April is Stress Awareness Month, raising awareness of the impact of stress on individuals. Let’s talk about the effects of stress together and what to do about it.  By Eboni Gee   Managing stress is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Identifying feelings and addressing the effects of stress and anxiety are the initial steps towards developing coping mechanisms and strategies. These can enhance mental health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Stress Awareness Month is designed to help us understand these challenges.  Stress and emotional eating often coexist. Th ..read more

 From accolades to advocacy, a candid conversation on inclusivity, mentorship, and building an inclusive wine community. By Vanessa Charlot   Alicia Towns Franken is not merely a presence in the world of wine; she is a force driving transformative change. As the Executive Director of Wine Unify, her passion extends beyond the vineyards, reaching into the realms of community building, diversity advocacy, and mentorship. Beginning her career as the Wine Director for Boston’s iconic Grill 23 & Bar, Alicia garnered accolades from renowned organizations such as Les Dames d’Escoffier ..read more

Living on the Edge is Where I found Organic Diversity By Erin Ortiz   As a born and raised New Yorker, outings to Central Park are typically the culmination of my nature adventures. But in just four days of the 2024 Wine Writers’ Symposium, program organizers Sarah Bray, Kelli White, Teresa Wall, Maryam Ahmed, and Brett Van Emst worked tirelessly to transport me from my comfort zone. I landed in a healing and transformative experience involving wine and nature. Why hadn’t I done this before? Oh right. Living on this particular edge involves the kind of money typically allocated to the fin ..read more

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for many of the body’s involuntary actions. Let’s understand how to have more control. By Eboni Gee   The ANS has two parts, the parasympathetic and sympathetic. The term “fight or flight” refers to the sympathetic nervous system which responds to danger and stress. The parasympathetic nervous system helps restore calm to the body. There has been much attention and focus on parasympathetic resets due to the benefits of the practice. A parasympathetic reset helps to activate harmony in the body by stimulating the system. Among the benefits ..read more

There are certain regions of the world known as Blue Zones and it’s getting more attention around the globe. Let’s learn about  them together.  By Eboni Gee In Blue Zones, people are not only living longer, they are thriving in their older ages, 100 years and older. These people live lives of lower stress, and less inflammation and chronic diseases. Their diets are healthy and full of variety. The founder of the term “blue zones”, Dan Buettner identified nine specific lifestyle habits called the Power 9. These nine habits come from four concepts: move, right outlook, eat wisely, and ..read more

The Urban Grape isn’t coming to DC, it’s joining the DC wine community. Here’s why you should join them too.  By Sedale McCall   The Urban Grape, a black-owned wine shop based in Boston, opened a new location in DC’s Shaw neighborhood this January. The shop is owned by TJ and Hadley Douglas and boasts one of the largest selection of BIPOC-owned wines around. But the organization is doing more than just selling BIPOC-owned wines. They are making sure to get involved in the community that they support in and out of the shop. The grand opening was just the beginning of the journey.  ..read more

Wellness trends appear to be on the rise. Here are a few I’ve noticed in 2024, along with my thoughts on them. By Eboni Gee, RN Trends, highly subjective in nature, will always be a part of our society. They can either catch on or fail depending on the demand or fascination with the topic.  Yes! These trends are worth exploring. Gut Health: Many people are now dealing with food intolerances that affect their gut health. Previously, lactose was the main issue, but now numerous other things are causing discomfort. Paying more attention to what we consume and its impact on us is certainly wo ..read more

Dry January – Who? What? Where? And Most Importantly Why & How? By Vanessa Charlot While taking a month off of drinking is by no means a new or particularly innovative concept, Dry January is certainly a thing.    Who? Meet Emily Robinson, a woman with a goal – running her first half marathon. In 2011, Emily decided to ditch drinking for January to boost her training. Little did she know that her sober January would spark a larger movement. The following year, Robinson teamed up with Alcohol Change UK, turning her personal challenge into a nationwide campaign that would end up ha ..read more

The definition of resolution is to decide to or not to do something.  Instead, create intentions, which are ideas that are planned or intended to happen. By Eboni Gee   As a new year rolls in, many of us start creating New Year’s resolutions to see growth and achieve success. One of the issues with resolutions is that there is no strategy in how the resolutions will be achieved. Lack of strategy leads most back down the path they are on, feeling frustrated with their lack of progress, not knowing how to get back on track and feeling like things will never change. My MOPP strategy enc ..read more

Ten last-minute travel hacks to turn holiday chaos into a smooth adventure. By Candace Keeton   The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but it often comes with its share of stress.  Add last-minute travel plans to the mix, and it can quickly escalate into a recipe for disaster.  However, fear not!  With a few savvy hacks, you can transform the madness into a smoother, more enjoyable experience.   Use Travel Apps: When time is of the essence, travel apps become your best friends.  Platforms like Kayak, Skyscanner, Hopper, and Google Flights are ..read more