Nothing stays the same, does it? Only a few weeks ago, a look out my office window toward the street below showed an empty, desolate lot at the corner of 20th and Market. Now, the same exact space contains a beautiful city garden, thanks to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Independence Blue Cross. The organizations partnered to transform the 32,000 square feet, which opened yesterday, June 13, into an abundant garden full of fresh herbs, produce, flowers, and trees in the hopes that it would inspire all of us city dwellers to do a little gardening ourselves, as well as to act as a showcase for PHS’s community greening program and for IBC’s commitment to helping Philly become a healthier, happier community. READ MORE
Author Archive
A GARDEN POPS UP AT 20TH AND MARKETPHS and IBC team up to give Philly a sustainable, Center City gardenPosted by Jenna Bergen on 6/14/2011 at 12:39PM | 1 Comment
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COOL CUCUMBER BASIL SOUPA light and flavorful way to chill outPosted by Jenna Bergen on 6/13/2011 at 10:33AM | No Comments
 This light and flavorful cucumber basil soup is an inexpensive, delicious way to cool down. // Photograph by Maura Manzo As the temperature rose to record levels last week, we heard a lot about the importance of staying hydrated in the heat. But there are other great ways to cool down and replenish the body other than by simply drinking water, and this soup is one of them! It will refresh your system and your spirit. Even better: It takes barely any time to make and you won’t need to heat up the kitchen by turning on your stove or oven. Perfect! READ MORE |
PHILLY’S BEST COMMUTER BIKESWear dresses? Carry too many bags? Don't have the cash? Your last excuse for not biking to work is about to be bustedPosted by Jenna Bergen on 6/9/2011 at 10:38AM | 3 Comments
 The Globe Daily Step Thru (pictured) makes it easy for skirt-loving gals to bike to work. Rising gas prices, never-ending Septa delays, and a need to escape from the icy, over-chilled world of air conditioned buildings in this city have us contemplating a new commute to work. It involves two wheels, burns calories, creates its own natural, cooling breeze, and, if you haven’t guessed it yet, requires a bicycle. It’s been questions about said bike that have kept us stuck in our current gas-guzzling routines: “What type of bike should I buy?” “How can I wear a dress and not show my underwear to the world?” “What about my bags, my purse, my office-approved shoes?” “What about the cash?” READ MORE |
A FUN EVENT FOR ZUMBA FREAKSShake your groove thing at this three-hour Zumbathon to help fight digestive disordersPosted by Jenna Bergen on 6/6/2011 at 9:54AM | No Comments
 Join the Zumba craze and dance to find a cure for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis on Saturday, June 25. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two currently incurable digestive disorders, afflict more than 1.4 million Americans and cause everything from severe abdominal pain to fever and weight loss. On Saturday, June 25, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America will host a Zumbathon at the LifeSport Fitness Resource Center on Fairmount Avenue to raise funds for patient programs and various research projects. Zumba freaks should sign up soon, though—because of the gym’s capacity limits, only the first 50 entrants that raise a minimum of $200 will be able to participate in the event. READ MORE |
KING OF POP HIP-HOP WORKSHOPSee for yourself if MJ's moves really are as easy as 1-2-3Posted by Jenna Bergen on 6/6/2011 at 8:30AM | No Comments
 Learn to dance like the King with Philly Dance Fitness on June 15 Break out your sparkly white gloves, MJ fans, because you now have a legitimate reason to don them before Halloween. Join other Jackson die-hards at Major Moment Studio on Wednesday, June 15, to bust out your moves to hits like “PYT,” “Wanna Be Starting Something,” “The Way You Make Me Feel.” and, of course, “Thriller.” You’ll break a sweat and have a blast during this 75-minute King of Pop Hip-Hop Workshop, hosted by Philly Dance Fitness, learning modified versions of the King’s complicated routines, as well as some of his own original choreography. No dance experience is necessary, just a love for Jackson’s unique, legendary style. READ MORE |
CRAZIEST WEIGHT-LOSS GIMMICK YET: CAFFEINATED PANTSAnd no, we're not kiddingPosted by Jenna Bergen on 6/3/2011 at 10:30AM | No Comments
Anyone that sinks their dough into this one needs to have their head examined.
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SCHWAGGLE BRINGS FITNESS DISCOUNTS TO PHILLYPosted by Jenna Bergen on 6/3/2011 at 9:52AM | No Comments
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THE USDA’S NEW FOOD GUIDELINESWhere they went wrongPosted by Jenna Bergen on 6/2/2011 at 5:04PM | No Comments
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YOGA, PILATES AND BARRE STUDIO OPENING IN NOLIBSScuplere, located at 209 Poplar Street, opens this monthPosted by Jenna Bergen on 6/2/2011 at 9:47AM | 1 Comment
 Sculpere, which means "to sculpt" in Latin, comes to NoLibs this month. Arbol Cafe, a welcoming little tea house that specialized in steaming cups of yerba mate, resided at 209 Poplar Street in NoLibs until it mysteriously shut down a few months ago. Since then, the space has been standing open, and I’ve been waiting to see what business would eventually fill the spot. I’m happy to report that it will be Sculpere, a yoga, Pilates mat, and barre studio. Set to open early this month, they have a solid roster of classes, offering about four each day of the week. I’m looking forward to checking out their aptly named Sculpere class, which blends core-focused yoga with barre moves for the thighs and butt. |
BUILD YOUR OWN CHICKEN COOPA how-to guide to urban egg farmingPosted by Jenna Bergen on 6/1/2011 at 11:26AM | 3 Comments
If you’ve thought once or twice that it might be fun to join the flock of urban, backyard chicken farmers that is cropping up in Philly and the surrounding suburbs, check out this chicken coop how-to video by South Jersey fitness guru/urban farmer/working mom Rebekah “Bex” Borucki. Bex has blogged about urban chicken farming for Be Well Philly in the past, and finally had a chance to create this step-by-step guide. |
