Revelry Gallery: Locally-Made Gifts Meet Unique Artwork in Louisville

Louisville's Revelry Gallery is both a boutique and art gallery. The boutique portion of the space hosts handmade and original pieces of jewelry such as an antique key turned into a necklace. Revelry also sells items for the home like soaps and candles, as well as locally made art. The other portion of the space is an art gallery. Revelry regularly holds art openings where artists and art lovers can meet and discuss the pieces. If you're looking for a gift, something for yourself or your home, or simply want to enjoy some local art, stop by Revelry.

Revelry is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and Mondays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Check Revelry's website or Facebook page for more information on art openings and special events.

Revelry Gallery
742 E. Market Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 414-1278
http://www.revelrygallery.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/revelry-boutique-gallery-louisville-2

Cherokee Park: 389 Acres of Green Space in Louisville

Louisville's Cherokee Park is a 389-acre urban gem featuring a 2.4-mile scenic loop for walkers and cyclists amid grassy meadows, wooded areas, and rolling hills—all within a stone's throw of downtown. You'll also find more rugged trails suitable for horseback riding and mountain biking, as well as several smaller walking paths. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy the tennis courts, soccer field, and archery range, while bird lovers will want to spend time at the Nettleroth Bird Sanctuary.

You'll find picnic tables and grills scattered throughout the park so that everyone can take a relaxing break from their activities and enjoy a meal together. Louisville residents take pride in the fact that Cherokee Park was designed by the internationally-known landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed New York City's Central Park.

Cherokee Park is open dawn to dusk daily.

Cherokee Park
Willow Avenue and Cherokee Parkway
Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 458-9450
www.louisvilleky.gov/metroparks/parks/cherokee
www.yelp.com/biz/cherokee-park-louisville-2

Volare Ristorante: Your Next Date-Night Destination

Pull up in front of Volare Ristorante and you’ll instantly be taken by the black brick exterior, charming outdoor patio, and elegant awnings adorned with the restaurant’s logo, which offer a bit of privacy to those who enter. Inside, you’ll find a softly lit, romantic dining room filled with cozy tables and Art Deco chandeliers, as well as wall murals that offer a bit of a rustic Italian feel.

This fine dining restaurant delivers a menu filled with surprises, from the antipasto to the bistecca. Meats and seafood are made with premium cuts and served with only the finest seasonal vegetables and grains, while pastas and risottos feature rich sauces and toppings that offer unique takes on classic Italian fare staples. Volare Ristorante features a full bar that serves handcrafted cocktails and an impressive wine list, and there is also a half-price wine list available every day of the week.

Volare Ristorante
2300 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 894-4446
www.volare-restaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/volare-ristorante-louisville-2

Oil Pulling 101: What You Need to Know About Oil Pulling

Have you heard of oil pulling? This new holistic health trend, which is actually an ancient detoxification remedy, is said to boost overall health simply by swishing oil around the mouth once daily. The oil emulsifies with saliva in the mouth, becoming a cleansing agent that removes harmful bacteria, toxins, and plaque from the teeth and gums. The practice is also said to ease sinus congestion. But does oil pulling actually work? That's for you to decide—after checking in with your doctor or dentist first, of course.

If you'd like to give oil pulling a test spin, here's a handy guide to get you started.

1. Choose your oil.
The oils recommended for oil pulling are coconut, sesame, olive, and sunflower. You'll only need one tablespoon per pulling. If you choose coconut oil, let it liquefy before beginning your session.

2. Swish—and then swish some more.
Swish the oil around your mouth, just as you would with mouthwash. "Pull" the oil through your teeth. Your goal is to swish the oil until it becomes viscous and white. It usually takes 10 to 20 minutes to achieve this consistency, although beginner pullers can work their way up to that time.

3. Spit and rinse.
Once you've reached your allotted time, spit the oil into a trash can—not the toilet or sink, as the oil can clog pipes. (Don't swallow the oil!) Rinse your mouth with warm water, then brush your teeth. How often you practice oil pulling is up to you, although optimal benefits are said to achieved when oil pulling is performed several times per week.

Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil to Transform Your Dental Health [Authority Nutrition]
Oil Pulling: The Habit That Can Transform Your Health [Food Matters]
Oil Pulling for Oral Health [Wellness Mama]
What is Oil Pulling? [Coconut Oil Pulling]

Quills Coffee: A Cafe to Write Home About

In a city as devoted to coffee as Louisville, Quills Coffee stands out as one of the best coffee shops in town. This is no easy feat, but the stylish cafe’s dedication to high quality coffees and Southern hospitality prove it to be a favorite among area java lovers.

Art and design play a major role in the cafe itself, from the typography-inspired logo to local artists' paintings hanging on the walls. The interior features a number of small tables and overstuffed leather chairs where guests can enjoy coffee with their laptop or a good book. A glass pastry case is filled with fresh baked goods and sweets, while the spacious ordering counter offers customers a view of the various French presses, pour-overs, and espresso machines.

Whether you’re a coffee purist who prefers your cup black or a sucker for the latest seasonal beverage, you’ll find a hot drink that suits your palate at Quills Coffee!

Quills Coffee
930 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 742-6129
www.quillscoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/quills-coffee-louisville

Grind Burger Kitchen: Gourmet Hamburgers With Food Truck Roots

What began as a food truck is now one of the most popular burger restaurants in Louisville—it has even received national recognition far outside of the city! Grind Burger Kitchen is an upscale burger restaurant that uses grass-fed beef and all-natural, local ingredients to provide customers with a healthier alternative to the traditional hamburger.

The casual restaurant’s most recognizable item is its “Chain” burger, a gourmet take on the usual fast food burger that so many Americans know and love. It contains all of the usual toppings without the unhealthy ingredients. The signature B&B burger is another popular option, and its unexpectedly spicy habanero jam distinguishes it from the pack. With a great selection of craft beers at the new brick-and-mortar location, Grind Burger Kitchen has practically perfected the burger experience.

Grind Burger Kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Grind Burger Kitchen
3311 Preston Highway
Louisville, KY 40213
(502) 851-7333
www.grindburgerkitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grind-burger-kitchen-louisville-2

Hammerheads: Take a Bite Out of This Meat-Centric Menu

This unique Southern-inspired eatery almost always has a line out the door due to its small interior and limited seating, but once you taste the marinated meats, you'll likely agree your meal was worth the wait.

Be sure to bring your appetite, because there’s nothing light about this carnivorous restaurant. Hammerheads specializes in Southern and modern gastropub fare like thick, juicy burgers, racks of ribs and lamb, and flavorful pork belly. There are also a few out-of-the-ordinary options like soft shell crab tacos and fried macaroni and cheese appetizers. Although Hammerheads has a bit of a dive bar feel, the impressive craft beer list offers the perfect pairings for the meat-centric menu.

Hammerheads is open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The restaurant has very limited seating, so be prepared to wait a bit.

Hammerheads
921 Swan Street
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 365-1112
www.louisvillehammerheads.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hammerheads-louisville

How to Get the Most Out of Your Work Breaks

How do you spend your breaks during your workday? Playing games on your computer? Checking social media on your phone while still at your desk? If so, take note: There are better ways to spend your precious breaks! Check out these handy tips:

1) Get moving.
For optimum productivity, long stretches of concentration need to be followed by short spurts of rest and relaxation. Take at least five minutes to get up from your desk, walk around, and stretch. Looking to get in a quick bout of cardio? Consider walking (or running!) up and down the stairs at work. Any form of exercise, even short walks, will boost your blood flow and thusly, your energy level.

2) Disconnect.
Consider screens of all kinds off-limits during your breaks. If possible, spend your break outdoors, and use the time for quiet reflection.

3) Have a snack.
No, not chips and a soda. Instead, reach for brain-boosting foods such as blueberries or a handful of nuts. A mug of black or green tea can reinvigorate the body with a tiny dose of caffeine.

4) Take a nap.
Catch up on some much-needed shut-eye with a short nap. Limit your snooze to 30 minutes, and don't forget to set an alarm!

You've Been Taking Breaks All Wrong. Here's How To Do It Right [HuffPost]
Take Five: 51 Things to Do When You Need a Break at Work [The Muse]
Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Take a Break [CDC]

Louisville Zoo: Take a Trip Through the Animal Kingdom

Whether you have kids or you simply love animals yourself, visiting the Louisville Zoo is a must-do in Louisville. This large zoo boasts a spacious layout and a wide selection of exotic animals that make a visit here enjoyable and educational.

Guests can watch as polar bears swim in their icy cold tanks, gorillas make faces through the glass, and tigers eat their lunch under the sunny sky. There is also a fun train that traverses the main exhibits, and the food court area offers a number of different options that the whole family can enjoy. Regular visitors note that the zoo is conveniently organized, and it even offers the option to skip certain exhibits or shorten the walk if you or the kids get too tired.

Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, KY 40213
(502) 459-2181
www.louisvillezoo.org
www.yelp.com/biz/louisville-zoo-louisville

How to Care for Fresh-Cut Flowers

You just received a colorful bouquet from a sweet admirer, and you want to make the beautiful flowers last for as long as you can. There are a few tips for caring for fresh-cut flowers that will help you to keep that bouquet looking fresh for as long as possible, and they’re actually surprisingly simple.

  1. Place them in water quickly. This one may seem like a no brainer, but every second counts when it comes to preserving the life of your fresh-cut flowers. Be sure to place the flowers in a vase as soon as possible.
  2. Cut flowers under water. It is fairly common knowledge that cutting the lower portion of the flower’s stem will help it to absorb water, but many experts agree that cutting the stem while it is submerged will help it even more by ensuring that no air enters.
  3. Always use a preservative. If your fresh flowers come with a small sachet of powder preservatives, be sure to add the powder to the water before placing the flowers in the vase. Alkaline-heavy water can reduce the lifespan of flowers, but preservatives help neutralize the water.
  4. Store flowers in a cool spot. Although you likely want to keep your flowers on display when you are at home, place them in the refrigerator when you leave the house in order to lengthen their lifespan.

Cut-Flower Care—How to Make Your Fresh-Cut Flowers Last [Brooklyn Botanic Garden]
Keeping cut flowers and flowering plants [University of Minnesota]

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