by Amy Unger
Could living your best, most balanced life be as achievable as learning the alphabet? We’d like to think so! From aloe-infused drinks to CBD to IV vitamin therapy to wine (yes, wine!), here are 26 ways to start prioritizing your health.
77 W. Broad St. Unit 11C, Bethlehem
610.905.0485
cravebethlehem.com
It’s not just for soothing sunburns and scrapes. There’s evidence to suggest it can also aid in digestion, weight loss and immune system health. Crave’s clean energy drinks are made with aloe, metabolism-boosting tea and a tablet packed with energy-supporting B vitamins.
518 Main St., Bethlehem
610.882.4325
healhands.com
Heated bamboo is used to roll and knead the stress and trouble spots right out of your body at Healing Hands in Bethlehem. They promise you’ll feel refreshed, rejuvenated and renewed long after the massage is over.
344 Main St., Emmaus
610.421.6195
FB: yourcbdstorelv
CBD products are all the rage these days. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is an active ingredient in cannabis that doesn’t produce a “high” like marijuana. Users swear by its effectiveness in treating a variety of maladies, like anxiety, pain, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. CBD products are popping up in more places locally, like Your CBD Store in Emmaus.
100 College Dr., Allentown
610.606.4670
cedarcrest.edu/rac
Deep water running at the Rodale Aquatic Center at Cedar Crest College in Allentown is the perfect class for runners or anyone else looking for a quick-moving, effective workout. And, it’s a lot easier on the joints than pounding the macadam.
311 Industrial Dr, Nazareth, PA 18064
484.516.2321
sweatlikeagirl.com
Rise and grind with the ladies of Sweat Like A Girl in Nazareth. Ditch the excuses and commit just 30 minutes of your morning to busting a move. You’ll get in a full-body workout and ramp up the motivation you need to tackle the rest of your day, all before 6 am. P.S.—girls only! No boys allowed.
thesanctuarypa.org
animalsindistresspa.org
lvpeaceablekingdom.info
Study after study shows that four-legged companions can do wonders for their owners’ physical and mental health. Local shelters like The Sanctuary at Haafsville, Animals in Distress in Coopersburg and Peaceable Kingdom in Whitehall are loaded with lovable canines, kitties and more… patiently waiting for their “furever” homes.
406 Delaware Ave. Suite 4, Bethlehem
484.241.4220
therestorationspace.com
Go with your gut, so the saying goes… unless your gut is telling you to adopt unhealthy habits that will disrupt the balance of the trillions of bacteria that have taken up residence in your GI tract. A happy gut can lead to better sleep, stronger immunity and a healthier heart. Bethlehem’s Restoration Space can help you get yours in tip-top shape.
Various retail locations
funnyfarmapiaries.com
Experts say raw honey can be a good source of antioxidants, while helping to calm digestive issues and soothe sore throats. Funny Farm Apiaries has more than 60 hives scattered across Berks County. Customers can stock up on honey that’s chock-full of beneficial pollen, minerals and enzymes.
4626A Broadway, Allentown
610.351.9222
energiwellness.com
Getting poked with a needle may not sound incredibly appealing, but more and more people are opting to roll up their sleeves for IV vitamin therapy. According to Allentown’s Energi Wellness, which offers the service, it’s a way to deliver nutrients directly to the bloodstream for faster and more effective absorption. They have concoctions to help you combat jet lag and hangovers, or to simply rehydrate and boost your immunity.
801.557.0832
FB: starkjuice
104 N. 9th St., Allentown
610.351.1185
FB: catertoyourdiet
Julie Stark, founder of Kempton-based Stark Juice, was juicing long before juicing became trendy. Her raw, cold-pressed juices are made from locally grown fruits and vegetables without heat or pasteurization, leaving behind precious nutrients and enzymes. You can pick up your own bottle of Green Glow, Berry Me or Lemon Drop (and many more) at the Allentown Farmers Market. Or there’s Smoothie Queenz in Allentown, pictured here, which offers Juicer Shots that are meant to enhance breast and prostate health while also offering a boost to the immune system.
87150 Hamilton Blvd. Suite 165, Trexlertown
610.351.1938
titleboxingclub.com
TITLE Boxing Club in Trexlertown invites you to “find your fierce” through one of its kickboxing or full-body boxing workouts. If you’re tired of the same old treadmill and StairMaster scene at the gym, this could be just the place for you. They cater to newbies as well as seasoned sparrers, so pull on your gloves, belly up to the bag and get going.
An open mind leads to new opportunities and experiences. Whether you’re hankering for a hobby or exploring your career options, Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton Community College offer a variety of possibilities—everything from grant writing to organic gardening to cheese-making. Or, roll up your sleeves at Allentown’s Baum School of Art and try your hand at wheel-thrown pottery or painting.
610.554.0144
mindfulnesslv.com
Dr. Deb Romberger of Allentown is an instructor in the art of mindfulness-based stress reduction. She teaches techniques that aid in letting go of everyday aggravations and living in the now. Her classes and programs range from one-offs to several hours to several weeks.
610.419.3909
bethlehemnutrition.com
The Bethlehem Nutrition and Wellness Center offers this non-invasive, natural method of analyzing the body’s physical and nutritional needs. It’s a form of applied kinesiology that can identify food intolerances as well as immune stressors and toxins. Once the problems are pinpointed, the center can assist in coming up with a game plan for restoring the body’s natural balance.
7150 Hamilton Blvd. Unit 130, Trexlertown
610.366.9866
healthyalt.com
Healthy Alternatives in Trexlertown has been at the forefront of the local organic movement since the 1990s. The store offers a myriad of natural, organic and vegetarian health food options and supplements, including a lengthy list of products from local farms and businesses. Inside you’ll find Café Santosha, which also sources local ingredients in the creation of palate pleasers like its Kraut Grilled Cheese sandwich and fruit, yogurt and granola parfait.
5202 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown
610.366.8808
oliverssalonspa.com
It’s a pedicure, plus a little something extra. Your feet deserve some TLC, too, and while you’re treating your tootsies, why not enjoy a tantalizing cocktail? Seasonal pedicures at Oliver’s Salon and Spa in Allentown—like the recent Rum Punch Pedicure—come with a boozy beverage and a light snack.
3701 Orchid Pl., Emmaus
610.965.4397
wildlandspa.org
Seek solace along any one of the Lehigh Valley’s nature trails or in its many parks. The 77-acre Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus offers seven different hiking and walking trails. You’ll meander past ponds, meadows, flowers and greenery, and perhaps catch a glimpse of any one of the dozens of bird species that have been spotted in the area.
134 N. 2nd St., Easton
484.560.5136
greenmouthjuicecafe.com
Recharge your batteries with the Rejuvenate Organic Superfood Smoothie from Greenmouth in Easton. It’s a delicious mix of berries, banana, greens, goji berries, açaí, chia seeds and coconut water.
429 Front St., Catasauqua
610.443.1746
qispapa.com
The secret to better-looking skin may lie under the sea with the seaweed wrap at Qi Spa in Catasauqua. Seaweed has been said to work as a detoxifier, while also improving skin’s elasticity and appearance.
559 Main St. Suite 122, Bethlehem
610.866.8300
aardvarksportsshop.com
Whether you’re training for your first race or your 500th, this running club based out of Aardvark Sports Shop in Bethlehem will help you get to the finish line. For this merry band of athletes, the camaraderie is just as important as the calorie burn.
Hey, you. Yeah, you—the one awash in the glow of your cell phone or tablet screen. It’s time to power down for a digital detox. Instead of trolling your friends’ news feeds, why not check out one of the events organized by the Lehigh Valley’s dozens of Meetup groups, and make memories of your own? You know, IRL.
2158 Avenue C Suite 201, Bethlehem
610.807.0336
volunteerlv.org
It’s good for the body, and good for the soul. So many organizations across the region depend on volunteers to keep doing what they do, so why not put your time and talents to good use? The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley can help you find a good fit.
Lots of studies have cheered the health benefits of drinking red wine (in moderation, ahem!)—as if you really needed a reason to uncork a bottle or two with your besties or your boo. Mark your calendar for October 12 and 13, when the locally owned and operated wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will celebrate Chambourcin Weekend.
1213 Main St., Hellertown
484.240.4998
hellertowndentalgroup.com
Oral health can be a good indicator of your overall health. And there’s a reason x-rays are a part of most dental hygiene plans—they’re a basic tool to identify any problems plaguing your pearly whites. But millions of Americans have hang-ups about going to the dentist—some avoid it at all costs. Luckily, places like the Hellertown Dental Group specialize in putting the anxious at ease.
It’s believed that the origins of yoga can be traced back thousands of years. Now, it remains a very effective way to reduce stress, increase strength, lose weight and combat sleep problems and depression. “There’s also the incredible aspect of community that comes with jumping into a group class,” says local instructor Megan Braemore of Allentown Yoga, which recently launched a series of outdoor classes in the heart of Downtown Allentown. “And of course, there’s that ‘after-yoga glow’ you walk out with after a great session.”
The average American spends about 25 years of his or her life sleeping. If you’re going to make that big of a time commitment, you might as well do it right. Consistent restless nights are tied to a host of health problems. Both St. Luke’s University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network have sleep centers that can diagnose and correct whatever’s disrupting your sack time.