Baltimore, MD

Cafe Zen is a reasonably priced, Chinese restaurant near Belvedere Square. My husband and I visited Cafe Zen for the first time last week and we were pleasantly surprised by the freshness and variety of the cuisine. There are many vegetarian options and the menu includes sushi, which my husband highly recommends. The decor is simple and clean and reminds me of a tasteful diner. Plus, at the end of the meal, the server brings a small serving of lime sorbet. You can check out the menu here.

Chinese, restaurant, Cafe Zen, Belvedere Square, Food, Baltimore

Check out what is going on at Baltimore Yoga Village this fall! Here is the information from the latest newsletter:

World Dance Classes for Women with Maria Broom! Classes begin Sept. 29th

When the Women Dance…
…The earth stops trembling!
… The Babies stop Crying
…The Men start Listening!
…The angels and ancestors sing!

These classes are taught by award winning actress/dancer/storyteller, Maria Broom

The Power of Mudras and Mantras; Classes begin September 22nd.

Simple yet Powerful Techniques from the Naam Yoga Tradition help bring harmony and balance in body, mind, heart, and spirit.

Saturdays 9 - 10:30 beginning September 22nd. Discounts for those who pre-register.

These classes are taught by Liping Feng, Ph.D, yoga instructor and author of forthecoming book Exercising Bliss.

Awareness Through Movement: Feldenkrais
Classes begin September 15th
Awareness Through Movement® Awareness Through Movement (ATM) consists of verbally directed, gentle exercise lessons involving sophisticated movement sequences.

Overall Intro class on Sept. 15th for those wishing to try $7 only.

Pre-registered class series for Upper Body and Arms/Shoulders Sept. 29th, Oct. 6th, Oct.13th.

Pre-registered class series for Pelvis/Hips and Legs Oct. 27th, Nov. 3rd, Nov. 10th, Nov. 17th.

These classes are taught by Liese Weber-Frutchey, who heads the Dance Department at St. Paul’s School for Girls and has been studying Fedenkrais in Vienna for the past 3 years.

Yoga and Ayurveda Workshop, October 6th
Ayurveda, the sister science to Yoga, October 6th, 3 - 4:30 pm. During this workshop, you will learn personalized approaches for managing your health, understand how to use food and herbs as medicine, and how to make small lifestyle adjustments to balance season changes. Taught by Melissa DiRoto, graduate of the Ayurvedic Institute. who studied under Dr. Vasant Lad.

3000 Chestnut Ave. suite 15, The Mill Centre, 21211

baltimore yoga village, ayurveda, feldenkrais, dance, mudras, mantras, baltimore, hampden

The Wise Women Foundation and Health Quest are sponsoring a “Soul Searching Conference” on Sunday, September 16, 2007, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Its only $10 to attend!

Here are a few of the many exhibitors as described on the conference webpage:

The BeeWell Company: The BeeWell Company was created to provide high quality, cost effective, Personal Home Care Products centered around the Three Pillars of Integrative Health: Detoxification, Nourishment and Regeneration with a unity of body, mind and spirit.

Breathe Books: breathe books will provide books, music and other items to enhance your experience at the conference. Presenters will be on hand to sign copies of the books and CDs at our table throughout the day.

Earthsave Baltimore: Earthsave educates and supports people in making healthier, earth-friendly food choices. We promote a shift toward a plant-centered diet.

Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Center: Since 1984 Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Center has offered the finest variety of natural/holistic healing options with over 30 licensed and certified practitioners.

There will also be workshops and keynote programs throughout the day, including:

Maintaining a Sense of Well-Being in Times of Radical Change with Carol Fitzpatrick:
We are beings of light who have come to liberate ourselves from the shackles of the mind. But we cannot do so if we have forgotten the very truth of who we are. We are not the body, and we are not the mind that tells us that we are to be afraid of change. Learn tools and strategies for rising above the strife and turmoil in turbulent times. Learn how to be the change you so desire for the world.

Breath of the Soul with Adam Gainsburg:Times of great change often send us searching for something real, something stable to hold onto. They also will often bring us to question hidden assumptions about our life. Join Adam and experience the Breath of the Soul, an elegantly simple, unique meditation experience to root you deeply in your Center, the place in you that does not change, that is timeless, that is eternal.

Soul Journey with the Native American Flute with Jan Seiden:
If you could hear the song of your soul calling to you from Creation, how would you answer? How would you manifest this song in your conscious life? Jan Seiden and her Native American flutes lead us on a journey of discovery with sound and imagery to the sanctuary of the soul. The timeless voice of these flutes speaks to our deep ancestral memories and awakens us. Combined with breath work, the music channeled through Jan’s flutes guides us in gaining new soul-level awareness of our direct connection to Creation. From this place we may manifest our soul journey in increasingly profound and responsible ways.

Holiday Inn Conference Center
2004 Greenspring Dr. Timonium, MD
(Just off of I-695 and I-83)
Free Parking/Restaurant On-Site

wellness, Soul Searching Conference, workshops, Wise Women Foundation, Health Quest, holistic health, Baltimore, MD, breathe books, Jan Seiden

I just returned from yet another satisfying meal at Joe Squared. Of course, I ordered pizza. Joe Squared serves a thin crust, square pizza with fresh and unique toppings. The signature pizzas are innovative, but if you want to create your own pizza, you can be as traditional or creative as you like. Bottom line: fantastic pizza. Joe Squared also has appetizers (including alligator fritters), subs, salads, and numerous unique risottos. You can browse the menu here.

In addition to great food, Joe Square hosts art installations, various musical artists, and DJs. If you like to dance, there is a dance floor waiting for you. Check out the events here.

Hours: Everyday 4pm-2am
Address: 133 W. North Ave. (corner of Howard and North Ave)
Phone: 410-545-0444 (they deliver!)

pizza, Joe Squared, DJ, live music, art exhibits, Baltimore, MD

Red Emma’s describes itself as, “a worker-owned and collectively-managed bookstore and coffeehouse”. It is located at 800 St. Paul St. Walking into Red Emma’s is like no other bookstore and coffeehouse experience. The mission of the place is clear: read, explore, and act; and Red Emma’s provides the tools to do just that.

The first thing you see as you descend the stairs and push through the front door, are a line of internet-surfing patrons. Both times I’ve visited Red Emma’s there have been a few people at the counter ready to help with anything from a cup of coffee to finding a book. The menu is vegetarian and vegan friendly, and the coffee and espresso are fair trade and organic.

Red Emma’s also hosts events supporting groups such as the United Workers Association, the Underground Literacy Alliance, independent films, and many, many more social, literary, and arts organizations. This is a bookstore and coffeehouse that is much more than it seems at a glance. Red Emma’s is making a strong, positive impact on our community. Here are their plans for the future (from the Red Emma’s website):

As you may have heard, Red Emma’s is seriously considering moving to a new location, where we hope to be able to offer a much larger space for events as well as a greatly expanded menu with a vastly expanded amount of places to sit (not to mention the radical children’s activity corner, the expanded free computer lab, the cooperative produce purchasing pick up location, the activist conference room, the outdoor tables, and most importantly accessible entrances!)

But in order to make this dream a reality, we need your help. In order to take on a project of this magnitude, we need to raise about $50,000. If you can help us by making a donation(we’re happy to announce that it is now possible to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Red Emma’s project) or a long-term no-interest loan, or know of potential sources for funding for a project of this sort, please drop us a line at info@redemmas.org.

The next time you’re looking for a book, a cup of coffee, or a delicious meal, check out Red Emma’s. You’ll be fully satisfied and you’ll be supporting a place that is working to build a healthier Baltimore everyday. You can even check Red Emma’s inventory online by clicking here. Let us know what you think of your visit or past experiences by commenting here.

Address: 800 St. Paul St.Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 230-0450
Email: info@redemmas.org
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10AM-10PM, and Sunday from 10AM-6PM
Weekly collective meetings: Sunday at 7PM (open to anyone interested in the project)

books, worker cooperative, Red Emma’s, Mt. Vernon, coffee, vegetarian, vegan, Baltimore, MD

Since I’ve switched to a vegetarian diet, I’ve noticed my choices at local restaurants dwindling. I am more curious about nutrition and cooking at home. I also feel more passionate about buying local, organic produce. All of the answers to these questions can be found through the Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG).

“The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on vegetarianism and the interrelated issues of health, nutrition, ecology, ethics, and world hunger. In addition to publishing the Vegetarian Journal, VRG produces and sells cookbooks, other books, pamphlets, and article reprints.” (www.vrg.org)

If you’re interested in anything vegetarian or vegan related, you’ll probably find it on the VRG website, but if its not there, just give them a call!

The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG)
P.O. Box 1463, Dept. IN
Baltimore, MD 21203
(410) 366-VEGE
Email: vrg@vrg.org

food, recipes, vegetarian, vegan, Vegetarian Resource Group, Baltimore, MD, nutrition