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Mighty Khan’s: Hot and Healthy Mongolian Grill in Herndon

September 23, 2014 by

Putting a healthy spin on truly fast food, Mighty Khan’s brings a unique Mongolian barbecue experience to Herndon. Begin by filling a bowl from a salad-bar-style line with your choice of meats, under the sea selections, vegetarian-friendly tofu, and fresh-cut veggies. A pro tip: don’t be shy when it comes to building a mountainous bowl, as you are only limited to as much as your bowl can carry. Finish your custom creation off with your choice of over a dozen spices and sauces and decide your stir fry’s ultimate fate – will it be a spicy, blazing hot blend, a cayenne-infused coconut curry, or a tangy sweet and sour mix? End you bowl’s journey at the sprawling, sizzling grill, where grill warriors toss its contents with Mongolian barbecue swords, sauteeing and searing to perfection.

Mighty Khan’s sprawling dining room and speedy service make it a perfect spot for a lunch on-the-go, and the upbeat, fast-paced atmosphere create an excellent venue to start a night on the town or a fun family dinner.

Mighty Khan’s
2501 Centreville Road, O-11
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 793-1600
www.mightykhans.com
www.yelp.com/mighty-khans-herndon

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How to Take the Stress Out of Back-to-School

September 19, 2014 by

From the school supply shopping to the transportation planning, going back to school can be stressful on both you and your little one. Luckily, these helpful tips will take the stress out of the beginning of a new school year.

  1. Instill a positive attitude. First and foremost, it’s important to help your child to think positively about the beginning of school. Ask a lot of questions about how he or she feels, and be sure to speak encouragingly whenever discussing school. Even the most confident child likely has a few butterflies about starting a new grade level, so be positive enough for the both of you.
  2. Create a back-to-school routine. After staying up late and sleeping in all summer, it can be difficult for children to get back into the swing of things once fall rolls around. A week or so before the first day, start instating a reasonable bedtime and serving a wholesome breakfast a bit earlier than usual to create good habits once school starts.
  3. Get organized. Purchase only the essentials when school shopping and pack them into a backpack a few days ahead of time. Obtain a bus assignment or other transportation information, and spend some time going over your child’s new schedule. Finally, be sure to set out a reliable camera to snap that priceless first day of school photo.

Ease Back-to-School Stress [School Family]
What Not to Take Back-to-School? Stress. It’s Toxic! [Healthy Child]
Ease back to school stress with these six tips [Good to Know]

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Russia House Restaurant: Enjoy European Fare in Herndon

September 16, 2014 by

Just beyond a solitary wooden door in the lobby of an unassuming office building lies the elegant dining room of Russia House Restaurant. Here you can enjoy one of Herndon's most distinctive dining experiences.

A slight French influence, historically typical of Russian cuisine, is detectable in offerings such as the large portion of chateaubriand, thick-cut fillet, laden with a rich béarnaise sauce. The menu also offers a variety of caviar, served with toast or thin crepe-like bliny, and heavier entrees like creamy beef stroganoff and beef-stuffed cabbage leaves served with tomato sauce. The service is sharp but operates at a more relaxed pace, allowing guests time to enjoy the meal at leisure.

Russia House also offers an extensive vodka list – long enough to warrant its own menu – including many fine top-shelf brands and their own house-infused flavored varieties. The lengthy list of cocktails includes house martinis sweet enough to be dessert and some hot coffee-based cocktails certain to warm your spirits.

Russia House Restaurant
790 Station Street
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 787-8880
http://www.russiahouserestaurant.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/russia-house-restaurant-herndon

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

How to Overcome a Fear of Flying

September 12, 2014 by

Having a fear of flying is very common, but this phobia can be quite a hindrance when it comes to traveling for work or taking a cross-country trip. If you’re afraid of airplanes and can’t seem to calm your nerves, these tips will help you to overcome your fear.

  1. Become familiar with the plane. Many people are afraid of plane crashes, but these are incredibly uncommon. Learning how an airplane works will help you to feel more secure once you’re on board, and finding out facts like how a plane can continue to fly even after an engine failure will make you feel much more trusting about traveling on one. Research facts about your specific type of airplane, and even ask to meet the pilot before boarding.
  2. Allow yourself plenty of time. Airports are known for being hectic and stressful, and this will only intensify your fear. Be sure to arrive at the airport a few hours early so that you have time to get to your terminal and relax before it’s time to board.
  3. Choose an aisle seat. If you’re afraid of flying you probably don’t want to look down at the ground from the plane’s window. Choosing an aisle seat will eliminate this stressor, and you can even wear an eye mask to close off your view entirely.
  4. Avoid caffeine. Stimulants like caffeine will only make your anxiety worse. Avoid drinking your morning latte the day of a flight, and be sure to stay hydrated to keep yourself from feeling fatigued.

Fear of Flying [Independent Traveler]
How to Overcome Your Worst Fears [Lifehacker]
10 Tips for the Fearful Flyer [NBC News]
How Can I Overcome My Fear of Flying? [ADAA]

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Frying Pan Park: Visit a Historic Farm in Herndon

September 9, 2014 by

For a truly unique adventure, visit Frying Pan Park. This Herndon park preserves a historic farm as it would have been between the years 1920 and 1950. Interpretive programming helps visitors understand the agricultural processes that were used nearly a century ago, as well as experience the rhythms of rural community life.

You'll be able to see (and probably even touch) pigs, horses, sheep, and lots of other barnyard animals. If you're lucky you might even catch a glimpse of a family of peacocks who make their home at Frying Pan Park. There's an on-site farmer's market and country store so you can take home locally grown fresh farm produce, as well as scrumptious baked goods and potted herbs for your kitchen garden.

Remember that this is a working farm, so wear clothes and shoes that are appropriate for the barnyard environment. But above all, come prepared to enjoy yourself!

Frying Pan Park
2709 W. Ox Road
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 437-9101
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark
www.yelp.com/biz/frying-pan-park-herndon

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Love to Cook? Master These Must-Know Knife Techniques

September 5, 2014 by

If you love to cook, you know how important it is to use the proper cutting techniques in every recipe. Many people don't know the proper names of these techniques, however, which often leads to using the wrong one. Here are three important types of cutting that are essential for everything from entrees to desserts.

  1. Julienne. To julienne, you want to cut vegetables or other food items into stick-shaped pieces that are long and thin. Start by cutting the item into a square, then slice it into rectangular-shaped pieces lengthwise. Repeat the same step on each of the rectangles until you're left with pieces that resemble matchsticks.
  2. Chiffonade. This type of cut sounds fancy, but it actually just refers to cutting herbs or thin leaf vegetables. Roll the herbs up into a tight tube, then roughly chop across with a sharp knife. It doesn't matter how the cuts look, just that the pieces are small enough to sprinkle throughout a dish.
  3. Dice. Dicing is similar to chopping, but it creates entirely uniform pieces for dishes like stews or fruit salads. Begin with a rectangular shape and continue to cut it both directions until you're left with uniform pieces in the size that you desire.

Knife Skills: Different Types of Cuts [The Culinary Cook]
Top 10 Knife Skills [How Stuff Works]
Perfect Your Knife Skills With This Chef's Guide to Knives [Lifehacker]

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Learn to Bake This Simple Black Forest Ice Cream Pie

August 26, 2014 by

When you think of the easiest baked goods to make at home, pies usually aren’t top on the list. After rolling the dough, making the filling, and adding all that elaborate crust decoration, making a pie seems downright difficult. This delicious Black Forest Ice Cream Pie recipe is so simple, it will put all of your pie-baking fears to rest.

Black Forest Ice Cream Pie

12 sugar ice cream cones, broken into pieces
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 pint chocolate chip ice cream
1 pound fresh or thawed frozen cherries, pitted (about 3 cups)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch

For detailed instructions on preparing this Black Forest Ice Cream Pie, visit Oprah.com.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Imponderable of the Day: Why Do Doughnuts Have Holes?

August 22, 2014 by

If you’re like most people, your thought process surrounding doughnuts likely only focuses on where the best place is to get them and which flavors to choose once you get there! If you take a break from enjoying your sugary sweet pastry for a moment and actually think about the mechanics of a doughnut, you may begin to wonder how it got its unusual shape. Where did the signature hole in the doughnut come from?

Doughnuts are very dense, chewy pastries, so the main reason for their middle hole is to ensure that they cook all the way through. No one knows for sure which smart baker first came up with this ingenious idea, but fried doughnuts have been around in some form—with or without the hole—for hundreds of years. There is a longstanding myth that a 1930s sea captain named Hanson Gregory first invented the holed doughnut, but because the only proof is Gregory’s story itself, there’s really no way of knowing if this tale is true!

Holy Grail: Why Do Doughnuts Have Holes? [Cakespy]
Why Do Doughnuts Have Holes? [Today I Found Out]
Why Do Donuts Have Holes In The Middle? [Knows Why]

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Thai Luang Restaurant: Authentic Thai Cuisine in Herndon

August 19, 2014 by

Beginning with a dream to bring authentic Thai food to the United States more than two decades ago, the owners of Thai Luang have turned this Herndon restaurant into a popular destination for Thai cuisine. Thai Luang's chefs use only the freshest ingredients and spices to maintain meticulous authenticity.

One serious standout menu item (referred to as “last meal”-worthy by one diner) is the carefully deboned crispy duck, marinated overnight and cooked to-order. Seasoning options include a spicy red curry, lightly sweetened with coconut milk, pineapple and sweet basil. For more mild flavors, experience the duck in a rice noodle soup or a citrusy salad. Steamed pork dumplings filled with tenderly marinated pork, Pad Thai and a variety of curry dishes are also popular menu selections.

The ambiance features intricate royal Thai artwork and other delightful little touches. The service is known as friendly and attentive, and the owners are even known to check in with guests.

Thai Luang Restaurant
171 Elden Street
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 478-2233
www.thailuang.com
www.yelp.com/biz/thai-luang-restaurant-herndon

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

How to Ensure You’re Safely Serving and Preparing Eggs

August 15, 2014 by

Eggs are essential ingredients in a number of dishes, but they can also be dangerous to your health if handled incorrectly. To reduce your risk of salmonella and other diseases that come from eggs, follow these important guidelines.

  1. Shop smart. The first step toward healthy egg care is inspecting your eggs in the grocery store for cracks or dirty appearance. Also be sure to only purchase eggs that are stored in a refrigerated case.
  2. Store them properly. Eggs should be stored in a clean spot in the refrigerator at 40° F or lower.
  3. Cook them thoroughly. If you’re preparing scrambled eggs or another egg dish, be sure that both the yolk and white are firm and that the egg reaches a temperature of 160°F. Never eat batter or dough containing raw eggs before it's cooked or baked.
  4. Store egg dishes properly. Dishes made of only eggs cannot be stored, so be sure to eat them immediately after cooking. If you prepare something else that contains eggs, always keep it refrigerated.
  5. Keep it clean. Even if you use the utmost care when handling eggs, it’s essential to wash your hands, cooking and prep surfaces, and any utensils thoroughly to remove any traces of eggs. Wash hands and utensils with hot, soapy water, and scrub kitchen countertops with bleach or another germ-killing product.

Playing It Safe With Eggs [FDA]
Eggs & Food Safety [Incredible Egg]
Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Salmonella from Eggs [CDC]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,
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