Hey Rhody January 2023

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Raising the Barre

At

Cosmetologist making mesotherapy injection with dermapen on face

Photo by © nenetus/Adobe Stock

and the DESTINATION

The journey to recovery at Ortho Rhode Island is a one-of-a-kind experience that puts you frst throughout the full spectrum of care, including:

Photography by Victoria Costello, courtesy of

Experience

CONTRIBUTORS

KEN ABRAMS

We are pleased to announce that longtime contributor Ken Abrams has joined our team as editor. Among other things, Abrams brings a voracious appetite for writing about music as evidenced in “Providence Calling” (page 50), a story about how PVD’s lower-than-Boston cost of living is luring talent to the Creative Capital.

LAURA AFONSO

In “Summer Dreamin’” (page 40), Laura Afonso pens a food experience piece so lush, you will feel like you shared a bowl of poke with her. Of course Afonso is a noted foodie, spotlighting local eateries on her Buns and Bites platforms. When not smiling for the camera, she likes spending time with family and her two senior pups.

ASHLEY ERLING

With finely tuned skills as an on-air reporter, producer, and director of local content for WPRI’s The Rhode Show – plus a love of reading – Ashley Erling was the perfect person to write about the mother-and-daughter team who have put Rhode Island on the literary map as a destination for author talks and events. Find our Influencer column on page 25.

ANDREA E. MCHUGH

Remember the days of the “does she or doesn’t she?” hair color TV ads? Andrea E. McHugh does. In our cover story, “The Business of Beauty” (page 30), she digs deep into non-invasive cosmetic procedures and permanent makeup. McHugh has been writing for Providence Media for nearly 20 years and always brings well-told engrossing stories.

pottery

494 Glen Rock Rd., W. Kingston 401-783-2350 peterpots.com daily 10-5, Sun.12-5

Holistic Healing | Rhody Pets | The Public’s Radio | Cannabis | Rhody Gem Discover

Photo courtesy of Organical Botanical

New Energy for the New Year

Holistic healing studios across the state offering everything from aura imaging to sound baths

By Abbie Lahmers

Energy healing is an alternative or complementary medicine focused on creating balance and channeling positive vibes through a variety of relaxing and non-invasive therapies. Whether you’re a long-time Reiki believer or have never had your chakras aligned, local practitioners share insight on a few lesser-known modes of energy healing and holistic wellness services perfect for starting 2023 off refreshed and relaxed.

HOT STONE FOOT MASSAGE

All about opening blocked energies using a range of healing modalities, from meditation to chakra balancing, Awaken Your Health Naturally also offers a Brazilian toe and foot massage with hot stones that’s more than just relaxing. A 30-minute session “helps to release excessive energy trapped in the organs by increasing the flow of energy into organs whose energy stores have been depleted or are undercharged,” explains owner Elaine DeJoy. Essentially, as the muscles relax, they release toxins. It’s a great choice for those seeking stress and tension relief, better sleep, and improved circulation.

WORDS OF WISDOM: “Releasing toxins and toxic buildup within your body will bring relief to your organs as well as your mind and increase a sense of inner well being, thereby feeling more connected to yourself.”

SOUND BATH HEALING

For the auditorily enthused, Songbird Energy Healing incorporates sound – crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, drums, and chimes – into each healing modality offered, including Reiki and Integrated Energy Therapy. Owner Sara Coyne explains, “A sound bath allows your body and mind to enter a deep state of relaxation, as your brain waves tran -

sition to the alpha and theta state” – or the brain wave frequencies experienced just before sleeping and after waking. This promotes the body’s natural self-healing abilities. “Sound baths help reduce stress and create a sense of deep peace, tranquility, and well-being.”

WORDS OF WISDOM: “In today’s fast-paced world, taking time to slow down and shift into being versus constantly doing is imperative in bringing clarity, peace of mind, and alignment to what we truly want for ourselves. My mission with every client is to be a guide as they embark on the journey of self discovery, peace, and healing.”

CACAO CEREMONY AND BREATHWORK

Cacao is more than just an ingredient in your favorite warm bevvie. Opened by Justine Harrington, Soul Sanctuary hosts a variety of

wellness-geared events and workshops, including Manifesting from the Heart: Cacao Ceremony & Breathwork Journey on January 14.

“The intention of a cacao ceremony is to help you relax so you can connect within to your own innate wisdom and divine intelligence,” Harrington explains, while the breathwork element helps tap into a meditative state. “Every breathwork experience is different, yet profound! If you’re looking to connect more deeply with yourself, release the old, and welcome in the new, this transformational event is for you.”

WORDS OF WISDOM: “People are feeling a lot of stress, anxiety, and fear, all of which can affect every part of our lives. We believe everyone needs a safe space and community in order to heal, grow, and ultimately live with more peace and ease.”

Sara Coyne leads a sound bath at Songbird Energy Healing

Photo courtesy of Songbird Energy Healing

AURA IMAGING

If you’re curious about the aura you exude, Thrive Tribe Collaborative has a session for that. Founders Jax Smith and Jessica Xavier bring backgrounds in psychology, nursing, restorative justice, and multicultural energy healing modalities to blend ancient beliefs with modern practices. Their aura imaging session uses biofeedback technology to create a digital image, which practitioners will guide clients through interpreting. “Practical tips and techniques will be discussed to empower clients to better understand and work with their energy processing centers, known as the chakras,” says Xavier. Leave with a detailed description of your aura, or “personal energetic signature.”

WORDS OF WISDOM: “Energy healing work empowers clients to take accountability in their own healing journeys. In discovering more of their authentic self, clients tend to experience more inner peace, clarity, emotional balance, physical vitality and strengthened connection to loved ones, communities, and their higher power.”

Thrive

Cool Cats

Take a mental health break and meet some feline friends at a Tiverton cafe

By Belinda Jones

RHODY PET OF THE MONTH: TESLA

By Karen Kalunian

One might say Tesla’s beauty is electric! If you love snow, Tesla might be your soulmate. A fiveyear-old Great Pyrenees mix, she’s a big girl with a big heart and loves people. She would love a spacious fenced-in yard to run around and roll in the snow during the winter, and would do best as your one and only dog. If you’re looking for a fourlegged friend to fill your heart and home, contact Rhode Home Rescue via email at Processors@ rhodehomerescue.org or visit their website at RhodeHomeRescue.org for more information.

If you have been thinking of adopting or know of an animal in need please contact Karen directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com

There’s an Alice in Wonderland quality to Bajah’s Cat Cafe – maybe it’s the brightly painted woodland walls, Cheshire grins from the cats sprawling on colorful furnishings, or sprightly kittens chasing toys with White Rabbit haste!

Then there’s the tea party element with Arnold Pawmers and Russian Blue (blueberry-lavender) iced tea, Peppermint Bark hot chocolate, and Cat Nip cold brew, along with Whoopie Pies and Unicorn Rice Krispie treats to snack on. The breakfast bagels are a crowd-pleaser, too!

Of course the real wonder is that 220 cats have been adopted since Bajah’s opened on

Tiverton’s Main Street just over a year ago, thanks to founder Amanda Souza. “I was suffering with anxiety in my accountancy job, so my husband encouraged me to go all in on my passion. Cats have always offered me great comfort, and I saw the cafe as a way of sharing this, as well as finding homes for rescue cats.”

Souza works closely with Forever Paws Animal Shelter and now up to 15 felines live in harmony at Bajah’s Villas (AKA the cat room). “I was drawn to the large windows of this space – the cats love to watch the world and sunbathe in the mornings,” Souza shares.

Patrons who wish to enjoy a fluffy cuddle

must make a reservation, while others come with the intention of adopting, as with residents Yin and Yang. Souza herself took in the first two rescues (bonded elderly siblings) and now has eight cats at home.

She still misses her beloved Bajah (after whom the cafe is named) but has found a gift for matchmaking humans and felines, and humans and humans for that matter. “We’ve had several couples form while playing Exploding Kittens (a card game) on Single’s Game Night!” she says with a laugh. “But what makes me happiest is the photo updates of our cats in their new homes. That is the best feeling!”

Photo courtesy of Bajah’s Cat Cafe

Yin and Yang are two kitty residents who were adopted at Bajah’s Cat Cafe – by owner Amanda Souza

KITTY CALENDAR

Check out a variety of feline programming this month, with dates and details on BajahsCatCafe.com.

Meditation with Cats

Meditation teacher Jodi will guide you through half an hour of pure relaxation, to a backdrop of soothing purrs.

Book Club

Local librarian Deb discusses a new cat-themed read one Monday each month. Copies of the featured book are available to borrow at Bajah’s Cat Cafe or Tiverton Public Library.

Paint Night

Professional artist Kristen will help you create a painting from start to finish, while enjoying coffee and pastries.

Singles Games Night

If you’re single and ready to mingle (and over 18), like card or board games, and cats, come meet like-minded people!

Pandemic Redefined How Providence

Community Libraries Serve the Public

Libraries play a crucial role in providing books, educational opportunities, and essential resources to the public. But when the pandemic hit, libraries had to redefine how they serve their communities.

Morning host Luis Hernandez recently spoke about the evolving role of libraries with Cheryl Space, Library Director at Community Libraries of Providence.

LUIS HERNANDEZ: You know, before the pandemic, libraries were already making those moves to more, a more digital world, and the demands that your patrons had, and then COVID. COVID hit, everything changed. Over these last few years, what have you been doing to adapt to this new world?

CHERYL SPACE: Well, you’re right, we had been providing more digitally, but the pandemic just accelerated that move. So like everyone else, we shifted to offering programs on Zoom. So we started up a brand new community reads book program – book and author program, where people got together once a month. We started offering our classes that had been in the library on Zoom. So English language classes, GED preparation classes that we provide in Spanish, we’ve offered gardening, we offered all kinds of things. And that led to a real exponential growth in our YouTube channel. Before the pandemic, we only had four subscribers, and now we have over 700. So that’s become a brand new platform for us.

HERNANDEZ: What’s on your YouTube channel?

SPACE: Well, our YouTube channel has storytimes in Spanish and American Sign Language, you can learn how to build a model tank, you can learn how to save seeds and gardening, you can learn about African American history in Rhode Island. Basically, everything we’ve done that we’ve recorded, we’ve put and we’ve created all these different learning channels. So it’s all there and available.

HERNANDEZ: When did you start to see people coming back? And I wonder, if they are

coming back like they used to before the pandemic, does that change, again, what you’re you’re offering? Or are you still going in that direction?

SPACE: So now what’s happened is, I think it’s allowed us to become more inclusive, because we’ve gotten these tools. So now we offer some programs in a hybrid model, where, you know, we’ll be having a book group, and we’ll have, half the people are in the room and half the people that are on Zoom, or a knitting circle will still meet virtually while we have some meeting in the library. And the other thing that we’re doing new is we’re live streaming events. So with the League of Women Voters, we offered mayoral forums, you know, in September to get ready for the primary, and we were able to livestream those and have them available. And then they were also recorded at the same time. So we’ve had hundreds of people look at them after the fact. So it’s just opened up all these new channels.

HERNANDEZ: For many years now, one of the important services of libraries is that you provided computers and internet for those families that couldn’t have those things at home. And

you know, just looking at the need that we see today, I’m wondering what you see. Has the need grown, and how are you meeting it?

SPACE: One thing that COVID funding provided for people was lower cost internet at home. So we’re actually seeing more people come in who have been able to access internet access at home, which is wonderful. But we’re seeing that, a need for, to support those services that they have at home. Then they have questions, you know, “I don’t understand what this form is asking me.” So we provide that one-on-one support. So it’s just shifted a little bit, but it’s still very much there.

HERNANDEZ: You talked about some of the things that you had to do during the pandemic. I wonder about your job: How has it changed over the last few years, your life? How’s it changed?

SPACE: Oh, my goodness. So I always laugh because I never really thought much about ventilation systems, or public health measures, or masks, or how to keep the staff safe, how to keep the patrons safe. And that has just taken up half of my brain. It really has radically changed, you know,

Photo courtesy of Community Libraries of Providence

In partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org • By Luis Hernandez, James Baumgartner

Knight Memorial Library

how we think about providing our services. And I think the biggest thing that’s happened is that, when the pandemic hit, the government and others were looking around for, where are those community spots that are safe, where people are going, where we can get information and supports out to people, and they really turned to the library. We passed out masks, we helped people sign up for vaccines, we provided, you know, testing. We had 130 people lined up one night to get a COVID test during the surge. And we’re still providing access to vaccines, and boosters, and home tests and masks. So now the challenge for me is, you know, we’ve had all this growth, and so there’s some growing pains involved with supporting the staff and making sure we can do everything that we’re trying to do. And also, once these rescue dollars are gone, how do we keep all of this going? You know, that the community has come to rely on all the new programs.

HERNANDEZ: We’ve seen recently how, you know, parents groups and different groups, you know, are fighting over certain books and the reading materials our kids are getting access to. This happens a lot more at school libraries. But as a librarian, you’re seeing this happen, you’re seeing a push to ban books. And I just wondered how you feel about that.

SPACE: I will speak for our staff. We find it terrifying. You know, it really is, because for us and in our values, our, you know, the way that we operate, and especially regarding kids, is that we want to offer materials in our collection that support all of our readers. We are in a very diverse community, lots of different thoughts and ideas, and we want to make things available for everyone. So our job is to find those reading materials that excite and motivate kids, adults to read and to learn. And it’s really up to the parents and guardians if they want to make decisions about restricting the access. And that is the way we operate. It’s the way we’ve always operated.

You can’t keep ideas from, from being present. You can’t keep people from thinking about these ideas or exploring ideas, even that scare people. And so it’s our job to provide that information, and then people decide what to take home.

HERNANDEZ: Let’s go into the future, even just the near future. You know, with technology, the way everything keeps changing, where do you see libraries in the future? How will they change?

SPACE: So the beautiful thing about the public library is that it always changes. I think our core mission, our core values of being relevant, being present and being a space in the community will never change. So the big areas of growth I see is that we will always be a free educational center. And we now have a partnership where we’re offering with College Unbound free college classes in the library. So I think, as more and more people are not taking the traditional route to their education, that this is going to be a huge place for the libraries. We will always provide support for new technology, no matter what it is. I think the other thing that we’ve become aware of is people just need a free community space where they don’t have to buy anything, where they can go and be together, they can learn, they can borrow things, they can meet their neighbors, and it’s all free. And we’ve seen that joy as people come in. And I think we provide public forums for people to come face-to-face with their elected officials, we provide that, that place where people can come together and get that information. And that is critical. And I really think that’s an area where we’re going to continue to grow as well.

This con v ersation was originally posted December 1, 2022. Luis Hernandez can be reached at LHernandez@ThePublicsRadio. org; James Baumgartner can be reached at James@ThePublicsRadio.org.

The Grass is Greener

By Hugh Minor

On a brisk winter day shortly after December 1 – the day licensed retailers were officially allowed to start selling adult-use recreational marijuana here in Rhode Island –Mother Earth Wellness in Pawtucket was bustling with activity.

“Right now, things are going great; we’re getting a lot of traction,” says Joe Pakuris, owner of the cannabis center. “We saw about 2,000 customers from Thursday to Sunday on our opening weekend and the pace has kept steady.”

Mother Earth Wellness opened in a newly renovated state-of-the-art facility in Pawtucket, though their journey began in 2017. Pakuris and Eddy Keegan, owners of Kitchen & Countertop Center of New England, first founded Mother Earth Creations, a licensed medical cultivation lab. They applied to open a compassion center in 2020 and patiently waited for Rhode Island to legalize the sale of recreational cannabis.

Last May, Governor Dan McKee signed the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, authorizing and safely regulating recreational adult-use cannabis,

and in November, state regulators approved retail licenses for five compassion centers – including Mother Earth Wellness – which are allowed to sell both medical and recreational marijuana to customers at least 21 years old. “Once we were awarded the license, we were ready to go. We did this fast,” explains Pakuris.

As a new destination for cannabis seekers, Mother Earth Wellness plans to redefine the experience for medical and recreational consumers. “About 30 percent of our customers are medical with the remaining 70 percent

Business is booming at a new bud boutique in Pawtucket, with cannabis for all uses

Photos courtesy of Mother Earth Wellness

Mother Earth Wellness offers a boutique cannabis experience in Pawtucket

recreational,” says Pakuris. “We are getting a lot of good feedback from the medical community that the selection is unlike anywhere else they’ve had access to.”

And they’re not just selling the product. Mother Earth features a cultivation facility designed to grow the highest quality flower, the only licensed hydrocarbon extraction lab to create the best concentrates possible, and a gourmet kitchen to produce luxury edibles. “We have about 60 different strains of cannabis flower on the menu. We have about 40 different pre-roll options. And we make our own edibles here,” Pakuris continues.

The primary focus is local cultivation and sales but the menu at Mother Earth Wellness will also showcase the best products from over 60 craft-cannabis cultivators.

Customers visiting Mother Earth Wellness will enjoy a boutique experience. The custom-designed sales floor incorporates an impressive 40-strain scent bar, terpene (the compound responsible for different plants’ unique smells) sampling station, indoor waterfall, and private consultation space. The team at Mother Earth promises a welcoming and comfortable environment for its customers.

“We have the largest sales floor in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts,” says Pakuris. “You’re able to come into our facility, walk around, look at the displays, learn about the different cultivators, and see their products.” Experienced and knowledgeable staff – or “bud tenders” – go through 40 hours of training to ensure they’re educated on all the dispensary’s products. Even for those green to cannabis, navigating Rhode Island’s new world of retail recreational products is demystified with a visit to Mother Earth.

Mother Earth Wellness

125 Esten Avenue, Pawtucket

MotherEarthRI.com - Visit online for a menu and online order reservations

Organical Botanical

Apothecary & Holistic Spa

What it is:

A healing space for holistic beauty and wellness.

Where to find it:

Right off Route 2 on Cowesett Avenue (next to Del’s Lemonade) in a newly constructed building with plenty of parking.

What makes it a Rhody Gem?

Behind the front door of your typical retail property off a busy road, owners Nick and Tanya DiRocco have created a destination of tranquility. Established in 2009, the new location (formerly in East Greenwich) opened during the summer of 2022. This “multi-hyphenate holistic space offers products and services that enhance health and vitality on every level of body, mind, and spirit,” begins owner Tanya, who runs the treatment room while Nick oversees the shop. “Whether you’re looking for the perfect crystal to help raise your vibration, a custom blended tea, or want to experience one of our award-winning spa treatments, Organical Botanical has what you need to nurture your whole being.” Why not kick off 2023 with Eucalyptus Back Therapy or just stop by for a loose blend of Sleep Tea or some Botani Youth Serum. Thank you to Rhody Gem nominator Michelle Lawson!

Organical Botanical

294 Cowesett Ave, West Warwick

OrganicalBotanical.com

Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to suggest yours and we just might feature it!

Photo courtesy of Organical Botanical

HOME & STYLE

Home | Influencer | Shop | Wellness

An attic is transformed into a fortress of solitude for working from home

Photography by Marial Maher, Visual Manor, courtesy of Solange Marie Design

Looking Up

When a vacation home became a primary residence, the attic got a second look

By Elyse Major | Photography by Marial Maher, Visual Manor, courtesy of Solange Marie Design

ewport’s Cliff Walk is a popular spot for romantics, nature lovers, and thrill seekers, and it’s where Elise and Gregg Thomas got engaged. “Right on the cliffs!” says Elise, with palpable glee. Married 25 years, the crags that buffer the Atlantic always held a special place in their hearts, so when a house came on the market not far from the place known for taking giant leaps, the couple jumped. “We’ve always loved the area. It is a very sentimental and special place for us.”

The quintessential New England Cape Cod-style

home is nestled in blue hydrangeas, boasts water views from a rooftop deck, and is a short walk to a deeded beach around the corner from Castle Hill. While perfect in so many ways, the Thomases have enlisted help over the eight years since taking ownership from Newport-based designer Solange Richards of Solange Marie Design, LLC. “I met with them right after the closing, and Elise and I immediately hit it off. I’ve been working with them ever since!” says Richards. “We started with a full renovation of the boys’ bathroom, then a facelift of the first-floor half bath, then added an outdoor shower.”

Built-in shelving maximizes space for storage and display

Most recently, COVID prompted an attic renovation that resulted in creating two new spaces. “This is their summer home, but COVID brought them here full time. Gregg needed a space to work that wasn’t the kitchen table. There was an attic space above the first-floor primary bedroom – we just had to figure out how to access it from below,” says Richards, who credits Herk Works Architecture and Merk Structural Consulting with helping make it work, while Mike Biestek, owner of Remodeling Right in Portsmouth, managed the renovation. “The joke is that Elise’s sitting area, a part of the attic we didn’t anticipate being able to use due to structural constraints, is actually larger than the office!”

Throughout the home, decor is a mix of clean and simple lines, which Richards defines as a fresh take on the traditional New England beach cottage. “Less clutter and more calm. You can select a few pieces you truly love and let them stand out. I think it’s obvious you’re by the beach when you step inside this house – not because you’re overwhelmed with kitschy beach decor, but more the overall tone of the home. Comfortable furniture, coastal colors and textures, and a general sense of calm. Of course, we throw in a few collected stones, shells, and sea glass,” notes Richards with a smile.

“It’s a comfortable space for family. They come here to relax and be together. As soon as you walk through the door, you feel like you’re on vacation.”

HOME

Skylights were added to flood the attic office with as much natural light as possible

Photography by Marial Maher, Visual Manor, courtesy of Solange Marie Design

Get Rhody Style

Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.

Coastal Palette

To achieve that breezy beach cottage feel no matter where you live, Richards suggests pulling color and texture from the coastal environment: blues and greens, as well as sand tones and neutral grays and whites.

Shop Newport

Richards’ favorite local small businesses include Wald and Sea, Shore Soap Company, and Saltwater Studio. “[Owner] Mary collects seaweed from all over Rhode Island and creates incredible artwork with it,” Richards notes.

Rhody Resources

Remodeling Right of Portsmouth did all of the construction. Herk Works Architecture and Merk Structural Consulting, Middletown, were brought in to work out some of the more complicated elements of the attic conversion. The countertop in the sitting area was built by a local furniture maker, Jonathan Brower of Mosaic Woodworks.

Local Talent

Solange Marie Design, LLC specializes in interior renovations, reworking spaces to accommodate modern needs without sacrificing historical integrity. Photography and styling was done by Marial Maher, who serves as the marketing director for the Fitzpatrick Team at RE/MAX by day and photographer/marketer by night. Learn more at NewportWithSolange. com and VisualManor.com, MarialMaher.com

Photography by Marial Maher, Visual Manor, courtesy of Solange Marie Design

Meet the Duo Behind Reading With Robin

A Q&A with Emily Homonoff about how a shared love of books and Rhody led her mother Robin Kall to create their lit platform

By Ashley Erling

How did you decide to start teaming up for projects, and what roles do you each take on?

The unofficial start of our partnership was when my mom would pull me out of school to help with events such as Jennifer Weiner and Claire Cook. But we formalized our collaboration with The Cardigan Connection in 2016, which we used to run on a monthly basis and are looking to bring back in popup form! My mom is undoubtedly “the talent,” but we work together on every decision that we make.

Your events focus heavily on community, bringing big names to our little state, and by doing so putting RI on the literary map. What character/role does the Ocean State play in your figurative novel?

The Ocean State offers so much and is a character in its own right. From flower fields in Exeter to waterfront restaurants in Newport, every corner of the state has something special to offer, and we always enjoy highlighting these places at our events.

You typically bring in local charities, organizations, and venues for your events and collaborations; how do you choose who to work with and highlight?

Giving back has always been an important part of our family values, so when we pick organizations, they either represent a cause that touches us or is in some way connected to the book and its author. Regarding our event locations, we like to keep things interesting. We love highlighting the businesses that we frequent in our own lives and bringing people to them that might not otherwise know about them. Bonus points if they have good parking!

Now that it’s wintertime in RI, where are some of your favorite local spots to cozy up with a book and/or do your book shopping?

We absolutely love cozying up at Curiosity & Co. in Jamestown, with either a glass of wine or spiked Springline coffee. InkFish Books in Warren is also one of our favorite places to shop because you never know what goodies owner Lisa Valentino is going to have. For sitting down with a book in the city, we also enjoy Coffee Exchange and Custom House. Learn more at RobinKall.com/Reading-With-Robin

Photo courtesy of Reading With Robin

The Magentaverse

By Elyse Major

ach year design nerds await the announcement of Pantone’s Color of the Year. Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Michigan, Pantone developed a universally used color standard – think time but for hues. If you’re a graphic designer creating a brand’s logo, you will likely assign it a Pantone Matching System (PMS) shade to be followed through by printers in all deliverables or products. For example, Coca-Cola Red is PMS 484, John Deere Green is PMS 364 C. In a stroke of marketing genius, each year Pantone names a color of the year, unveiling it with a bit of fanfare to those following along. For 2023, that color is Viva Magenta 18-1750. Says Pantone color institute executive director Leatrice Eiseman, “Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 181750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.” We’ve sourced some goods from around the state to help you invoke the forces of nature, or simply enjoy adding some pinky-red-violet to your life.

Setting the Barre

Finding community through movement at a Smithfield studio

By Callie Bisset

Thank you for showing up for you,” said Angela Vieira as she wrapped up a barre class at her studio. Each class at the Barre and Yoga Experience (BYE) ends with a message of empowerment for clients to take with them as they return to the hectic outside world. The Smithfield studio opened almost five years ago and strives to create a community space for all levels of barre and yoga classes. BYE promises a space “free of judgment, self-doubt, and the stress and anxieties of everyday life.”

The first time I stepped through the doors, I had never tried barre (exercises centered around a ballet barre) and had not practiced yoga in years. I didn’t even own a yoga mat. During class, I moved my body in new and sometimes difficult ways. But each movement came with the option for modifications, and I was always encouraged to stop if I felt any pain. I never felt as if I was being judged for not keeping up. BYE offers a space for people to enjoy regardless of where they are in their fitness journey. “You have to celebrate the

small wins,” explains Vieira, “whether this win is a peak pose, moving up a weight set during class, or just showing up on your mat.”

Vieira emphasizes the importance of incorporating wellness into our daily lives regardless of what phase of life someone may be in and offers virtual options for those who can’t make it in the studio. Since every class can be joined from home, you might see a toddler or a dog wandering through the background of someone’s Zoom. As a mother of two running a business with two locations (also Plainville, MA), Vieira knows what it’s like to try to balance a busy routine, but she always turns to movement for stress relief. Making the time to take even just 20 minutes a day to move your body has proven benefits.

Vieira encourages her students to set their intentions to something beyond just the physical accomplishments. “It’s not about you looking a certain way; it’s all about how you feel. That’s what this space was created for. So walk through those doors tonight feeling strong, feeling

GOOD TO KNOW

Tips for preparing for your first visit

• BYE o ers complimentary mat rentals, so no need to worry if you don’t have one.

• Local organic kombucha on tap, plant-based protein shakes, and luxury athleisure brands are available at the on-site boutique.

• Wear comfortable clothes that you can easily move in, such as leggings and a sports top.

• Make sure you bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during class.

• Pro-tip: wear grip socks to help prevent slipping during balance exercises.

Vieira at the barre

Photography by Victoria Costello, courtesy of Barre and Yoga Experience

empowered,” she instructs. Classes are accessible but challenging for every level. The aim is to give you the skills to go back out into the world and remember the mindfulness and meditation practices, so when you’re stuck in traffic later or having a rough day, you can remember to take a deep breath and let it go.

Since Rhode Island is such a tight-knit community, BYE is a place where you may see the same faces all the time; those people become friends and hold each other accountable. The studio helps build a

community support system, which in turn makes it a space people keep returning to. For first timers, BYE offers free introductory classes and also partners with other local businesses like ALOFT Providence Downtown and The Farm in Chepachet to create fun and engaging events open to all.

THE BARRE AND YOGA EXPERIENCE 259 Putnam Pike #2, Smithfield 401-757-0406; TheBarreAndYogaExperience.com

Classes are offered in person and live streamed

THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY

FROM INJECTABLES TO CHEMICAL PEELS TO PERMANENT MAKEUP, THE FACE OF BEAUTY IS CHANGING AND CREATING MARKET DEMAND

BY ANDREA E. MCHUGH

“If something is bagging, sagging, or dragging, I’ll tuck it, suck it, or pluck it,” Dolly Parton told British newspaper The Guardian in 2011. The country music singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman-turned-pop culture icon has never been shy about her enhancements, but she used to be the exception – not the norm. Today, women (and men) talk openly about their favorite fixes, treatments, and procedures that they employ to try and, as Cher famously sang, “turn back time.”

Look no further than social media, where TikTokers share everything from live Botox injections to butt-plumping procedures, Instagram influencers flaunt their filler, and HydraFacialists proudly show the floating funk collected from spending a half hour of vacuuming

their client’s now-radiant pores on Facebook.

As technology has advanced and non-invasive treatments have become both more widely available and more affordable to the masses, cosmetic enhancements are no longer reserved only for the rich and famous. Medspas, short for “medical spa” (and sometimes called medi-spa), are defined by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as “a combination of an aesthetic medical center and a day spa that provides nonsurgical aesthetic medical services under the supervision of a licensed physician.” A recent report valued the US medspa market at $14.4 billion. Here in Rhode Island, medspas can be found everywhere from Woonsocket to Westerly. But what kind of procedures are out there, who is performing them, what age is it appropriate, and is it safe?

RIGHT: Emsculpt being performed at SeaMist MedSpa, a medspa run by Dr. Mary Christina Simpson with locations in Newport and South Kingstown

Photo (left) by _KUBE_/ Adobe Stock, photos (right top) courtesy of Radiant Esthetics, (right bottom) courtesy of SeaMist MedSpa

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

The scope of treatments can vary, but typically, medspas are known for administering injectable neurotoxins popularly known under brand names like Botox and Dysport, among others, to treat wrinkles and other conditions. Dermal fillers, meanwhile, including Juvederm and Restylane, are used to soften facial creases and replenish areas that experience volume loss with age. Think fuller lips and smoothing the wrinkles around them. Many local medspas also offer laser treatments to address everything from hair removal to minimizing the appearance of age spots, sun spots, acne scars, and to treat skin conditions, like rosacea. Chemical peels, microneedling, and dermaplaning (a method of exfoliation that gently uses a scalpel to remove the face’s top layer of dead skin cells and fine hairs – “peach fuzz” – for a smoother, brighter, and more rejuvenated complexion) are in demand, while body contouring includes Coolsculpting, an alternative to liposuction that freezes and eliminates stubborn fat, and Emsculpt Neo, an FDA-approved high-intensity electromagnetic therapsaid to eliminate fat and build muscle. Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a form of regenerative medicine used to treat a variety of orthopedic conditions and injuries, but it’s also used in the cosmetic field to rejuvenate skin and repair signs of aging by using the patient’s own platelet rich blood cells to accelerate the body’s natural production of collagen and elastin. (The procedure is commonly called a “vampire facial.”) These are just some of the services offered at a medspa near you.

LEFT: A hydrofacial at Radiant Esthetics in Newport, founded by Jana Magarian

WHO IS DOING WHAT?

When it comes to who performs these procedures, there can be many options, so it’s more important than ever for clients and patients to do their homework. “I think there’s been not only an increased demand, but there’s just been a surge in the number of places offering cosmetic procedures,” says Dr. Alyssa Findley, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Findley Dermatology in East Providence. Like many dermatologists, much of Findley’s practice consists of full skin exams, diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions, and medical and surgical procedures, but she says in the past 10 years of developing close relationships with patients, they’ve turned to her for cosmetic procedures. She says that injectables, fillers, laser treatment, and chemical peels account for about a quarter of her business today.

From dental offices and day spas to permanent makeup businesses and even private home parties, one doesn’t have to look very hard to get Botox or filler in Rhode Island. “It’s really important, whether it be surgery or cosmetic procedures, for people to be well informed and educated on who’s performing the procedures.” Findley personally performs all procedures at her practice, but more often than not, cosmetic procedures are being performed by a nurse practitioner or advanced practice registered nurse under the supervision of a board-certified physician or medical director.

Pamela Lutes, owner of Inspire Medical Spa in Narragansett, oversees a staff of eight and though she’s a nurse practitioner, says registered nurses with considerable experience shouldn’t be overlooked for cosmetic treatments. “I want to stick up for the RNs because it is within their scope, I believe, to do injectables,” says Lutes. “I’m a nurse practitioner now because I really felt forced to do it to protect my business, but RNs in the industry are the teachers, the educators… I always tell people, ‘go to somebody who does it all day long, every day.’ It’s their focus, and that’s usually your nurses.”

Like Findley, Dr. Valerie Tokarz, a cosmetic dermatologic surgery specialist and founder of Tokarz Dermatology in East Greenwich, treats myriad conditions and performs cosmetic procedures. She concedes the State of Rhode Island’s regulations are murky at best.

Dr. Alyssa Findley of Findley Dermatology

Photos (right) courtesy of Tokarz Dermatology, photo (left) courtesy of Alyssa Findley

Valerie Tokarz, Tokarz Dermatology, Laser & Aesthetics

“All of us have this difficulty defining ‘what does the term cosmetic mean?’ Is it Maybelline eyeshadow? Is it a facelift? It all falls under the term ‘cosmetic,’” says Tokarz. “We are working on legislation in Rhode Island so that we, too, have this definition.”

Rep. Jacquelyn Baginski (D-Dist. 17, Cranston) along with Rep. Julie Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) and Rep. David Bennett (D - District 20, Cranston, Warwick) introduced House Bill 5844 in 2021 in an effort to better define who can administer certain procedures. “It’s not entirely clear who can do what, so the goal of the bill is really to put to paper some best practices and guidelines for establishing a medspa,” says Rep. Baginski. “It’s not to include or exclude any provider type from the practice; [it’s] just to make sure whoever is working at these places is doing so with the proper license. If they are not licensed to practice independently at a physician or as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), we want to make sure there is medical oversight if it’s required and to make sure anyone performing these procedures has the proper training to secure patient safety.” Baginski says she and other legislators recently met with representatives from the Rhode Island State Nurses Association, the Rhode Island Medical Society, and the Rhode Island Dermatology Society to sort out the bill’s language to, as Baginski put it, “make sure that any practitioner who is licensed by the State of Rhode Island can practice at their appropriate level.”

Dr.

BUDGETING FOR BEAUTY

FIVE WALLET-FRIENDLY TACTICS TO ENSURE YOU’RE GETTING THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

1. Start with a consultation so you can express what you’re looking to accomplish, and your practitioner can advise on the course of treatment to help you reach your goals – and what the financial commitment will be.

2. Ask your provider if there are any loyalty programs in which they participate. Galderma, the pharmaceutical company that makes Dysport, Restylane, and Sculptra Aesthetic, offers a point-system rewards program that allows clients to redeem points for future use, similar to frequent flier miles.

3. Many providers send monthly email newsletters that include specials and promotions. Sign up for savings.

4. Ask if providers have a membership program, cost-saving packages, or value-based incentives.

5. Some practitioners accept financing from companies like Cherry (similar to CareCredit healthcare financing) which allows clients to pay for services via monthly payment plans with some qualifying 0 percent APR options.

Photo (left top) by pavelgulea / Adobe Stock, (left bottom) by maru54 / Adobe Stock, (right) courtesy of Pamela Lutes

WHEN IS IT GO TIME?

Lutes, who’s been in the industry for 25 years, says she’s witnessed the advancement, evolution, and expansion of cosmetic procedures from nearly the beginning. “What I do in my room now as an injector doesn’t even resemble 10, even five years ago,” she says. “This industry is growing so fast, and people are starting to understand they have some control.” She’s quick to explain that people age differently, but the goal should be to look natural, well-rested, and refreshed. She credits Gen Z with being the most proactive in terms of preventative care and a proactive approach. “People pick on 20-year-olds for doing Botox, but once the lines are embedded, they get on it,” she says. A proactive approach, she says, will lead to less procedures later, adding “these young girls will never spend the amount of money; they’ll never fight the lines” as people who’ve begun treatments later in life. “I tell people it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

“There’s definitely something to be said about starting early,” agrees Findley. “For example, we know that it helps significantly with fine wrinkles and lines, and I think it’s best when you get very natural-looking results and it’s hard to tell you’ve had much done.” She clarifies that there is no set age to begin procedures and that it’s up to the individual to evaluate their own wants, needs, and expectations. “I think the best compliment is that you just look well rested and refreshed,” she says.

Pamela Lutes (seated) and her staff at Inspire

ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE?

Photo (left) courtesy of Marissa Daniels, (top) by ChesterAlive91 / Adobe Stock, (bottom) by primipil / Adobe Stock

TOP: Brows being microbladed

BOTTOM: Lip blushing in-progress

While certain medspa procedures can lift, smooth, buff, and plump, permanent makeup (PMU) is a cosmetic technique that relies on tattooing that closely resembles makeup. Popular PMU services include lash liner, faux freckles, microblading and microshading (eyebrows), lip blush, and even scalp micropigmentation, which uses tattooing to make a client look like they have fuller, thicker hair by simulating follicles that fill in the white space on the scalp.

Marissa Daniels opened Pretty Things in Providence a little over five years ago and now has a staff of nine doing aesthetic services including PMU and lash extensions, last lifts, lash tint, brow lamination, face/ body/brow waxing, and other services.

“Lip blush is a great service for clients who are aging, who are more mature and they’re starting to lose pigmentation in their lip skin. It’s great for my clients who get a lot of lip filler because lip filler actually pushes the blood vessels around in your lips and it kind of stretches them apart more, making them appear more pale,” she explains.

When choosing an artist, Daniels says it comes down to finding a pro who aligns with your personal style and reviewing the artist’s final product. “If you want good work, you should go to a licensed, insured, and experienced artist,” she advises. “Experience doesn’t necessarily mean time, either. I’ve met some artists who have only been working a year who are better than artists I have seen working for 10 years. I tell a lot of potential clients, I like to not only look at a potential artist’s work, but their healed work, because something that looks great when it’s fresh on Instagram doesn’t necessarily heal great.” Pigments implanted too deep in the skin, for example, can look darker and thicker, and undefined in places. She advises looking for an artist whose portfolio includes healed work and one whose style meets your goals.

ara Phelps, an advanced practice nurse anesthetist at South County Hospital, is the owner of Subtle T Aesthetics. Her combined experience as both a nurse and a nurse anesthetist for over two decades complements her tag line, “Beauty Down to a Science”.

Her passion for science began in college. She graduated from Assumption College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology before advancing on to her second Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from UMass-Amherst in 2001. Tara then advanced her degree in 2010 with a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia.

“My brand, Subtle T Aesthetics, and my mission statement of my desire to make people feel comfortable in their own skin is intentional. My hope is that this philosophy translates to a client experience that manifests itself in you walking away from my spa feeling more knowledgeable, confdent, and beautiful. Ultimately, what makes the Subtle T Aesthetics experience diferent is the way I refne and enhance your natural beauty in a way that is obvious to you but is evident only in your rejuvenated radiance to the observer.”

Tara currently ofers wrinkle relaxers, dermal fllers, platelet-rich plasma facials, platelet-rich plasma treatments for hair loss and thinning and medical grade skincare for various skincare concerns

To learn more about these services or to book an appointment, check out her website at www.staesthetics.com

LEFT: Marissa Daniels of Pretty Things, a permanent makeup studio in Providence

FOOD & DRINK

Experience | Recipe | Health Cafes | In the Kitchen

A satisfying and spicy seafood bowl from Maho Poke

Photo by Jacquelina Paiva

Summer Dreamin’

Beat the winter blues with nourishing poke bowls in Newport

By Laura Afonso

If you’re looking to shake up your dining routine in 2023, a visit to Maho Poke on Aquidneck Island will transport you to the much sunnier island of Hawaii. Off-season in Newport is the best time to trek the cobblestone streets and rediscover localfavorite spots like this go-to for refreshing and colorful seafood bowls.

Motivated by their love of poke, owners Sam David and Rob DePaolo set out to share their obsession. “We basically are just huge fans of poke, and wanted to bring it to Newport, as we didn’t have any places that specialized in poke bowls on the island,” says David.

Sitting directly on Thames Street, Maho Poke is a well-lit and cozy lunch retreat. Glowing sunsets and tropical beach scenes paying homage to Hawaii are depicted in life-sized murals on the walls. If you’re lucky enough to snag one, the swinging chairs hanging from the ceiling by the window are the best seats in the house.

For the uninitiated, poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish typically centered around diced raw fish, but Maho takes a loose approach, offering a variety of proteins to choose from to build your own bowl. “Our goal is to keep everything super fresh and island inspired,” says DePaolo.

I was drawn to their build-your-ownbowl options, which make the experience entirely customizable, from sauces to mixins. First, choose a base of sticky rice, brown rice, or mixed greens, and then add proteins. Fresh raw fish like salmon or spicy tuna are great choices, but they also offer free-range chicken, shrimp, and even marinated tofu. The great thing about Maho Poke is that it feels indulgent, but all ingredients are fresh and healthy.

Struck by the sheer number of choices, I opted to take a recommendation from the poke expert owners and went with the Spice is Nice bowl, a popular entree for

Must-Try Items

SPICE IS NICE BOWL ( $14.50 ) Salmon, edamame, green onion, cucumber, spicy shoyu, furikake, crispy shallots, and sriracha aioli drizzle

SESAME CHICKEN BOWL ( $14.50 ) Roasted free-range chicken, sesame-ginger sauce, sesame, fresh pineapple, purple cabbage, cucumber, carrots, green onion

ALOHA SHAVE ICE ( $7.50 )

Lilikoi, lychee, watermelon shave ice, snow cap, fresh mango, strawberry

Cuisine: Health-focused, poke bowls with gluten-free and vegan options Atmosphere: Fast-casual and fun

Aloha Shave Ice

P hotos by Jacquelina Paiva

The Maho Signature poke bowl

both its taste and texture. Freshly diced salmon is tossed in a spicy shoyu sauce, and folded in with edamame, chopped green onions, and cool cucumber to help balance the heat. All of this is served over a bed of sticky rice and topped off with furikake (a dry Japanese seasoning often used on rice), crispy shallots, and a drizzle of sriracha aioli. I loved the spice level of this bowl, along with the pockets of crunchiness.

If fish isn’t your style, the Sesame Chicken bowl is a must. House-roasted free-range chicken is tossed in a zesty sesame ginger sauce and mixed with shredded carrots, purple cabbage, cucumber, and my favorite topping, pineapple, which adds a bright, sweet-andsour layer. Finished off with toasted sesame seeds and green onions, this bowl is certainly a protein-packed powerhouse.

Though it’s tempting to fill up on savory bowls, be sure to save room for dessert –shave ice. “After doing some research, we thought Hawaiian shave ice would be a really awesome complement to poke, as well as another unique addition to the food scene in Newport,” explains David. A machine mills ice into soft, fluffy shavings that get packed into a cup and piled with fresh fruit or coconut ice cream, and drizzled with sweet syrups including guava, mango, banana, and lychee. These colorful, chilly treats taste like a tropical vacation! The Aloha was my favorite – watermelon shave ice sweetened with lilikoi (a type of passionfruit) and lychee, topped with fresh strawberries and mangoes.

Maho brings a little color and fun to these dark New England days (or any day!) with something for everyone. Whether you’re a poke newbie or a seasoned eater, Maho is a must for a filling, healthy meal.

Wholesome Lemon Chicken

Shop local ingredients for a crockpot dinner as easy as it is tasty

By Liz Murray

Photo by Liz Murray

Cooking healthy doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you begin with the right techniques and ingredients – and a great place to start is The Green Grocer in Portsmouth. Owners John Wood and Aly Marks-Wood are avid nutrition enthusiasts, stocking only foods without nitrates, GMOs, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial ingredients, and factory-farmed animals, plus they source their products from local vendors whenever possible.

Stock up on goods from The Green Grocer or your favorite neighborhood health market to make this classic dish with a healthy twist. Traditionally, lemon chicken is pan-seared and incorporates butter and dairy, but in this recipe, the chicken is slowcooked in a light lemony gravy and can be served with a variety of nutritious sides. It’s one of those set-it-and-forget-it dinners you’ll want to add to your cooking repertoire for its phenomenal flavor and ease of preparing.

Crockpot Lemon Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts

• ½ Tbsp organic garlic powder

• ½ Tbsp organic onion powder

• 1 large onion, peeled and sliced

• 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth

• ½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

• Fresh-cracked black pepper

• ½ tsp table salt, plus more to taste

• 4 Tbsp arrowroot flour (can substitute cornstarch)

• 2 Tbsp capers

STEPS

1. Place the chicken thighs (or breasts) in the bottom of a slow cooker. Sprinkle all over with onion powder, garlic powder, and fresh-cracked black pepper. Top with sliced onion.

2. Pour in chicken broth, salt, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

3. Slow cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.

4. About a half an hour before it’s supposed to finish cooking, transfer about a half cup of liquid from the crockpot into a bowl. Add the arrowroot (or cornstarch) to the bowl and mix until fully dissolved. Pour the mixture back into the crockpot and mix until well combined with the liquid.

5. Sprinkle with capers and continue to cook another half hour until the gravy has thickened and the chicken is cooked to 165ºF. Taste test, and season with salt (about a half teaspoon) and black pepper as needed.

6. Serve over a healthy side, such as barley, farro, or brown rice, and a side vegetable like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.

For more tips and recipes, visit RecipeHippie.com

Guilt-Free Pleasures

By Patty J

Gone are the days of depriving ourselves every January in the name of dropping a few of those pounds we put on over the holidays (no regrets!). If you’re searching for some lighter fare this month and don’t want to skimp on taste and feeling satisfied, allow me to introduce you to these local eateries with lean but luscious eats on the menu.

Alaina’s Guac N Roll

Doubling as a coffee and breakfast sandwich cafe and taco spot, Alaina’s has a delicious selection of light bites. Their build-your-own Guac and Toast is a must try, along with anything with cauliflower rice (my personal favorite)! Watch for acai bowls in fruity flavors, too. Richmond, GuacNRollRI.com

Apothica Cafe

Formerly Blackstone Coffee Bar, this apothecary-inspired plant-based cafe serves up Super Boost Lattes (like the Morning Ritual with ashwagandha, an herb promoting stress relief) for that little extra pep in your step. How about a Garden Delight Sandwich with herb spread? Cumberland, ApothicaHerbs.com

Auntie’s Kitchen

This cozy organic restaurant is an ideal destination for their bowl selection alone (including breakfast varieties, hot and cold bowls, and salads), and their house-made soups are not to be missed. Get creative with build-your-own sandwiches, which include both vegan and meat-lover ingredients. Wakefield, AuntiesKitchenRI.com

Blue Kangaroo Cafe

Ask anyone in the East Bay for their local faves and I’m sure Blue Kangaroo is on their list. This cheery deli earns high marks for their veggie wraps, soups, and salads. Wash it down with a cuppa Nitro Brew iced coffee or a nutritious Peachy Lean fruit smoothie. Barrington, BlueKangarooRI.com

Caf Bar

Nestled next to Rarities Books & Bindery on Main Street, this sweet little full-service coffee bar also prepares crunchy salads, delectable avocado toast, and substantial smoothies. From atmosphere to tasty bites, there’s so many reasons to add them to your January rotation. Wakefield, CafBarRI.com

L’Artisan Cafe & Bakery

This Euro-inspired offers all kinds of prepared foods, including wraps (tuna and chicken for starters) and refreshing salads. Add a cup of their soup of the day (is there anything better on a freezing cold day?) and you have a midday feast that won’t derail your New Year’s resolutions. Pro v idence, LArtisan-Cafe.com

Nana’s

This bakery and cafe opened in spring of 2022 and quickly became one of my obsessions. Their egg sandwiches are dynamite and available with a side of greens. Sourdough crust pizza topped with salad is truly a mouth-watering spin on “health food” if you ask me. Westerly, NanasRI.com

Plant City X

A spinoff of Providence’s Plant City vegan food hall, these scaled-down versions with drive-up ordering and pick-up windows have incredible salads, smoothies (I’m partial to the green Tropical one), and meatless burgers. I’ve motored over countless times for a satisfying nibble. Warwick & Middletown, PlantCityX.com

Rachel’s Cafe

This wife and husband-owned restaurant has a multitude of dishes (acai bowls, egg white omelets, and avocado toast) for the health conscious. If you’re hungry for a salad, they have five amazing ones, including their signature one, a mix of romaine, fruit, and goat cheese. South Kingstown, RachelsCafeRI.com

Shayna’s Place

This darling cafe in the heart of historic Wickford Village gets high marks for their made-toorder juices and smoothies and their vegetarian Peace Train Sandwich (with sprouts, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, and sriracha mayo on multigrain bread). You’ll wonder how you lived without them. Wickford, ShaynasPlaceRI.com

A spread of snacks from Auntie’s Kitchen

Photo courtesy of Auntie’s Kitchen

Stew and Stories

A Pawtucket foodie takes listeners on a culinary journey of African diaspora recipes and traditions

By Abbie Lahmers

Cooking has always been a part of Miranda-Zoya Jones’ world. Growing up in Pawtucket with a father who studied at Johnson & Wales, Jones says, “my experience was everything from standard kid food to elaborate spreads of rice and fish.” She was immersed in learning basic cooking techniques at a young age, seeing the magic behind the ingredients coming together firsthand. “I did a lot of baking growing up, too, because dessert is mandatory,” she adds with a laugh.

In this next chapter in her culinary story, Jones is uncovering her roots. While she’s more than comfortable whipping up a quick and delicious salmon and pasta dish, African diaspora cooking traditions have been less accessible. “I’m not so familiar with the fundamental spices, sauces, and flavors that Black people have used in the past that I would be able to make a quick meal with those things readily available to me,” Jones explains. “Why do I have more familiarity with the tenets of French or Italian cooking when I want to be able to make something that’s a little closer to me?”

Through her explorations, Jones is inviting listeners along for the ride. This winter, she’s launching Gather. Stew. Feast. , a podcast series featuring cooking instruction and recipe guides with photos. “I call them feasts, so essentially longer courses where I’m just focusing on seasonal ingredients and recipes,” Jones explains. “I wanted the opportunity to share the skills that I gained growing up cooking with young people like me, with people who want to gain more confidence in the kitchen. In the [podcasts], I’m cooking meals that celebrate and practice Black culinary traditions to become more familiar with those.”

Along with step-by-step teachings, Gather. Stew. Feast. will provide origins and context of African diaspora cooking, which Jones explains is more than food from the continent itself. “The kind of cuisine that

S Q UARE ONE

If your new year’s resolution is to cook more, but you’re less than savvy in the kitchen, Jones shares some advice: “A lot of it is just exploration. Go to your local library and find a cookbook; start with the thing that’s most familiar to you and branch out from there. Support your local farmer, and ask them questions. They’re very knowledgeable and that’s a great place to start.”

WINTER WARMER

“My absolute favorite dish that I’ve been coming back to for the last few years is millet and sweet potato porridge.” Jones recommends soaking the millet overnight and spicing it up with cinnamon. “I love eating it for breakfast because you don’t get that mid-morning hunger.”

LESS IS MORE

Reduce sodium in your diet by adding herbs. “People usually think of salt as something that adds flavor. Salt is really just a flavor enhancer,” says Jones. “If you learn what herbs and spices to include in your dishes, all you have to use is a little bit of salt” to build on what’s already there.

SHOP LOCAL

Jones is a long-time frequenter of Farm Fresh RI markets. For groceries in a pinch, her go-to is Urban Greens Co-op; for loose-leaf tea, Black Leaf Tea & Culture; and Glow Cafe and Juice Bar does catering for Jamaican patties and fruit smoothies – all in Providence.

Photos courtesy of Miranda-Zoya Jones

Creamy Coconut-Cashew Soup with okra, corn, and tomatoes

I’m looking into emerges from the places where Black people made homes and were forced to migrate to due to the slave trade, so that includes the south of the United States and also the Caribbean, Latin America, and the African continent. Even in America, it goes beyond the traditional definitions of soul food that we’re used to,” says Jones. “I’ll also be showing how nourishing our cuisine

can be and dispelling misconceptions about it possibly being unhealthy and fried and salty.”

Emphasizing the importance of choosing high-quality produce fresh from the ground rather than imported to super markets, Jones is among the local farming industry’s most enthusiastic advocates. This season, Rhode Island harvests feature winter squash, root vegetables, and cabbage – and so do her recipes.

“I’m looking forward to getting comfortable with putting on a huge pot of greens,” Jones says, as well as hearty, balanced stews great for making in bulk and freezing. “When you’re going to places like farmers markets, you have the opportunity to build relationships, to build community around your food instead of it just being a transaction.” Watch for podcast release updates at Unique-Speaker-1864.ck.page/42520dda35

ART & CULTURE

Music | Profile | Rhody Reads | Calendar

Author Seth Goldenberg leading a discussion on encouraging curiosity

Photo courtesy of Epic Decade

Providence Calling

How cheaper rents, great restaurants, and a welcoming music scene are luring talent from Boston

By Ken Abrams

Why not Providence? It may not be Austin or Nashville (yet), but the capital city is becoming a destination for professional musicians. In recent years, several notable artists have moved to Little Rhody from Beantown

No doubt the state has always attracted artists and writers, with RISD and other universities providing strong breeding grounds. Events like the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, WaterFire, and PVDFest promote the image of Rhode Island as an artsfriendly state. Public art and other innovative year-round festivals and events throughout the region add to the hip vibe.

Like many, Cody Nilsen’s life was upended in 2020. Lead guitarist in the popular outlaw country band Ward Hayden and the Outliers, Nilsen was living in Boston when the pandemic hit. “When the remote working-from-home thing became a reality, we decided to check out some different places to relocate,” he recalls. One day, he took a ride with his girlfriend to visit a friend in Westerly. “Halfway there, my friend called us with a COVID scare as we were driving through Pawtucket/Providence. We pulled over for a coffee and ended up spending six or seven hours in Providence, and we really fell in love with it. And it’s only a 45-minute ride to Boston if you put the pedal down,” adds Nilsen.

Of course, the cost of living is a factor for anyone considering a move, particularly struggling musicians. These days, bands can collaborate on songs remotely and come together when touring. It’s not necessary for members of a band to all live in the same city.

Matt Stubbs, co-founder of chart-topping blues/rock band GA-20, was renting a loft in Boston with his girlfriend when, about

Cody Nilsen

Matt Stubbs

Julie Rhodes P hotos courtesy of respective artists

four years ago, the couple decided to buy a home but found the costs in Boston were prohibitive. “We looked around; we thought about moving out of the area to Austin, Nashville, or New York. We really liked New England, so we started looking at lofts in Providence, and we ended up buying a house. It was about finding something that was affordable, but also the city had the things we wanted – we both love food, nightlife, music, and art. Providence has all those things.”

Another Rhody-newbie is Boston Music Award-winning singer-songwriter Julie Rhodes, who moved to Woonsocket during the pandemic. “I was living in Somerville in kind of a ‘music house.’ The only way to keep rent down was to cram a bunch of people into a house. When the pandemic happened, I kind of realized that being crammed in the house with a bunch of people was not ideal,” says Rhodes.

“The Providence music scene is incredible. I’ve always played shows in Providence, but now, being more a part of it, I realize how welcoming everyone is. One beautiful thing about the Providence scene… when you play shows, you see the support from the other bands. It’s not that it doesn’t happen in Boston, but it’s not as common to see it there.”

Seriously Nice New Nonstops.

Charleston | Norfolk | Pittsburgh | New Orleans

GIVE A WARM RHODY WELCOME AT THESE UPCOMING SHOWS

CODY NILSEN

January 12: The Knickerbocker, Westerly January 26: Nick a Nees, Pro v idence

JULIE RHODES

January 14: Askew, Pro v idence

Follow along at CodyNilsen.com; GA20Band.com; JulieRhodesMusic.com

Curiouser and Curiouser

New high-profile book by Jamestown’s Seth Goldenberg encourages questioning everything

By Hugh Minor

uestioning Commonly Held Beliefs to Imagine Flourishing Futures” is the quote on the wall in Seth Goldenberg’s studio in Jamestown. Located above Curiosity & Co., a bookstore and wine bar run by his wife Liz Newton, the sun-filled workshop is where Goldenberg does some of his best thinking – and questioning.

A literary and culinary community center, Curiosity & Co. provides opportunities for people looking to find experiences where they can connect and belong, especially after nearly two years of isolation during the COVID pandemic. “As these ventures mature, more opportunities, events, membership, and social impact will

come to life,” Goldenberg says.

Goldenberg’s ideas on how we can connect with one another and improve the way we live are presented in a new book entitled Radical Curiosity, Questioning Commonly Held Beliefs to Imagine Flourishing Futures , which has been well received internationally.

“It’s been really wonderful to hear how people are responding to the book, especially people I don’t know, and globally,” says the designer, curator, and entrepreneur.

In simple terms, Goldenberg’s methodology challenges what we know: if you question what you believe in both your personal and professional lives, you can become open to greater experiences. It’s a return to basics, asking us to rely on human inquiry rather than technology or science as a way of solving our most complex problems. Goldenberg makes his case by blending philosophy, business strategy, cultural criticism, and fascinating case studies. But he delivers his message in a way that is digestible for his readers.

“While the subjects can be heavy and heady, they are packaged in bite-sized, accessible stories and translated into 28 building blocks. This combination seems to be resonating,” says Goldenberg. The book struck a chord among leaders in business and philosophy along with national media outlets like Time , Wired , and Fast Company

A framework for the practice that he uses to engage individuals, businesses, and communities, the book is the foundation for much larger projects to come through his design studio, Epic Decade. High-profile clients like Apple, American Express, and the Oprah Winfrey Network engage Goldenberg to discuss some of the most essential challenges of our time – topics like the Great Resignation, inequity, injustices brought forward by Black Lives Matter and Me Too, recession, inflation, supply chain issues, the impact of climate change, and the war in Ukraine.

The book, design studio, and store are just the beginning. Next comes CSA House, which Goldenberg describes as “a food and health innovation center focused on how we grow, nourish, and replenish our living systems through regenerative design.” Visit Curiosity & Co. at 14 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown

Six picks sure to inspire, motivate, and delight

By Hugh Minor

Rhody Reads W

hether the new year means a new you or more of the same old wonderful you, it’s great to flip the calendar with a fresh stack of books to inspire and motivate you to be your best self – or simply enjoy an engrossing read. Dive into 2023 with these six titles with local ties and be sure to shop at your favorite bookstore all year long.

Starting over from scratch is never easy, but building on memories can help. Why. Me. is Eric Toth’s tale of Archer, a young man who looks toward the future while putting together the pieces of his past. Follow him through the city of Providence and the coast of Rhode Island on his journey of loss, luck, and love to learn what he discovers about others, and most importantly himself.

In Luke Dani Blue’s first collection, Pretend It’s My Body , the writer explores lives that defy definition but thrive in our everyday world, using a mix of fantasy, science fiction, and, of course, reality. Pretend is a powerful debut that leaves you with the sense and hope that there will be much more from this uniquely insightful Rhode Island author.

January is the perfect time to plan your next adventure and the latest from South County’s Robert Curley will guide you through 100 Things to Do in the Caribbean Before You Die . From Barbados to the Virgin Islands, traditional outings to hidden secrets known only to natives, Curley invites readers to experience the tropical islands in a whole new way.

For an adventure that’s a little more grounded, check out 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die by Loren Rhoads, a noted expert on the topic. The unique travel guide contains more than 300 stunning photographs along with the histories of cemeteries around the world and their residents –including four locations right here in Rhode Island.

Need a little slice-of-life humor to get 2023 off to a fresh start? Check out The Meat and Potatoes of Life: My True Lit Com by Lisa Smith Molinari of Jamestown. The award-winning columnist shares her life’s trials and tribulations as she struggles to maneuver the everyday twists and turns of suburban living as a navy wife.

In Come On In: There’s a Party in This Book! Barrington’s own Jamie Michalak teams up with Instagram sensation Sabine Timm (@virgin_honey) to take Lemon on a journey to find where the fun is, only to discover…whoops, no spoilers here! The whimsical illustrations and read-aloud rhymes make this picture book a blast for every early reader.

SHOP INDIE

A statewide listing of Rhode Island booksellers:

Arc{hive} Book + Snackery: Warren, ArchiveBookSnackery.com

Barrington Books: BarringtonBooks.com

Book Nerd: Barrington, Facebook

Books on the Square: Providence, BookSq.com

Charter Books: Newport, CharterBookStore.com

Curiosity & Co.: Jamestown, CuriosityAnd.Company/store

Heartleaf Books: Providence, HeartleafBooks.com

Inkfish Books: Warren, InkFishBooks.com

Island Books: Middletown, IslandBooksRI.indielite.org

Island Bound Bookstore: Block Island, IslandBoundBookstore.com

Lovecraft Arts & Sciences: Providence, WeirdProvidence.org

Paper Nautilus Books: Providence, PaperNautilusBooks.com

Rarities Books & Bindery: Wakefield, RaritiesOnline.com

Ri ra Bookstore + Bar: Providence, Ri Ra PVD.com

Savoy Bookshop & Cafe: Westerly, BankSquareBooks.com

Stillwater Books: Pawtucket, StillwaterBooksRI.com

Symposium Books: Providence, SymposiumBooks.com

Twenty Stories: Providence, TwentyStoriesLA.com

Send your Rhody book recommendations to Hugh at RhodyReads@gmail.com

Wakefield Books: Wakefield, WakefieldBooks.com

For a statewide listing of events visit us online! HeyRhody.com

e Must List

10 essential events this month

January 1: Take a dip into the frigid Atlantic for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge at Easton’s Beach to benefit A Wish Come True. Rejects Beer Co. hosts a pre-event buffet and post-plunge reception. Newport, AWish.org

January 3 : Learn from experienced hiker and Appalachian Mountain Club trail leader Elise Hedglen, who will be visiting Harmony Library for Winter Hiking Know How , offering tips and gear recommendations for the coldweather sport. Chepachet, TourBlackstone.com

January 8: Renew your spirit for the new year with a day of personal growth, self-discovery, and relaxation learning the creative mindfulness process known as SoulCollage , facilitated by Jennifer Watson, owner of Soul Unfolding. Warren, SoulUnfoldingRI.com

January 14: The 24-Hour Play Festival features five short plays written, rehearsed, and performed within a 24-hour period, producing results that are surprising, thoughtful, and often bizarre – but always entertaining. Wakefield, ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com

January 12-29: The Gamm Theatre presents Faith Healer , by acclaimed author Brian Friel, a modern masterpiece that weaves together the stories of an erratic faith healer, his embittered but loving wife, and his weary-stage manager. Warwick, GammTheatre.org

January 13: Spend a Friday evening in nature for the New Year’s Winter Wellness Workshop at Norman Bird Sanctuary, where you’ll learn about herbs, set intentions through guided meditation, and hike under the night sky. Middletown, NormanBirdSanctuary.org

January 14: Shake it up baby! 1964 The Tribute recreates the sound and feel of the pre-Sgt. Pepper era Beatles and was recently called the “best Beatles tribute band on earth” by Rolling Stone magazine. Woonsocket, StadiumTheatre.com

January 14-29: The Rhode Island Black Storytellers presents Funda Fest 25: A Sankofa Celebration of Black Storytelling. The twoweek series features spoken word from a range of local performers. Pro v idence, RIBSTFest.org

January 21: Get in touch with your literary side for a Book Launch Party of Reef Road with author Deborah Goodrich Royce joined by New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice speaking at the United Theatre. Westerly, UnitedTheatre.org

January 27: Meet and greet with live owls and then join Audubon naturalists for a hike at Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge looking for Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls while learning about their natural habitat. Exeter, ASRI.org

Actors and creators collaborate on a production from a past year’s 24-Hour Play Festival

Photo courtesy of Contemporary Theater Company