We’re #2! (For Burgers Anyway)

Travel and Leisure has named Philadelphia America's Second Best Burger City! To see where other cities ranked click here! Their favorite was the burger at Village Whiskey, what's yours?

Steve Tyrell and Debby Boone, May 13: Catch a Classic Concert

American jazz musician Steve Tyrell will be playing alongside Grammy winner Debby Boone for one night at the Keswick Theatre, and if you're a music fan you should consider getting tickets. Although much of Tyrell's work has been behind the scenes, he has been a big figure in the music industry for decades and has contributed to the careers of numerous artists. He has numerous albums that have achieved Top 5 status on Billboard's Jazz Charts, and has maintained a reputation for quality throughout his long career. Debby Boone has worked within numerous genres of music, including an impressive career in musical theater. Together, these two will be putting on a show full of the songs about love and life that brought them their much-deserved fame and success. You won't want to miss this wonderful evening of music. Get your tickets now!

Steve Tyrell and Debby Boone
Sunday, May 13, 2012 7:30 p.m.
Keswick Theatre
291 N. Keswick Avenue
Glenside, PA 19038
(215) 572-7650
http://www.yelp.com/events/glenside-steve-tyrell-plus-special-guest-debby-boone

Yoga on the Steps, May 20: Stretch and Pose

Whether you're an experienced yogi or haven't taken a single class in your life, Yoga on the Steps is a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy an engaging, meditative practice. Located on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this event is a fundraiser that hopes to raise money for women affected by breast cancer. Thousands are expected to come to participate in this outdoor class, enjoying yoga against the backdrop of the Philadelphia skyline. The class begins after a short registration period, and is designed to be pleasant for all skill levels and body types. Afterwards there will be a health expo that includes a light, organic breakfast and helpful information from event sponsors. It is donation based, so while there is no strict admission fee, know that whatever you can contribute will be going to a good cause!

Yoga on the Steps
Sunday, May 20, 2012 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-8100
http://www.yelp.com/events/philadelphia-yoga-on-the-steps-philadelphia-museum-of-art

Eat Healthier and Pay Less

Thanks to Philly.com for these great tips on how to pay less for your healthier foods!

“Is healthy eating expensive? Well…yes and no. “Expensive” is a relative term, but before we even get into all that, let’s take a moment to define what we mean by healthy, shall we? We’ll go with a more inclusive definition, something along the lines of: whole foods, mostly plants, organic when possible. Can we all agree on that?

So with that out of the way, let’s get down to business.

Is it expensive to eat healthfully? Well…that depends. Because of course, if you’re talking about an exclusively organic, entirely whole foods diet, and you’re comparing it to the most nutrient-negligent, gas-station-bought, bottom of the barrel processed food-like-substances available, well then of course the real food is going to cost “more” (in the short term, that is – we’ll touch on that later). Slim Jims and Top Ramen will always be cheaper than real food, so we’re going to have to set that stuff aside for the sake of discussion. We’re trying to compare apples to apples here…for, conventional apples to organic apples, as it were.

And when you do that – when you make fair comparisons – you see that YES, eating healthy is more expensive. Wait what?

Well it is! I’m not going to lie to you. But look, it’s only just barely more expensive. Seriously, I’m talking a few nickels here, a few quarters there. If you do it right, it adds up to a few extra dollars per trip, depending on how often you shop. 

What’s that old saying? “You can pay for your health now, or you can pay for it later – with interest”. Because let me  tell you, prescription medications, surgery, and disease-induced disability? Now that’s what I call expensive! And those are the kinds of diet-related results that make wholesome food suddenly seems pretty dang cheap.

So even at a little extra cost (and I do mean little) in the short term, I think it’s very well worth it. Here’s a few ways to keep those costs as low as you can, while assuring that your health is soaring sky-high.

1. First and foremost, buy in bulk. This advice gets tossed out all the time, but have you ever really followed up on it? Think about this: a can of organic pinto beans at Trader Joe’s will set you back $1.19 (not too shabby!). But at my health food store, I can get a pound of organic pinto beans (dried) for only $1.89. That’s over 4 cans worth of beans once they’re cooked. That is a lot of protein for under $2!

You can buy in bulk for beans and legumes, grains and breakfast cereals, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, syrups and oils, flour and baking ingredients, and all sorts of other foods, and it will save you mountains of money. Capiche? Okay, moving on.

2. Stop buying beverages. Period. Water is practically free and it’s much better for you.

3. Stop buying packaged foods. They are marked up by a mile, and there’s nothing “convenient” about an empty wallet.

4. Grow your own. This is especially cost-effective with fresh herbs, which, for all you apartment dwellers, are easy to grow on the kitchen counter. 

5. Buy organic on produce that makes the dirty dozen. If you have to, it’s okay to buy conventional for the rest (see also: the clean fifteen.)

6. Frozen veggies are cheap but the quality is similar to fresh. Canned veggies lose nutrients, so choose frozen and you won’t have to worry about them going bad.

7. Eat plant protein. By weight and by calorie, legumes are cheaper than meat, end of story. People who do physical work in cold climates may need more fat and protein, but even someone like a roofing contractor in Minneapolis can cut the cost of his daily diet by substituting legumes for some of the animal protein that he consumes. Chaya (Networx's editor) knows several vegan carpenters who bulk up on beans on grains. You'll see that beans (especially when combined with a healthy fat like olive oil or avocado and a little bit of salt) really do provide plenty of energy.

8. Shop the farmer’s market, because buying direct cuts out the middle man. Bonus tip: show up when the market is closing. The selection won’t be as good, but you’ll be able to strike a great bargain with farmers looking to unload the last of their stock. Though farmer's markets proliferate during the summer months, some communities offer winter farmer's markets.

9. And most importantly, pay attention! Sometimes the brand name IS cheaper, when it’s on sale. Sometimes the box DOES cost less than the bulk, for no apparent reason. So keep your eyes open, try to enjoy the bargain “hunt”, and make a game of it. It helps to keep a list of the cheapest sources of organic and whole foods so that you can organize your shopping trips accordingly.

Sometimes deals pop up in unexpected places. Like at Whole Foods market, which has earned itself the nickname “Whole Paycheck” (and that’s probably well deserved). But there are some things that Whole Foods offers for super cheap. For example in my city, their house brand (“365”) organic unsweetened almond milk is the cheapest around, by a significant margin. The Whole Foods price of 3/$5 beats out Trader Joe’s, the standard grocer, and every small co-op I’ve ever been to. It’s even cheaper than making it yourself (don’t tell my crunchy friends), though of course homemade will be healthier.

The point is, it pays to pay attention. Excited? Well grab that canvas grocery bag and let’s get shopping!”

For more information check out: http://www.networx.com/article/how-to-pay-less-for-healthy-food.   

Tchaikovsky’s Fourth, Friday April 20th: Impressive Ensemble Performs a Favorite Symphony

One of the most well-known symphonies of its time, Tchaikovsky’s Fourth will be performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra at Verizon Hall. A night of Russian musical delights, the concert will start off with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture, followed by the Chamber Symphony by Shostakovich which will feature the orchestra’s impressive string section. After an intermission, guest conductor Jaap van Zweden, who has earned raves for his other appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, will lead Tchaikovsky's beloved Fourth Symphony. Tickets vary greatly in price, from $113 all the way down to $10, so there’s a reasonably-priced seat for every budget. The setting for the performance is stunning! Verizon Hall is a multi-leveled, cello-shaped concert hall and is one of the premiere venues of the 21st century, fitting with acoustically advanced technologies. A wonderful evening of music awaits when the Philadelphia Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s Fourth and other great works of notable Russian composers.

Friday, April 20, 2012 8:00 pm

Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony
Kimmel Center For the Performing Arts
300 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 670-2388     

“Van Gogh Up Close” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, through May 6th

Vincent Van Gogh’s life was as interesting as his art, and you can view it all at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “Van Gogh Up Close” opened at the museum on February 1 and runs through May 6. One of the most recognized artists of the post-impressionist movement, Van Gogh used vibrant colors to bring his famous landscapes to life. And all of the 45 works on display for the exhibition are either landscapes or natural scenes displaying the artist’s use of color and technique. Van Gogh Up Close will be exhibited at the museum’s Dorrance Special Exhibition Galleries, on the first floor.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and $12 for children under the age of 12.  Kids under 12 get in free! The ticket includes admission to the entire museum.

"Van Gogh Up Close"
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19101
(215) 763-8100

Must-See Movies Coming to Theaters in March

This March, a variety of must-see films will arrive in movie theaters. Here are five that everyone will be talking about:

Dr. Seuss's The Lorax
The creators of Despicable Me bring animated life to one of Dr. Seuss's most beloved characters. Danny DeVito provides the voice of the Lorax, a forest creature who speaks up for the trees against those who would chop them down.

John Carter
Andrew Stanton directs this adaptation of the famous sci-fi novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The story revolves around a Confederate captain who, mysteriously transported to Mars, becomes embroiled in a major conflict there.

21 Jump Street
Rebooting the television series that brought stardom to Johnny Depp, this updated version stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. They'll bring some comedic flair to this tale of undercover cops trying to break up a drug ring.

The Hunger Games
These books have a huge following, and they're looking to expand the devotion to the big screen. Jennifer Lawrence stars as a young girl embroiled in a dystopian reality-show focused on teen gladiators battling to the death.

Wrath of the Titans
Perseus (played by Sam Worthington) wants a quiet life after the events of Clash of the Titans. When weakened gods lose control over angry Titans, however, it is up to him to once again go into battle for the future of humanity.

Kembrel Flash Sale Website Unveils a New Pop-Up Shop at 18th & Chestnut Streets

Kembrel, a flash sale website following a format akin to Ruelala and Gilt, has opened a pop-up shop in Rittenhouse Square at 1822 Chestnut Street.  

Check out Kembrel's website at www.kembrel.com, for complete details including hours of operation and the latest deals.

 

Avoiding a Winter Slump

Exercise routines can fall by the wayside in the deep winter months, as short days and inclement weather restrict our access to the outside world. Stay active year round with these ideas for at-home indoor exercise:

Try some exergaming
Motion sensor games are a fun way to get in some exercise. A large range of games, some specifically designed as exercise programs, will get you moving. If you have an older system, try a dancing game that uses a large mat controller.

Mix up the exercise videos
Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime offer thousands of exercise videos piped straight to your TV or computer.  It’s a great way to try out a new exercise routine without the commitment of buying a DVD.

Lift weights
Adjustable hand weight sets are fairly inexpensive and the right set can continue to serve you for a good long time as your strength increases. Hand weights and strap-on weights can be used for full body workouts or be lifted when you’re watching TV or listening to music.

Climb stairs
If you have access to a staircase, grab your mp3 player and do some stair climbing… the old fashioned way!

Master Tweeter: How To Improve Your Twitter Networking

Twitter is rapidly becoming one of the most important platforms for social marketing in the world. Capable of aiding democratic reforms overseas as well as sharing inconsequential celebrity thoughts, it’s just starting to show its true power. If you want to use Twitter to improve your networking, here are five tips that will help:

• Interact with other users. This is really the core of any social networking experience, but it’s vitally important on Twitter. Use @ replies and direct messages to answer questions, offer comments and more. If you’re lucky, they’ll be retweeted and replied to, gaining you followers.
• Explore other user’s follower lists to find people with similar interests to you. Twitter also suggests recommended users to follow, many of which are worthwhile. Don’t be fooled by the sponsored placements in this category, though.
• Take part in trending topics and other Twitter memes. These will expose you to users you normally wouldn’t interact with. Follow Friday is one of the most useful tools, and you can do it every week.
• Upload media with your tweets. You don’t have to add a photo to every entry you make on Twitter, but it doesn’t hurt to add some visual interest every once in a while.
• Tweet when people are most active – this is usually in the early afternoon, when office workers are returning from lunch, but in some cases it can be other times of the day. It’s much easier to network and hold a conversation during these peak times.

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