Health + Wellness

5 Charlotteans to know in health & wellness

Follow these local leaders in wellness for tips, ideas, and inspiration for the new year Article by Carroll Walton Vani Hari    Founder of The Food Babe.com and Truvani You probably know Vani Hari "The Food Babe," a nationally known health food activist. But did you know she grew up in Charlotte and graduated from South Mecklenburg High and UNC Charlotte? Her Indian immigrant parents named her "Vani," which in Punjabi means "the voice." She lives that out as a blogger, influencer and...

Fitness

Serving Style

Celebrating pickleball and a Palm Royale theme for upcoming Mint Auxiliary Winter Party at Rally Article by Liz Brown | Photography by Olly Yung Rally for Mint Auxiliary   The Mint Museum Auxiliary invites you to Rally for a Palm Royale-themed pickleball soirée Feb. 8th—a perfect blend of 1960s glam and sporty sophistication. Embrace the charm of a retro Palm Beach resort getaway with bold colors, whimsical prints, and tennis-inspired attire. Take a swing at the newest craze in racket...

Life + Culture

Fighting for others

Attorney Theresa Viera driven by personal experience to help clients Article by Carroll Walton | Photography by Loretta Hughbanks One of the first things attorney Theresa Viera tells victims of domestic violence is to pack a “go bag” with all of their essentials so they can be ready at a moment’s notice. She also recommends packing a camera, like the disposable one she and her mother used. “It’s very hard to collect evidence on these things,” she said. Viera is lead attorney and founder of...

Food + Beverage

Clean Eats

Healthy Eating Spots in the Queen City Article by Carroll Walton Focusing on clean eating, and cutting down on processed foods, is a great way to start the new year. The Mayo Clinic says nourishing your body with foods that come more directly from the earth—fruits and vegetables, lean meats and protein, whole grains and dairy—can improve not only your heart and brain health but help you build a stronger immune system, manage your weight, and make you feel more energetic too. What’s not to...

Home Services

A fresh start

Simplicity Organizers founder shares benefits of and tips for reorganizing your home Article by Carroll Walton | Photography by Courtesy of Simplicity Organizers Every time the calendar flips to January, local gyms get crowded and produce aisles get busy. If ever there were a time to get organized, it's now, right? But rather than organizing because the time is right, Laurie Martin of Simplicity Organizers suggests delving deeper into your motivations why: decluttering is good for the soul. ...

Health + Wellness

Health & Wellness Books for the New Year

Cozy up with these inspirational reads for 2025 Article by Carroll Walton Sally Brewster, owner of Park Road Books, and her staff curated a list of the best Health & Wellness books to read heading into 2025. The list, which includes three titles by local authors, covers subjects ranging from healthy eating to parenting, insomnia to mental health, time management and more. They're listed in no particular order. Consider This: Reflections for Finding Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab* Give...

Food + Beverage

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Publisher Liz Brown shares family favorite holiday recipe adapted from The Neelys of Food Network Article by Liz Brown | Photography by Olly Yung I'm happy to share one of my favorite crowd-pleasing recipes for the holidays: Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie.  This special dessert is the perfect way to end a holiday meal with loved ones. Adding the flavors of chocolate and bourbon to what is already a holiday favorite in so many households makes this treat all the more memorable. Pro tip: be sure to...

Home + Design

Home for the Holidays

After losing nearly everything in a house fire, Charlotte family is grateful to rebuild their home and their lives Article by Catherine Ruth Kelly | Photography by Dustin Peck Brantley and Ryan Templeton were wrapping up a family lake vacation in Alabama over Labor Day Weekend in 2022 when they received a devastating phone call: there had been a fire at their Eastover home. A dehumidifier in the basement had caught fire. The heat caused a water pipe to burst, which extinguished the flames...

Life + Culture

Prima Ballerina

Gay Porter, founder of Charlotte School of Ballet, still sharing her passion Article by Carroll Walton | Photography by Olly Yung Gay Porter’s voice still commands a room, even as she approaches her 90th birthday. She sits now to teach classes at her Charlotte School of Ballet, dictating dancers’ movements from a perch in the corner. “Arms in second,” she says, as four adult dancers follow suit one recent Friday afternoon. “Pivot to face the fifth corner. Arms go to arabesque, step to the...

Shopping

Making a List

Locally-sourced stocking stuffers and holiday happies Article by Liz Brown | Photography by Olly Yung For the outdoor enthusiast in your life head to Great Outdoor Provision Co. in Park Road Shopping Center. The store carries emergency preparedness items like a BioLite Charge 20 PD Power Bank. They have a wide selection of stylish Goodr sunglasses.  Other items include a KAVU wallet, Dr. Squatch Fireside Bourbon cologne and Wood Barrel Bourbon natural deodorant (smells amazing). Consider a...