Decatur, GA January 2025 by City Lifestyle

Turning the Page

January offers a quiet moment to pause, reset, and reimagine what’s next. This time feels full of promise, yet it can also carry the weight of expectation - Expectations with our work, creativity, relationships with others, and especially, our relationship with ourselves. In this issue, we explore what it means to embrace hope and navigate change in the health & wellness sphere, particularly in the face of challenges that test our resilience.

Our feature stories offer a glimpse into the transformative power of community and intentional living. Registered Dietitian Karen Riggs shares her healing journey and mission to help others rebuild their relationship with food by breaking free from cycles of restriction and fear. Her approach reminds us that health is not about deprivation but about discovering the joy and freedom that come with mindful nourishment.

We also spotlight the incredible wellness leaders in our community who are redefining how we care for our minds and bodies. These holistic teams and their stories highlight the power of connection and accountability in achieving our goals. Whether finding your center in a counseling session or rediscovering strength, these individuals are here to guide us toward vitality and balance.

This issue is also brimming with inspiration for the kitchen. In a season when food can feel fraught, we’re thrilled to feature a recipe from Sima Chehrenegar of Heaven & Health that is both comforting and nourishing. Her dishes prove that eating well can be simple, delicious, and joyful.

As we face the inevitable ups and downs in the year ahead, let’s commit to staying hopeful, present, and kind to ourselves. Wellness is not a destination—it’s a journey made meaningful through intentional choices and shared experiences. Whether around a table, in a fitness studio, or within the pages of this magazine, let’s continue to build a community that uplifts and inspires.

Here’s to you - may this be a year of growth, connection, and joy.

January 2025

PUBLISHER

Caroline Ficken | caroline.ficken@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Natalie Fox | natalie.fox@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION MANAGER

Brooke Felder | brooke.felder@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sima Chehrenegar, Natalie Fox, Brooke Felder

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Wachs, Jonathan Wade

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

COO Matthew Perry

CRO Jamie Pentz

CTO Ajay Krishnan

VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson

VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley

AD DESIGNER Zach Miller

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

Working with Karen

I loved working with Karen She made me feel seen and understood through difficult and confusing health issues We fundamentally changed my diet After a couple of months, I feel so much better She helped me to stay accountable without being too restrictive, and I wouldn't have been able to change my lifestyle without her I feel like I have learned so much about how my body reacts to different foods I am more sensitive to my body's cues Karen's help was life-changing for me and I definitely recommend her

Z.C.

riggsnutrition com

Karen Riggs, MPH, MS, RDN Sati Yoga & Wellness is Atlanta’s home for non-heated mindful movement. Located in the heart of Kirkwood, our mission is to provide deep, trauma-informed practices aimed to restore and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. With inclusive staff and a

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Decatur Package Store serves up at November’s Decatur Wine Festival. 2: Decatur City Lifestyle hosts the Professional Women’s Collective at Furnish with Love. 3: Decatur City Lifestyle co-hosts traveling wine tasting with Erin Camin of Brilliant Escapes at Kelly’s Market. 4: Advanced Wellness of Atlanta hosts a successful fall Open House. 5: Decatur’s newest event space, The Ramspeck, opens on the Square. 6: The Community Center of South Decatur awards local nonprofits grants to support their work. 7: The Reading Room hosts Jazz Duo, Jordi Lara & Matt Vu.

The Peaceful Place Launches Neurofeedback

The Peaceful Place launches its neurofeedback offerings in January, a science-based, highly effective way to improve functioning. Decatur City Lifestyle readers receive a $50 discount on their first appointment. Use code: DLM25 at www.thepeacefulplacellc.com/ neurofeedback

Green Office Announces Preview Days

Cold weather got you stuck indoors? Swing by Green Office every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this January to escape the chill and step into your new favorite indoor golf studio. Check out our Uneekor stateof-the-art golf simulators, learn about our memberships, and see how Green Office blends work, play, and community into one seamless space. Tours available Fridays from 4 PM to 8 PM, Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sundays from 12 PM to 4 PM. Stop by or visit greenoffice.golf to book a time!

Free Therapy Consultation

Feeling overwhelmed this New Year? You’re not alone! Let’s take a moment to breathe and find some calm together. Therapy can help. Together, we can turn the chaos into something manageable and even enjoyable! Book online for your free 15-minute consultation at www.amyrobbinscounseling.com

THE TABLE THAT HEALS

ARTICLE BY CAROLINE FICKEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN WACHS

HEALTH, COMMUNITY, AND THE JOURNEY TO FINDING JOY IN FOOD

For many, navigating food choices feels isolating and overwhelming, especially after the Holiday season. Whether combating digestive issues, health concerns, or the demands of dieting, many face a maze of dietary rules and restrictions. Simple meals and snacks become a source of stress and social gatherings, where food is often central, may feel like emotional obstacles rather than opportunities for connection and comfort.

Even Karen Riggs, a Decatur-based Registered Dietitian, understands these struggles personally. “For years, I could not figure out what to eat to keep my stomach happy and my joints pain-free. I felt alone as no one else around me seemed to have any trouble eating. I loved being with others during mealtime but dreaded the aftermath.” So, adopting a “heal thyself” mentality, Riggs obtained a Master of Science in Nutrition to gain a deep understanding of the relationship between food and health conditions and founded Riggs Nutrition to help others. Riggs provides a nutrition counseling service designed to help people rebuild their relationship with food and improve their body’s functions.

Riggs’ approach rejects restrictive dieting and instead fosters freedom and fulfillment, helping people find the foods they can eat, and liberalizing their choices.

Riggs frequently sees both men and women caught in a cycle of diets that overpromise and underdeliver, as well as those who restrict themselves out of fear, unsure which foods might be causing harm.

For many, this cycle swings between extremes—eating strictly in isolation at home to throwing caution to the wind during holidays, vacations, or celebrations. Then they return back to strict eating rules, criticizing themselves and overexercising to make up for the “overindulgence” of the holiday.

Exhausted by fearing foods and “failing willpower,” so many feel trapped in a cycle that drains the joy from eating. Riggs helps her clients break free from these extremes.

LISTENING TO YOUR BODY

Health begins with tuning into your body’s cues and needs. Are you feeling energized? Sleeping well? Free from persistent discomfort? Are your labs trending in the right direction? Are you aging well and able to move or exercise in ways that bring you joy? These are key indicators of alignment between your body and nutrition.

Unfortunately, many of us adapt to feeling "off," accepting fatigue, digestive discomfort, or stress as normal. Riggs encourages her clients to take a daily inventory of their overall well-being. It’s not about following a rigid plan but creating a personalized, sustainable approach to health that supports living fully.

“Ultimately, health should feel empowering – a way of living that enhances your life rather than restricting it,” says Riggs. “True health isn’t about chasing quick fixes or adhering to rigid rules. It’s about making intentional, sustainable choices that support your long-term goals and unique needs and asking yourself, ‘How do I feel?’ and ‘How can I keep showing up for myself?’”

RECLAIMING JOY THROUGH COMMUNITY

As we enter the New Year, positive food messaging gets muffled in the aggressive “New Year, New Me” noise, but Riggs reminds her clients that “healthy eating” does not have to come with strict rules and isolation. Health is about balance, where food is a tool for nourishment, providing sustenance and connection.

Karen emphasizes the importance of community and accountability. Whether it’s a simple, budget-friendly meal or an elaborate celebration, coming together transforms eating into something intentional. Even for those who live alone or feel isolated, creating opportunities to cook with others and share meals can foster connection and dismiss the loneliness that often accompanies food decisions.

PARTNERING WITH KAREN

Karen’s clients often describe working with her as life-changing – not just in health outcomes but in their overall mindset. They rediscover confidence in their food choices, find energy where they once felt fatigued, and learn to love what they eat without dread. Whether your goal is addressing a specific health concern, finding balance amid conflicting advice, or simply reconnecting with food, Karen Riggs prioritizes building a relationship with clients based on understanding and compassion. Working with Karen is an opportunity to begin healing and reconnect with the joy that food and community can bring.

Food isn’t just sustenance—it’s a language of care, a way to connect, and a source of healing. Let’s reimagine health as something that brings us closer to others and helps us live fully. Gather around the table, join together in the experience, and rediscover what food is meant to be: nourishing, joyful, and shared.

Learn more at riggsnutrition.com and reach out at karen@riggsnutrition.com

“ULTIMATELY, HEALTH SHOULD FEEL EMPOWERING – A WAY OF LIVING THAT ENHANCES YOUR LIFE RATHER THAN RESTRICTING IT.”

IN S E A RCH OF HOLISTICHARMONY

Start 2025 with a commitment to experiencing the best your body, mind, and relationships offer. The following four practices offer routes to get you there. These Decatur wellness leaders offer impactful tools for a well-led life, from integrated psychotherapy to community-based counseling, energy-balancing therapies to pelvic floor physical therapy.

FOUR HEALING SPACES IN DECATUR DEDICATED TO ADDRESSING AND AMELIORATING WHAT AILS YOU.

ARTICLE BY NATALIE FOX

The Peaceful Place an invitation to the present moment.

When you step inside The Peaceful Place, you’ll find the aura lives up to its name. In the words of Patrick Bryant, Founder, “We are so happy to be in this health-conscious and progressive community that cares about other people. We want to support that as best as we can. We are genuine humans trying to help.” The practice provides various approaches to mental health healing through highly attuned therapists. The team focuses on the humanity of their clients and themselves. Inspirational conversations activate a sense of self-care and accountability among the practitioners while they model and coach clients through the ability to stay present with what is happening and move forward with joy. The whole point is to get everyone to a place where the necessary skills and strategies are in place to thrive. This talented group has specialties in trauma, men’s health, substance abuse, life transitions, child and adolescent therapy, and expressive arts therapies (to name a few). The spiritual stuff is key, and their unique focus on connecting with the beautiful and brutal aspects of nature is powerfully effective. Find purpose, intention, and cohesion at The Peaceful Place.

Photo by John Wachs

Kemper Pelvic Physiotherapy

you are welcome here.

Although the pelvis is the center of the body, at Kemper Pelvic Physio you’ll be doing much more than kegels. By focusing on pelvic pain relief (although there are many other reasons to engage in this work) this practice strives to deliver hope and optimal functioning. Feeling good in our bodies greatly enhances our quality of life experience, and these pelvic physical therapists are committed to inclusive, evidence-based, and experience-based care. Each person’s autonomy is number one here, and treatments are tailored to individual preferences and comfort. They have an amazing variety of treatment methods to resolve a range of pelvic-related issues - including (among other things) surgical, pregnancy, urinary, sexual, bowel, or pain dysfunction. Kemper Pelvic Physio also collaborates with other healthcare and community members to provide comprehensive solutions to pelvic-related issues, including mental health, nutrition, and medical interventions. This is a place where you can feel validated, hopeful, and confident in your experience. And remember, you don’t need a referral to attend physical therapy! Just call to make an appointment for effective and empathetic care. Come in to feel seen, heard, and ultimatelyrestored to your healthy self.

Photo by John Wachs

Amy CounselingRobbins

a soft place to land.

At Amy Robbins Counseling, you’ll find a multi-talented group of therapists primed to empower you to reach your personal goals. This team leans into the levity of life, which is so vital to thriving and finding moments of joy amidst heavy times. They pride themselves on meeting the needs of the community and changing the landscape. Amy Robbins has created a fabulous community of therapists, with bi-monthly shared space meetings where they come together as professional peers and authentic friends. It is the human underneath that is most important to Robbins, and she has hand-selected this group of outstanding individuals to enhance the quality of work for the practice. Their offerings run the gamut from EMDR, intuitive eating, family and couples therapy, as well as life transitions and work centered on diversity and inclusion. Groups have just begun at the practice to meet the continuing needs of the community. In the words of one therapist, Ben Lamm, “I want them to feel a vitality in their life. Not just an absence of depression or anxiety.” Make meaning of your life’s situations, don’t wait for the crisis, and rediscover joy at Amy Robbins Counseling.

Photo by Jonathan Wade

Advanced Wellness of Atlanta

bring your body back into balance.

Chemical, structural, and mental imbalances are addressed with intuitive care at Advanced Wellness of Atlanta. Dr. T has been a Chiropractor for over twenty years and finds it to be a wonderful tool for the soul while healing the nervous system. This team of experts is extremely gifted and skilled in their crafts. From esthetician services to sound and light therapy (and even detox foot baths) the opportunities for renewed health are immense. In terms of energy therapy modalities, Reiki and Pranic Therapy are available as well, helping you to get in touch with your own feelings and energy body. All available therapies complement one another beautifully, and the team as a whole brings an exceptional level of support, honesty, and nonjudgment to every client and each other. Tap into your curiosity and come in for a session. “Any small thing you do to become healthier is a win,” intones Dr. T. Address your concerns and find balance with the inviting and compassionate team at Advanced Wellness of Atlanta.

Photo by Jonathan Wade

Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated.

ARTICLE BY BROOKE FELDER PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINE FICKEN

RAISING THE BARRE

With over 10 years in Decatur, Pure Barre offers fitness of the body and mind.

Before you step your grippy-footed socks on the studio floor, you’ll be greeted by warm smiles and a community built on growing in their fitness journeys together. Your fitness goals – New Year’s or otherwise – might be met on the other side of a brick wall on Church Street.

“The biggest thing people are looking for is strength — and they want to find it within a community,” explains Andi Samford, General Manager of Pure Barre Decatur. “People want to belong, and we really excel at creating a community that fosters that feeling of support and inclusivity.”

When Hilary Sherman purchased Pure Barre Decatur in 2021, the studio itself has been an integral part of the community since its opening in 2013. The fitness studio now boasts nearly 350 members, offering low-impact, full-body workouts focused on micro-movements. The classes are often described as a fusion of yoga, pilates, and ballet. Classes like Pure Barre Define blend classic barre with weight-based strength training; another

offering called Align focuses on flexibility and balance; and the Empower class incorporates cardio and interval training for a full-body challenge.

“It’s fun, it’s effective, and it gets results,” says Sherman. “People often say, ‘Wow, I didn’t even know I had those muscles!’ That’s what I love about it.”

Beyond the workout, Sherman emphasizes that Pure Barre is more than just a place to exercise—it’s a supportive community where members are motivated to stay accountable. The studio frequently organizes challenges, the most recent being "Fall Fit," which encouraged members to take 30 classes in 60 days. The challenge culminated in an off-site party at La Chiquiada.

The relationships and friendships which are formed through this workout and in these studio walls extend far beyond the studio. “This community keeps members accountable. We’re going to check in with you,” says Samford. “We know you by name. You’re not just a member; you’re part of this community.”

Pure Barre Decatur is open to all fitness levels, welcoming beginners and seasoned athletes alike. Sherman says the studio offers “modifications so that everyone can progress and become stronger.”

Most importantly, Sherman emphasizes that Pure Barre Decatur is for everybody, and for every body

To experience it for yourself, take advantage of a free 30-minute introductory class by calling Pure Barre Decatur at (470)-428-2290.

Mortgage rates are falling, home inventory is increasing, and prices are holding steady. It’s the perfect time to upgrade to a larger home, downsize for simplicity, or find the right size to fit your needs.

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