Jess Tomaz is featured here on a visit from Brazil at Cascade Yoga Studio.
Jess Tomaz is featured here on a visit from Brazil at Cascade Yoga Studio.

Man do I love to get in a great yoga session, especially in the winter. If you live in the metro Grand Rapids area, yoga options are abundant for you. Here are some of my favorites, please feel free to add to the list in the comments section if I missed anyone.

Cascade Yoga Studio 616.464.1610  Located on the southeast side of Grand Rapids, off Cascade Road, Cascade Yoga Studio features a wide variety of classes and a cozy, peaceful atmosphere.

Funky Buddah Yoga Hothouse 616.459.9642  This is a newer yoga studio located in the heart of Easttown. It almost immediately became wildly popular, probably due to the upbeat, fun and energetic experience yogis enjoy there.

The Yoga Studio 616.776.0836   Carolyn Heines is the founder of Grand Rapids first yoga studio. She is also my first yoga teacher. I had been having back problems and in one session she showed me how to correct the problem. That made me a lifelong believer in yoga.

Seva Yoga 616.458.2541 I haven’t been here yet, but have heard rave reviews about this place.

LuluLemon East Grand Rapids  616.458.5126  Free yoga classes

Peacelab Yoga 616.745.0310

From The Heart Yoga 616.336.9642 Owners Behnje Masson and Rick Powell are the owners of this yoga studio in the Cherry Hill District and have an awesome reputation.

Music and Movement: Yoga with Rachel  Rachel Finan teaches classes Mondays 7:30pm – 9:00 pm downtown, payment is a donation.

The Studio Yoga 616.531.3026 This is a multi-style yoga studio on the south side of Grand Rapids.

Sadhana Yoga Small classes in a home studio on Grand Rapids’ Northeast side.

Vida Yoga located in Grandville (Thanks for updating me on this Viki)

Yoga Heat located in downtown Grand Rapids (Thanks for this update too)

This list is by no means complete and does not include all of fitness clubs in Grand Rapids that include yoga classes.

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Chinese Lantern Launch in Grand Rapids, MI
The Chinese lantern launch was magical.

Last night there was a Chinese lantern launch in Grand Rapids. It was an ArtPrize entry and one of the most magical, joyful, lighthearted and beautiful experiences I’ve had in some time. Thousands of lanterns lit the night as participants launched their lanterns.

I couldn’t help but feel how much Grand Rapids has changed since I moved here. I really love this place.

 

No sharp focus for this photo… By the time I took this at the Grand Rapids Color Run, there was already powder all over my camera lens.

When I heard about the Grand Rapids Color Run, I figured this would be a good event for my first 5k. The race is billed as the Happiest 5k. Sounds good to me. Especially since I knew there was No Way I would be able to run the entire distance. I really didn’t know what to expect, other than during the race, non-toxic colored powder would be thrown at the participants by volunteers. Sounded good to me.

The event sold out quickly and there were over 10,000 runners of all ages and fitness levels. Some people walked the entire time, others were serious runners. It was well organized and the powder washed out of my hair and clothes easily.

I’m hoping there will be a 2013 Grand Rapids Color Run, if there is, I’ll be recruiting a team to go with me. A team that is serious about having some fun, wearing cool team t-shirts, and not too serious about running the entire distance, although I’m planning on being able to do that by then. Here’s a link to the website by the Color Run folks so you can check out their other events and hopefully join in the festivities next year.

There was a good crowd at the Krasl Art Fair on Saturday, but it was totally comfortable.

2013 Dates for Krasl Art Fair: July 13 & 14, 2013

I went to the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff in 2012 and Loved It! What a great place to have an art fair. It’s on a bluff, with Lake Michigan in the background. Nice, because aside from the beauty of the lake, there was a cool breeze wafting over the art fair making a day that would have been uncomfortably hot, pleasant. I took some photos of my favorite artists (but I actually thought they were all great.)

If you’re thinking of going in 2013, (and if you are an art lover, you should) here’s a few thoughts and tips to make your visit more fun…

– Leave your pets at home, they are not allowed at this show.

– If you bring the kiddos, be prepared to leave before you are ready to go, there’s a lot to see and they will probably wear out before you do.

– Bring your credit card, and expect to use it! There is a huge selection of top notch artists with something for everyone. The range of prices for work varies, and you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get something nice, but you can if you want to!

– Parking on site is difficult to find, but there are shuttles so you may want to check out the shuttle locations before leaving home. I did find a nice parking spot after driving around for about 15 minutes that was a pleasant 6 block walk to the show.

– There’s a food court with some pretty yummy offerings, everything from Polish sausages to Greek salads and frozen coffee.

I went by myself, and it took me about 4 hours to see everything, but I move kind of quick. And, a little more about the artists, it’s obvious that this show is very carefully curated, artists flock to this show from around the country with many of them regional artists from the Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana region. This is considered one of the best art shows in the nation. The art fair started 52 years ago and features over 200 artists representing 32 states and Canada.

Visitors to Krasl range greatly too, with many coming from the Chicago, Detroit and Grand Rapids areas. Here’s the official website where you can find more information:

Krasl Website

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This gal got to know her reptiles a little better at the Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park

 

Summer is a great time to go out for an adventure with kids and I’ve got the perfect place for you. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park features exotic animals in a rare atmosphere. It feels kind of like Jurassic Park, only without the danger. My favorites in Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park are the huge bird cage you can enter and feed colorful birds, Reptile Rick’s tour of the park in a big open air truck and being able to pet baby wild animals.

Kids find this place delightful, and frankly, so did I. Here’s some info about the park:

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park Website

Address with map link: 8313 Pratt Lake SE Alto, MI 49302

Facebook Page

Hours:

Monday – Saturday:
Open 10am-5pm
Grounds close at 6pm

Sunday:
Open 12pm-5pm
Grounds close at 6pm

Phone: (616) 868-671

Email: info@boulderridgewap.com

Tulip Time folks in Holland is a hugely popular event in West Michigan that people travel from around the world to visit. I took this photo a couple of years ago during Tulip Time and it’s just one of many great photo ops during the event.

Over six million tulips will be blooming in Holland city parks, public attractions and along city streets. The  event has racked up some impressive awards including the “Top 20” event in the world by the International Festival and Events Organization; the “Award of Excellence” by Premier Tourism Magazine and a “Top 100 Event” in North America by the American Bus Association.

You can find out more about the Tulip Time Festival at their website.

Here’s a google map that will get you to the heart of Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan.

These little chickens wouldn’t let me get very close.

You know, I do have a disproportionate number of posts about chickens.  I get such a kick out of the way they strut around like they are the boss of the world and then run away… like chickens when you get too close. These little stinkers were doing just that with me when I took this picture in the farmlands of Ada. Just after I took this, they skittled off through that doorway.

My mother’s parents were farmers. I have  fond memories of being around their animals, walking through fields (and watching for snakes, it was Missouri after all), picking tomatoes and catching grasshoppers with my three brothers and cousins. In the evening my grandfather would load us all into his pickup and we’d tour the fields, check on the cows and then come home and listen to him play the fiddle. I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating, he only had one arm, if you look him up on YouTube, he’s Leonard Smith, the one armed fiddler. My grandmother was his rock and she was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met in my life. I’m lucky they were around until well into my adulthood.

Having a grandfather with one arm who could do anything on his own, except tie his shoe, taught me to be independent and to try a little harder. One time, I was at a national fiddling contest with him where he was a competitor. He hadn’t been up to play yet and a dude came up to him on the side with an arm and said “could you help out a man with a disability?” as he held out a cup begging. I don’t remember what this guy’s disability was, but I do remember thinking that I was so very proud of my grandpa for making the most of his life and getting past this huge challenge he had to cope with. It also made me incredibly grateful for the simple things in my life.

Dr. Noordhoff Receiving Sir Harold Gilles Lecture Award in London

Dr. Noordhoff first came to my attention from his son in law, Dr. Robert Lamberts. He wanted me to know about the amazing award Dr. Noordhoff had recently achieved, and more than that, about the good works he has accomplished over his lifetime.

Every two years the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) honors physicians who have made the most significant contribution to plastic surgery over their career, with the Prestigious Sir Harold Gilles Lecture Award delivered at the annual meeting. Grand Rapids’ plastic surgeon Dr. M. Samuel Noordhoff was selected for this year’s award. The foundation for this success in plastic surgery was laid here in West Michigan. Dr. Noordhoff had all of his training in general surgery and plastic surgery in Grand Rapids at Butterworth Hospital.

Dr. Noordhoff is recognized worldwide for helping children and adults in underserved areas receive holistic care for cleft palate and craniofacial deformity. Much of this assistance has been with his own time and money. In 1989, he formed the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation to transform lives where there was a lack of medical resources. Since then he has established the Chang Gung Craniofacial Center in Taiwan, recognized as one of the leading centers for cleft lip and palate care in the world. His “Love Makes Whole” team has traveled to 11 countries, and completed 56 cleft missions serving Vietnam, Kenya, Nigeria, Cambodia, the Philippines, China, Myanmar, the Dominican Republic, Laos, Indonesia and Mongolia. The Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation team has also trained 115 seed craniofacial medical practitioners from 14 countries.

Unless helped, children born with cleft palate and craniofacial deformity face a lifetime of discrimination, shame, problems with speech and inadequate nutrition. Repair of defects can take several surgeries, with multiple medical specialties involved.

When I talked to Dr. Noordhoff about his accomplishments it was important to him that I give credit to the team of plastic surgeons, business manager, Kim Ma, and Mr. Yung-Ching Wang who was instrumental in the funding which launched the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

This post has been a long time coming. Let me tell you how much I love Marie Catrib’s. When I meet someone new in town, I tell them about Marie Catrib’s…when I’m super duper hungry and want something healthy and delicious, I go to Marie Catrib’s… when I meet someone special for a delicious home cooked meal with tons of flavor, Marie Catrib’s… when I don’t feel like cooking and want great carry out… you get the picture. In fact, I’m eating Marie Catrib’s right now!

Fouad, Marie and Egan

In all the years I’ve been going there, with all the meals I’ve had, I’ve never been disappointed. Not even once. Marie Catrib’s has a great selection of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian meals that will make you wonder why anyone needs gluten or meat in their diet when they can eat like that. In fact their gluten free bread is the awesome. Marie Catrib’s also offers up a delicious roast beef sandwich and the salmon surprise is something everyone should try at least once. Then there’s the desserts, my favorite is the chocolate crumble, it tastes like a brownie made like fudge and rolled in toasted oatmeal crumblies. Every time I go to Marie Catrib’s I tell myself, “not the chocolate crumble this time” and darn it, I buy one any way, I just can’t help myself.

 

 

Besides the delicious food, the atmosphere keeps me coming back. The staff is just so kind and genuine it’s obvious they consider everyone who walks through the door as friends and family. The locally owned and operated restaurant is run by Marie’s son Fouad and manager Egan. Sadly, in 2013 Marie passed away. They believe in using locally grown and raised food whenever possible, and it shows in the fresh flavors.

Here’s some helpful links: Marie Catrib’s website and menu.  I just had to add this below movie, the day after Valentine’s Day, I stopped by Marie Catrib’s and the soldier in the below movie was pacing around and said to me “You might want to stick around, something cool is going to happen.” Then he told me he had been at Fort Bragg and for a long time and was going to surprise his girlfriend… they gave me permission to post this.