Today: Barracks Row Fall Festival!

Rise. Shine. Good morning!


Source: Barracks Row Fall Festival


Today is the Barracks Row Fall Festival! Its SUCH nice Fall weather today and a good excuse to get out the house and enjoy some FREE cultured events. There's everything from tours of historic places to cook-offs. Its also a fine time to check out some of the fine dining along Barracks Row Main Street (BRMS).

Here are some of my old/new favs:

• Banana Café - The place to be for the perfect Margaritas, Sangrias and small plates.!
• Jordan's 8 - Good evening scene. Love the "backyard" patio vibe. Fully-stocked bars.
• Las Placitas - ...MORE Margaritas!
• Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro - Great pizza and sliders!
• Molly Malone's Capitol Hill Saloon - Cool bar scene. Great "made up" cocktails. Yummy wings.
• Ted's BULLETIN They serve breakfast ALL DAY! Also offers a "Carry out" window, should you wish to take your treats "to go".

For more information visit http://barracksrow.org/. Here are a few quick links:

• Event schedule
• Facebook
• Volunteer (or you can sign up AT the event)
• Newsletter
• Business Directory

Be sure to follow Barracks Row Main Street on Twitter for all the happenings and goings-ons. Today's hashtag is #BRfest.

Welp, I'm off to join my fellow BRMS volunteers (I'm on the "Set up Comittee").

Hope to see you there!

*Smooches&Hugs*

Healthy Crap: 30 Days to More Fruits and Veggies

Source: SparkPeople

This Summer has been chock-full-of good food, lots of fun and more food. Sometimes it was a healthy entree, other times it was a balance of healthy and "bad" stuff. Then there were the times where it was all-the-way "bad" :-(  Yeah, I know.

Since SOME of us need to be bikini-ready for Winter ;-) now's a good time to get a move-on. If you're anything like ME, you need to improve your fruit and veggie intake.

---> Click here to get your FREE calendar. (You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view) I have a copy at home on the fridge and tacked to my wall at work, so there's no excuse for me to miss a beat. Motivation!

Maybe this will help us all take things day by day...

Please keep me posted on your progress and I promise to do the same.

Good luck!

*Smooches&Hugs*

Perfect Picnic Party: Music. Food. Family. Friends.

Like you, I can't believe Summer is almost over! :-( I could use a few more weeks, but it was good while it lasted -- I will say that :-)

This was a pretty laid-back Summer for me. I didn't attend very many events, due to crazy-stupid work hours and I've never been big on traveling out of state (hopefully, that will change). Despite both facts, I didn't let much grass grow under my feet.

One highlight: MUSIC! Anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy and appreciate good music. I prefer "old school" (hip-hop, soul, r&b, rock), neo-soul and non-mainstream (aka "underground") and don't listen to much Top 40 local radio. I'm 31. (That's all I got.)

My family, a few friends and I frequented Fort Dupont Park's FREE Summer in the City Concert Series. (Next year, I promise to do a better job of keeping you all abreast of their goings on. *pinky swear*) This event was new-to-me, so I was extra excited. The fact that it was FREE was an added bonus. This was an opportunity to enjoy a little bit of ALL my fav genres (Kindred the Family Soul, Midnight Starr and S.O.S Band) all at once and get familiar with some opening acts that I wasn't familiar with: 'Til the Cops Come Knockin (think Barber Shop Quartet with cops instead of barbers), Kinda Blu and Be'la Dona). Gotta love that!

During our first outing, we only brought lawn chairs, blankets and bottled water. Once we got there, we were informed (thanks to the couple next to us and their Tupperware containers filled with hot food!) that you could bring your own food (just no glass bottles).

That did it!

Another highlight: FOOD! From then on, we went about planning our little Picnic Pot Luck. Deciding what to bring turned into a weekly assignment of sorts. Each week, our individual picnic baskets were full of new ideas and recipes that we've been meaning to try or had just read about.

Source: The Gadgets Page

Here are SOME of what made our picnic baskets so great:

• Adells chicken-teriyaki pineapple meatballs: (a Costco favorite) just reheat and serve
• chicken salad: served with your choice of crackers, lime nacho chips or veggie bread (courtesy of the Amish Market)
• fresh fruit: strawberries, watermelon (yellow and red), grapes (green and red), cherries, apples
• sandwiches: deli-cut meats, condiments and Hawaiian rolls
• Sushi: California Rolls, I believe (I didn't partake, but thought it was a good idea for those that did)
• S'mores: a campfire favorite of ours. They were really good...and gooey)
• Jell-O Shooters: Hel-lo!
• "Stephie's Punch": an ecclectic mix of something-something, fruit juices and lemon slices.

I am REALLY slacking on my picture-taking these days, but I snapped a few (like four) shots of what was in my picnic basket.

Great food, plenty of laughs and lots of dancing, coupled with being in the great outdoors made for some pretty memorable Saturday evenings. We're ready for next year.

Music. Food. Family. Friends.

Stay tuned for more Perfect Picnic Party posts! (I think we're onto something...)

Sidenote: 'Yogi Bear' in 3-D (Dan Aykroyd, Justin Timberlake) coming to theaters Christmas 2010!

*Smooches&Hugs*

UNO: National Celiac Awareness Month

UNO Partners with American Celiac Disease Alliance for GF Awareness Month

UNO® ONCE AGAIN PARTNERS WITH AMERICAN CELIAC DISEASE ALLIANCE TO RAISE MONEY DURING CELIAC AWARENESS MONTH IN MAY.

Boston, MA, (May 2010) – UNO® will host a national Dough Rai$er from May 24th through the 30th to benefit the American Celiac Disease Alliance in support of National Celiac Awareness Month in May.

“Getting families to eat out during May, and supporting establishments which are serving their needs is a major goal for us,” said Andrea Levario, executive director, American Celiac Disease Alliance. Levario noted that last year’s Dough Rai$er was not only a fundraising benefit to the organization, but gave those who have celiac disease an opportunity to enjoy dining out.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley.

Consumers interested in participating in the May Dough Rai$er can secure a voucher at www.unos.com/ACDA, which they can then bring to their local UNO location. Twenty percent of sales generated from those who participate will support the ACDA cause.

“UNO is proud to support the ACDA with our hugely popular Dough Rai$er program,” said CEO Frank Guidara. “We care about the wellbeing of our customers and the communities we serve. To date, we've donated more than $3.4 million to deserving organizations!”

The company’s gluten-free menu was launched in 2006 and has over 30 items ranging from entrées, salads, sides, beverages and desserts. Choices include Baked Stuffed Chicken – with broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and cheese, lemon basil salmon and Certified Angus Beef® steaks. Known for its signature deep-dish pizza, UNO launched a line of gluten-free pizzas in 2009, featuring cheese, pepperoni and veggie, which features peppers, onions and mushrooms as toppings.

With one in every 133 people having celiac disease, UNO considers it good business and good corporate citizenship to offer an ever-expanding gluten-free menu. While awareness of celiac disease is rising, more than 95 percent of people with the disease remain undiagnosed. Among people who have a first-degree relative—a parent, sibling, or child—diagnosed with celiac disease, as many as 1 in 22 people may have the disease.

In addition to its gluten-free menu offerings, UNO boasts a number of healthy firsts, including being the first national casual-dining restaurant chain to eliminate artificial trans-fats and to increase menu and nutritional transparency via nutrition information centers located in their restaurants.

For guest convenience and safety, UNO clearly labels menu items with ingredients that are linked to the most common food allergies, such as fish/shellfish, soy, tree nuts/peanuts, egg, milk and wheat/gluten. Diners can also preview the menu and nutritional information online via the company’s website at http://www.unos.com/.

The company has invested millions in nutritional advancements since 2005 and, according to Guidara, will continue its commitment to providing delicious, fresh and healthful menu options for its guests.

About UNO:
Based in Boston, UNO Restaurant Holdings Corporation includes 165 company-owned and franchised full-service UNO Chicago Grill restaurants located in 25 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Honduras, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The company also operates a fast casual concept called UNO Dué Go®, a quick serve concept called UNO Express®, and a consumer foods division which supplies airlines, movie theaters, hotels, airports, travel plazas, schools and supermarkets with both frozen and refrigerated private-label foods and branded UNO products. For more information, visit http://www.unos.com/.

For more information, contact Elliott Subervi at (732) 542-9100 x111.
 

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*Smooches&Hugs*

Georgetown: European Open Air Market

Ohh-la-la.

I love Georgetown! Its the place to see/be seen for natives and tourists alike. From boutiques, to greasy spoons, to fancy-smancy, there's something for everyone. Now that Spring is here and Summer is on its way, there will be plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. Take advantage.

There will be specials and give-a-ways all up & down Book Hill Park. From Reservoir Road to P Street to Wisconsin Avenue.

**Click here for a detailed listing of sales & such.

*Smooches&Hugs*

Oscar Night: Recipes from Hyundai

Tonight's the night!

Its less than 11 hours to go (per the official Oscar Countdown) before showtime. Are you ready?

(I am!)

But. Just in case you're not, fret no more. Well, Hyndai (along with Serious Eats and Bakerella) has quite a few delish items to add to your last-minute "Oscar Party" menu. They've got everything from rough and rugged Inglorious Custards (totally guy-friendly!) to family-friendly UPcakes (how cute is that?!).

Check it out:




Keep in touch with Hyundai: Join their Facebook Fan Page, check out Hyundai "Blend Out", use Hyundai Genesis to "edit" your own coupe or sedan, follow them on Twitter and get your very own Party Guide.

In case you've missed it, check out our recent posts in the 'Oscar Night' blog series. Whether you're hanging out with your friends, getting acquainted with neighbors, chillin out with family, laying low with your better half or flying solo, we've got recipes to suit your needs and satisfy your pallet.

The 2010 Academy Awards airs today. Check your local listings for details.

Enjoy the show!

 *Smooches&Hugs*

Chill Out Challenge: Week 2 (stress reduction through exercise)

Dear Chill Out Challenge Participant:

Welcome to Week 2 of the Chill Out Challenge. This week’s post will focus on ‘stress reduction through exercise’.



How does exercise reduce stress?

• Exercise increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, which puts more pep in your steps every day. But exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits.


• It pumps up your endorphins. Physical activity helps to bump up the production of your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Although this function is often referred to as a runner's high, a rousing game of tennis or a nature hike also can contribute to this same feeling.


• It's meditation in movement. After a fast-paced game of racquetball or several laps in the pool, you'll often find that you've forgotten the day's dilemmas and irritations and concentrated only on your body's movements. As you begin to regularly shed your daily tensions through movement and physical activity, you may find that this focus on a single task, and the resulting energy and optimism, can help you remain calm and clear in everything that you do.


• It improves your mood. Regular exercise can increase self-confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. This can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life.

How to get started...

Every successful exercise program begins with a few simple steps:

• Consult with your doctor. Always be sure to clear your level of activity with him or her!
• Walk before you run. Start slow and work your way up
• Do what you love.
• Pick a time and stick to it.

Motivation to keep moving!
Starting an exercise program is just the first step. Here are some tips for sticking with a new routine or reinvigorating a tired workout:

• Set some goals.
• Find a friend.
• Change up your routine.
• Exercise = less stress

Whatever you do, don't think of exercise as just one more thing on your to-do list. Find an activity you enjoy — whether it's an active tennis match or a meditative meander down to a local park and back — and make it part of your regular routine. Any form of physical activity can help you unwind and become an important part of your approach to easing stress.

This info and more available at: http://mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-and-stress/SR00036

*Smooches&Hugs*

Chill Out Challenge: Week 1 (Stress-free cooking)

Dear Chill Out Challenge Participant,

Welcome to Week 1 of the Chill Out Challenge. This week’s post will focus on ‘stress free cooking’.

Stress-free cooking is an excellent way to promote healthy eating habits. Cooking nutritious food can be easy; just plan your menus ahead and cook for the week. This way, you can have control over your portion sizes, sodium, sugar, and fat intake. Cooking healthy can be a pleasant experience and will prevent the need for last minute substituting of fast food.

Here are several tidbits for Stress-Free Cooking:

• Set up your kitchen for speed - keep your kitchen organized with items in the same place to prevent wasting time searching for items.
• Buy prepped food - ‘halfway home made’ can be just as good! Try incorporating items such as shredded cheese, chicken strips and cut veggies from the salad bar into your recipes
• Read the Recipe – Read the entire recipe BEFORE you cook! This can cut down on time (and stress!) if two parts of the meal can be cooked at the same time. This is an important and stress reducing habit to get into!
• Use your grill any time of year! - grilling doesn’t have to be used only during summer season. Plus, it is helpful in lowering fat intake and doesn’t require messy clean up!

And some quick tips for reducing clean up:

• Take a few minutes to chop extra nuts, breadcrumbs, or vegetables, and freeze them in small amounts for future use.
• Measure dry ingredients before wet ones so you can reuse measuring cups.
• Seal crackers or cookies in a heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag, and crush them with a rolling pin if crumbs are needed for coatings or crusts.
• Marinate food in a heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag; then throw away the bag when you’re finished.

This info and more available at: www.allfavoriterecipe.com/RecipeDetailHelpfulTips.aspx

*Smooches&Hugs*

Healthy Stuff: Chill Out Challenge!

Welcome to the Chill Out Challenge!

Life is stressful and stress can come at you in all di­fferent forms. It is important to identify your stressors and take actions to minimize their e­ffect on you. Uncontrolled stress can lead to type 2 diabetes, anxiety, high blood pressure, asthma and other conditions. By practicing a few healthy behaviors, you will help slow and reverse the impact of stress on your body and life. ­

2009 has been pretty busy for most of us. With the holidays approaching, the "Chill Out Challenge" was right on time.

HealthWaves promotes healthy lifestyle within the Corporate world. Check out the site for details on health screenings, events, clinics & other programs.

I think this is a great opportunity to gather your loved ones 'round & encourage each other to live a healthier, happier lifestyle. You can award prizes for highest points & most progress. When you're healthy, everybody wins!

Feel free to keep us posted on your progress & I'll do the same.

Good luck!

*Smooches&Hugs*

THINK PINK: Male Breast Cancer

This is something that is often overlooked.

I'm gonna let the website speak for itself.

Think Pink!

*Smooches&Hugs*

Event: Bikes. Camera. ACTION!

From our freaky friends @Hypnotik Entertainment:

"Bikes, Camera, ACTION!!"Bike Night & Live Photo Shoot!

TC says: I have my folks from The Nations Sexiest Magazine coming out to host one of their photo shoots LIVE at the event, so ladies and fellas if you have a slick bike, be sure to come on out!! Spring/Summer and Motorcycles go hand in hand, so tell all your biker friends that the spot to be on Thursday April 30th is at the Waldorf Wow Wingery!!

We have drink specials for our Late Night Nappy Hour, a live performance by "The Firm" band, and the first 50 ladies will recieve FREE gift bags!

We will also have boxes there to collect donations for the Lupus Foundation of America, so if you have any old clothes that you want to donate, please bring them!!

For the weekend...

*Smooches&Hugs*