Connecticut

Saturday Fun

We had another beautiful day for Pilates alongside the Connecticut River in East Hartford. The fact that we’ve had such good weather is just a reminder, as summer nears to an end, that we’ve had a great summer with lots of sunny, warm weekends.

Thank to you everyone who has been joining us and to all our instructors who helped out in organizing and teaching.

Saturday FunMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:10-04:00

Coventry Farmers Market

I must live in a hole because I only heard about the Coventry Farmer’s Market a couple of weeks ago. It sounded wonderful and I couldn’t wait to go. Once I arrived it was even better than I expected. It was huge, crowded (which is great for the local farmers) and had so much to offer.

Matt and I met some friends and had a picnic lunch. We shared a BBQ pork sandwich and a Gorgonzola chicken wrap from one of the vendors. Next time, I’d like to try the oven-fired pizza. There was fresh squeezed lemonade (which tasted especially good since the last time I had fresh squeezed lemonade was in Italy when I’d accidentally ordered fresh squeezed lemon juice–not the same thing).

I stocked up on heirloom tomatoes, zucchini, some goat’s milk soap, fresh bread, and cheese–oh the cheese. Everything was so good, but a little pricey.

We spent a couple of hours walking around; lounging, eating and chatting on our picnic blankets, trying the different foods, running into friends and neighbors, and enjoying ice cream from Salem Valley Farms (one of my favorites). It was a nice, relaxing day.

When we came […]

Coventry Farmers MarketMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:10-04:00

Best Dessert in Town

Oh My GOD! You may not expect to find a link to a dessert place on a fitness blog, but if you are going to eat dessert you want it to be good. Plus, Vida Doce Pastry Shop in Newington, which I tried last weekend is a small business. As a small business owner I like to support small places, especially when they are good. No, not good, fantabulous–that’s not a word, but that’s the best way to describe Vida Doce.

I couldn’t decide what to get, but went with a brownie and hot chocolate. I couldn’t finish. It was delicious and very rich.

It would be a great place to spend an afternoon with some friends and share a couple desserts. I went with two people. We each ordered something different and none of us could eat it all. The portions are good and the prices really reasonable.

Best Dessert in TownMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:35:28-04:00

Enroll in Classes

Remember to sign up for one of our Pilates classes before all the holiday craziness officially arrives later this week. Call your Park & Recreation today so that we can see you in 2010!

Here is the schedule for all our fall classes.

Enroll in ClassesMaggie Downie2014-08-04T18:06:06-04:00

Elder Mary Bowen

This week I trained with Pilates Elder Mary Bowen for the second time. She has a home in Connecticut, so it is a wonderful opportunity to get to train with her. She is so close I wish I could afford to train with her weekly. In our lessons, she seems to talk more than to instruct exercises, but as an instructor (and a person) I learn a great deal from listening to her and attempting to absorb the wealth of information she has discovered in nearly 80-years.

What struck me most this time I met with her was her commentary on relaxing the body. I tend to be very tight, but that isn’t uncommon. We all carry tension in our neck and shoulders. We’re a society of tight hamstrings. She talked about how itching we all are as humans to move–to get going. “We’ll say, ‘Let’s Go,'” she explained. We’re always on the move; always rushing. She suggested, perhaps, we should consider, “Let’s Relax”–or maybe she said, “Let’s release.” I don’t remember, but it had the same intention. “It’s […]

Elder Mary BowenMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:29-04:00