Life + Culture

Book Lovers

Nine new reads recommended by Portland bibliophiles Article by Rose Heithoff, Rebecca Starr, and Beth Babcock Back Cove Books Cranky by Phuc Tran Find out how kind friends and honesty help one cranky truck cool down in this humorous new picture book series about big trucks, big feelings, and even bigger friendships. (Release date: February 6) Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Our Differences by Samara Cole Doyon Told from the loving perspective of a mother of a child with autism, ...

Food + Beverage

Valentine's Date Night

Check out our readers' favorite romantic restaurants around town Article and Photography by Via Vecchia "We love VV for date night! It has the perfect trifecta: a cozy, warm atmosphere, beautiful food, and an excellent wine list." -@kimmacumberinteriors Yosaku "Yosaku has always been my favorite date spot. It's warm and comfortable with nooks and private areas, the food is consistently excellent, and the service is always on point." -@madamemojo Solo Italiano "Amazing true Italian...

Arts + Culture

Thoroughly Modern Maker

Ceramica Co. founder Hannah Hazel on pottery, running a business, and finding inspiration across Maine Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Tay Sikes Photo and Karlee Noyes Photography How did you get into ceramics initially? I was going to school for business but I needed an art elective, so I enrolled in a pottery class and felt like I was finally getting the hang of it at the end of the semester. It’s such a foreign art, and the only way to get better is to practice, so I went back...

Health + Wellness

Move Better, Feel Better

Oak Hill Stretchlab owner John Smart explains the benefits of getting stretched Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by courtesy of Stretchlab What is assisted stretching? We use a technique called physical neuromuscular facilitation, or PNF, to stretch people one-on-one using a tension scale of zero to ten. Zero is when you’re sitting there and can’t feel anything, and ten is when it feels like your arm is going to pop out of your socket. Ideally, we want you at a five.  How does it...

Real Estate

Living the American Dream

The content creator slash realtor sharing his love of Maine with the nation Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Courtesy of Chris Davis Late last year, local real estate agent Chris Davis announced that he was selected as the new host and production manager of the Emmy-nominated television series The American Dream , which was expanding into Maine. We sat down with Chris to learn more about his journey from aspiring actor to television host and what he believes makes the Pine Tree...

Food + Beverage

A Taste of the Sweet Life

Dean's Sweets co-owners Kristin and Dean Bingham walk us through the creation of their handcrafted truffles Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Lauren Lear Dean and Kristin Bingham know a thing or two about partnership. At their flagship chocolate shop on Fore Street, you’ll find Dean, a former architect turned chocolatier, doing the physical work of creating confections while Kristin, as Dean so eloquently puts it, "does everything else." Though their journey to chocolate followed a...

Food + Beverage

Eat the Rainbow

4 vegan recipes courtesy of Maine's first Indian culinary brand Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Lauren Lear Mumbai to MAINE founder Cherie Scott handcrafts regional gourmet Indian simmer sauces in small batches that are available across New England at specialty stores and via mumbaitomaine.com. Here, she shares four colorful Indian recipes for a warm and healthy start to your 2024. COPYRIGHT ©2024 · MUMBAI TO MAINE™ - ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED   Life-Giving Dahl (vegan &...

Fitness

Body in Motion

The Form Lab shares easy strength and mobility movements to kick off your new year Article by Andrew Blais and Sarah Olivares | Photography by Lauren Lear 1) THE SQUAT If there’s one major compound movement you should know how to do properly, it’s the squat! Start by lowering your hips from a standing position to below your knee joint, then stand back up to your starting position.  1A) SET UP + EXECUTION Place your feet hip-width apart with your toes slightly pointed out. Take a deep...

Health + Wellness

Be Kind to Yourself

Health Resonates co-owner Tara Cavanaugh discusses self-care and tuning into your body Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Courtesy of Health Resonates & Meredith Brockington “People always talk about balance, but it’s a really tricky thing to achieve,” notes Tara Cavanaugh, co-owner of Health Resonates, a boutique wellness spa in the West End. “For me, self-care is looking at myself as a whole and determining if I’m feeling overwhelmed or anxious, then figuring out what tools I can use...

Health + Wellness

Optimizing Wellness

Innovations in hormone balancing and regenerative medicine mean no longer accepting what's "normal" for your age Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Courtesy of the Age Management Center Low energy, endurance, loss of muscle mass, weight gain, aches, pains and brain fog are just some of the changes we accept as part of the natural aging process. Dr. Michael Bedecs, owner and medical director of the Age Management Center of New England, argues that many of these symptoms come from...