Recent photo of Brooke Shields | This Month's cover of Real Simple Magazine | |
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March at One.
Welcome to March AND the start of Spring! Did anyone else happen to catch the cover of Real Simple Magazine for this March? I don't know about you all, but the fact that Brooke is selling a book telling us that we are all too stressed out about aging, and then showing us this airbrushed unobtainable beauty photo, definitely screams hypocrisy to us.
Along those lines, we are ready for another month of keeping it real for you all. If you are struggling at meeting those challenging health goals, dealing with crippling anxiety or stress, or trying to achieve unobtainable beauty standards, we are here for you. Even at the darkest hours, good things are right around the corner, it is about surrounding yourself with things that you do have control over, staying positive, getting enough sleep, exercising, eating real food, being out in nature, or connecting with a loved one. You are perfect wherever you are in your journey, help someone in a small way and feel the joy that brings you anytime you are too much in your own head.
As you read our newsletter this month, our hope is that you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy creating it for you to learn about the latest in health news and what is happening in our community. Please feel free to share with anyone you think might benefit, there is no bigger compliment to us than that.
Yours in Wellness,
Jennifer and Christina
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This Month's Newsletter is dedicated to Jennifer's Uncle, Joe Bennett who we lost in February.
Uncle Joe lived a full 88 years, a dedicated law enforcement officer, with a witty sense of humor, helping to keep kids safe and who never met an animal he didn't love.
Click here for obituary
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The Importance of Gut Health
by Liz Renaut
We’ve made incredible strides in gut health over the years. We know that a healthy gut improves immunity, boosts your mood and reduces anxiety to name just a few of its many benefits. Just last year, my gut-healing plans involved rotating multiple probiotics and loading up on prebiotic fibers—resulting in a long list of pills and powders to take throughout the day.
Now, I’ve streamlined and optimized the process with a new and improved gut health protocol—a powerful combination of prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, AND polyphenols to nourish, restore, and protect your gut in the most effective way possible.
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Ready to take your gut health to the next level? Order supplements on my new plan, Gut Health for 2025, today or schedule a session with me to create a more personalized gut health plan!
Elizabeth Renaut
PT, DPT, Licensed Physical Therapist, University of Maryland, Baltimore
LDN, CNS, Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist, Certified Nutrition Specialist®
MHS, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
ADAPT Framework Level One Trained by the Kresser Institute for Functional and Evolutionary Medicine
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Essential Oils for Stress Management
There are many different types of stress: emotional, physical, physiological, social, or environmental. All of these can have different effects on the body. Addressing each of these may require different approaches and different essential oils.
Below are oils for emotional stress, specifically anxiety-related emotional stress. The Latin name is listed since there are many varieties, each with different phytochemicals.
- Bergamot Citrus bergamia
- Cedarwood atlas Cedrus atlantica
- Chamomile roman Anthemis nobilis
- Frankincense Boswellia carterii
- Geranium Pelargonium graveolens
- Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Mandarin Citrus reticulata
- Patchouli Pogostemon cablin
You can diffuse any of these or create a pleasing blend. A blend I would recommend is:
- 2 drop Bergamot or Mandarin
- 2 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Patchouli
This essential oil blend can be scaled up or down using a ratio of 2:2:1. For example, if you want to add these oils to a 10 ml glass container, you would use:
- 4 ml Bergamot or Mandarin
- 4 ml Frankincense
- 2 ml Patchouli
Use this blend or any essential oil listed in a water-based diffuser by adding 3-4 drops of essential oil to 100 ml of distilled water. Diffuse for 20-30 minutes, then shut it off for an hour. Continue to use this way until the water-oil chamber is empty. If you let the diffuser sit for over 3 days without use, empty the chamber and start again with a fresh essential oil and water mix.
Click here to shop Elizabeth's Custom Aromatherapy Blends
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What We Are Watching Right Now | |
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Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy
2024 | Maturity Rating:
TV-14 | 1h 24m | Documentary
This subversive documentary unpacks the tricks brands use to keep their customers consuming — and the real impact they have on our lives and the world.
This is a must watch for ALL of us. The environmental impact of our 1 click shopping and overconsumption (driven by Amazon) of mostly plastic goods that have ended up in our air, food, water and now a plastic spoon size amount in our brains, can be controlled, learn how you can make a difference.
Click to Learn More
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The Human Brain May Contain as Much as a Spoon’s Worth of Microplastics, New Research Suggests
The amount of microplastics in the human brain appears to be increasing over time: Concentrations rose by roughly 50 percent between 2016 and 2024, according to a new study
Sarah Kuta
Daily Correspondent
February 4, 2025
The human brain may contain up to a spoon’s worth of tiny plastic shards—not a spoonful, but the same weight (about seven grams) as a plastic spoon, according to new findings published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine.
Based on their analysis, the amount of microplastics in the human brain appears to be increasing over time: Concentrations rose by roughly 50 percent between 2016 and 2024.
Importantly, the study finds only a correlation between high levels of microplastics in the brain and dementia—it does not establish a causal relationship. It could be, for instance, that changes resulting from dementia make it easier for microplastics to accumulate in the brain. However, the researchers say their findings are troubling nonetheless.
People are simply being exposed to ever-increasing levels of micro- and nanoplastics,” said Campen. The particles are so small, they’re roughly the width of two COVID viruses standing side by side, he noted.
The rate of accumulation “is simply mirroring the environmental buildup and exposure.” As plastic breaks down over time, it degrades and becomes small enough to enter the human body and brain.
Plastic Pollution in Organs
Brain tissue contained 7 to 30 times more microplastics than other vital organs like the livers or kidneys, making it one of the most plastic-polluted tissues yet examined.
Researchers tested 52 human brain samples from both 2016 and 2024, all taken from the frontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for judgment, decision-making, and muscle movement.
Researchers found 12 types of plastic in the brain, with polyethylene (PE), commonly used in bottles, bags, and containers, making up 75 percent of the total. Other plastics included types commonly found in packaging, car parts, pipes, flooring, bottles, containers, fabrics, and other industrial products.
Currently, no treatment exists to remove microplastics from the body. To help reduce exposure, Campen and his colleagues are investigating the sources of microplastics in the environment, including in soil, plants, and even meat.
Click here for full article
Click here to make a difference in our plastic waste
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How Dance Promotes Brain Health
It's no secret that regular physical activity like dance is beneficial. Dance also has a variety of positive effects on brain function. “It's like exercise, but it demands a cognitive load on top of that,” says Madeleine E. Hackney, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine and a research scientist at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. “You learn a lot of different steps and put them into play, which challenges your attention and memory. There's also spatial navigating in relation to other people and places.”
Besides challenging memory and thinking skills, along with mobility and coordination, “dance requires integration of different parts of the brain,” says Elinor Harrison, PhD, a professional dancer for 30 years who is now a movement science researcher and lecturer in dance at Washington University in St. Louis.
Because dancing can improve balance, coordination, motor skills, and proprioception (being able to determine where your body is in space), it can benefit people with impaired movement related to Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis (MS).
A study in a 2024 issue of the European Journal of Sport Science found that people with MS who participated in dance classes—including moving to rock music or learning the basics of ballroom dancing or Latin American dances—twice a week for 12 weeks demonstrated significant improvements in mobility, attention, and working memory.
Brain Boost
A study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity in 2022 compared the effects of six months of 90 minutes of ballroom dancing twice a week with 90 minutes of treadmill walking twice a week among older adults who were at risk of developing dementia. “People in the dance group performed better on tests of executive function and memory and had reduced loss of volume in the hippocampus [a part of the brain responsible for memory and learning],” explains Joe Verghese, MD, FAAN, co-author of the study and professor and chair of neurology at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University in New York.
These findings build upon those from a seminal study in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2003. Researchers examined the connection between participation in various cognitive and physical activities and the risk of dementia in adults over age 75. Among all the physical activities, dancing was the only one associated with a reduced risk of dementia. This may be because “dancing is a complex physical activity with various cognitive, social, and physical components—the components all work together,” says study co-author Dr. Verghese. “It involves learning new movement patterns, which create new connections in the brain and strengthen existing networks.”
Click here for full article
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The App You Need
For those of you who have followed our newsletter over the years, you know I don't recommend apps very often. This one is a game changer. Instead of having to ask Jen if something is ok for you, simply scan the barcode and this will instantly rate your products for you to let you know of any potential health risks. No brand or manufacturer can influence the scores or recommendations offered and no ads. Its a gamechanger and helps you to breeze through the grocery store without having to spend hours reading labels.
Yuka App
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Weather and Arthritis Index
This is a great website provided by the Arthritis Foundation that tracks your local weather to determine its impact on your joint health and pain associated with weather changes.
Add it to your homescreen to see today's forecast for your joints!
Click here for webpage
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Where to Donate Used Clothing and Household Items in Annapolis
Do NOT donate to Goodwill (most gets thrown in a dumpster out back)
Try the Lutheran Mission on West Street Instead (free parking behind center) Many of their items get recycled back to our own community.
Please call ahead before bringing donations to ensure we have sufficient staff available. Phone: (410) 269-5016
Donations Accepted:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10:00–3:00
Saturday: 10:00-1:00
No donations accepted Thurs & Friday
Click here for location
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Instead of Buying New Try Consignment
- Waste
- A large portion of the clothing produced ends up in landfills. The fashion industry is a major contributor to textile waste, which can include microplastic pollution.
- Fast fashion
- Fast fashion companies, such as Zara, H&M, and Shein, contribute to textile waste through rapid production cycles and inexpensive clothing.
- Shein produces between 35,000 and 100,000 items per day, according to Design Life-Cycle. This includes up to 10,000 new items added to the site each day.
- Synthetic fibers like polyester and acrylic do not decompose unlike natural fibers like cotton.
A great way to improve our environment is to shop locally for consignment instead of purchasing New cheap Fast Fashion, one of our favorites is Return To Oz
For Great Used Workout Gear at a fraction of the cost ThredUp
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Free 2 Hour Parking for Annapolis Residents
Jared Littmann's Tip of the Month
Are you a local Annapolitan and do you struggle with the Premium Parking app? After going through the steps to get the code for resident 2-hour free parking (see link below to apply), the app normally picks up your correction location when parking in Hillman. But sometimes it doesn’t and it is easy to not notice until the app won’t take your promo code. Then you go back and fix the location. Lesson learned. When the app prompts with where it thinks you are parked, check it carefully rather than assume it is correct before proceeding!
Need a 2-hour free code? Apply for your 2-hour free parking promo code for Hillman Garage. Once approved your promo code will be emailed to you. Star this email for easy future reference when you park in Hillman Garage!
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The City of Annapolis has two systems to report issues.
Do you see a problem in our City that Needs to Be taken Care of?
Report It!
To report issues like sidewalk repair, snow removal, street markings, street sweeping, traffic signals, and more (view the entire list of services below), visit our "Submit a Problem" service
To address problems like Building, Electrical, Fence, Fire (FMO- non-emergency), Grading, Illegal Occupancy, and more (view the entire list of services below), go to our Anna311 Portal.
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2025 MRE Annual Oyster Roast and Sock Burnings!
Sunday, March 23rd
@Dark Horse
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Maryland Day Weekend Celebration
March 21st-23rd
Click for Details
Historic Annapolis Maryland Day Celebration
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 am (EST) - 5:00 pm (EST)
Celebrate Maryland Day with Historic Annapolis!
On Friday, explore the William Paca Garden and the Waterfront Warehouse and immerse yourself in the history of our city.
Historic Annapolis Events $1
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More Happenings
Fairy Houses Are Back in Quiet Waters Park Fill out the form below if you are interested in participating
May 17-June 22, 2025
Hosted by Quiet Waters Park and the Friends of Quiet Waters Park Sculpture Committee
Fairy Houses will remain on display along the Holly Trail through June 22 and may be collected June 23 -29, 2025.
Any houses not retrieved by 4 p.m. on June 29 will magically disappear!
SUBMISSION FORM
- Fairy House creators complete and submit this form.
- The first 75 submission forms received from Anne Arundel County residents will be accepted. We will notify you by email of your acceptance.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please check the box to confirm you reside in Anne Arundel County.
Name ___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________ State ________ Zip _______________________________
Phone # ___________________________________________________________________________
Email ______________________________________________________________________________
Name of this House_________________________________________________________________
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Thank you for participating in this event! We hope it will bring joy to all who discover these charming Fairy Houses along the Holly Trail in Quiet Waters Park
Free to everyone* and donations to the Friends of Quiet Waters Park are welcome.
*A $6 admission fee to the Park is required.
The theme of the house may be anything you wish - Fairies are very creative and adaptable!
Specifics
Fairy Houses come from all cultures and traditions. Creativity is encouraged! Houses for elves, gnomes and pixies are also welcome as are homes for other small mythical beings.
Use materials found in nature—dry grasses, leaves, sticks, pebbles, shells, bark from a fallen tree, seed pods, acorns, berries, gourds, miniature pumpkins, pinecones, and flowers are a few examples. Plastic is strongly discouraged, although small figurines – of a material other than natural components – may be part of a Fairy House. No glitter, confetti, or non-native seeds, please!
All Fairy Houses appear to be made of natural components. Hot glue, acrylic spray, twine, and other manmade items can be used but are concealed by natural elements. No paper or other products that could melt in the rain are part of a Fairy House.
Fairy Houses are portable and strongly secured to a sturdy base. Round “tree cookies” approximately 1-1.5 feet in diameter for bases are available at no cost upon request at the Gatehouse entrance between March 31 and May 16 or until they run out . These are being cut from fallen trees in the Park. If you use your own wood plank, maximum dimensions are 2’x2’x2’. The idea is to use a sturdy base (e.g., plywood) that can hold up if wet.
Fairy Houses are unsheltered and so do not have any items of value. Please remember that a Fairy House and anything in it are subject to the elements – and wild animals – and may disappear. Quiet Waters Park and Friends of Quiet Waters Park are not responsible for loss or damage.
Fairy Houses have names that are clearly marked so as to be visible on display and attached to the house. You can use a rock or other natural item.
Also, place Your name as the creator somewhere on the house. Houses will be photographed on opening day. Photographs may be used in future promotional materials featuring the festival.
If you have any questions about constructing your Fairy House, you can send an email to tinkerbell@fqwp.org.
Saturday, March 15
Closing Reception: A Final Toast to "Resilience" at Caliente Grill
Free
Experience the Power of Resilience! Celebrate the rich contributions of immigrant artists to our global societies by the Vida Gallery.
Profs & Pints Annapolis: The Bagpipe of Ireland and Scotland
5 pm Tuesday, March 11th at the Graduate Annapolis hotel
Annapolis Running Festival on March 22, where you can run a 5K, 10K, or half marathon course through the city followed by a sweet afterparty at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Click for Details
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Greek Salad With Sardines | | | | |
