You are here: Home / Archives for riverstone

Where to Design Your Own Holiday Cards Online

December 4, 2014 by

Instead of sending out impersonal, store-bought holiday greeting cards this year, get creative by designing your own cards online. Whether you want to create a silly photo card or a card adorned with artistic typography, these three sites have everything that you need to make your holiday correspondence dreams a reality.

Shutterfly
This hip printing site enables you to upload one or more photos to add to its wide selection of holiday cards in all styles and sizes. The card templates range from rustic and traditional to chic and trendy, and many of them feature hand lettering, calligraphy and other popular design elements. Include a personalized message to make your cards even more unique.

Snapfish
if you’re searching for a simple card creation site that is entirely customizable, Snapfish is one of the best online options. First, the site asks you to choose the size of your cards, from traditional folding squares to more modern long, rectangular shapes. Next, the site offers a number of colorful pre-made templates that feature spaces for your family photos, and they’re worlds away from the traditional sentiments from years past.

Tinyprints
If you prefer a more minimal greeting card, Tinyprints offers a number of sleek and stylish options to choose from. The site also enables you to create a customized holiday newsletter that updates loved ones about your family’s past year.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Learn about the Economy with These Economics Podcasts

November 28, 2014 by

You don't have to go back to school to get a degree in economics to understand more about how our economy works. These three podcasts offer interesting insights on business, the economy, and the world of finance:

Bloomberg Surveillance Podcast
Bloomberg Surveillance has its finger on the pulse of the national economy. Podcast hosts Tom Keene and Michael McKee discuss topics like financial repression, the job market in various fields, spending patterns, and the patterns within the ever-changing stock market.

Marketplace
American Public Media’s Marketplace is a podcast devoted to the latest business news within the United States and around the world. It focuses on the global economy and events that impact the financial markets, and it aims to provide timely, accessible coverage of both economics and personal finance. Marketplace is a great podcast if you prefer to hear about interesting, true stories rather than just the numbers.

Planet Money
Distributed by NPR, Planet Money is a twice-weekly podcast that explains the economy to people who might have no prior knowledge of how it works. It’s fun and enjoyable, and it covers topics like how popular iPhone apps affect the national economy.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Fresh & Organic: Where Healthy Meets Delicious in Ashburn

November 24, 2014 by

If you care just as much about the quality of the food you eat as you do about how it tastes, you’ll love Ashburn’s Fresh & Organic juice bar and cafe. This healthy eatery specializes in organic foods inspired by cuisines from all around the world, including all-American breakfasts, Mediterranean lunches, and freshly squeezed juices intended to address all types of physical and mental ailments. The restaurant even offers gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian fare to accommodate those with dietary restrictions.

A spacious coffee bar boasts premium coffees and espresso beverages, while the colorful decorations and cozy dining tables create an inspiring environment to relax and enjoy your meal. Fresh & Organic even features a sunny outdoor patio where you can enjoy your all-natural meal in the beauty of nature.

Fresh & Organic
20693 Ashburn Road
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 726-9629
www.facebook.com/pages/Fresh-Organic/62434473003
www.yelp.com/biz/fresh-and-organic-ashburn

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Squash 101: How to Prep and Bake Acorn Squash

November 21, 2014 by

Acorn squash is a fairly unusual ingredient, but it is certainly worth checking out. If you know the right techniques, you’ll likely find that preparing this sweet, nutritious squash is much easier than you would think. Here are the basic steps for prepping and baking acorn squash.

  1. Slice the squash in half using a very sharp knife. It shouldn’t require too much pressure from you, as forcing a dull knife through the squash could result in injury.
  2. All squash contain seeds and stringy particles inside, so be sure to scoop those out using a metal spoon. It doesn’t have to be perfectly clean, just enough so that you don’t end up with a mouth full of seeds.
  3. Place the squash halves face down on a foil-lined baking sheet, then add enough water so that it slightly covers the bottom of the squash. This will ensure that the squash gets moist and soft.
  4. Bake at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes, checking the acorn squash periodically to gauge its softness.
  5. Remove from the oven and add a bit of butter to the center of each half. Place the squash under the broiler for 5 minutes, until the butter melts and the squash turns a lovely brown color. You can also add a teaspoon of brown sugar or a sprinkle of salt for added flavor.

How to Prepare/Bake Acorn Squash [Chef In You]
How To: Cook Acorn Squash [The Kitchen Magpie]
Acorn Squash Basics [Martha Stewart]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

These Pumpkin Pie Recipes Will Have You Reaching for Seconds

November 20, 2014 by

Warm soups are great and Thanksgiving turkey is tasty, but when it comes to favorite fall foods, pumpkin pie is typically at the top of the list. There’s just nothing better than this rich, flavorful pie come autumn, whether you prefer to top it with whipped cream or to eat it warm out of the oven. Here are three of our favorite recipes for pumpkin pie.

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie [verybestbaking.com]
Since it requires only 15 minutes of prep time, this pie will be emitting a delicious scent from the oven with plenty of time to spare before the arrival of your last-minute guests. Canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, and a pre-made pie crust make this one of the easiest pumpkin pie recipes you’ll find.

The Ultimate Pumpkin Pie [epicurious.com]
This elaborate recipe from Epicurious is ideal for the experienced baker who wants to add a bit more spice to the usual pumpkin pie. Whipping cream and sour cream make it extra thick and creamy, while the generous helpings of spices add major flavor in every bite.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie [pickyourown.org]
Pick Your Own’s homemade pumpkin pie uses real pumpkin instead of canned to offer the freshest taste possible in your seasonal dessert. Although it may seem intimidating, the results are more than worth it.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Heading to the Market? Read These Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips!

November 14, 2014 by

You’re committed to a healthy eating plan, and your first stop is the local supermarket. Here are a few simple, smart tips to help steer you away from the sweets aisle and toward the fruit and vegetables.

  1. Make a list. It may seem obvious, but making a list and sticking to it can work wonders when you actually come face-to-face with your favorite brand of cookies. Include things like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and head for the checkout once every item is checked off.
  2. Check the nutrition labels. Even if something is labeled “low-fat” or “all natural,” you should still check the nutrition labels on pre-packaged food items to make sure that there aren’t any unwelcome or unnatural surprises.
  3. Purchase at least half whole grains. Replacing only half of your bread or cereal intake with whole grain alternatives can make a big difference in your health. Make sure that these products say “100% whole grain” on the label.
  4. Choose healthier dairy products. Switch out your usual full fat milk, yogurt, and cheese with non-fat or low-fat options.
  5. Shop for lean meats. Instead of purchasing hamburgers or sausages, go for lean meats like turkey, fresh fish, and skinless chicken breast.
  6. Snack smarter. If you love to have snacks on hand, grab a bag of unsalted nuts or some dried fruit for a quick boost.

Try These Tips for Heart-Healthy Grocery Shopping [American Heart Association]
27 Foods to Ban From Your Shopping Cart [Reader’s Digest]
Build a Healthy Diet with Smart Shopping [Nutrition.gov]
Healthy Grocery Shopping [Medline Plus]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Flow Yoga: Go With the (Vinyasa) Flow

November 13, 2014 by

Flow Yoga is an Ashburn yoga studio that focuses on heated vinyasa flow, which is a type of yoga that flows through a sequence of sun salutations that aim to align your movements with your breath.

Flow Yoga offers more than 90 yoga classes per week to yogis of all levels, from the most novice to the most experienced. Classes are taught in a very warm studio intended to help students sweat out toxins, so you are encouraged to wear cool, breathable clothing and be prepared to get a bit sweaty. The studio is equipped with a state-of-the-art heating and ventilation system to keep things feeling fresh and comfortable, as well as spacious studio space and multiple classrooms for the respected teacher-training program.

Flow Yoga offers a number of different classes and memberships at all price levels, so practicing yoga is accessible to people on any budget. Check the Flow Yoga website for a full class schedule.

Flow Yoga
20937 Ashburn Road
Ashburn, VA 20147
(571) 291-2923
www.gowithityoga.com
www.yelp.com/biz/flow-yoga-ashburn-2

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Score Big With These Fantasy Football Tips

November 7, 2014 by

While watching football is top on the list of favorite fall activities, participating in fantasy football leagues is quickly catching up. If you spend hours re-working your fantasy football draft and managing your team, these tips will help you to maximize your chance of success—and maybe even win a bit of money along the way.

  1. Take advantage of online resources. Although some people may get a bit picky about using online cheat sheets, there’s no set rule against doing your research before the draft. Sites like ESPN.com are filled with incredibly beneficial resources to help stack the deck in your favor.
  2. Become familiar with your league’s rules. This tip is especially important for first-time participants, since making a blunder like drafting someone who has already been picked will hold up the rest of the league (and certainly annoy your opponents).
  3. Research injury reports. You make sure to pay attention to which players are doing best this season, but it’s just as important to know who’s limping a bit in practice.
  4. Get risky. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on a so-called “sleeper” player or two as the draft progresses. You’ll likely already have your first choice players by this point, and choosing a risky player could lead to a big payoff in the long run.

11 Tips and Tricks to Win Your Fantasy Football League [ESPN W]
Fantasy Football Dos and Don'ts [About Sports]
10 Tips for New Fantasy Football Owners [Fantasy]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Traditional New Mexican Dishes Have a Home at Anita’s

November 6, 2014 by

The Southwest comes to Ashburn at Anita’s. This casual "New Mexico-style" cafe in the Cameron Chase Village Center shopping center is good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Come in the morning and try New Mexico-style specialties, like huevos rancheros and the popular breakfast burritos, or American diner favorites, like bacon, eggs, and pancakes. For lunch and dinner, the burrito and fajita combos are tasty and filling, and the fresh salsa selections gets high marks.

Open Mondays through Thursdays, 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Anita’s offers catering, online ordering, and take-out.

Anita’s
44305 Ice Rink Plaza
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 724-9870
http://www.anitascorp.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/anitas-new-mexico-style-mexican-food-ashburn

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Herndon Clock and Watch Company: Make Some Time

November 4, 2014 by

With over thirty years of providing quality customer service to Northern Virginia, Herndon Clock and Watch Company is a one-stop shop for both new timepiece enthusiasts and experienced horologists. Known as “purveyors of fine timepieces”, Herndon Clock and Watch Co. offers an impressive collection of luxury watches for sale, from high-end fashion to high-functioning sports brands. Intricately crafted clocks for the home are also available for purchase, from towering grandfather clocks to charming cuckoo clocks, ideal for gifting or decorating.

Timepiece repair services, including complementary diagnostics, are performed by a Herndon Clock and Watch Co. founder, Dung Lam, and an expert team of watch and clock repairmen, holding the top-tier “Watchmaker of the 21st Century” certification. Services are performed in compliance with manufacturer specifications, using only authentic replacement parts and backed by a 1-2 year warranty.

Herndon Clock and Watch Company
715 Pine Street
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 709-0234
http://www.herndonclockandwatch.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/herndon-clock-and-watch-co-herndon

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest