Elms University Center
310 S Peoria Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Class #3:
THREE QUICK MEALS THAT CAN BE PUT TOGETHER FROM A PROPERLY STOCKED PANTRY
Unexpected company, last-minute changes to the day’s schedule, an unforeseen delay….all dinner dilemmas common to everyday life! All are an easy fix for the busy homemaker who has a well-stocked pantry. In this talk-and-demonstrate session, the presenter will propose three easy-to-prepare dinners and prepare them all with the assistance of several participants. Helpful tips and techniques facilitate both the preparation steps and the cooking stage of the recipes.

Class #4:
SLOW COOKER & FREEZER COOKING
Slow-cookers are very popular today and, ironically, a very convenient and dependable answer to the often hectic pace of life in a family! A few minutes of preparation in the morning (or the night before) leads to a delicious, healthy meal at the end of the day. The presenter will give a demonstration of two appealing recipes which all the participants will receive. They will also speak about the benefits of freezing food for future use: meal for a new mom’s family, baked items for holidays and parties, quick meal for busy weekday night. They will also cover what can be frozen and what things don’t freeze well.

Schedule:
10:30 Arrive
10:35 Introduction & Overview
11:00 Class 1
11:45 Class 2
12:45 Lunch
1:30 Depart

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

For more information, contact:
Pila Racca
pilaracca@gmail.com

To download promotional card, click here.

Elms University Center
310 S Peoria Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Class #1:
KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, PHYSICAL LAYOUT, STOCKING A PANTRY
A well-stocked, well-organized kitchen is no accident! This walk-and-talk demonstration in the kitchen includes not only a talk on key points in creating and maintaining such a kitchen, but also a visual demonstration/tour of the kitchen itself: its lay-out, its organization, and its functionality. Stressing the necessity of cleanliness and order throughout the talk and the visuals is essential.

Class #2:
BASIC NUTRITION, MENU PLANNING, USE OF LEFT-OVERS
Knowing the basics of nutrition is essential for providing healthy, well-balanced meals for the family. Especially today with the fad diets, unpredictable meal times, and constant snacking, family meals assume an even greater importance. Meals planned ahead of time eliminate last-minute chaos in the kitchen or expensive and less-than-nutritious takeout food. The creative use of left-overs can also keep the family’s food budget manageable. Understanding the session’s topics is a necessary pre-requisite not only for providing healthy meals, but also for promoting life-long habits of good eating.

Schedule:
10:30 Arrive
10:35 Introduction & Overview
11:00 Class 1
11:45 Class 2
12:45 Lunch
1:30 Depart

For more information, contact:
Pila Racca
pilaracca@gmail.com

To download promotional cards, click here.

Downers Grove, Illinois
The Grove Cultural Center

Take a break from hectic holiday preparation to recapture the immense joy of Christmas! Join us for this relaxed Art of Living for Women session. Come enjoy cheese, other savory and sweet treats, along with warm mulled wine and hot apple cider. We will share Christmas traditions and have hands-on cookie making.

Schedule:
7:00 Sign-in and Welcome
7:10 The Art of Living for Women Vision
7:20 The Joy of Christmas
7:30 Hands-on cookie making
8:00 Sharing Christmas traditions and memories while enjoying refreshments and cookies
9:00 Goodbye till next time (take home: cookies and distinctive cookie recipes)

For more information, please contact:
Kristin Kocan
kristin@kocan.org

To download the event’s invitation (5 x 7), click here.

Elms University Center
310 S Peoria Street
Chicago, IL 60607

For women who live with a sense of mission and want to take action as a member of Home Unlimited with full access to programming of Art of Living for Women and Girls. Have you ever thought about what a bright and cheerful home can do to change the world?

Join us and you will:

• Learn about programs and resources of Home Unlimited, our umbrella Foundation

• Learn about the vision and methodology of the Art of Living for Women and Girls

• Participate in a seminar workshop

• Receive a starter kit for your first event

Schedule: 
11:00 Arrival
11:15 Introduction
11:30 Vision and goals
12:00 Why a website and why members?
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Seminar I: A Happy Cheerful Home in the 22nd Century: A Minimalist Lifestyle
3:00 Seminar II: Organizing Linen Closets (hands-on folding sheets and towels), Organizing Pantry and Kitchen Cabinets
4:00 Q & A—Art of Living for Women Starter kit

For more information, contact:
Pila Racca
pilaracca@gmail.com

To download invitation for printing or emailing, click here.

Downers Grove, Illinois
The Grove Cultural Center

Joy is intrinsic to work well done and in accomplishments! There is also joy in seeing our children develop their abilities so they can experience the joy of work well done. This session in our Creative Cooperation in the Home Series focuses on Practice and Mastery. Our speakers for this session are two homeschooling moms, Christine Gomez, mother of 8, and Renata Heinz, mother of 9. Christine will address practice and mastery with regard to care of the home. Renata will address practice and mastery with regard to skills that bring additional artistry into home life, specifically sewing/clothing design, and cake decorating.

Schedule:
10:30 Sign-in
10:40 Welcome and Introduction to The Art of Living for Women
10:50 Bringing Your Children to Grow Expertise in Care of the Home
11:10 Sewing and Cake Decorating—Practice to Mastery
11:30 Discussion
11:45 Hands-on activity
12:20 Lunch
1:00 Good-bye till next time!

Lunch will be included. Online registration is required. Nursing babies are welcome.

For more information, contact:
Kristin Kocan
kristin@kocan.org

To download promotional brochure, click here.

Downers Grove, Illinois
The Grove Cultural Center

Children and play just seem to go together! More than that, we see play acknowledged as critically important in a child’s well-being and development, affecting creativity, emotional health, cognitive growth, and confidence. This session of our Creative Cooperation in the Home Series focuses on the importance of home-based play. We strive to create bright and cheerful homes, good homes that have the right atmosphere for good play! Our speaker for this session is Magdalena (Lena) Hudson, a homeschooling mother of 9, who has self-studied philosophical aspects of life that can enable children to recognize truth, goodness, and beauty as they mature. She will share perspectives with you that you likely never heard before.

Prior on-line registration is required. Please register online by July 24, 2023 to reserve your spot!

Lunch is included. Nursing babies are welcome.

Schedule:
10:30 Sign-in
10:40 Welcome and Introduction to The Art of Living for Women
10:50 The Home: both a physical space and a spiritual reality
11:05 The Power of Home-Based Play (talk + Q&A)
11:45 Hands-on activity
12:20 Lunch
1:00 Good-bye till next time!

For more information, contact:
Kristin Kocan
kristin@kocan.org

To download invitation (5 x 7), click here. To download card (4 to a page), click here.

Fashion and Style for a Busy Woman

This event is designed for mothers and preschool children. While moms learn about fashion and style, their preschool children experience aspects of Montessori play in a beautiful backyard (infants also welcome).

Our clothing and appearance send a message. Therefore it is important that we learn about how to:
–choose most flattering colors
–dress for your body type
–look pulled together, no matter your lifestyle
–elevate the dignity of women

Schedule:
10:00   Welcome coffee and cold beverages; introduce children to play setting
10:25   Introductory talk
11:30    Buffet lunch for women and children
11:55    Closing remarks   

We are limited to 12 participants. Includes lunch.

For more information, contact:
Mary Pat Fahy
marypatfahy@gmail.com

To download promotional brochure, click here. To download promotional card, click here.

Downers Grove, Illinois
The Grove Cultural Center

Series: Creative Cooperation in the Home

Session 2: The Basis of Belonging—It’s All About Connection
“Parents have a mission. Parents provide and protect, nurture and educate with this goal in mind: Happiness!” These words introduce the theme of the Art of Living for Women series entitled “Creative Cooperation in the Home.” The first session was an overview of Creative Cooperation and presented crucial practices that nourish happiness in family life. Session two delves into the first of these practices: Connection. It is interpersonal connection that gives a child a sense of belonging and worth. This session features Lilliam Civantos, a psychologist who has an active counseling practice. Lilliam will lead us through aspects of the child’s cognitive development involved in interpersonal connection.

In addition, session two will include a hands-on activity that can facilitate connection with your children. Attending the first session is not a pre-requisite for attending this second session; each session can be enjoyed on an individual basis.

Prior on-line registration is required. Please register online by May 15, 2023 to reserve your spot!
Lunch is included. Nursing babies are welcome.

Schedule:
10:30 Sign-in
10:35 Welcome and Introduction to The Art of Living for Women
10:45 Interpersonal Connection within the Family (talk + Q&A)
12:00 Hands-on activity
12:20 Lunch
1:00 Goodbye till next time!

For more information, contact:
Kristin Kocan
kristin@kocan.org

To download the promotional brochure, click here. To download a card for emailing or printing, click here.

Downers Grove, Illinois
The Grove Cultural Center

New series: Creative Cooperation in the Home

Session 1: Overview of Creative Cooperation
“Parents have a mission. Parents provide and protect, nurture and educate with this goal in mind: Happiness!” These words introduce the theme of the new Art of Living for Women series entitled “Creative Cooperation in the Home.” The home-base for the mission of parents is the home, which is both a spiritual and physical space. Our featured speaker will reveal practices that provide such nourishment in family life. Future sessions in the series will drill down into specifics of these practices.

In addition, Session 1 will include a period of introspection where each participant, with the help of a questionnaire, can identify areas in her home routine where she could use some helpful ideas. This time will be followed by the opportunity to discuss these areas with a panel of women who have a range of experience integrating a growing family with home management.

Prior on-line registration is required. Please register online by April 14, 2023 to reserve your spot!
Lunch is included. Nursing babies are welcome.

Schedule:
10:30 Sign-in
10:35 Welcome and Introduction to The Art of Living for Women
10:45 Creative Cooperation Overview (talk + Q&A)
11:45 Personal introspection (helped with home environment questionnaire)
11:55 Q&A and discussion with panel
12:20 Lunch
1:00 Goodbye till next time!

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

For more information, contact:
Kristin Kocan
kristin@kocan.org

To download the promotional brochure, click here. To download a card for emailing or printing, click here.

Downers Grove, Illinois
The Grove Cultural Center 

How do we think about our apparel? Do we think in terms of wowing others with our keen sense of taste and fashion? Are we anxious to always be up on the current wave of novelty? Or maybe we don’t even want to think about updating old clothes that we are comfortable with. Either way, we need to be aware that how we choose our clothing and how we wear it can express our dignity as persons and also enrich the lives of those around us with beauty. Having a true understanding of “style” can help us to do this.  

Without being slaves of ever-changing fashion, we can still make use of creative fashion trends to brighten and freshen our wardrobe. There are even ways to better your style without shopping! Style can be a personal thing, not only do your physical characteristics play a role in what would suit you best, but also aspects of your personality. Please join us for this Art of Living for Women session exploring the importance of and the how-to’s of style.  

Yariella Taylor will present an informative talk on this topic and also will hold an interactive demo on getting to know your style.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT.

Lunch is included. We are limited to 25 ladies; nursing babies are welcome. 

To download promotional brochure, click here.

For more information, please contact:
Kristin Kocan
kristin@kocan.org

Park Ridge, Illinois
This event is in a private home and address will be emailed to attendees.

We will enjoy a morning of inspiration so we are ready to quarterback the holiday season!

• Gift buying tips to stay on budget and ahead of the buying frenzy

• How to prioritize the holiday obligations to keep the joy in your family

• Planning menus and meals, staging your home to accommodate your plans

• Simply Stated Holiday Style for you and your family

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

For more information, contact:
Mary Pat Fahy
marypatfahy@gmail.com

To download promotional brochure, click here.

Educating Our Minds and Emotions to Help Us More Effectively Care for Our Aging Loved Ones

The Grove Cultural Center
Downers Grove, IL

The elderly that are in our life are gifts from God to us. As we accompany them through the process of aging, we want to effectively, caringly, and lovingly share our lives with them whether as caregivers, family members, or friends. Our speakers, Nancy Rowan, PT (Physical Therapist) and Maria Pittinger, RN, BSN (Registered Nurse), have worked in the healthcare system, including with the elderly, for many years and will share their combined knowledge with you. In this session you will learn about:

• Natural and common emotions that can be experienced by those dealing with elderly people

• Natural and common attitudes and behaviors that people may begin to exhibit as they age

• Dealing with sorrow, negativity, and feelings of unimportance our loved ones may experience

• Dealing with physical and mental limitations our loved ones may experience

• Where you can go for help and more information

In addition to their talks and a Q&A session, Nancy and Maria will offer interactive demonstrations related to mobility techniques that can be very helpful whether your loved one is living with you or if you are just visiting.

I. Welcome and Overview of The Art of Living for Women
II. Service toward Our Elderly is Love in Action
III. Educating Our Minds and Emotions To Help Us More Effectively Care for Our Aging Loved Ones
IV. Interactive Demonstrations
V. Lunch

Prior on-line registration is required. Please register online by August 1, 2022 to reserve your spot! Seats are limited to 15 ladies. Lunch is included. Nursing babies are welcome.

$25.00

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

For more information contact Kristin Kocan: Kristin@kocan.org

To download promotional brochure, click here.

Park Ridge, IL
At a private home—address will be sent to attendees by email.

The Art of Living for Women 2022 will present the beauty of friendship, making connections through meaningful conversations and how to entertain with ease.

The warmth of friendship may have been a bit hard to feel during the extended restrictions of the previous years; what better way to nourish friendship by increased skills in the art of conversation and entertaining friends and family with a simple and stress free approach.

Friendships bring so much to the human heart and soul! We will explore why human connections are important, discuss strategies for making friends even for the most shy, and discuss and demonstrate easy menus for entertaining with a budget in mind. We hope these ideas will inspire you and involve your family in the art of conversation, friendship and simple entertaining.

I. Welcome and Overview of the Art of Living for Women
II. The psychology of friendship
III. Art of conversation and making friends
IV. Approaches to Simple Entertaining
V. Simple lunch

Includes luncheon.
We are limited to 15 applicants.

$20.00

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

For more information:
Mary Pat Fahy
847-951-6058
marypatfahy@gmail.com

To download promotional brochure, click here.

Are you ready to make your mealtime special, going beyond mere transfer of substances into your body? Meals can give so much more to the human spirit! This session will explore how to make your mealtimes rich with beauty. You will be introduced to the idea of “eating with your eyes first,” and will learn details regarding “plating,” setting up a buffet, the concept of “tiers of 3,” and how different shaped dishes and platters contribute to the beauty of food presentation. You will see examples of appetizers, main courses, salads, and desserts with particular visual appeal. Our speaker is Larissa Zinkus, who has a Cordon Blue education. Following her talk and discussion with the participants, Larissa will give a hands-on demonstration of creating a beautiful presentation of a specific dish.

I. Welcome and Overview of The Art of Living for Women
II. More Than a Meal!
III. Beautiful Meals
IV. Hands-on Demonstration
V. Lunch

The Grove Cultural Center
Downers Grove, Illinois

Prior on-line registration is required. Please register online by January 3, 2021 to reserve your spot! Seats are limited to 15 ladies. Lunch is included. Nursing babies are welcome.

$25.00

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

For more information contact Kristin Kocan: Kristin@kocan.org
To download the promotional brochure, click here.