Wellness
Eating Well to Nourish an Active Lifestyle
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Whether you’re a seasoned yogi, circuit training fanatic, cycling junkie, or you love taking your workout outside, having enough energy to sustain any type of physical activity is so important. Have you ever felt like you could barely make it through your exercise class—due to lightheadedness or dehydration—or for days after your workout, you felt sore and weak? Among many culprits, it’s possible that all of these symptoms are rooted in one simple fix: proper nutrition.
Reminder: you're unique.
While the health and wellness industry can seem overwhelming and complex, remember that you are a bio-individual. In other words, you have specific nutritional requirements based on your genetics, activity level, intolerances, stress, etc. And although you may want to jump on the latest fad or trend, what works for someone else may not work for you. Therefore, it’s best to get back to the basics and think about nutrition from the lens of your own unique needs.
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Reminder: you're unique.
While the health and wellness industry can seem overwhelming and complex, remember that you are a bio-individual. In other words, you have specific nutritional requirements based on your genetics, activity level, intolerances, stress, etc. And although you may want to jump on the latest fad or trend, what works for someone else may not work for you. Therefore, it’s best to get back to the basics and think about nutrition from the lens of your own unique needs.
Find a balance.
As an intuitive eater—something that I have been practicing for a few years—I’ve learned to find a balance between what I’m truly craving (hello, nightly chocolate habit), what’s available from a local/seasonal perspective, and what my body needs on a cellular level. As someone with PCOS and insulin resistance issues, I make sure that what I’m eating both balances my blood sugar and sustains my fairly active lifestyle. Speaking of an active lifestyle, it’s been so great to use the MINDBODY app to check out new workout studios, beauty services, and wellness businesses in Denver. The app has made finding and scheduling my classes and appointments a breeze.
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Find a balance.
As an intuitive eater—something that I have been practicing for a few years—I’ve learned to find a balance between what I’m truly craving (hello, nightly chocolate habit), what’s available from a local/seasonal perspective, and what my body needs on a cellular level. As someone with PCOS and insulin resistance issues, I make sure that what I’m eating both balances my blood sugar and sustains my fairly active lifestyle. Speaking of an active lifestyle, it’s been so great to use the MINDBODY app to check out new workout studios, beauty services, and wellness businesses in Denver. The app has made finding and scheduling my classes and appointments a breeze.
Fuel your fitness.
All of that said, wellness starts at home. And specifically for me, wellness starts in the kitchen. Both pre- and post-workout nutrition play a major role in ensuring adequate stamina during exercise, as well as a swift recovery process afterward. One of my favorite ways to refuel after exercise is with real, whole foods (preferably with produce I’ve picked up at the Union Station Farmers’ Market!).
After your next fitness class, try out my favorite Soft Scrambled Eggs recipe to keep you energized and ready to take on the rest of the day!
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Fuel your fitness.
All of that said, wellness starts at home. And specifically for me, wellness starts in the kitchen. Both pre- and post-workout nutrition play a major role in ensuring adequate stamina during exercise, as well as a swift recovery process afterward. One of my favorite ways to refuel after exercise is with real, whole foods (preferably with produce I’ve picked up at the Union Station Farmers’ Market!).
After your next fitness class, try out my favorite Soft Scrambled Eggs recipe to keep you energized and ready to take on the rest of the day!
Beauty
Black-owned Beauty and Wellness Businesses to Know
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February is Black History Month—a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans in society. As the beauty and wellness industry becomes a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we are taking this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the gap of inclusivity and diversity in our industry, and take action to promote, empower, and honor the Black community that shapes and grows wellness.
While the beauty industry is making improvements—it's important to showcase and support Black businesses and the creatives in this space every day. To honor them, we're shouting out some of our favorite Black-owned beauty and wellness businesses to support.
1. Beauty Bin
Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa and dry bar located in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, their MO is to match the outer beauty of every client to their inner beauty. From eyelash extensions and hydrafacials to waxing and massage, Beauty Bin is a one-stop-shop for all the spa services.
2. KIKA Stretch Studio
The KIKA Method® is a gentle assisted stretching process that loosens up tight muscles freeing your body from pain and stress. By practicing this method, clients can experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy, enhanced flexibility, a substantial reduction in stress, improved posture and relaxation, and increased mental clarity. While its headquarters is located in Las Vegas, NV, they have multiple locations sprinkled throughout the US, including Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas—just to name a few.
3. Kimberly Coleman Salon
At Kimberly Coleman Salon, their philosophy begins with promoting healthy tresses, elegant sets, unique accouterments, perfect pampering of hands and feet, and precision cuts. Known for working with models and celebrities, they fully appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their clientele which also includes super moms and warrior dads.
4. Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots was developed with the simple concept in mind—that everyone deserves access to easy, and quality hair care. What started as a single pop-up shop in Boston, grew to a multi-city pop-up tour, and is now slated to be the largest national hair salon franchise specializing in the care and styling of highly textured hair, they launched their first flagship location in Dallas, TX.
5. SW3AT
Jersey City resident, Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez started SW3AT. The company began as a fitness apparel line in 2015 but evolved into a sanctuary catered to health and wellness now known as SW3AT Sauna Studio—the first infrared sauna studio in Jersey City. The healing power of infrared heat therapy is a phenomenal option for holistic health proven to strengthen the immune system and provide relief from joint stiffness and muscle pain. It is also supportive of any fitness program as it aids in weight loss (you can torch up to 900 calories in a 45-minute session) while also detoxifying your body from some of the most harmful toxins.
6. The TEN Nail Bar
Kelli Coleman and Anika Jackson opened The TEN Nail Bar in Detroit to address a void in their city. They saw a need for a quality, modern nail bar that could also serve as a fun social space for Detroit’s residents and professionals. They designed the TEN to provide their clients with a #Perfect10 experience—where you can relax, enjoy music, a drink, your friends, a clean and precise manicure, and a much-needed break from all your hectic days.
7. Bettye O Day Spa
Located in the beautiful downtown Hyde Park Chicago area, Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments. They aim to nurture and relax each of their clients with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. From body wraps and massages to facials and hydrotherapy, this day spa promises to be a safe place for healing to occur.
Looking for more businesses to support? ClassPass has also created a list of Black-owned business to check out all year-round. While both of these lists are a great start to get you familiar with many of the Black-owned businesses either in your neighborhood or around the globe, we have only scratched the surface. We'd love to keep these lists growing.If you have any businesses you'd like to see on this list, click here to submit a Black-owned business we should be highlighting as well!
