Zipline Beneath the City at Louisville Mega Cavern

The Louisville Mega Cavern kind of came about by accident. It started as a limestone quarry, one that grew ever larger over the course of four decades of mining. When mining stopped, private investors were greeted with an opportunity to give back to the earth that had so willingly acquiesced its limestone. In 1989, they started transforming the cave using recycled brick, concrete, rock, block, and dirt. They used these elements to make underground roads and smooth floors, constructing a storage facility and, eventually, offices. The man-made cavern is one of the biggest anywhere in the country, and you can explore it a few different ways.

Most locals like to zip-line through the beautiful caves on a 2.5-hour tour—but don't forget to bring your jacket. You can also attempt the globe's only ropes course that's underground. For more low-key groups, tram tours run through the cave with guides doling out tidbits about how the Mega Cavern came to be.

Louisville Mega Cavern
1841 Taylor Avenue
Louisville, KY 40213
(502) 855-6342
www.louisvillemegacavern.com
www.yelp.com/biz/louisville-mega-cavern-louisville-2

How to Give a Second Life to Glass Jars and Bottles

There are a number of creative DIY projects that you can use to transform empty bottles and jars into something truly beautiful. Here are three great ideas to try this weekend!

Tequila Bottle Hummingbird Feeders [blog.diynetwork.com]
In this creative tutorial, you’ll learn how to flip your old tequila bottles on their necks – literally – and turn them into eclectic hummingbird feeders. All it takes is some colorful wire, beads and a spout at the bottom.

Yarn Wrapped Bottles [thecraftedlife.com]
Create a colorful display of tiered bottles by wrapping a few different shaped bottles in stripes of colored yarn. After you’re done, you can even use them as flower vases.

Etched Oil and Vinegar Bottles [thecraftedlife.com]
If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at glass etching, this simple (and functional) tutorial will walk you through your first attempt with some beautiful results.

El Taco Lunchador: A Fierce Competitor in Louisville’s Taco Scene

If you encounter a bright red masked face on the streets of Louisville, it means you’ve made your way to some of the city's most delicious tacos! El Taco Lunchador is housed in a small white building with bright yellow accents, and its colorful sign featuring the traditional Mexican lucha libre wrestler logo sets this casual eatery apart from the other options in the area.

There are a few small tables scattered across the outdoor patio, while the bright, eclectic interior features even more seating for El Taco Lunchador’s frequent crowds. The handwritten chalkboard menu at the restaurant’s taco bar boasts a variety of types of tacos, mole French fries, fried plantains, and Mexican street corn, and everything is very reasonably priced.

While Louisville’s taco scene has grown in recent years, El Taco Lunchador is certainly a fierce competitor.

El Taco Lunchador
938 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 583-0440
www.facebook.com/eltacoluchador
www.yelp.com/biz/el-taco-luchador-louisville

Preserve the Tastes of Summer With These Easy Canning Recipes

When the weather begins to heat up, it can only mean one thing: Berry season is upon us! Preserve the flavors of summer for a bit longer by canning your favorite warm weather fruits. Here are a few easy summer canning recipes.

Peach Preserves [allrecipes.com]
Few fruits taste more like summer than juicy peaches, and this recipe for sweet peach preserves is just as delicious as an actual peach. Spread it on crusty bread, your morning bagel or even hearty biscuits once colder weather strikes.

Pineapple Chili Salsa [freshpreserving.com/]
Most people don’t live in the type of climate where pineapples grow, but these tropical fruits certainly do feel like summer even if they’re store-bought. Make a zesty pineapple salsa to last you all winter long using those whole pineapples from your local grocer.

Strawberry Refrigerator Jam [thekitchn.com]
Strawberries are just as delicate as they are delicious, so elongate their short lifespans by using them in a simple, basic jam. This easy recipe is perfect for even the most novice jam-makers, and it tastes much more special than name brand versions. Best of all, it only takes a surplus of strawberries and a bit of sugar to make.

Dance, Play and Drink at Zanzabar in Louisville

Zanzabar first opened its doors back in 1938, but that doesn't mean it remains stuck in the past. To the contrary, this Louisville bar has evolved just as much as, or maybe more than, other businesses in the city. Part bar and restaurant, part music venue, part vintage arcade, there's plenty to see, do, and drink at Zanzabar, also know as Zbar.

Most folks come for the live music. Both local and nationally renowned acts grace the stage at Zanzabar, and their music styles run the gamut. Dancing is encouraged. But almost as many patrons flock to Zbar for its pinball machines. You can join in the pinball tournament every Sunday night, or just play one of the vintage machines for a few rounds any night of the week. Some of the old-school machines date back to the late '70s. Other video games are slightly newer—as in from the '80s. Sega, Atari, and Nintendo Donkey Kong are among them. Refuel with a gourmet pizza and a frosty beer after a few rounds in the arcade.

Zanzabar
2100 S. Preston Street
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 635-9227
zanzabarlouisville.com
www.yelp.com/biz/zanzabar-louisville

Clutter Cramping Your Style? Here’s How to Get It Under Control!

So you might not be the neatest person in the world, but that doesn’t mean that you have to deal with clutter cramping the style in your apartment. There are a number of smart, simple ways to de-clutter your space without spending hours cleaning every day. Here are just a few tips for managing the mess.

  • Think function, not fashion. Sure, that matching furniture set might look great, but that doesn’t mean that it actually works in the room. Having too large furniture (or even too much furniture) is a surefire way to make a room look cluttered. Downsize to maximize your space.
  • Create a place for everything. Go through your home and make a note of everything that doesn’t have its own designated space, from the stack of mail to your everyday beauty products. Invest in small bins or drawer organizers where you can toss things to keep them out of sight.
  • Add shelving. Keep things off of the floor by adding shelving anywhere that clutter frequently accumulates. Add attractive bins or boxes that you can put things in.
  • Spend a few minutes. Take a few minutes before bed each night to make one final sweep of your home, putting things away and getting organized. Waking up to a tidy house will make you want to get in the habit of de-cluttering.

Clear Clutter and Take Control of Your Life [All You]
Clutter Control in 10 Steps [Family Circle]
25 Ways to Clear Clutter [Style at Home]

The Fish House/Cafe Beignet: Delightfully Weird

"Weird." That's the only word one Yelp reviewer can come up with to describe The Fish House/Cafe Beignet. But he's not ragging on the place. To the contrary, he follows up this descriptor with a rave. The mix of poured concrete tables and wooden tables (both indoors) doesn't seem to bother him. Nor do the unexplained family photos that seem to be scattered around the restaurant. Like other customers, he's come to accept these quirky touches as simply a part of The Fish House/Cafe Beignet's personality.

Any aesthetic choices are pretty quickly overshadowed by the food anyway. The kitchen dishes out potato pancakes that locals love on styrofoam plates, not to mention fish and chips with a dill-laced coleslaw. If you go for fish, take time to savor the house-made jalapeno tartar sauce or Green River style tartar sauce. They're both favorites among regulars. The portion of the menu not dedicated to seafood contains a slew of beignets, ranging from simple and sugar-dusted to smothered red velvet.

The Fish House/Cafe Beignet
1310 Winter Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 568-2993
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fish-HouseCafe-Beignet/125851657474560
www.yelp.com/biz/the-fish-house-cafe-beignet-louisville

Add These Two Fiber-Rich Foods to Your Diet

One of the most effective ways to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight is by adding more fiber to your diet. Men under the age of 50 should eat 38 grams of fiber each day and women should eat 25 grams, according to current dietary recommendations. If you’re not sure which foods to choose to meet this daily need, here are two surprising sources of fiber to incorporate into your diet.

  1. Apples. This old-school snack is a remarkably good source of fiber, with 4 grams per medium-sized apple. Any food that contains more than 3 grams per serving is considered a good source, so adding one to your day actually might keep the doctor away.
  2. Avocados. This creamy fruit is a super source of fiber. One medium avocado contains 14 grams, along with vitamins B, E and K. While they are high in fat, only 4 grams are saturated so you’re actually boosting your healthy fat intake.

The 16 Most Surprising High-Fiber Foods [Greatist]
High Fiber Foods: 7 Surprising Sources [ Huffington Post]
The Most Surprising High Fiber Foods [Health]

What’s Your Favorite Sweet Treat at Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen?

Louisville locals with a sweet tooth are no stranger to Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen. That's due, in part, to the fact that this family-owned bakery-meets-ice cream parlor has seven locations throughout Louisville, which makes it a convenient place to pop in for a sweet treat.

But this bakery's popularity is owned to more than just convenience. An impressive variety of sweets is on offer, from the daily selection of 52 ice cream flavors to the 100 different baked goods (cupcakes, cookies and, of course, pies) that are served on an everyday basis. The entire menu of sweets is made in-house, from scratch, and it's been that way since Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen first made its debut back in 1982.

All of Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen's Louisville locations are open daily. Note, however, that bakery hours change seasonally, so check the website before heading over.

Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen
2525 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 459-8184
www.piekitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/homemade-ice-cream-and-pie-kitchen-louisville

How to Decorate With Serving Trays Around the Home

You likely make use of serving trays when you entertain, but have you ever considered a tray's use outside the kitchen? There are a number of creative, modern ways to use serving trays around the home, and these simple tutorials will show you how.

  1. In the bathroom. Corral your everyday beauty essentials instead of letting them take over the bathroom sink by using an attractive tray. Choose one with taller edges so that small bottles don’t slide off of the sides, and be sure to display your prettiest products inside.
  2. In the office. Add a serving tray to your desk to keep office supplies, pen holders, paperwork, and business cards from cluttering up your desk.
  3. On the coffee table. Make your coffee table vignette look even more catalog-worthy by adding a large, attractive serving tray to your design scheme. Fill it with coasters, candles, and a large flower vase.
  4. Make your own. If you can’t find a serving tray that you like (or that fits your budget), make your own using a plain white tray and scrapbook-style paper. Cut the paper to fit the inside of the tray and secure it using double-sided tape.

Styling Trays for Every Room In Your Home [The Art of Living Well]
Paper-Lined Desk Tray [Lulu The Baker]
De-Cluttering The Dresser With a Cake Stand! [Ruffles & Truffles]

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