Mind + Body: February 2018
To Your Health! – Humana makes it easy to live healthier in the New Year.
Humana Inc. recently relocated its neighborhood location (a facility that helps close the gap between people and the care they need to live healthier, happier lives) to a new 6,500-square-foot space in Metairie. “We had simply outgrown our previous location a few blocks west on Veterans, and needed more space to accommodate our classes and activities that we offer our members and the community — from healthy cooking demos to exercise programs,” says Jeff Fernandez, Medicare segment vice president. “This new location in Wilshire Plaza also provides our members and visitors with more parking and easier access.”
The new Humana facility features an activity room almost twice the size of the former Metairie site. In addition to fitness classes and cooking demos, other programs offered include health and wellness seminars, and disease-specific education classes. The best news? Many of the events can be attended by anyone at no cost.
“Humana currently has more than 50 neighborhood locations across the country, including Louisiana locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and Lafayette,” Fernandez says. “More than 4,500 visitors a year come to our Metairie location for a wide range of health and wellness classes, activities and programs. In 2017, Humana hosted nearly 1,200 classes and events at our Metairie neighborhood location.”
The location is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 840-0906, humana.com/about/humana-in-your-community
Culinary Destination – The New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute will advance scholarships and training in the Crescent City.
As we all know, one of the best things about New Orleans is its long tradition of amazing chefs and cuisine. Now, the $32 million New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute — which recently broke ground — will open in early 2019 to further enhance NOLA’s position as a culinary superstar.
NOCHI will be located in a historic five-story, 93,000-square-foot space in the Central Business District. The renovations are already underway by Woodward Design+Build — the general contractor for the project. Designed by Eskew+Dumez+Ripple architecture firm, the school will include five dedicated teaching kitchens; a beverage lab for wine and spirits programs; a retail cafe space on the ground level; separate classroom and office spaces for NOCHI and Tulane University; and an event center on the fifth floor with its own showcase catering kitchen and terraces boasting breathtaking views of downtown.
NOCHI, which was co-founded in 2013 by Ti Adelaide Martin, Dickie Brennan and George Brower, is already licensed by the State of Louisiana’s Board of Regents to offer rigorous, hands-on post-secondary certificate programs in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts developed in conjunction with CIA Consulting. NOCHI’s programs — 650 hours of instruction provided in 20 weeks’ time — are designed to provide greater education (and therefore higher wage jobs) for aspiring chefs. Locals and visitors can also take part in a wide array of seminars and classes ranging from Knife Skills 101 to New Orleans Cocktails. 725 Howard Ave., nochi.org
Maria’s Pick: App Happy – These new apps will help kickstart improved health, happiness and wellbeing in 2019.
We are just past the one-month mark of the New Year, and resolutions may or may not still be top of mind. We also have Valentine’s Day right around the corner, so love is in the air. “Here are some of my favorite apps to try out in the New Year,” says Maria Muro, publisher of New Orleans Living. “They’re not only fun, but they’re also a great way to try something new.”
1. Spafoo
This new app offers on-site professional beauty and wellness services that’s perfect for busy professionals on the go. It’s a great way to transform your living room or hotel room into a spa without the stress of driving, parking, tipping multiple people for one service or waiting past an appointment time. Quote from Alicia Alonzo-Reynaud, founder of Spafoo, TK. Spafoo even provided pedicures for the Saints earlier this season!
2. GoodKarma
While dating apps are aplenty these days, GoodKarma takes a different approach to love by giving users instant access to enriching date activities, such as helping to paint a school, shoveling snow for a handicapped neighbor, tutoring students after school or dog walking. The community of generous users sets out to spread positivity and love through participation in selfless activities.
3. Daily Burn
Stick to your 2018 resolution to exercise more with this app that offers more than 800 streaming workouts right on your smartphone. Now there’s no excuse to skip your workout for the day, since you can fit something in no matter where you are. And, if you answer a few simple questions, you’ll receive personalized recommendations in line with your personal fitness goals.