Each of us comes across something that makes us smile or is particularly noteworthy throughout the year. To see what our team has loved in 2023, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites. Check out this “Best of” list for our staff’s picks.
An asterisk (*) denotes local business.
Libby Ballantyne, Administrative Assistant
Food: Cocina Luchadoras* (incredible tacos)
To-do: The Revival Series at the Charles Theatre*
Book: The Essential Rumi translated by Coleman Barks
Revival Series at the Charles Theatre
Dr. Brian Dougherty, D.OM., Acupuncturist
Albums: Acts of Worship by the Actors, Thin Skies by the Bootblacks
Books: The Trial by Franz Kafka, Black God’s Kiss by C.L. Moore, Panpsychism by Peter Ells
TV Shows: The Afterparty (AppleTV+), Bodies (Netflix)
Panpsychism by Peter Ells. Covers the foundation of Panpsychism (a field of scientific/philosophical inquiry attempting to explain human consciousness–something that mainstream science can’t do).
Julia Flaccavento, L.Ac., Acupuncturist
Album: Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
TV Show: Beef (Netflix)
Restaurant: Arcola & Cafe Campli*
Local Biz: Found Studio*
Treat: Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream
Scent: “Milk” by Dedcool, “You” by Glossier
Found Studio. Cute little trinkets/gift shop in the Hamilton/Lauraville neighborhood.
Alaina Grim, LMT, Massage Therapist
Books: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Event: Crankie Fest at the Creative Alliance*
Podcast: All There Is with Anderson Cooper. Great podcast about living with and understanding grief.
Next Crankie Fest is May 3, 2024.
Ayanna Harrison, Administrative Assistant
Movie: Oppenheimer
Book: Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
Recipe: Braised Short Ribs
Restaurant: Pho Bac*
Local biz: Everyone’s Place
Everyone’s Place. Bookstore & African Cultural Center. Photo: Baltimore Magazine
Kim Hennessee, L.Ac., Acupuncturist, Director of Operations
Restaurant: Sangam – South Indian restaurant in Cockeysville
Product: SoBotanical* custom essential oil – we made them last year for our holiday party and I still take great delight in mine
Recipe: I can’t eat enough of this sweet Potato and Red Lentil Curry Recipe from the New York Times
Book: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Podcasts: Ear Hustle and Armchair Expert (inspired my 15 year old son to do a research project on toxic masculinity and the incidence of addiction)
Potato and Red Lentil Curry. Photo: New York Times.
Sarah Humpal, L.Ac., Acupuncturist, Canton Captain
Book: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman.
Local Biz: Greedy Reads. Such a fantastic local independent bookstore with amazing author events and book clubs as well.
Awe-inspiring scene: Watching the Sandhill Crane migration in my home state of Nebraska
Sandhill Crane Migration. Every year, about a milllion sandhill cranes stop in rural Nebraska to refuel on their long migration. They’ve been doing this for more than 10,000 years. Seeing the skies and field full of these birds and contemplating the scope of time these families of cranes have been migrating was some awe-some perspective giving. Photo: Rick Derevan.
Antonia Jenifer, IR, Reflexologist
TV show: Invencible (Amazon Prime)
Book: You are a Badass Everyday by Jen Sincero
Beverage: Pumpkin spiced chai tea
Album: Floetic by Floetry
Floetic by Floetry. I grew up listening to Floetry and like-sounding artists, I can appreciate and relate to everything so much more now that I have experience beautiful rises and falls of adulthood, as well as experiencing self.
Yan Jiang, L.Ac., Acupuncturist
Book: The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life’s Perfection by Michael Singer
Artist: Water Lilies series by Claude Monet
Music: Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto
The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer. Allowed me to learn to listen to the universe more carefully and slow down my choice making process and see the value of waiting.
Dr. Stacey Kargman, N.M.D., L.Ac., Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist
TV show: Ted Lasso (AppleTV+)
New Hobbies: Crocheting, Archery
Recipe: Blackberry Ricotta Pizza with Basil
Book: Can We Talk About Israel? by Daniel Sokatch
App: Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab
Baltimore Gem: Canton Kayak Club
Merlin app. It helps me connect to my surroundings in a new way. Just sitting quietly and listening, getting to know better the creatures I am sharing space with.
Dr. Brianna Livesay, L.Ac., DOM, Acupuncturist
Drink: Bubble tea!
Alexandra McElwee, L.Ac., Acupuncturist
Book: Favorite read this year was absolutely Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Recipes: Living for both of these right now: 1-Bowl Pumpkin Muffins (Vegan + GF) and Chickpea, Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry
Local biz: Jinji‘s new chocolate shop on Greenmount in Waverly – highly recommend the hibiscus white chocolate
Jinji. New retail shop located on Baltimore’s historic Waverly Main Street. Photo: Jill Fannon.
Tara Monet, LMT, Massage Therapist, Retail Manager
TCM item: Bian Stone Gua Sha
Book: The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. This book was very inspirational to my personal journey as a healer who provides in-home services (at times). But it was based around herbs and Ayurvedic care.
Sarah O’Leary, L.Ac., Acupuncturist, Founder & CEO
Gift: My Life in Weeks Poster.
Book: A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. About a post AI apocalyptic land undergoing rewilding. Themes of satisfaction and purpose in the aftermath hit home.
Supplement: Beet Chews. In TCM beets are thought of as a medicinal food and supportive of the heart. Recent research suggests they also have an anti-atherogenic (stiffening of the arteries) property. These flavored supplement chews make it easy to get a beet-a-day in.
Life in Week Poster. The average person lives about 4,576 weeks. This poster lays that out in a visual way. I placed my poster in a place I will see it everyday and mark off my weeks.I also circled when my kids will both likely leave for college. Very perspective giving tool!
Dr. Jaqui Oetzel, DACM, L.Ac, Acupuncturist
Self-Care: Happy Light, Sound Healing Rain Drum
Happy Light and Rain Drum. These are my go-to self-care regimen when I don’t have more time to do other things.
Kelli Redmond-Bagby, Administrative Assistant
TV Show: Top Chef, Chopped
Food: Salmon
Cafe/Restaurant: Bird in Hand
Artist: Beyoncé
Bird in Hand. A great safe space to work, eat, and relax. Also, I like to romanticize my life and working in cafés always make me feel like I am in my favorite sitcoms/movies.
Amy Reid, Administrative Assistant
Restaurant: Mera Kitchen Collective
Book: Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
Local Biz: Red Emma’s, Fruitcamp, B. Willow
Fruitcamp. Not only is it the best tattoo shop but it is also a shared studio space with artists, herbalists, and Bodyworkers.
Dana Robinson, L.Ac., Acupuncturist, Remington Captain
Local Artist (and fuel of the protest fire): Liora Ostroff
Activity: Putting mulch and cardboard on my garden to increase the carbon density.
Local biz: Hex Superette
Outside, Looking In by Liora Ostroff.
Amanda Schulz, Billing Director
TV Show: Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
Album: The King by Anjimile
Book: Syllabus by Lynda Barry
Night out with friends: Honey Plus Karaoke in Ellicott City
Syllabus by Linda Barry. For creative inspiration.
