We're Better Together!

Straight Talk from our Community Compass
​October 2025

​MYRNA: ​Are you a ground beef lover? Do you hate the thought of substituting ground turkey? Well, the turkey was on a huge sale the other day…so, who can resist, right? I was surfing for recipes and found a good one for turkey sloppy joes. This recipe includes lots of the ingredients I love, such as red bell pepper, carrots, garlic, sweet relish, cucumber and red onion — and some aromatic autumn spices, such as chili powder and ground cinnamon. Try this recipe with chicken, too! It’s lighter than the original and a good swap if you’re in the mood.

​CAROL: For the last 22 years, New York City Center — founded in 1943 by then-mayor Fiorello LaGuardia (after whom the airport is named) as “the peoples’ house” — sponsors the Fall for Dance festival. Every September, the festival runs for two weeks and features dance companies from all over the world. They perform everything from classical ballet to tap to hip-hop to tango and more. Every ticket is $30, making this vibrant international event accessible to most. This year, I saw the Stuttgart Ballet from Germany; the Social Tango Project from Argentina; the Paris Opera Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Dutch National Ballet; Hubbard Street Dance from Chicago; I-Ling Liu X from Taiwan, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and more. Prior to some performances there are free dance lessons for ticket holders. If you’re ever in New York City in mid-September, try to get a ticket. 

​SANDRA: Stay tuned for my upcoming Travel Journal feature in our November issue. Where did I explore? Charlestown, Rhode Island. And I have lots to say.

​JENIPHER: I may be late to the game, but if you haven’t read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, it’s a must! This novel explores fame, identity, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of success. Through the life of glamorous Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo, we are drawn into a world of love, ambition and secrets. Reid balances old-Hollywood allure with heartfelt human vulnerability, making it impossible to put down. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy complex characters, beautifully layered storytelling, and thought-provoking themes about truth and self-discovery.​

​KAREN: ​Whether you work from an at-home office, off-site workplace or hybrid arrangement, the environment you work in can affect your well-being and productivity. Below is a sneak-peak of interior designer, Ámbar Margarida’s top strategies for workspace designs that support personal wellness and efficiency. Check out Sanctuary’s November issue for more!

• Seek exposure to daylight or artificial light that mimics natural light’s warm-to-cool-toned cycle to heighten productivity.
• Use alternative work areas for different tasks to enhance focus.  
• Customize with adjustable chairs, desks and lighting for optimal comfort.
• Incorporate elements of nature to promote calmness. 

​LAURA: As the heat kicks on indoors, dry air can leave you more dehydrated than you realize. Even mild under-hydration can affect metabolism, immune defenses (especially important during cold and flu season), and may even trick the body into feeling hungry when it’s really just thirsty. Adults generally need about 8 to 10 cups of fluids daily, though needs vary with age, activity and health. Water, herbal teas, and foods with high water content (like fruit and soup) all count toward keeping you well-hydrated and energized.

​JILLIAN: Fall is my favorite season; sometimes I wish I could stretch October so that it lasts two or three more months than it does. But I will look back on this summer fondly. This August, I traveled to Croatia and Romania and spent a week and a half marveling at the cerulean blue Adriatic Sea, cheering on Hajduk Split, and coasting through the Carpathian Mountains on Romania’s Transfăgărășan Highway. Here’s to more adventures and living in the moment!

​CARLA: Flexibility is key in all relationships. If we get stuck in “having it our way,” we become less attuned to others’ needs — and our own growth. But a willingness to be flexible can work against you in certain areas, such as your core boundaries, values, and needs. For example, if a strong need for respect is part of your core values (as it is mine), you’ll feel more empowered when you require this element as part of your relationships.  When you pause to notice the areas where you’re too flexible or not flexible enough, you open the door to better mental health.