Generation
Clean
Julie Unruh
Reporter
November
24, 2003
They call it "Trance Zen
Dance," a holistic club experience where people of like minds find
alternative ways to socialize influenced by nothing more than
music.
"I wanted to create a place where people could come
into a smoke, drug and alcohol free environment and dance," says
Travis Robb, Trance Zen Dance organizer.
This version of
contact improvisation is always spontaneous, sometimes smooth,
occassionally graceful, definitely close.
"If I go out late
at night, I'm getting exercise and having fund as opposed to getting
a hangover," says Steven Michael Harris, a Trance Zen
dancer.
Wednesday and Friday nights at Rhythm in Chicago's
West Loop you can pound the night away learning world beats. On
weekends, you can eat, study or just hang out at the Pick Me Up Cafe
24 hours a day.
"This place makes me feel comfortable, it's
part of who I am. It's the attitude of the place that grabs you,"
says Sharon Cooney, a Pick Me Up regular.
The North Clark
destination keeps the food pure and the air clean just like
Wrigleyville's Chicago Diner.
"I definitely prefer a place
like this where you can talk, no smoking, more positive
environment," says Samantha Barbera, a Chicago Diner
fan.
"People go to bars and pubs. Many people, vegans would
come here first, then go to a bar or pub," says Neeraj Kane, a
Chicago Diner fan.
Meat free since 1983, the restaurant
attracts a young generation of soy spring coffee drinkers.
"I
think we've shown the mainstream that you can have veggie food that
isn't weird," says Jo Kaucher, Chicago Diner owner.
And if
you're still hungry, head south and you're meatless senses will lead
you to soul vegetarian East Restaurant, where low fat and soul food
have been married happily for more than 20 years.
Many admit
this healthy way of life can make you feel lonely. For many at
Karyn's in Lincoln Park, the search is over. Sure it's a great
support group, but it's a whole lot more.
It's deep
meditation, dairy free desserts and detox classes to cleanse the
body. Intimidating to some, home to others.
"In the morning I
recommend you have either the coconut water, the rejuvalac or the
shake," Karyn says.
56-year-old Karyn Calabrese, 33 years a
vegan, a raw foodist for 22, says she took her extreme lifestyle and
put it up for sale. It's all about raw at Karyn's. She works on both
spiritual and physical well being. Under one roof, she encourages
healthy living for a happy life without the scrutiny.
"You do
need to ban together for more positive, faster, easier results,"
Karyn says.
Her detoxification classes aim to get people back
on track in a world filled with distractions. Just ask her students
how tough the temptations can be.
"You are kind of like a
martyr in aloneville," says Catherine Kirk, a detox
pupil.
The raw route can mean real results. These two ladies,
between them, lost 200 pounds in less than a year under Karyn's
direction. All raw food all the time. We're talking wheatgrass
drinks, seaweed chips, enzyme intake. And nothing is cooked over 110
degrees, not even inside, some say it's the only way to
live.
And now with more choices than ever across the city, it
looks like those walls are slowly coming
down.
RESOURCES
Rhythm
1108 W.
Randolph
Chicago
312-492-6100
TranceZenDance
Tribe
http://www.tzdtribe.com/
Karyn's Raw
Gourmet
1901 N.
Halstead
Chicago
312-255-1590
Chicago
Diner
3411 N.
Halstead
Chicago
773-935-6696
Pick Me Up
Cafe
3408 N.
Clark
Chicago
773-248-6613
Healing Earth
Resources 3111 N. Ashland
Chicago
773-327-8459
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