Strive with Heart

Project Wellness: Walk, Run, or simply Move!

Project Wellness: Walk, Run, or simply Move!

Happy Weekend, friends!  Those of us in Philadelphia woke up on Saturday morning to the beginning of a beautiful weekend.  Mother nature finally gave us a nice respite from the heat wave that dominated most of last week.  This morning, lured by the mild temperature and gentle sunshine, I decided to go outdoors for a walk/run along the Delaware River. I realize that it has been so long since my last entry on my project weight loss.  Truth is, there is nothing new to report.  The journey continues, so to speak, and lately my focus have been on: shifting…

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Philly: Chinese Lantern Festival Up Close

Philly: Chinese Lantern Festival Up Close

The dragon that I saw from afar while driving on Vine Street this time last year is back in Philly for a second year and this time I made a point to see it up close!  The Chinese Lantern Festival, along with the 200-foot Chinese dragon, returned to Franklin Square for another display of amazing colors and shapes that became more magical as daylight dimmed into nighttime. The Chinese Lantern Festival, with a history of 2000+ years, traditionally marks the last day of the lunar New Year celebration.  All types of lanterns – mostly in the traditional Chinese images of…

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Philly: Italian Market & Art Museum Snapshots

Philly: Italian Market & Art Museum Snapshots

 

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Philly: Brunch at Silk City Diner Bar & Lounge

Philly: Brunch at Silk City Diner Bar & Lounge

We love to brunch and one of our go to places is Silk City on 435 Spring Garden.  Set in a vintage diner car that was built in 1952 by the Paterson Wagon Company, we like it for the casual and easy going atmosphere and the consistent good food (my favorite is the Mushroom and Parmesan Omelet).  The outdoor garden space is now open to diners – yay for Spring!

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Philly: Sakura Sunday and Cherry Blossom Festival

Philly: Sakura Sunday and Cherry Blossom Festival

Spring is here!  If there was even an ounce of doubt if winter is truly over (we were still in coats and boots last week) the gorgeous weather we’ve had since this weekend and especially during Sakura Sunday of the Philadelphia’s annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival assured me that it is. In Japan the sakura, or cherry blossoms, represent beauty, renewal, and the ephemeral nature of life. Several of the speakers encouraged everyone to enjoy the cherry blossoms by picknicking under a blooming sakura – the “Hanami” – which is a centuries old practice of people having lunch and…

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Philly: Sunday Brunch At Beau Monde

Philly: Sunday Brunch At Beau Monde

My family and I were in Beau Monde on 6th and Bainbridge for brunch this weekend. Although it has been a few years since our last visit, walking through the curtains into the main floor felt familiar. I have a few fond memories of coming here including one special night when the man I had started dating gave me – point by point – all the reasons he was husband material. It worked – he convinced me – and years later, we were back for a small family celebration. This traditional Breton creperie was founded in 1998.  Not much…

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Philly: Chinese Lantern Festival

Philly: Chinese Lantern Festival

Last week, while driving down Vine Street, I spotted an unusual sight. It was a massive and colorful dragon sitting on Franklin Square. It turned out to be the centerpiece of the Chinese Lantern Festival, the first-ever of its kind in the Northeast, which debuts tonight. The dragon, along with illuminated flowers, panda bears, and lanterns will delight people of all ages until June 12. All photos below are from http://historicphiladelphia.org/chineselanternfestival/          

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When Pope Francis Came to Philadelphia

When Pope Francis Came to Philadelphia

Philadelphia was graced by the visit of Pope Francis this past weekend. Although I did not get a chance to see him in person, watching and listening to him in the comfort of my home moved me nonetheless. I appreciated his gentleness, kindness, and humility. Philadelphia was in a rare form as well. Despite the influx of visitors from all over the world (unless you were in the heart of the scheduled events) the city has never been as quiet, still, and peaceful as it was during the Pope’s visit. The streets were open only to pedestrians and cyclists.…

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Philly Cheesesteak

Philly Cheesesteak

Philadelphia is getting ready for Pope Francis’ visit next week. Banners, murals, and “special deals” (there was a cheeky sign “Look Dope for the Pope” in front of the salon I go to today) commemorating the Pope’s visit are everywhere. For non-Philly residents coming to the city for this monumental event, I found this article from the June/July issue of AFAR Magazine about one of the things this city is known for — cheesesteak.

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