This is the time of year when a mug of hot chocolate, warm apple cobbler, a cozy blanket and a good book make a perfect night. Instead of getting to yoga or on the treadmill, I prefer comfort food like fresh-baked breads, fruitcake and buttery dishes. In addition to feel-good foods, holiday celebrations are smothered with honey-baked hams, mashed potatoes, apple pies and other decadent treats. Those calories add up. Statistics from the National Institutes of Health show the average American gains 1 pound during the holiday season. This might not sound like much, but the same studies also show…
Hundreds of yogis and Ravens fans alike spread their mats and bodies under the bright lights of the Mustang Arena at Stevenson University recently for a charity yoga class to support Ravens running back Ricky Williams' foundation. His purple jersey reads No. 34, and 34-year old Williams is best known as the Ravens running back, but many fans don’t know that he is a dedicated yoga practitioner. He used yoga to help him conquer his troubles with drugs, detailed in this video. His pro-football status may attract people to charity events like this one, but his dedication to yoga is what …
When I first started doing yoga, more than a decade ago, teachers had one option—a thick, heavy black mat made out of PVC, weighing about nine pounds. I still have my first black mat, and it’s held up through thousands of yoga practices. But since that time, companies like Gaiam, Manduka, and Jade are designing yoga mats to fit every need and preference. There are eco-friendly mats, travel mats, sticky mats, professional strength mats, long mats, short mats, kids’ mats, all-natural mats and designer mats. All these options make mat shopping confusing. I’ve identified five main areas to …
Every October, the country gears up to bring awareness and raise money for breast cancer research and prevention. This year, the Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure in Hunt Valley, Maryland raised $2,604,714, according to the non-profit’s website. That’s not chump change. Approximately 200,000 women and 1,700 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, according to The National Breast Cancer Foundation. Forty thousand people will die from the disease this year. Funds are needed for research, prevention and support. Alyson Blum was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins B cell lymphoma 10 years ago. …
Whenever I am stressed, have an impinging deadline, or my to-do list reaches double digits, I do one of two things—vacuum the house or eat. I am not alone. Millions of Americans eat for reasons other than hunger. We eat because we are bored, tired, lonely, to be social, to be anti-social, and sometimes we don’t even realize we are eating. We’ve simply checked out. A Baltimore-based couple have made it their mission to help hundreds of people who use food to feel better. Richele Henry and Lucas Seipp-Williams are graduates of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Both wanted to help family …
Not everyone is bar-hopping on Saturday nights in Towson. In the heart of the college bar scene, about 20 veterans file into Charm City Yoga for their free weekly yoga class. Five weeks ago, Marine Corps Capt. C.J. Keller began offering free yoga for veterans, active military, first responders and their families. “I can’t think of a better way to give back to the people who have sacrificed their minds, bodies and opportunities to serve our country,” said Keller, who has been doing yoga for a year and a half. He completed his 200-hour teacher training through Charm City Yoga last summer. …
On Sunday evening, a sign on the door of The Health Concern warns customers that the store "will close at 5 p.m. today (due to lack of customers).” Although employees say the store has always closed early on Sundays, owner Steve Wollett says the family-owned business struggles financially. Despite being a landmark in Towson and serving the community for more than 40 years, new competitors have entered the area. Chains like MOM’s Organic Market, Whole Foods and The Vitamin Shoppe now vie for The Health Concern’s customer base. “They buy in bulk like Sam’s Club, so they get discounts. We could …
The Natural Market Location: 2149 York Road, Timonium Phone: 410-560-3133 Website: www.TheNaturalMkt.com Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 8:00 pm.; Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Despite its almost hidden location and premium prices, The Natural Market has been drawing a loyal clientele for more than two decades. Steve Schwarz opened The Natural Market in 1987 on Cranbrook Road in Cockeysville. Seven years ago, he expanded and moved the shop to the Timonium Shopping Center, across from the Timonium Fairgrounds. “He is dedicated to what he does. He’s a…
It’s week two of our exploration of health food markets in the Towson area. The town’s newest addition is high-end grocer The Fresh Market, which opened last week on Dulaney Valley Road, across from Towson Town Center. Store: Fresh Market Location: 838 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson Phone: 410-494-4930 Website: http://www.thefreshmarket.com Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The new Fresh Market doesn’t look anything like the old Super Fresh that used to stand in its place. The former sold day-old angel food cake, limp produce and operated with self-…
New to the organic scene? Here’s a quick guide to health food markets in and around Towson. Our diets have a huge impact on our health, possibly more so than any other factor. Eating clean, whole, organic foods can help cure disease, and increase energy, productivity and longevity. There are several health food markets in and around Towson. This week, we are looking at MOM’s Organic Market in Timonium. MOM’s Organic Market Location: 30 West Ridgely Road, Timonium Phone: 443-921-1390 Website: www.momsorganicmarket.com Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to …
As the sun sets over Lake Montebello, the park’s 1.3-mile walking path is full of people biking, rollerblading and running. But halfway around the loop, on a patch of Astroturf covered with fitness equipment, a group of 25 to 30 men are hitting the monkey bars for a hard-core workout. They call themselves Auto Bar Baltimore. You can find them swinging, leaping, pulling up and pushing down, laughing and cheering each other on at the park’s outdoor gym on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:30 to 11 p.m. “It’s addicting,” says 38-year-old Dante Osborne, who has lost 30 pounds in three …
If you’re looking at yoga or Pilates to tighten your midsection, build strength, stand taller and feel healthier, they both get the job done. Both disciplines require concentration, consistent practice and awareness. That’s why they are classified under “mind-body” programs, along with Tai Chi and meditation. But the differences between the two can be confusing, even for veteran students. Here’s a crash course on how yoga and Pilates each tone up our bodies and minds. Probably the biggest difference is that yoga is fundamentally a spiritual practice. The primary purpose of yoga is to teach …
Lifeline Power Yoga was built on the belief that yoga should be accessible to everyone. Owner Sid McNairy III, 41, opened his first donation-based studio in Towson, I Do Yoga, in 2004. When that closed, he opened Lifeline Power Yoga in 2007 and stayed with the donation-based business model. Despite four moves, McNairy has been able to keep Lifeline running on student donations, until now. Last fall, Lifeline moved into its fifth home—a deluxe 6000-square-foot location at 321 York Road, across from the Towson Library. The new venue has two heated yoga studios, massage rooms, restrooms …
Have allergies? A cut, burn or intestinal problems? Local honey may be the answer – and the source could be right in your backyard. Hidden behind a chain-link fence and azalea bushes off Providence Road near Seminary Avenue is home base for as many as 300,000 bees that busily spend the hot summer months gathering nectar throughout Hampton. Bill and Ellen McAllen started beekeeping 10 years ago after Ellen took a beekeeping course at Oregon Ridge Nature Center. As soon as the course ended, they jumped right in and mail-ordered three, 3-pound packages of bees, including a queen. They now have …
You often hear talk about the latest miracle diet that will help you lose all that weight you swore around New Year's Eve you would lose. You may not find that miracle diet but if you're looking to trim your waistline, jog over to these stores—you probably won't have to go far. Starting with Towson markets, Trader Joe's has organic produce, meats and dairy, almond and soy milk and organic cereals as well as alternative choices in pet food, soaps and all-natural cleaning products. It’s also the only place I know of that carries Dr. Praeger’s All Natural Veggie Burgers, made from a medley of …
