Archive for April, 2011

BEAUTIFUL ART FOR A BEAUTIFUL CAUSE

Scoop up a John Murphy print guilt-free

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 4/29/2011 at 2:33PM | No Comments

"Songbirds" by John Murphy

Local artist John Murphy, whose work has been featured in our very own Home magazine, as well as Real Simple, Daily Candy and New York, has created this limited-edition “Songbirds” print in the hopes of raising funds for a dear very friend who’s recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. While his friend wishes to remain anonymous, Murphy wrote in a recent e-newsletter that “she is a visionary, a talented designer and above all a truly great person. Unfortunately, like so many in the creative industry, she is without healthcare coverage.” One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Murphy’s friend. READ MORE

  • Share/Bookmark

SMILE: YOU CAN HAVE NEW TEETH IN A SINGLE DAY

The Philly tooth fairies that are ridding the world of dentures

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 4/29/2011 at 11:46AM | No Comments

The PI Dental team gives a patient a brand-new set of lower teeth.

I think just about everyone recalls the moment they discovered that one of their beloved grandparent’s teeth were removable. Mine: A hazy image of my grandmother popping out her upper chompers and plopping them into a sea-green plastic cup as I watched, eyes bugging out of my five-year-old head, from a perch on a faux fur-covered toilet seat located somewhere in the heart of Levittown, circa 1987. My grandma did her best to turn the entire process into a stand-up comedy act, but years later I learned she felt embarrassed about her dentures, and did her best to never be seen without them. READ MORE

  • Share/Bookmark

BROAD STREET RUN CHAMPION CHECKLIST

Race-day tips to help you hit your personal best

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 4/28/2011 at 11:11AM | No Comments

Broad Street Run: David Maialetti/Philly News

1. Make sleep a priority. The night before the race isn’t the only time when getting your Zzzs counts. “You should aim for adequate sleep the entire week before Broad Street so you’re energized and ready to go,” says Ross Martinson, co-owner of Philadelphia Runner, who recommends at least seven to eight hours of shut-eye per night. READ MORE

  • Share/Bookmark

MALT-BALL MISSION (SEMI-) IMPOSSIBLE

One woman's quest to track down the truth about her favorite, Philly-sold sweets

Posted by Lynne Blumberg on 4/28/2011 at 9:39AM | No Comments

Have you ever tried to get the calorie count on your favorite items in a candy store? I have. I went into a Nuts to You store in Center City to find out the calorie counts on the chocolate-covered malt balls. I was already eating a handful of Whoppers malted milk balls each day to satisfy my sweet tooth without breaking my diet. I knew how many to eat because the container lists that there are 10 calories in each piece. However, it would be a bigger treat if I could replace Whoppers with some of the thicker-coated malt balls sold in a Nuts to You one-pound plastic bag. READ MORE

  • Share/Bookmark

DOES WEIGHT REALLY MATTER?

Why local author Kim Brittingham wants you to stop dieting and start loving yourself in a swimsuit—love handles be damned

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 4/27/2011 at 2:19PM | No Comments

Three Rivers Press

Any woman who’s ever wasted a moment down the Shore fretting over how she looks in a swimsuit should do herself a favor and read Philly native Kim Brittingham’s new and hilarious memoir, Read My Hips: How I Learned to Love My Body, Ditch Dieting and Live Large (Three Rivers Press, May 2011). While Brittingham strongly denounces dieting, she isn’t suggesting that you hole up with the Ho Hos, either. “The focus needs to be on healthy behaviors, and we need to forget about what that does to the scale,” says Brittingham. “Health is not about looking like an ‘after’ picture in a Xenadrine commercial.”

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in and read my full Q&A with Brittingham below. READ MORE

  • Share/Bookmark

NYC’S BLUEPRINT CLEANSE NOW AVAILABLE AT LITHE METHOD

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 4/26/2011 at 1:00PM | 3 Comments

You can now try BluePrint Cleanse‘s detox drinks without shelling out extra cash on the nationwide shipping fee. Lithe Method’s Rittenhouse location has become the New York company’s first Pennsylvania pick-up location. All orders will still go through BluePrint’s site.

I’ve yet to try BluePrint, but I had a positive experience with local juicing company Catalyst. Has anyone tried both and, if so, do you prefer one detox program over the other?

  • Share/Bookmark

A FUN WAY TO BURN OFF BREAKFAST

National Walk at Lunch Day is this Wednesday, April 27

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 4/26/2011 at 8:00AM | No Comments

If you work in an office, you sit. A lot. Too much, actually. How do I know? Because I do, too. And I hate it. It makes me grumpy and achy and restless, and if you really think about it, it probably does the same to you. The truth is, regardless of whether or not you hit the gym before or after work, we all need to move more during the day. It simply makes you feel, think and look better. So skip the eat-at-your-desk routine this Wednesday, April 27, and commit to moving more by taking part in Independence Blue Cross’ National Walk at Lunch Day. Philadelphians will be heading to City Hall between 11am and 2pm to walk one-and-a-half miles. Go here to register for your free, 45-minute slot. Should be a good time. Last year even the Phillie Phanatic logged a few midday steps.

  • Share/Bookmark

JENNA’S BSR DIARY, WEEK 8: JURY DUTY + WEDDING ROAD TRIP = MAJOR DETOUR

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 4/25/2011 at 10:52AM | No Comments

Jenna Bergen

MONDAY, APRIL 18
I was supposed to run three miles today, but my body was super-sore thanks to my 10-mile run on Saturday. I was also scheduled to meet for dinner and drinks with a colleague, so I decided to give my knees and ankles a rest. The last thing I want to do is injure myself and not be able to run on race day. This week is also crazy-busy: I have jury duty Tuesday and I’m traveling for a wedding Thursday and Friday, so it’s a very short work week at the office and I have quite a lot to do.  It was good to stay at work a little later than usual to cross off some of my never-ending to-do list before heading out for dinner. READ MORE

  • Share/Bookmark

TASTY, NO-SALAD WAYS TO EAT KALE

Three recipes to try

Posted by Maura Manzo on 4/25/2011 at 9:46AM | No Comments

Photo by Maura Manzo

Kale is gaining importance as a green superfood that packs a mighty punch when it comes to health benefits, especially detoxification. But, let’s be honest: Even though we want to incorporate it into our diet, we have no idea what to do with it—let alone how to make it taste good. Even I had a hard time “stomaching” it before I knew how to prepare it correctly. But now that I’ve found a couple of simple and tasty ways to incorporate this nutritional powerhouse into my diet, I love the stuff. I think you’ll enjoy these recipes as well.  (Need a little inspiration? Kale chips are one type of chip you can munch completely guilt-free!) READ MORE

  • Share/Bookmark

FIVE REASONS TO EAT YOUR EASTER EGGS

Slim faster, train harder and more

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 4/22/2011 at 10:00AM | No Comments

They’re easy to miss amid all that plastic green grass and sugary sweetness, but the best bites in that basket are the color-dipped eggs you make with the kids. Whether you crack them open and dust them with a bit of salt and pepper or dice them up and sprinkle them over a salad, don’t let them go to waste. Here, five reasons why: READ MORE

  • Share/Bookmark