About this time every year, many of us take a look at ourselves and decide what we would like to change or do differently in the upcoming year. Sometimes it’s our bad habits, our hair, or whatever we would like to change. Here are some tips for determining how to invest in a new you.
First, to determine who you really are, head to the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park. They currently have a new exhibit called, YOU! The Experience. As the name suggests, you are more than just a body, you are a complex blend of your choices, your personality, and your environment. Who you are depends on how you care for yourself and enjoy your life. YOU! The Experience brings these elements together into an interactive exhibit examining and celebrating the experience of life itself. It is one of the first and largest exhibitions to showcase the connection between the human mind, body and spirit in the 21st century. Start exploring the exhibit's fun and fascinating opportunities to explore what it is to be … YOU!
Afterwards, if you feel like you need to renew your appearance, gives us a call and we can arrange one or numerous services at Renew Medical Spa. Renew Spa is a new and unique “Green Spa”, unlike any other spa in Chicago. All their products are free of synthetic chemicals, preservatives, fillers and pesticides. Their services include massage, facials, hand and foot treatments, makeup artistry, and medical aesthetic services. They administer Botox, perform peels, and perform filler procedures (in case you want lips like Angelina).
If you rather get in touch with your inner self, head to Wilmette and visit the Baha'i House of Worship. One of only seven Baha'i temples in the world at present (only one in North America); this unique structure symbolizes unity and invites prayer to God. The quiet serenity of the Baha'i House of Worship reflects the spiritual truths of the Baha'i Faith: the oneness of God, the oneness of humanity and the oneness of religion. Like all Baha'i Houses of Worship, the temple in Wilmette is circular in shape, has nine sides and is surrounded by exquisite gardens and fountains. It is open daily to everyone for prayer and mediation.
For a funnier you, check out Second City’s “Taming the Flu”. It takes on social and political satire such as the health care system, cameras catching us running the red lights, Twitter, Chicago cabbies, and everything in between. After laughing for two hours, you can arm yourself with jokes to bring back to your friends – they’ll never know the difference.
Lastly, if you would like to be more fit here is a couple ways to do it while on vacation. My personal fitness routine is a bit unusual but it works – chasing the CTA buses along Michigan Ave. Who needs $2.25 when you can just chase it to your location…? A more practical way would be to walk to your destination. Chicago is one of the best cities in the world for architecture. By walking around, you can view everything from turn of the century buildings to modern skyscrapers. Plus it is cost effective and reduces your carbon footprint.
At the end, if your legs and feet hurt give us a call and we can arrange a wonderful foot restoration in your room. It begins with an Orange Blossom exfoliation for the feet and calves followed by an application of refreshing papaya pineapple cream. Trigger points are then addressed to release tension. The service ends with a lower leg and foot massage - great way to relax.
Just a couple ideas on how to “Invest in a new you”
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Be Careful... It's Fresh
All too often we stay within our comfort zone; not experimenting or testing the waters with new or fresh ideas and experiences. Not necessarily because we mean to, but because we aren’t pushed to do so. That said – here’s my push.
The nightlife in Chicago is very abundant, Blues, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Latin, or whatever your choice we have it. A lot of people make their way to Rush Street and hit all the clubs with everyone else from the hotels, but next time try the Wrigleyville neighborhood. Located just a 10 minute taxi from the hotel, this area on Clark Street holds several bars, restaurants, and clubs. This is a very good way to get a taste of the local scene. My picks are Moxie and Exedus II. Moxie has a contemporary European-style tapas menu that boasts such items as bleu cheese portabella (a whole mushroom marinated in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, stuffed with blue cheese and plated with a roasted shallot cream sauce) and Chinese onion rings served with a Szechwan barbeque dipping sauce. Great atmosphere and a lively crowd. Exedus II can be heard from a block away. They boast live music four nights a week and are the best place to hear Rastafarian music from Africa, Jamaica, Haiti and Belize. Try the house drink, a potent sugar cane and white rum punch – it will have you singing "Cause every little thing gonna be all right!" in no time.
For individuals such as me, things like the Opera and the Ballet are not always high on our lists. Although, Chicago is fortunate to have the world renowned Joffrey Ballet. Every year they perform Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. It has been regarded as America’s #1 Nutcracker ballet and features the full Joffrey Company, local children’s choruses, and more than 120 young dancers. Their performance creates a winter wonderland of beauty, magic and sugarplum delight. Hurry because it’s only in town until the 27th. As for opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago is internationally renowned for their artistic excellence and have grown to one of the largest opera companies in the world. Their current season features several operas including “Tosca”, “The Elixir of Love”, and “The Damnation of Faust”. Even if it’s for the experience, you’ll be able to check another item off the list.
Keep yourself balanced by trying out Karyn’s Raw in Lincoln Park. Karyn’s is an interesting restaurant that works with strictly vegan ingredients and almost no heat. Owner Karyn Calabrese concocts similar, and in many cases, better versions of the same comfort foods and sweets you'd never want to live without. Raw lasagna is highly recommended; it’s interesting how cashews and macadamias can be turned into what appears to be ricotta. Besides the restaurant Karyn also runs a wellness center and has a beauty product line. Counter act your unhealthy lifestyle of hotdogs, pizza, fast food, my personal vice: The Big Al Italian Beef sandwich from Al’s Beef on Ontario Street, or whatever unhealthy food comes to mind or mouth.
Since winter in Chicago is such a wonderful time of the year, head to Millennium Park and check out the McCormick Ice Skating Rink. This public outdoor ice skating rink is open everyday and is FREE; unless you need skates then you have to pay. No matter how many times you fall or make a fool of yourself, it’s always fun to try something new.
My last push would be to have as much silly fun as possible. Who says you can’t yell at the pigeons? Why can’t you skip down Michigan Avenue? Talk with an English accent? Jump in that snow drift? Or say hi mannequins standing in the window? The more you relax and laugh, the more you’ve find yourself trying new, fresh things.
The nightlife in Chicago is very abundant, Blues, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Latin, or whatever your choice we have it. A lot of people make their way to Rush Street and hit all the clubs with everyone else from the hotels, but next time try the Wrigleyville neighborhood. Located just a 10 minute taxi from the hotel, this area on Clark Street holds several bars, restaurants, and clubs. This is a very good way to get a taste of the local scene. My picks are Moxie and Exedus II. Moxie has a contemporary European-style tapas menu that boasts such items as bleu cheese portabella (a whole mushroom marinated in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, stuffed with blue cheese and plated with a roasted shallot cream sauce) and Chinese onion rings served with a Szechwan barbeque dipping sauce. Great atmosphere and a lively crowd. Exedus II can be heard from a block away. They boast live music four nights a week and are the best place to hear Rastafarian music from Africa, Jamaica, Haiti and Belize. Try the house drink, a potent sugar cane and white rum punch – it will have you singing "Cause every little thing gonna be all right!" in no time.
For individuals such as me, things like the Opera and the Ballet are not always high on our lists. Although, Chicago is fortunate to have the world renowned Joffrey Ballet. Every year they perform Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. It has been regarded as America’s #1 Nutcracker ballet and features the full Joffrey Company, local children’s choruses, and more than 120 young dancers. Their performance creates a winter wonderland of beauty, magic and sugarplum delight. Hurry because it’s only in town until the 27th. As for opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago is internationally renowned for their artistic excellence and have grown to one of the largest opera companies in the world. Their current season features several operas including “Tosca”, “The Elixir of Love”, and “The Damnation of Faust”. Even if it’s for the experience, you’ll be able to check another item off the list.
Keep yourself balanced by trying out Karyn’s Raw in Lincoln Park. Karyn’s is an interesting restaurant that works with strictly vegan ingredients and almost no heat. Owner Karyn Calabrese concocts similar, and in many cases, better versions of the same comfort foods and sweets you'd never want to live without. Raw lasagna is highly recommended; it’s interesting how cashews and macadamias can be turned into what appears to be ricotta. Besides the restaurant Karyn also runs a wellness center and has a beauty product line. Counter act your unhealthy lifestyle of hotdogs, pizza, fast food, my personal vice: The Big Al Italian Beef sandwich from Al’s Beef on Ontario Street, or whatever unhealthy food comes to mind or mouth.
Since winter in Chicago is such a wonderful time of the year, head to Millennium Park and check out the McCormick Ice Skating Rink. This public outdoor ice skating rink is open everyday and is FREE; unless you need skates then you have to pay. No matter how many times you fall or make a fool of yourself, it’s always fun to try something new.
My last push would be to have as much silly fun as possible. Who says you can’t yell at the pigeons? Why can’t you skip down Michigan Avenue? Talk with an English accent? Jump in that snow drift? Or say hi mannequins standing in the window? The more you relax and laugh, the more you’ve find yourself trying new, fresh things.
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