July 31st. One day. One neighborhood. Seven free dance workshops
 Philadelphia’s first annual National Dance Day is this Saturday, July 31st, and there are a ton of cool dance-loving things going on. Four local dance companies (Philly Dance Fitness, Lindy and Blues, Major Moment Studio, and Messiah Danceworks) will be offering seven FREE dance workshops, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m, scattered throughout the Graduate Hospital and Rittenhouse Square neighborhoods. There will be everything from blues, cardio bellydance, and hip hop to African jazz, salsa, Zumba-thon, lindy hop, and an end-of-the-night social dance and performance by the pros. (Check out the workshop schedule here.) No dance experience or partner is required. Wear sneakers or dance shoes and bring your friends!
|
Our resident mom just found a great use for all that past-its-prime summer produce going to waste in your fridge
 Fresh strawberry popcicles Before I begin this post, I would just like to issue the following disclaimer: I am not now, nor will I ever be, a Martha Stewart protégé. In fact, on my third date with my now husband, I proudly proclaimed, “I am not domestic, and I’ll probably never be.” And for the most part, I’ve held true to that statement. On the rare night that I “cook” it usually involves heating up a bag of frozen gnocchi from Trader Joe’s.
It should come as no surprise that my husband burst into laughter when I informed him that I was going to make grape soda. While I may not be Holly Homemaker, I am cheap, and it bugged me to no avail that we had a full bag of grapes that was past its peak of freshness and fruit would once again go to waste in our house. I love going to the grocery store in the spring and summer and filling my cart with fresh berries, peaches, mangoes and more, but by the week’s end, half of it invariably winds up in the trash. Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones, but I decided to get creative with fruit and put an end to the waste. READ MORE
|
10 that are close to sun and sand
 Illustration by Justin Renninger Whether you’re a camper at heart and are looking for a change from the mountains or are seeking an active Shore weekend on the cheap, the Jersey Shore’s area campsites are a perfect way to spend a summer weekend. From the North Shore to the Jersey Cape, here are 10 campsites that are close to sun and sand, in a range that will satisfy everyone from the “no RVs allowed” minimalist to the air-mattress-toting, “there had better be showers” family of four.
North Shore
Allaire State Park
Located 15 minutes from the boardwalks of Belmar and 20 minutes from Asbury Park, this campground offers a wide variety of trails, making it particularly attractive to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The Manasquan River winds through Allaire State Park which makes fishing, canoeing and kayaking between beach trips easy. There are 45 tent and trailer sites complete with fire rings and picnic tables. Cabin and shelter rentals available.
$20 per night. Free modern restrooms with hot showers within walking distance. Alcohol and pets prohibited. Campsites open all year. 4265 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, 732-938-2371. READ MORE
|
And why we should all be taking pics of ourselves naked
 Joan White; Photography by Pier Nicola D In our beautifully shot July fitness feature, “Heavenly Bodies,” we asked 15 of Philly’s fittest citizens to strip down, show off their bodies, and share what they do to look so good naked. Of course, getting 15 Philadelphians—even amazingly fit ones!—to pose nude was, understandably, not easy. It takes guts to strip down and let the world see you exactly as you are without a strip of clothing to hide behind or a pair of pockets in which to stuff your hands.
Our last behind-the-scenes post of our naked fitness photo shoot, where we asked our subjects to tell us what it was like posing nude, was so popular that when Joan White, one of Philly’s top yoga gurus, and Rocco Cima, chef/owner of Fuel and Q102 DJ, shot me their thoughts after returning from their summer vacays, I had to post them.
Do you think you could pose nude at age 67? Joan did, and the feedback she received from numerous Philly women was phenomenal. Check it out, and see why Rocco says we should all be taking pics of ourselves naked. READ MORE
|
Tomatoes and corn are at their peak this month. Try them together in this light and refreshing summer dish
 Corn and tomatoes are at their peak from now through August July is known for being the height of summer produce, but nothing screams “summer” quite like vibrantly colored tomatoes and fresh corn on the cob. Not only are these two vegetables exceptionally delicious at this time of year; they also pack a nutritional punch that makes them a valuable addition to any diet.
Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, an antioxidant found to be especially beneficial for colon, prostate, and pancreatic health. They are also rich in vitamins K and C, as well as folate, riboflavin and chromium. If that isn’t enough incentive to head to the farmers’ market, consider their rich taste, slightly acidic and slightly sweet. The perfect combination! Tomatoes also come in a wide variety of colors, from red to green to yellow to brown and even purple, making them a colorful addition to your summer table. READ MORE
|
The weather is warm and the gyms are stuffy. Break out of your routine with a fun workout on the water
 Illustration by Justin Renninger Whether you grab a few friends or the family for a day of canoeing or want to up the burn a bit and try your hand at kayaking, both of these water workouts ensure you’ll be sore the next day—your arms! your core! your back!—and feel refreshed from time spent in the great outdoors. Check out our list to find a spot near you! READ MORE
|
Meet owner Noelle Zane and take a tour of the studio
 Pure Barre owner Noelle Zane If you’ve ever wished for a dancer’s body but the thought of performing choreographed anything evokes visions of yourself out of place amid a sea of petite and lovely ballerinas, head over to Pure Barre, which opened last Wednesday at 17th & Walnut (take a tour of Pure Barre’s studio and meet owner Noelle Zane here). The first Pure Barre in the North East, the combo of dance, Pilates, and yoga moves done primarily at the barre claims it will lift and tone trouble areas, including the abs, hips, seat and arms in as little as 10 classes. What do I know after one class? Pure Barre will cause even the most in-shape muscles to tremble. (I spent the 55-minute class reacquainting myself with the tiny muscles my almost-daily runs have apparently been neglecting.)
And if Zane’s incredibly tiny waist doesn’t sell you, when you wake up the next morning feeling as though your inner muscles were attacked by an over-zealous masseuse (I think I was more sore the morning after than I was the day after I ran Broad Street), you’ll know one thing for sure: repeat visits are called for. READ MORE
|
 If you want to hang with your friends, see the city, boost your brain power, and torch calories without even realizing it, we have the event for you. On Saturday, July 31, the T-Mobile City Chase returns to Philadelphia for the third year in a row. In what is touted as “the largest urban adventure race series in the world,” participants race around the city in teams of two in a quest to be the first to complete 10 of 25 challenges—some mental, some physical—and to win a spot in the City Chase National Championship.
Conquering the Chase requires a killer combo of speed, mental agility, guts, and the ability to make a game-plan without any advance information. “All the challenges are top secret until the day of the chase,” says Carina Holtby, the national event director for City Chase, and they can involve anything from a Fear Factor-like encounter with reptiles to brain teasers, memory tests, and bootcamp-style exercises, and will take racers from Fairmount Park to Old City and beyond. “We give people an experience they wouldn’t typically do on a Saturday,” says Holtby. READ MORE
|
August = peak jellyfish season at the Jersey Shore. ER doc and director of travel medicine at Jefferson University Hospital Ken Neuburger shares what to do if you get stung
 Illustration by Justin Renninger Forget about sharks — as August approaches, the Jersey Shore will enter its peak jellyfish season. Though these creatures aren’t typically deadly – not the ones we get here, anyway – they are slimy, creepy, and just plain unpleasant if they happen to sting you. And since myths abound in regards to the best treatment (should you really pee on a sting?), we asked Jefferson University Hospital Director of Travel Medicine and ER doc Ken Neuburger for tips on what to do the next time you’re stung. READ MORE
|
Starting in August, walking for 20 minutes at Love Park or Rittenhouse Square = free stuff!
 From the awful humidity to the city’s growing stench (the southwest corner of 15th and Market, anyone?), it’s understandable if you’re hailing more cabs than taking more strolls lately. Why would anyone want to walk in this weather? One reason: because you can receive anything from a free latte to a free Japanese meal for two. (Oh yeah, and it’s good for you, too!)
All you have to do is walk for 20 minutes. Seriously!
On Monday, August 2nd, the D20 Walking for Rewards Program will kick off in full force at Love Park and Rittenhouse Square. Though the daily walking program (which stands for “the daily 20,” the recommended 20-minute dose of walking) has been underway since May, August 2nd represents the first day you can both walk and win lots of fun stuff from the program’s sponsors.
“We felt early on that this program is a benefit to everyone,” said founder Mike Ditomasso, citing improved stamina, a boost of endorphins and the social benefit of walking with others. “We just wanted to have a little something to get people out.” READ MORE
|
