Author: taylor.walker

Outbreak: The Zombie Virtual Run Is Motivation To Get Active During a Covid Pandemic

I needed to pick myself up for the Thirsty 30 Body Challenge. So I took to downloading The Outbreak Escape Virtual Run App by FIX Health as motivation to get active.

I’m falling behind on following through with my Thirsty 30 Body Challenge. I haven’t been doing HIIT Training or much of any exercise. So I can’t say I remained disciplined during the earlier months of 2021. I guess quarantine was getting a bit stale with the repetitive routines. So I needed something new to change the pace.

While we were in the midst of a lockdown in Maryland during the “5K Season,” opportunities were readily available. Like many of the art exhibitions that emerge around town during the pandemic, we are fortunate to have plenty of opportunities geared to physical fitness, as well. There are lots of outside meetups for yoga and virtual meetings making up for limited space or closed gyms. It’s easy finding something to remain physically active while social distancing.

In April, my sister came across a game called The Outbreak, a virtual run geared to promoting physical fitness through the use of one of the most popular horrid themes in video game history; escaping a zombie apocalypse. 

The people at FIX Health appeal to people that are just like me. People that require a little more than the daily run around the track. Like when you can’t visit the gym or are tired of trying different YouTube Fitness Channels, FIX Health is there with an alternative. 

FIX Health was founded on “the belief that all aspects of life are enhanced by a healthy lifestyle.” The company develops interactive games promoting health and daily activity in a fun, socially connected environment. The Outbreak is one product by the company used in numerous workplaces promoting employee wellness and morale. “…its programs focus on daily movement and an incremental increase in active minutes overtime. Participants are chased by digital zombies in an app that features a storyline along with daily and weekly goals that require teamwork to complete.”

For a month as a new fitness routine to get into while still in a pandemic, I joined my sister in completing Escape Virtual Run hosted by FIX Health. 

I downloaded Outbreak with major hopes of outrunning the virtual zombies in the allotted time. The game’s storyline begins with a mission to reach the safehouse which is 60 miles from the starting point. Each day, I logged my daily steps by syncing my fitness watch with the app. My progress is converted to miles and tracked using a map to showcase my distance from the flesh-eating zombie hoard. Zombies close in on my avatar on this escape mission. It’s my duty to continue out walking them using my real steps. It took me 24 days to reach the safehouse; only six days sooner. I am proud to say I completed the mission in less than 30 days.

Watch my review of The Outbreak: Zombie Escape Virtual Run

Join The OutBreak: Escape Virtual Run

If you’re interested in doing this virtual run, you’ll need to purchase your entry ticket before you can have full access to the app. You can sign up by visiting their website: www.outbreakchallenge.com.

Doc’s Thumb’s Up: Miss Kam FCTU featuring Ddm & Kotic Couture

Baltimore Artist Miss Kam is a force to be reckoned with creating buzz for herself straight out of BMore. She releases our most recent Doc’s Thumbs Up feature this month. The official video for FTCU featuring Ddm and Kotic Couture dropped in early June, and what can I say? What better song to pick from the Tew Faced album to be this LP’s first visual piece of art, than FTCU?

Miss Kam has been on the Doc’s Castle Media radar for quite some time now. The first time I saw her in action was in a cipher for Beet Trip Episode 60 summer of 2020. A year later, she creates buzz traveling for her musical performances and collaborating with other talented underground artists. Her efforts aren’t going unnoticed. Miss Kam is bursting out from the shadows so much so she mentioned in an interview with The Working Title Podcast that she’s even gained attention from the legendary hip-hop artist Missy Elliott following the debut of her We Are The World featuring Zadia official music video. So this lady is certainly a big deal.

Miss Kam released her LP Tew Faced last December 2020 via Bandcamp. It’s definitely worth blasting in your car, or even maybe in some headphones during your work shift since that’s how I listened. The LP is composed of 14 original tracks and features five other local Baltimore music artists. Awesome is she that the previously featured Doc’s Thumb Up artist for Faded, T.Ali is one of the honor guests.  Mentioned in her Bandcamp biography, Miss Kam “sets the tone with her rich, yet gritty contralto voice; all while being paralleled with angelic harmonies and unique production.” While she creates this audio art, she makes it “clear on delivering the audible conceptualization of what it truly means to be a Gemini.”

Miss Kam is definitely a “make it happen” queen. She understands the power of social media and uses it to promote original content. Simply check her numbers. She always keeps her social media booming running up retweets and likes while posting weekly freestyles and supporting other artists in Baltimore. My favorite campaign to watch is Freestyle Fridays when she posts new weekly freestyles for social media followers. She’s also a huge supporter of Bandcamp Fridays, a day when listeners can purchase music and an average of 93% of their money reaches the artist/label (after payment processor fees).

http://www.instagram.com/p/CQZeivjpIp8/?utm_medium=copy_link

Miss Kam often creates campaigns to promote her music and encourage the support of her peers. She collaborates with local business entrepreneurs promoting natural skincare and haircare products. Last summer she launched a campaign selling self-made beanies to raise money for her Tew Faced campaign. Doc’s Castle Media supported by purchasing and we received such a thoughtful note from the queen.

All this greatness said about this goddess, we want to give her her props where it’s due and grant FTCU with a Doc’s Thumbs Up for the hard work she’s putting in. 

FTCU features two other Baltimore’s hip-hop artists Ddm and Kotic Couture, both artists and representatives of the LBGTQ community, and also advocates in Baltimore’s Club music culture. They both made appearances in the club culture documentary Dark City Beneath the Beat directed by TT the Artist. Miss Kam couldn’t have chosen a better duo to shut it down for the video. Stylish, poised, and polished, yet still giving us a jab of fierce savagery through their lyrics, they definitely band together to show us how they come to “fuck the check up.” The track truly is giving us Gemini vibes. I’m a Gemini, myself. So I approve this message.

Watch full Video to FTCU featuring Ddm and Kotic Couture 

Listen to Miss Kam’s Tew Faced by visiting her Bandcamp.

What do you think about FTCU? Let’s start a conversation. Leave your comments below.

Alcohol Lamps Now Available in Tipsy Decor Collection on Doc’s Castle Online Art Store

I briefly covered some of this in What’s Up Doc: Where Have I Been and Hair Diary Vlog. I gave you the basics of the past, present, and what to expect in the future for Doc’s Castle Media. One of those things is the introduction to the Doc’s Castle Tipsy Decor & Art Store. Doc’s Castle, LLC now sells alcohol lamps as part of my Tipsy Decor Collection and Tequila Tasting Art Experience.

I’m highlighting myself today, duh!

I was not lying when I said you will see more of ME on Doc’s Castle Media. I’ve spent the last year revamping and rebranding the website to share more of what I’ve been up to offline – not just sharing current events or talking about what’s happening around me. 

In my absence from blogging in 2018, I submerged myself in rediscovering an old passion of mine. Painting, drawing, and many other forms of art became my calling during the depression. DCM Readers from 2018 could probably see a shift in topics covered at that time from being the majority about underground hip-hop in Baltimore swiftly changing to highlighting art exhibitions and museums. This was slightly before the craziness of my website crashing. 

A list of mentionable posts while Doc’s Castle, LLC was transitioning:

Not only did I start writing about the visual arts, but I also started an art blog via Instagram named @DocsCastlePix where I shared personal pieces to get away from the stresses of writer’s block and depression. I began sharing some of my old graphics and flyers. I didn’t tell people I created an art blog because I only used it as a virtual gallery of what I like to see of my own work. But we all know what Instagram and Facebook do. The power rests in algorithms and friend suggestions. My family and friends started following my page when they discovered I was posting art. Now I have over 220 followers watching me post creations from my art lab. 

Tipsy Decor by Doc’s Castle, LLC

Busy Doing Nothing Podcast is my biggest motivator for the Tipsy Decor Collection. I spent many Saturday nights drinking while recording for the BDN podcast numerous brands of wines and spirits. Many of those times I was caught admiring the appeal of the bottles featured on the show. Eventually, I thought to take a bottle home with me to make into a vase for my new home.

Once this was just a personal interior design project for my new home, later it turned into a plethora of bottles to showcase and share with friends I like to drink with. Decorative vases, stress bottles, lamps, and keychains are just to name a few things I’ve stumbled across creating all this alcoholic art during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is so much it’s to the point I don’t know how to share them all. I often try to find ways to get rid of them. Hosting my first tequila tasting was a start to a brand new awakening for Doc’s Castle, LLC. My next goal was to create an Art store to keep everything.

[Visit the Doc’s Castle, LLC Art Store]

Tequila Tastings

In early 2021 I invested in obtaining a bartender’s servers certificate. Though it’s not required in the state of Maryland, I am now certified under the TiPS Alcohol Certification program to serve at any bar in Maryland. But I probably won’t serve at just any bar here. I have reservations to serve the majority of different variations of tequila; a tequila bar exactly. I’m taking an interest in the alcohol industry but in my own little way.

Merging Tequila Tastings and Tipsy Decor, Doc’s Castle, LLC hopes to bring people that enjoy art and tequila together in celebration of a good time. I created a new art extravaganza giveaway experience and paired it with a cocktail class. I’m your catador serving you tequila while you win custom-made alcoholic decor, and because you’re having fun, I can guarantee you’ll walk away with a memory that’s one of a kind and possibly a new appreciation for this rich spirit.

Juneteenth Doc’s Castle Tipsy Decor & Art Store Appearance

Doc’s Castle, LLC’s official online art store is now open. We offer a mod podge of things Doc loves. Signature party drinks for small gatherings, magnets, keychains, lamps, and more. We’re now ready to take your orders. It’s not a grand opening as I expected. There were a lot of delays and setbacks. Instead of opening in Spring 2021, I tried my best to open before the summer. But still, it’s not a grand opening. Hopefully, I can do Doc’s Castle, LLC that justice later. We’ll do what we can at the moment.

For now, Doc’s Castle, LLC will pop up at the 5th Annual Juneteenth Dovecote Cafe Art Bazaar. This is the second vending event for Doc’s Castle, our first was over 8 years ago at the 2011 Body and Soul Salon & Spa Annual Back to School Drive. This time around, along with 80+ other art vendors, we’ll have a table that showcases custom decor and visual art created by us. I’ll promote Doc’s Castle Media and give everyone who stops by the booth a piece of what’s new that I have to offer. This will be the first of many to come participating in art festivals and pop-up shops.

There’s a lot to look forward to coming from Doc’s Castle Media. We’re evolving into more than just talking about the dope people around town. Doc also has a talent to share. I hope to merge everything that I’m learning about the alcohol industry with everything that I’ve grown to love about Baltimore’s art culture. I hope to use these to create even more opportunities for this art culture in the city.

Are you looking to sponsor vending events or collaborations with Doc’s Castle, LLC? Visit our contact page and send your pitch!

Breaking Away from The Comparison Demon: 3 Tips from Blogger Bria Danielle

Baltimore Blogger Bria Danielle shares in a YouTube video three ways we subscribe to self-sabotage by falling for our “comparison demon” when scrolling our social media timelines. It’s a word worth sharing with readers this season for mental health awareness month. It’s also a reminder to snap out of it while we’ve spent an entire year glued to our phones watching other people live their best lives.

Bria Danielle is a fellow friend and Baltimore Lifestyle Blogger of The Reverie Blog. She’s recognized as one of Baltimore’s talented roller skaters. She is absolutely thriving living and sharing some of her most precious moments on social media. Some of her latest ventures include her acceptance into graduate school and marriage to the man of her dreams during the craziest year in history; 2020. Bria is most definitely an example of someone who’s enjoying life.

http://www.instagram.com/p/CA2n1rLpr6b/?igshid=10ekam8vodfzv

Everyone has a niche. Everyone has a hobby or talent they share online. We watch highlight reels of the best actions from these people that we love. We follow people’s accomplishments and praise the work of others daily. I believe we do it so much that we may gloss over how this could have the potential to tarnish any belief of what we have for ourselves being the best. It’s an entire battle that us navigating social media do not talk about. We rarely acknowledge the struggles of unconscious comparisons. 

[Read Protecting Your Mental Health During Covid with Ashlee Banks and Brandon Johnson on Doc’s Castle Media.]

It’s important to have some level of media literacy when navigating online social spaces because it’s better to understand why something happens, rather than fall into a slippery depressive state of “should haves” and “could haves.”

Bria Danielle’s video explains her hiatus from blogging and I completely get it, girl! I shared my experience in a hair diary video, and I can say it could have been the comparison demon that took me out during those dark years of Doc’s Castle Media. Nonetheless, she shares some important points worth reiterating.

Watch Where Have I Been by Bria Danielle

Three Tips for Fighting Your Comparison Demon from Bria Danielle 

How to Deal with Comparison

Why must we torture ourselves only watching the accomplishments of others 24/7 when we should be taking time to improve ourselves?

Everyone has a story. Everyone has good and bad moments. We all go through the trials of life. Seeing people share online their accomplishments, along with their faults, gives us a more realistic view of that person. But it’s still from the perspective of a protagonist. Even while we hear so many angles of a story, both good and bad, we are seeing what the protagonist allows us to see. Remember that. Those you follow could also experience bad moments. They’re their own person and won’t walk the same path as you. So it’s a waste of time to fret. The only comparison you should make is between the new version of you and the old one.

You Have Unrealistic Expectations 

You need to be real with yourself about what you can do and how you plan to do it. So set goals to make them easily measurable and obtainable. 

Here’s an example we all hear: People who make goals to lose weight face challenges sticking to them because they set them too high and are labeled too specific. “I want to lose 100 pounds within a month” already sounds like a lot of straining and too much pressure. Setting this goal could potentially be setting yourself up for failure. Understand what you can or cannot do.

Have Faith in Yourself

Believe in yourself. Affirm what you want for yourself by truly believing in it. 

Your tongue has the power to lift or degrade anyone’s spirit, including your own. Be cautious of your words so you’ll attract what you’ll love and can stand behind. It’s having faith that you can achieve and speaking highly on it with conviction that surges energy through you pushing you towards conquering it. The more you say it, the more it sounds like it’ll happen. You’re affirming it. You live in the essence of it happening each day, especially if you start crossing off habits and take steps completing tasks. 

Bria Danielle’s Tips about the comparison demon will help you recognize you’re not alone dealing with mental fatigue from fighting your mental demon. Read the full blog post about the comparison demon via The Reverie Blog.

Baltimore Club Music Documentary Produced By Issa Rae and Directed by TT The Artist Now Streaming on Netflix

You could feel the spirit of K-Swift in the production in this one. Issa Rae, TT the Artist, and Nexflix come together to showcase Baltimore city’s club culture in Dark City Beneath The Beat documentary. 

Dark City Beneath The Beat initially premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and American Black Film Festivals prior to the 2020 pandemic. The documentary premiered mid-April 2021 with a bang on Netflix while artists in Baltimore share in pride and excitement across their social media timelines opening weekend.

I can speak for many in Baltimore when I say we were a little skeptical of the documentary. It’s been years since I celebrated club music. I reminisce of my peak in embracing Baltimore’s club culture when I joined dance battles amongst my middle school classmates. I miss making up dance routines with my neighborhood friends. Those fun moments in my past that I associate with club music and viewed as a distant memory, aren’t as extinct to many artists like TT the Artist, DJ Mighty Mark, and DJ Blaqstarr.

It was in the early 2000s when the city lost its club music queen K-Swift. There are small glimpses of a rise of Baltimore’s club culture – back when K-Swift traveled and advocated nationally for house music prior to her passing. Without K-Swift, the aura is not the same. It’s like the people of Baltimore secretly get jealous of acclamations that other house music listeners from states like, for example, New Jersey claims “to being the land of the greatest club music, ever.” & Such claims are absolutely absurd, of course.

TT The Artist is a Baltimore city arts advocate and director of Dark City Beneath the Beat. She speaks about the hate she receives considered an outsider of Baltimore. Originally from south Florida, TT moved to Baltimore city and fell in love with Baltimore’s club culture while attending the Maryland Institute College of Art. When she left to pursue dreams in Los Angeles, she exited carrying with her the precious sounds of the Baltimore club mix to push an evolution. TT saw something magical. She felt that club music and dance were too good to keep confined to the streets and people of Baltimore city. She sees a culture that uplifts a community that also needs to be uplifted in return. So she created this documentary.

About the Film

The artists featured in the film have the charisma to share with the world what Baltimore’s club culture is about. What I and many other people lack is the knowledge of how they do this. The film sheds light on groups and organizations working to keep the Baltimore club music culture alive. Viewers learn a brief history of club music, the names of staple icons, such as dancers, singers, and producers, in the current Baltimore’s club music scene, and soak up the essence of feeling Baltimore’s original beat. The documentary isn’t so caught up on historical breakthroughs in club music by highlighting influencers that we so often hear of like the well-known Frank Ski, Rod Lee, and Ms. Tony. Rather we learn about influencers in the culture today. A new list of artists comprised of dancers and community leaders like Uneek and Tsu Terry.

I gave the documentary a shot the morning it premiered on Netflix and wasn’t disappointed. I had faith in it doing well so I support it. It stands as a good representation of what Baltimore club music does for those who live here. It’s not so prevalent in my lifestyle as it once was for me as a child, but the beat still speaks to me whenever I do hear Baltimore club mix. It’s near impossible to watch the film without doing the crazy legs or sexy walk in my chair. It should be the same for anyone who’ll stream the film on Netflix. I encourage others to give it a shot, too.

Overall the film gets a Doc’s Thumbs Up because TT The Artist served her purpose well. She paid homage to Baltimore and forged a visual representation for a famous Baltimore art subculture. She works her ass off helping to pave a lane for this art. The film is beautifully done. I commend her and everyone involved in the production of Dark City Beneath the Beat. It deserves to be celebrated.

Watch Hey Baltimore! Produced by Kariz Marcel and written by Rufus Roundtree and Eze Jackson.

This song was featured and can be streamed via the Dark CityBeneath the Beat soundtrack.

Do you have a favorite Baltimore club song? Leave your answers in the comments below.

Anticipated Dexter Baby Tee Collection Introduced to Fans in Short Film Dexy

The anticipation. The wait. As a matter of fact, when will it be? Who knows? But I’m with the chicks who appear in the short film produced and directed by Sofia Vidal along with Khamaree D. Owens. This comes as the second production shared by the two; their first being of the March 2021 promotion for Tre Stallion by Currency Studio. Their new collaboration for the 2021 release for Dexter Baby Tees premiered April 6th on @Dexter.us IGTV. Now after review, I can’t wait for these colorful tees to drop.

Photo Cred: Sofia Vidal

I’m not the one to follow fashion trends. I have a style about myself that most people can pick up if they truly pay attention to my wardrobe…if I’m ever spotted. Either way, I’m not a person someone would look to for influence on what to wear. I’m attracted to pretty patterns and bright colors. So initially the video drew me to the bright colors and pretty make-up done to the actors and models in Dexy.

If the Dexter Baby Tees aren’t for babies, then who would they be for? Welp, if you aren’t familiar with the brand, ‘it was the video for me’ that provided that insight. The production is quite intriguing and I want to know more about Dexter. So I did my research. Dexter is a clothing brand with over 2.6k followers to its Instagram account. A clothing brand with a simple, sexy, chic, and slightly grungy style. Designer and owner Dexter Williams promises to push the boundaries of fashion and innovation with the release of each of her collections. The Baby Tee collection, like the previous Dexter Summer 2019 and 2020 Ying Yang collections, should meet those expectations when it is released sometime in 2021.

Photo cred: Dexter.us Instagram

The accent, bright colors, and playful excitement of the 8 characters the director Sofia Vidal originates in the film evokes a warm fun flirty feel that equates to what I am truly anticipating…SUMMER. Will it be this summer that the Dexter Baby Tees will drop? We can’t be certain that this is what is to be expected. I want to be “dexy,” too. We’ll get to know what Dexter plans whenever she chooses.

Watch the Dexy via IGTV:

http://www.instagram.com/tv/CNVZ2Y5J9Tv/?igshid=ny2flmrm8jgv

The short film is an all-female production, features a few of Maryland’s Beauties, and credited to these awesome artists and brands: 

HMU @formulated.miracle @movakcollections

Talent: @calx33 @sweet.mlk @emmacheshire @j.heavy_ @trehanamary @ellikacross @hadiyadoll @effenanastasia @internationalscoots

Shout out to all the great talent!

What do you think about the drop of these new Dexter Baby Tees? More fashion short films? Leave comments below.

Busy Doing Nothing Podcast Season Five Returns with Mixed Drinks

I’m opening up another year with the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast crew ready to discuss current events for those lovely listeners who like to do nothing right along with us. We’re here with season five and more readily available for others to find us to stream their favorite podcast platforms.

If you aren’t the one to listen to podcasts but you’re looking for something light to start you off, the Busy Doing Nothing crew is back with more content for easy listening. I’m lucky enough to say I’m still apart of the Busy Doing Nothing crew since 2017. It’s been four years of bliss and sharing interesting topics while drinking with cool friends. 

Watch Season 5 Part One: Episode One of the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast

In Season 5, the crew returns to discuss more social topics that make us ponder the normalities and common sense of the world around us. Expect ear cringy content to sharing a bit of light-hearted material, the crew talks to you while drunk about it all. They share a traditional shot of the Drink of the Day at the beginning and end of each episode, and sometimes individually throughout the episode all in good fun to close off each week.

The Busy Doing Nothing Podcast is originally filmed on a 360-degree camera to provide virtual reality interaction with viewers who get right in the middle of the conversation. So listeners can view from a perspective as if they’re sitting directly at the table with the Busy Doing Nothing hosts. The Busy Doing Nothing Podcast also prides itself on highlighting local talent and business owners by either having them as a guest on the show or promoting their cause during the episodes. Some guests to grace the BDN microphone are producer Jony B, rapper 7uca, journalist Ryan Chance, photographers Sofia Vidal and Shae McCoy, videographer A Ross Films, and multiple other talented and business-savvy people from Baltimore. 

I’ve truly missed meeting up with my friends every weekend to talk and make light of what’s happening throughout the week during 2020. Before season four was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Busy Doing Nothing crew introduced a new segment for viewers. In addition to the podcast, there now is a portion of the show where hosts test out and judge each other’s mixology skills.

Busy Making Drinks is a series of short videos brought to you by the four BDN hosts. Each host takes turns in choosing a wine or spirit to use as the main ingredient in a mixed drink prior to the recording of each episode. Hosts record, taste, name, and rate on a scale of 1 through 5 their mixology dexterity. The same mixed drink concocted in Busy Making Drinks is sipped throughout the podcast and viewers are left to infer how good the drink is by watching the cues of the hosts throughout the show. 

Watch Haus make her mixed drink on Busy Making Drinks: Haus’ Quarantine Punch.

New episodes of the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast are posted every Wednesday via Anchor Podcast and YouTube. Watch all previous content at the Busy Doing Nothing Website www.bdnpodcast.com.

Stream Busy Doing Nothing Podcast on your favorite platform:

What’s your favorite drink to have while hanging with friends? Leave your comments below.

What’s Up Doc: Doc is a Featured Guest on Breaking Through Glass Ceilings Podcast

Definitely wasn’t expecting this one. I spend so much time writing and researching about other artists in Baltimore City, it’s really been quite some time since someone reached out to have Doc as a featured guest on their platform. That’s why I’m thankful for Brian Waters of Breaking Through Glass Ceilings Podcast because he didn’t have to do this.

[Listen to Thank You Doc’s Castle via Breaking Through Glass Ceilings Spotify]

It wasn’t since 2017 in my interview with Whiskey Girl in her blog series Embrace The Crazy, I joined another podcaster to talk about the ends and outs of what’s currently going on in the life of Doc. Then, the topic with Whiskey Girl was of Love and Hip-Hop and to share the intimate tales of a former romance with owner Strongway Lifestyle, LLC. In 2021, I interviewed with Breaking Through Glass Ceilings and shared the many outstanding accomplishments I’ve made so far breaking molds with my brand Doc’s Castle, LLC. Love and romance were out of the question, here.

8 Baltimore Media to Watch for Independent Artists is an article on Doc’s Castle Media highlighting the media I think are dope and provides great insight on artist news in Baltimore. Brian’s Breaking Through Glass Ceilings is one of the eight featured platforms I mentioned. When I reached out to share my article with Brian, I didn’t expect to get a personalized special shout-out for sharing his podcast with my readers. Not only did Brian give Doc’s Castle a shout-out, but he also invited me on the show as a guest on his show! Didn’t think I would turn up being that.

We discussed a number of topics and reason why I do the the things I do for Doc’s Castle Media. Some topics such as when I felt I broke through glass ceilings, the importance of sharpening your career skills using your 9-5 job, who has the best crab cakes in Baltimore, and more. I really enjoyed my time as a guest on the show. So I thought I’d share.

Listen to the full Breaking Through Glass Ceilings Podcast featuring Taylor “Doc” Walker.

TJ Da DJ’s Top 3 Baltimore Black-Owned Restaurant Reviews

Four years ago, I participated in the Baltimore Black Restaurant Challenge, meant to encourage people to patronize more locally Black-Owned restaurants. During that time, I began hearing and seeing articles geared to highlighting black eateries in the city. I participated in the challenge to discover more options of places to eat. But now hearing about black-owned restaurants in Baltimore is easier to come by with advances in social media. I still like to share black-owned spaces to eat. This year we’re doing it with the help of Baltimore Food Blogger TJ Da DJ.

I contacted TJ Da DJ for his expertise in “Quick Bite Food Reviews” for which Black-owned restaurants he’d recommend this year for Doc’s Castle Media readers to explore.

TJDADJ_Promo

Since 2016, TJ Da DJ has shared numerous food reviews of restaurants on his YouTube Channel TJ Da DJ TV. Now he has over 1.49k subscribers to his channel tuning in weekly for reviews. He’s given insight on popular food rivalries between chicken sandwiches at our favorite fast food spots, and whether the KFC’s Donut Sandwich is even worth our purchase. But what intrigues me the most about his channel is his quick bite food reviews at local restaurants in Baltimore City. TJ lists some goldmines to consider.

I couldn’t decide on one review from TJ Da DJ TV that’s the best. It wouldn’t be fair to rate either of these restaurants if I didn’t try any of them myself. So I’m sharing my top 3 favorite TJ Da DJ food reviews for you to decide on your own to patronize in Baltimore.

Top 3 TJ Da DJ Food Reviews

Miss Carter’s Kitchen

Mt. Vernon Steaks and Shakes

Cloudy Donuts

What are some of your favorite black-owned restaurants in Baltimore? Leave your answers in the comments below.

#Thirsty30Body: Logging Healthy Food Into Calorie Counter App Lose It

Calorie counting is another weight loss method that helps keep the focus on Thirsty 30 Body. There are numerous apps that help make calorie counting easier, like My Fitness Pal and My Plate, that provide a digital space to log daily meals, exercise, and water intake. Today we’re focusing on Lose It. As mentioned before in “#Thirsty30Body: Essential Fitness Tools. Items You May Already Have Lying Around,” my preferred calorie tracker is the Lose It App. We’re reviewing how to log the food you love to eat (fast food) into Lose It.

Chipotle Mexican Grill added a new cilantro-lime cauliflower rice option to their menu at US and Canadian locations for a limited time. It’s an alternative to the white or brown rice choices, and also the latest plant-based option that is compliant with Keto, Whole30®, Paleo, Vegan, and Vegetarian diets. So now veggie lovers can make “veggier” burritos and burrito bowls. I thought this would be the best time to show how to log “fast food” on the calorie counter.

Eating healthier options is a top priority in #Thirsty30Body. This is why I’m not showing how to add a McDonald’s meal or any other fast food meal into the app. We’re sticking to choosing healthier choices by dining at restaurants that provide fresher options. Chipotle Mexican Grill has healthier foods to choose from and is easily searched within the app. So trying the cauliflower rice at Chipotle is in line with what we’re trying to do by choosing a healthier way of living for #Thirsty30Body.

How to Log Food in Lose It App:

Select the Meal You’re Logging

There are 4 to choose from; Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snack. Each meal is broken down into a calorie budget of four different numbers that combine into the overall daily calorie budget. Add the food one by one using the search bar. 

Search by Restaurant or Brand

This makes it so much easier to search for options rather than to search by name of food. This narrows down the search to only food relative to that restaurant or brand. Doing this will prevent generalized options from appearing in the search results and will help with retrieving a more accurate calorie count.

Logging the Correct Serving Size

Becoming familiar with the Nutritional Facts label is beneficial. This will tell us the exact amount of nutrients in what we eat. There are a lot of restaurants that provide the nutritional facts for food serviced on their websites. There are sometimes entire menus that list calories of a meal posted inside of a restaurant. When someone is aware of serving sizes, they’re aware of the proper portion sizes for a meal.

Take Note of Your Meal’s Calorie Intake

Being aware of each meal’s calorie total will help with planning the next meal. If you spend most of your calorie budget on breakfast, you’ll know that you have a limited amount of calories for the remainder of the day.

Watch how I log my Chipotle Burrito Bowl: 

Can you name another restaurant with healthier options you can practice logging in to Lose It? Leave comments below.