mix of American, Mexican, and Native American food. The restaurant is located 21 miles from the Grand Canyon and overlooks the beautiful Colorado River Gorge.

Cameron Trading Post Highway 89 Arizona 4Chion Lifestyle copy — Cameron Trading Post
Cameron Arizona

The food is made from scratch daily and a fusion of the three food cultures. This place is perfect for travelers with their lodging, restaurant, art gallery, garden with fountains, and a massive gift shop. The trading post opened in 1916 and welcomes everyone like a guest in their homes. Prior to being a trading post, the place served as an apothecary.

Many who stop here will be hungry after the many outdoor adventures found near the trading post. The adventures include:

Grand Canyon exploring
- hiking
- river rafting
- camping
Exploring Colorado River Gorge
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Wupatki National Monument
The Navajo experience
Antelope Canyon

The menu is filling for each meal of the day. Accommodating to many foodies, appetites, and diets. You can enjoy breakfast until 11 AM, but the rest of the menu is available until closing. There is no alcohol at this restaurant, but they do offer a wide choice of coffees, juices, teas, sodas, milkshakes including Prickly Pear (a must try if you have never had this great desert fruit), and non-alcoholic beer.

Cameron Trading Post Highway 89 Arizona 4Chion Lifestyle b — Cameron Trading Post Highway 89 Arizona

Breakfast:
- Navajo pancake this is a blue corn pancake
- Prickly pear stuffed french toast this is French toast served sandwich style with a prickly pear jam and cream cheese
- Warrior Surprise is a mini-Navajo Taco topped with one egg

Lunch:
- Southwest taco salad served with a prickly pear cactus fruit vinaigrette
- Gunslinger ham and cheese with diced green chile to the classic ham and American cheese sandwich
- Navajo burger A juicy burger patty served on Fry Bread with salsa and all the trimmings (this was a delicious choice)

Dinner:
- Nakahee Becheeyeh ( means south of the border) includes a pork tamale, a meaty beef taco, and one cheese enchilada
  - Served with tortilla chips, our spicy homemade salsa, refried beans, rice, and your choice of red or green chile
- Trout dinner with lightly breaded fish that is grilled
- Liver and Onions Beef liver grilled with onions and bacon
  - served with soup or salad, a fresh mini loaf and a choice of mashed potatoes, baked potato, French fries, sautéed vegetables or rice pilaf.

Each dish enjoyed this evening brought a new experience to something familiar. We enjoyed the Navajo burger (with a vegetarian patty), club sandwich (served gluten-free) and Navajo taco (made with Blue Bird flour). Ellie enjoyed a milkshake and nibbling off everyone’s plate. Miss “Foodie” (Ellie) really recommends their fantastic french fries. The menu includes the Navajo language providing a fun conversation with the staff. We enjoyed the local flavors and an expansion of cultures. The food to the ambiance provided a complete experience with cultural diversity.

The dining room is a place that feels like a large welcoming dining room. It is decorated in traditional Native America artifacts and a large stone fireplace, it was a beautiful addition to the atmosphere and ties well with the menu. The ceiling a pressed tin is so intriguing. The beauty outside the cathedral windows is breathtaking. You can see the gorge and the suspension bridge (built-in 1911 for highway 89 traffic) from this place. The sunsets here are magnificent with the gorge and bridge.

@4ChionLifestyle

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Connect with Cameron Trading Post here:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CameronTradingPost

Connect with the Grand Canyon Here:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GrandCanyonNationalPark

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/grandcanyonnps/

Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/grand_canyon_nps/collections/

Twitter http://twitter.com/grandcanyonnps

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/GrandCanyonNPS

Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer). Ads by Case Fetish

Connect with Esdiac Global here to stay connected with family and friends while traveling. Exclusive offer to explore this great service $2 free using promo code ESDIACNOW

App download here:

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San Francisco Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle feature

Discovering The Great Outdoors of Arizona ~ Road Trip

By 4chionlifestyle | April 4, 2018

The beautiful state of Arizona is the Sonoran Desert, Sedona red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and ponderosa pine-covered mountains, that is a major gateway to the Grand Canyon. The beauty and natural formations are a great discovering journey.

Superstition Spring Mountains Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle a — Superstition Spring Mountains

The journey begins on US 60 near the gorgeous Superstition Spring Mountains. This mountain range is the most photographed and painted landmark behind the Grand Canyon in Arizona. These mountains east of Phoenix brings gorgeous sunrises and great light for sunsets. These mountains look different during the day as the lights play on the mountains. Many mountains in Arizona are volcanic. These mountains are near Weavers Needle, a tall eroded volcanic remnant.

A large part of the superstition is from Jacob Waltz. He claimed on his deathbed to have discovered a mother lode of gold there. Apaches believe that the hole leading down into the lower world, or hell, is located in the Superstition Mountains. Another superstition tied to the mountains is that the winds blowing from the hole that believe to cause of severe dust storms in the Phoenix metropolitan region. There are many stories of strange sounds and disappearance connected to the mountains. Many Apaches believe that the hole leading down into the lower world, or hell, is in the Superstition Mountains.

There is so much to see and do here! You can:

Hike
Bike
Explore the Lost Dutchman Museum
Apache Trail Tours
Goldfield Ghost Town
Superstition Zipline
Usery Mountain Regional Park

When exploring remember that this is a congressionally designated strict “leave no trace. This wilderness zone prohibits you from disturbing, leaving, or taking anything from the preserved areas.

V-Bar-V Heritage Lakea Montezuma Well Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle a — V-Bar-V Heritage and Lake Montezuma Well

Heading north out of Phoenix you climb 3000 feet in elevation. You take exit 293 follow the signs to Lake Montezuma Well National Monument (there is also Montezuma’s castle you can visit in the nearby area). This is a free stop with an easy to follow a trail, there are 100 steps down into the well. This trail will take you through how the Southern Sinagua, cliff dwellers, figured how to use spring water to irrigate their crops. The water is about 55 feet deep and 74 degrees Fahrenheit with 1.5 million gallons daily. The rim leads to large pueblo ruins and an ancient pit house.

Leaving the national monument use forest road via Forest Service Rd 618. This will take you to V-Bar-V Heritage Site. Here you will see life by the stream over thousands of years. There is a $5 parking fee, no pets, and no public water at this place. You will follow a trail walking past a chimney in remnants and fences from old homesteads along the creek. The walk is easy and beautiful. This trail will take you to the best-preserved and largest petroglyph site in the Verde Valley. This rock art is beautiful and tells a different story each day. You can follow the planting of the crops by Southern Sinagua to the harvest by the way the light hits the wall at a specific time each day. There is a carved rock in the wall that follows the mountain range of San Francisco Peaks. Save your pass for your ventures in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. You can see where the pass is good click here.

Sedona AZ family 4chion Lifestyle — Sedona AZ

Head east on N Forest Ranger Rd toward Forest Service Rd 618 to get to Sedona. The famous area rises above the desert land and brings beautiful hues of red color against the brown desert and green ponderosa pines. This prime community brings art, beautiful nature, vortex, and exceptional food and wine. The vortex is a swirling center of energy believed to help with healing and meditation. The best art shop in the southwest (we believe) is Tlaquepaque (pronounced T-la-keh-pah-keh). This place of great art from the southwest and modern artists. There are beautiful places to catch a bit to eat or drink. There are often great gallery showings.

Sedona does host a yearly film festival and wine festival (featuring Arizona wines our favorite is Alcantara Vineyards close to Sedona). There is a wide diversity of food and fantastic. A great restaurant is the Mesa Grill at the Sedona Airport. The view on top of the hill is fantastic. Watching planes come and go is an added bonus. Enjoyed the shrimp ceviche as it was midday.

There is so much to do in Sedona:

Jeep tours
Hiking
Biking
Swimming
Touring
Exploring
Golfing

Leaving Sedona you take 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. Highway 89 is the top tourist road trip. This road takes you from Mexico to Canada while passing through some of the most scenic areas of the west. You can visit National Parks, fourteen National Monuments and three Heritage Areas.

Oak Creek Canyon provides a great stop if you have time to take a dip in slide rock. This gorge provides beautiful views of sheer rock, changes in the landscape from the beauty of the red rocks to the Ponderosa pines. This journey will have you climb the final 2500 feet into Flagstaff AZ.

Flagstaff AZ family 4chion Lifestyle Arizona — Flagstaff Arizona

Flagstaff the last big city in Northern Arizona. This town is home to Northern Arizona University, connection to the Grand Canyon, and the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona’s tallest mountain Humphreys Peak. This town is where we stayed the night. A visit with my grandchild, Ellie, she provided an exception breakfast of pancakes and eggs. She is a foodie at 2. Cooking and washing dishes she loves to be in the kitchen.

We enjoyed visiting with family and exploring this beautiful town. The downtown area includes some great food and shops with exquisite Native American art and jewelry. It is a gathering place for tourist and locals alike. There is a monthly art walk with the many galleries and movie night in the Square. Dogs are welcomed in most areas of the town.

Our final evening we enjoyed a wonderful meal and drinks at Dara Thai with family and dear friends. The food was exceptional. The menu provided a vast variety for everyone including a nephew who is particular. The spring rolls are fresh and have a great dip with some heat. The seafood with fresh ginger was warm and light. The cocktails were unique. They do have a full-service bar. It was a perfect evening together hearing about plans for traveling and journeys.

San Francisco Peaks and Sunset Crater Travel Road Trip 4Chion Lifestyle Arizona — The San Francisco Peaks and Sunset Crater

We hit 89 early in the morning and stopped by Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. This is a loop you can take off highway 89. There is a $20 fee to complete the loop. You can stop and see the Sunset Crater area just off the road. This volcano erupted over 1000 years. This eruption created the crater and volcanic fields you can see today but destroyed homes, families, and farms of the native people who lived in there. They relocated to Wupatki, a national monument on the full loop.

The drive from the national monument is one that journeys through Native American land. It is one of change and beauty. You can see the San Francisco Peaks disappear and the land become a painted desert. We can recommend Cameron Trading Post. This is a great place to get Navajo rugs, Hopi pottery, Hopi kachinas and silver and turquoise jewelry, Apache baskets and Plains beadwork to our Native American Art. The meal was fantastically cooked from scratch meal. Enjoyed a homemade garden burger on Indian Fry Bread with fabulous fries.

The journey through Arizona ends in the beautiful town of Page AZ. Page is a great area to stage your next journey. It is connected to the following areas:

Lake Powell
The Wave
Antelope Canyon
North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Horseshoe Bend
Road stands with handcrafted Native American art

89 highway Page AZ 4chion Lifestyle Arizona — 89 Highway and Page AZ

This was a great place to meet with a high school friend and his beautiful wife. We enjoyed breakfast at Ranch House Grille. It was a very local place. Many entering the grill knew other patrons and shared stories of their families and community. It was a wonderful meal. Large portions, good café coffee, and great hash browns.

This journey on the 89 through Arizona was a great journey of beauty, nature, family, and friends. The road trip was one of reflection and dedication to understanding the diversity in Arizona. What is your favorite Arizona site to see? Post your photos here #4ChionStyle

@4ChionLifestyle

Follow the entire road trip here:

Chicago Food, Fun, and Relaxation ~ Road Trip

The Middle of the Midwest Champaign ~ Road Trip

Motor Raceway to USA Gymnastics ~ Midwest Road Trip

Over The Rocky Mountains We Go ~ Road Trip

The Journey to Zions and Beyond ~ Road Trip

Follow us for all thing fashion, celebrity, and beauty.

Burt’s Bees For Road Trip Purchase Here

Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

Hydrating Sheet Mask

Moisturizing Lip Mask (road trip really made my lips dry this was fab)

Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract (perfect and saves fees for staining hotel towels)

Coconut Foot Creme

Skin Nourishment Night Cream

Tropical Pineapple Flavor Crystals Lip Balm (This is fantastic, but does not have SPF)

Special offer for your road trip new cell phone case cover:

Click here to see a vast selection.

You get one free by using code GET100 (1 per customer) (limited time offer). Ads by Case Fetish

App download here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clearsoft.esdiac.ng&hl=en

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esdiac-global-app/id1148131010?mt=8

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Connect with Daniel Chimowitz (designer for the gown at V-Bar-V Heritage Site) here:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/daniel.chimowitz

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/daniel_chimowitz_fashion_art/

The Academy Awards® Celebrates 90 years ~ Governors Ball

By 4chionlifestyle | February 24, 2018

Govenors Ball 2018 Oscars 4chion lifestyle — Governors Ball 2018 Oscars®

This year The Academy Awards® is celebrating 90 years. The Governors Ball is pulling out the very best for the years celebrity party. Wolfgang Puck, his 24th year catering this party, and his catering company will bring the best in food, entertainment, and ascetics for the best in the film industry. His goal with each event he caters is, “revolutionized the dining landscape with a singular focus: to exceed expectations whenever our guests gather for a meal.”

Wolfgang Puck recipe 4chion Lifestyle — Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This year’s menu brings some favorites back and new experiences. His menu is set to meet everyone’s pallet and needs. You can recreate some of the items for your own party click here and here. The menu includes:

Amuse Bouche

Parmesan Bread Sticks
Everything Bagel Pretzel Bite, Scamorza Cream Cheese, Tomato Confit
Aged Vermont Cheddar Cheese
Aged Parmesan Cheese
Candied Spiced Mixed Nuts, Pineapple
Dried Fruit
Apricot Macadamia Nut Lavosh

90th Oscars®, Governors Ball Preview — The Academy’s® Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom

Passed Hors d’Oeuvre

Edamame and Black Truffle Pot Stickers (V)
Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Tartare, Puffed Black Rice, Togarashi
* Of the 28,000 Japanese Black cattle handled by JA Miyazaki, only 18,000 meet the criteria to become Miyazaki Wagyu.
Tiny Taro Taco, Spiced Eggplant, Lime Pickle (V)
Smoked Salmon Oscars
Miniature Wagyu Burger with Sharp Cheddar and Remoulade
Signature Pizzas
Spicy Tuna Tartare in Sesame Miso Cones
Crab Stuffed Hibiscus, Lemon, Pomegranate
Explosion of Rhubarb, Thai Flavors (V)

Small Plates

Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Pea Shoots, Mezze Flavors (V)
Frozen Beets, Ginger Milk Curd, Yuzu, Ice Lettuce
Asparagus, Shiro Miso, Watercress, Cherry Tomatoes, Sancho Pepper (V)
White Asparagus Soup, Caviar, Yukon Potato Croutons
Potato Caviar 2.0
Black Truffle Chicken Pot Pie
Winter Truffle Baked Cavatappi and Cheese
Mini Pea and Carrot Ravioli, Black Truffle, Cipollini Onions
Miyazaki Wagyu Beef, Forbidden Black Rice, Crunchy Red Beets, Char Siu Cabbage
Black Bass, Eggplant, Salsa Verde, Teardrop Peppers
Housemade Spinach Campanelle, English Peas, Cipollini Onions, Roasted Tomatoes (V) (V) – Vegan

Raw Bar

Spicy Tuna, California, and Vegetable Rolls
Made-to-Order Nigiri
Scallop Crudo, Blood Orange, Finger Lime, Lovage
Sea Urchin, Egg, Dashi Ikura
Caviar Parfait with 24k Gold
Oysters on the Half Shell
Snow Crab Claws
King Crab Legs
Lobster
Mussels
Clams
Shrimp

Pastries & Chocolate

Caramel-Passion Fruit Oscars Lollipops
Mango-Lime Pate a Fruit with Tajin Pop
Marjolaine Cake Pop
Passion Fruit Meringue Lollipop
Pistachio Raspberry Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dark Chocolate Brownies
Coconut Macaroons
Cocktail Inspired Macarons
Negroni-Orange, Campari, Vermouth,
Gin Mojito-Lime, White Rum
Piña Colada-Pineapple, Malibu Rum
Individual Blueberry-Violet Entremets Cake
Vegan Carrot Cupcake with Vegan Cream Cheese
Gianduja Cupcake
Lychee-Rose-Raspberry Tart
Pineapple Upside-Down Verrine
Housemade Chocolate Bonbons
Lemon Cheesecake
Pecan Pie
Raspberry Pate a Fruit, Vanilla Ganache
York Peppermint
Kumquat Pimm’s

Vegan Items (without Gluten)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich
Coconut Vegan Cupcake
Walnut Chocolate Cookies

Passed Small Desserts

Ruby Chocolate Strawberry and Cream
strawberry-hibiscus mousse, strawberry compote, vanilla sponge,
mascarpone cream, Callebaut Ruby chocolate
*Wolfgang Puck Catering is the first company in the U.S. to utilize and serve this new, fully sustainable, naturally colored, varietal of chocolate
Key Lime Meringue Cheesecake Taco
key lime cheesecake, graham cracker, white chocolate shell, toasted meringue
Mocha Beehive
salted sable Breton, dark chocolate Rocher shell, liquid honey ganache, mocha mascarpone mousse
Tropical Halo-Halo
coconut tapioca pudding, exotic fresh fruits, acai granita

Made to Order

Mille Crepe Cake, Caramel, Chocolate, Raspberry Filling
Cinnamon Sugar Beignets Topped with Caramel
Hibiscus Kombucha Carbonated to Order

The menu is taking a close look at keeping seafood that Seafood Watch compliant and locally sourced ingredients from:

A Casas Farms
Babe Farms
Best Oriental Produce
Chino Valley Ranchers cage free eggs
Coke Farms
County Line Harvest
Fruition Sales
Harry’s Berries
Ocean Mist
Pasturebird Farms
Pudwill Farms
Rising C Ranch specialty citrus
Straus Dairy
Sunkist
Times Produce
Weiser Family Farms

The staff of 300 hundred begins preparing days in advance to serve the large crowd with the best food that remains the same from guest to guest. Just a few of the items used to create this massive menu includes:

1,000 hibiscus flowers
2,600-pound sculpted ice bar
100 pounds Snake River Farms 0/0 Gold Grade New York steak
125 pounds aged Vermont Cheddar cheese
250 pounds Parmesan Reggiano
100 pounds five-year aged white Cheddar
1,500 Yukon gold potatoes
35 pounds winter black truffles from Burgundy
1,000 pounds Pasturebird chicken
3,500 pieces housemade seeded lavash
5 gallons homemade pimento cheese
2,375 housemade pretzel bites
3,500 Fleur de Sel breadsticks
6,000 pieces mini brioche buns
4,500 pieces handmade “agnolotti” ravioli
3,000 pounds of hand-carved ice cubes
2,000 edible flowers

Mark Held, of MARK’S GARDEN®, is the exclusive florist for the 2018 Governors Ball. MARK’S GARDEN® is celebrated for innovative floral designs for large-scale events He will be preparing 5000 succulents with thousands of roses and ranunculus a week in advance. These flowers are from California, Holland, and South America. Keeping with the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle the succulents and floral arrangements are going to be planted at the Motion Picture Television Fund following the event.

Sequoia Production is overseeing all the details. This company has produced 29 consecutive Governors Balls. The philosophy according to Cheryl Cecchetto is, “People celebrating life, that’s what it’s all about.”

The evening is a celebration that includes extensive cocktails, wine, and champagne. Francis Ford Coppola wine has produced an exclusive wine for the 90th Oscars® celebration. The red wine is a classic Alexander Valley Cabernet with black fruit berries. The white wine is a Chardonnay with aromatic notes of spiced pears, tangerine, honey, and hazelnut brioche. Each label is specific to this celebratory time. You can recreate the cocktails and non-alcoholic with the recipes by clicking the recipes links above and one is at the end of this article. The wine list includes 2014 Archimedes Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are serving this remember to start decanting several hours prior to serving.

There is not a celebration without champagne. This year as in years past it is Piper-Heidsieck that will be flowing throughout the evening. This limited edition is 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay. It has notes of almond and fresh hazelnut accompany the precise ascent of bubbles. They will be pouring this at the ceremony as well as the Governors Ball.

The Governors Ball is committed to making sure that is they do not go to waste on memories, celebration, and trash. They are ensuring the following:

Unused prepared food will be recovered to support our local community by Chefs to End Hunger, an organization established to create awareness, educate and offer ways to contribute to end hunger.
Recycle plastics, metals, glass, paper and cardboard.
Floral arrangements will be delivered to and planted at the Motion Picture & Television Fund residential community for the aging.
Use energy efficient LEDs for event lighting.
The plywood used in the design has been and will be repurposed.
Carpet will be recycled into carpet padding.
Service ware is reusable.
All lighting, audio, rigging equipment and furniture are rentals and will be repurposed for future events.
The event production office employs energy-saving practices.

The night is filled with exceptional food, decor, and memories. A few of the stats for the night include:

1,500 guests
Team of 10 maitre d’ staff
850 service and support staff
13,000 glasses for beverages
More than 4 miles of cabling to support
6,000 cocktail forks
Lighting and video prep in ShowPro’s 100% solar powered, carbon-neutral facility.

The night includes The Protagonist, starring Tequila Don Julio Blanco, is the hero of the evening. The inspiration for the cocktail is a refreshing, complex, elegant and celebratory all wrapped up in one beautiful cocktail. The pure essence of the tequila lays the foundation for bright citrus, herbal botanicals and subtle floral notes. Each ingredient plays a special role, painting a complete and balanced picture to be enjoyed responsibly throughout the night.

MIXOLOGIST CHARLES JOLY alcoholic drink Oscars 4Chion Lifestyle — The Trilogy

Here is one last recipe that the celebrities will enjoy this evening:

THE PROTAGONIST

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces Tequila Don Julio Blanco

1/2 ounce Pimm’s The Original No. 1 Cup

3/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

2 ounces Tonic Water

Sliced Cucumber and Borage Flowers for Garnish

Preparation:

1. Combine Don Julio Blanco, Pimm’s, lemon juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Gently shake and roll in tonic water.

2. Pour over fresh ice in a Collins glass.

3. Garnish: Wrap thin cucumber slice around inside of glass and top with borage flowers.

This evening is one of the most watched and celebrated in the world. Entertaining your own guest is a thrill. We would love to hear about your evening photos from the menu, planning tips, food, decor, and selfies. Please post your Oscar® party photos here using #OscarParty #4ChionStyle. Have a wonderful Oscar® evening!

The 90th Oscars®, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

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