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Just Add Candlelight: Romantic Valentine’s Dinner Ideas for Two

February 13, 2015 by

Whether you’re on a budget or you simply want to plan a more personalized Valentine’s Day date than dinner at a crowded restaurant, preparing a home-cooked meal for that special someone is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday. Here are three romantic dinner ideas that are made for two—just be sure not to forget the candlelight!

Surf-and-Turf for Two [coastalliving.com]
This is normally one of the priciest dishes on the menu at an upscale restaurant, so preparing it at home is a more affordable way to enjoy an indulgent Valentine’s Day meal. With tender, juicy steak and plump scallops cooked in a champagne-butter sauce, this meal will surely elicit a thank-you kiss.

Creamy Tomato Soup [myrecipes.com]
Valentine’s Day falls at the tail end of the winter in most parts of the country, so snuggle up with your better half over a bowl of steaming hot tomato soup. Gain a few extra romance points by pairing it with grilled cheese sandwiches cut into festive heart shapes.

Mini Heart Pizzas [thenerdswife.com]
Pizza is the fastest route to just about anyone’s heart, as you’ll quickly learn when you present your special someone with these adorable (and delicious) mini pizzas. They’re baked in the shape of hearts for a more festive flair, and they’re so easy to make that even the most novice home chef can prepare them with ease.

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Lavender Fields: Personalized Bouquets for All Occasions

February 12, 2015 by

Locals appreciate the florists of Lavender Fields for their prompt service and attention to detail. Many locals come here to get flowers for parties, weddings, or other occasions that are best celebrated with bouquet of fresh blooms.

Popular arrangements include the Euro hand-tied roses, Butterfly Kisses, Happily Ever After, and Teleflora’s Enchanted Journey. Don’t be afraid to ask for a custom arrangement that caters to your specific style. Regular patrons of this Ashburn florist say that its talented designers listen carefully to customer preferences and are cheerful about making adjustments or changes, even to finished arrangements.

The flowers and other plants are reportedly fresh, reasonably priced, and long-lasting. Live plants are also available at Lavender Fields.

Lavender Fields
43930 Farmwell Hunts Plaza
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 858-1780
www.lavenderfieldsflowers.com/aboutus.asp?topnav=TopNav
www.yelp.com/biz/lavender-fields-ashburn

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Learn About the National Natural Landmarks Program

February 6, 2015 by

Developed by the National Park Service, the National Natural Landmarks Program aims to conserve sites that contain particularly outstanding biological and geological resources, both public and private. They are selected for their condition, rarity, value to science and education, and a number of other factors. Here are some facts about the program:

1) There are more than 600 landmarks in the National Natural Landmarks Program.
The landmarks span from the continental United States to the American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

2) The National Parks Service runs the program.
It's the service’s job to protect these designated areas and act as an advocate to raise awareness about U.S. natural heritage. They partner with both public and private landowners to solve problems with these sites and attempt to conserve them.

3) The National Natural Landmarks Program offers a number of initiatives each year.
The NNL’s biennial report provides an overview of the program’s efforts for the previous two years as well as information about project successes and new landmarks. Their annual photo contest showcases photos of the landmarks in a wall calendar, and the Natural Landmarks Directory offers a map of the locations of each landmark.

National Natural Landmarks Program [National Park Service]

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HIGHBAR Athletics: CrossFit and Much More

February 5, 2015 by

What would eventually evolve into HIGHBAR Athletics began in a three-car garage. The sparse space was decorated with a few basic pieces of fitness equipment, probably items like free weights and ropes. Clients would come to the garage and perform intense, CrossFit-inspired workouts with the coaches. Eventually, business outgrew the small space, and the coaches moved to the 4,500-square-foot building that now houses HIGHBAR Athletics.

The coaches continue to lead CrossFit classes, which focus on forceful spurts of cardio with equally intense bouts of strength training. However, HIGHBAR Athletics also offers a special strength and conditioning program designed to keep athletes of all ages in shape over the course of a year. CrossFit Endurance, on the other hand, focuses on getting runners ready for distance races such as marathons, triathlons, or even obstacle course races. You can even bring your kids along to HIGHBAR Kids Fitness classes, which strive to make fitness fun and cultivate athleticism in little ones.

HIGHBAR Athletics
44710 Cape Court
Ashburn, VA 20147
(571) 209-8105
highbarathletics.com
www.yelp.com/biz/highbar-athletics-ashburn

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Healthy Poultry Recipes to Keep Your Diet on Track

January 30, 2015 by

Poultry is such a versatile meat, you could eat it every day of the week and never have the same dish twice. If you’re looking for new and exciting ways to prepare chicken or turkey, here are some delightful recipes from the National Institutes of Health:

"Fried" Rice and Chicken
Okay, so fried rice isn’t the healthiest food in the world. But in this recipe, it takes on a much healthier role with the addition of brown rice, light soy sauce, and a few assorted vegetables. By using boneless, skinless chicken breast and a low-calorie Hawaiian sauce, this dish becomes a healthy replacement for your favorite takeout food.

Crunchy Chicken Fingers With Tangy Dipping Sauce
A healthier take on the beloved children’s food, this chicken fingers recipe uses whole-wheat flour and corn cereal to achieve the same delicious crunch as the more fattening original. Make a tangy dipping sauce out of ketchup, orange juice, and a few other zesty ingredients for a light lunch that even the kids will love.

Make-Your-Own Turkey Burger
Turkey burgers are becoming increasingly popular alternatives to high-fat beef burgers, and it’s just as easy to make your own at home. This simple recipe uses 99 percent lean ground turkey and a few common spices to create a juicy burger with a whole 33 grams of protein.

For more healthy chicken, turkey and other poultry recipes, visit the NIH website here.

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Enjoy Asian Fusion Fare at Pei Wei in Dulles

January 29, 2015 by

With nutritious, affordable food options and fast, convenient ordering, some might say you simply can’t go wrong with Pei Wei, a chain of fast-casual restaurants specializing in Asian fusion fare. The Dulles location features the same expansive menu and open, modern interior for which the chain is known, proving Pei Wei to be a dependable spot for a casual dinner out or a quick weekday lunch.

Fresh sushi rolls arrive in a wide variety of styles, while the wok menu consists of healthy stir fries, noodle bowls, and fried rice dishes made with your choice of meats. Vegetarians and vegans can opt for tofu and veggies in lieu of chicken, steak, or shrimp. Add an egg roll or an order of crab wontons to complete your meal, and treat yourself to a chocolate chip or snickerdoodle cookie for dessert.

Visit the Pei Wei website to submit your order online for pick-up so that you can enjoy your meal at home. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Pei Wei
22000 Dulles Retail Plaza
Dulles, VA 20166
(703) 421-5590
www.peiwei.com

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Job Hunting? Check Out These Cover Letter Writing Tips!

January 23, 2015 by

A cover letter isn’t always required when applying for a job, but it might just be the thing that sets you apart from equally qualified candidates. Here are a few smart ways to make yourself sound capable and well rounded in your cover letter.

  1. Think of a cover letter as its own entity. A cover letter is separate from your resume, so avoid repeating the same points that you’ve already made in your resume. Instead, focus on showcasing your unique voice, expressing your interest in the field, and highlighting your talents.
  2. Be succinct. A cover letter should be no longer than three paragraphs long and should take up approximately half of a page. Anything longer than that puts you at risk of losing the reader’s interest.
  3. Address no one. You should attempt to begin your letter with “Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],” but if you don’t know the name of the person reading, simply jump right into the first paragraph to avoid sounding vague and impersonal.
  4. Include a strong closing sentence. Oftentimes, applicants find it very difficult to end a cover letter, so be sure to focus most of your energy on this part. Explain how your unique skills and experience make you a good candidate for the job, then quickly sign off to avoid rambling.

6 Secrets To Writing A Great Cover Letter [Forbes]
Top 10 Cover Letter Writing Tips [About Careers]
Expert Advice: 8 Tips for Writing a Standout Cover Letter [Nerd Wallet]

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You Might Be Surprised That These Common Foods Are High in Sugar

January 22, 2015 by

Some foods are obviously high in sugar, such as cakes, sodas, and ice cream. But did you know that there are sneaky high-sugar foods that may be sabotaging your diet without you even knowing it? Here are a few foods that are surprisingly high in sugar.

  1. Fat-free yogurts. Sure, fat-free yogurts don’t contain fat, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re low in sugar, too! In fact, the majority of low-fat and fat-free yogurts overcompensate by adding quite a bit of sugar to sweeten up the taste. Be sure to check the label on your favorite sweet side, because some 0% yogurts can contain as many as 20 grams of sugar.
  2. Marinara sauce. Marinara sauce is often viewed as a healthy alternative to creamy Alfredo sauces, but this savory pasta topping can be packed full of sugars. Beware of store bought cans and jars especially, as they’re the most common culprits.
  3. Bread. Even supposedly healthy breads, like whole grain and wheat, can contain about three grams of sugar per slice. Processed breads are usually much higher in sugars than freshly baked options, so opt for a loaf from the bakery or a sprouted wheat bread from the health food store.

6 Surprising Sources of Sugar [Eating Well]
6 Hidden Sugar Mines in Your Diet [Next Avenue]
Sugar: Five Foods Surprisingly High in Sugar [BBC]

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Expecting Company? Here’s How to Prepare Your Home for Overnight Guests!

January 16, 2015 by

You just found out that a few friends or family members are coming to visit for a few days, and they’re going to stay at your place instead of a hotel. Before you get stressed, check out these simple tips for making guests feel comfortable in your home.

  1. Create a private area. Although a separate guest bedroom is the ideal area for out-of-town guests, not all homes have this space. Give your guests a bit of added privacy by placing an air mattress in a little-used office instead of offering them the living room couch, or even put up a temporary partition at night if the couch is your only option.
  2. Provide linens. One of the most important things you can do to make guests feel at home is to provide them with clean sheets, towels, and other linens. Place a stack of towels on the bed, and be sure to turn down the bed sheets before they arrive.
  3. Offer storage. Your guests will feel like a nuisance if their suitcases are strewn all over the floor, so offer them a spare closet or even a corner of a low-traffic room where they can store their belongings.
  4. Invest in a few snacks. Oftentimes guests’ eating schedules are different from your own, and they might feel uncomfortable mentioning their hunger. Purchase a few tasty snacks before they arrive, and be sure to accommodate dietary restrictions like veganism or lactose intolerance.

Plan Your Peaceful Christmas: Guest-ify Your Home [The Art of Simple]
Getting Ready for Overnight Guests [Real Simple]
How to Welcome Overnight Guests Without Spending Money [Not Spending Money]
Hosting Overnight Guests [Life Your Way]
Make Your Overnight Guests Feel at Home [Southern Living]

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Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club: Tee Off Today

January 15, 2015 by

All golfers are welcome at Leesburg’s well-reputed Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club. The full service facility offers an immaculately kept 18-hole course, a clubhouse that is open for lunch and dinner, a carriage house for special events, a pro shop, and a practice facility. The course is known to be challenging and surrounded by the beautiful sights of Virginia horse country. The view of the Catoctin Mountains will perfectly frame your every shot. Regulars love the ultra-fast greens and expert golf instructors on staff. Occasional golfers can play for a daily rate including the option to take advantage of the weekday and twilight specials. The club also offers membership options for frequent golfers, as well as special events packages, and tournament packages.

Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club
41601 Rapberry Drive
Leesburg, VA 20178
(703) 779-2555

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