Food + Beverage

Rochester’s Landscape of Healthy Dining

Flavor, Mindfulness, and a Community Expanding What ‘Healthy’ Really Means Article by Marie Gillette | Photography by Submitted Across the Rochester region, health-forward dining has entered a new era, one rooted not in rigid rules but in nourishment, community, and choices that fit real life. Long known for indulgent staples, the area now embraces a movement that reshapes how people eat and drink. From plant-based cafés and vegan butcheries to clean-eating restaurants, acai bowls, zero-proof...

Wellness

Healing in Motion

Building Strength, Resilience, and Well-being Together Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Paul Lossowski Before she ever lifted a barbell, Renae Campbell provided free counseling sessions in Ontario County. She was first inspired to help when she attended a forum on substance misuse and listened to a father speak about losing his son to drug use, a moment that stayed with her. Later, the man would ask her if she knew of any groups for parents like him—and it would be a question...

Fitness

Health Across Decades

Smart Takes on Healthy Aging Article by Sarah Keeler | Photography by Submitted Most of us want to stay healthy as we age. A new year offers an opportunity to reflect on your well-being and commit to healthier habits. The basics of healthy living stay the same from year to year—eat well, stay active, keep up with medical care—but the details shift as you age. Here’s what experts say about caring for your body, mind, and relationships through life’s stages.  Keep Moving  Like it or not...

Life + Culture

New Year, Fresh Perspectives

Rochester Leaders on Gratitude, Growth, and Intentions Article by Marie Gillette | Photography by Submitted As another year turns, Rochester’s leaders and creators take a collective pause to reflect on what has shaped them and what they hope to carry forward. In a season often associated with resolutions and reinvention, five local voices offer something deeper than checklists or self-improvement plans. They speak to gratitude as a grounding force, growth as a continual process, and intention...

Home + Design

Clear the Clutter, Clear Your Mind

Practical Steps and Expert Advice to Help Your Space and Your Mindset Reset Article by By Colleen M. Farrell | Photography by Submitted Whether you’ve always been a tidy person or aspire to be one, many of us start off the new year vowing to improve our ways. After all, January is National Get Organized Month.  Research shows that living in a disorganized space can make it hard to focus, cause irritability, stress, and even create arguments among family members. A study in “Personality and...

Life + Culture

Local Organizations Keeping Rochester Strong

How to Give Back All Year Long Article by ROC City Lifestyle Staff As a new year begins, we’re shining a light on local nonprofits that make a lasting difference in the lives of our community and as a reminder to give back all year long. From long-standing organizations that have supported Rochester for generations to newer groups quietly filling vital needs, each one represents the best of our community’s compassion and commitment. We wanted to share a mix of options for anyone looking to...

Health + Wellness

The Gift of Eyesight

How Two Rochester Doctors Help Patients See Their Best Article by Suzie Wells | Photography by Submitted When Dr. Sarah Klein joined Dr. Earlene Siebold’s private ophthalmology practice, it wasn’t just a career move—it was a partnership built on shared purpose, preserving and restoring the “gift of eyesight.” After a decade at the University of Rochester’s Flaum Eye Institute, Dr. Klein, an optometrist specializing in primary eye care and ocular disease, was drawn to Dr. Siebold’s unique...

Life + Culture

Illuminating the Season

Neighbors Turn Holiday Cheer into Acts of Giving Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Submitted The holidays mean many things to many people—family gatherings, festive parties, delicious food and drink, and, of course, giving. But “giving back” can take many forms. For some, it’s donating warm clothing or pantry items to those in need. For others, it’s volunteering time, sharing kindness, or finding joy in the simple act of giving. Sometimes, the greatest holiday joy comes from...

Local Services

Heart of the Community

How Rochester Businesses Turn Success into Service Article by Suzie Wells | Photography by Submitted Across the Greater Rochester region, many businesses are proving that giving back is just as important as doing business. From supporting veterans and uplifting neighbors in need to investing time, talent, and resources in local causes, these companies show that community service isn’t just good practice—it’s part of what makes a community thrive. Their stories remind us that generosity takes...

Arts + Culture

Finding Healing Through Movement

Gracious Dance Inspires a Cycle of Giving and Hope Article by Sarah Keeler | Photography by Submitted; Erich Camping As a teenager, Rebecca Phelps found healing in a dance studio. Now 28, the Rochester native helps fellow trauma survivors find hope, healing, and community through the art of movement. Her organization, Gracious Dance, launched in 2019 and specializes in therapeutic dance and movement programs for survivors of interpersonal violence. “Dance was my safe space growing up,” says...