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The “Green” Way To Repel Flies

May 16, 2013 by

Flies can be pesky critters. They land on food, buzz around your head, fly into windows, and land on the TV screen. If you're looking to get rid of them, without having to spend your day with fly-swatter in hand, you're in luck. Check out this safe, eco-friendly way to repel flies without using harmful sprays.

Fill a plastic bag with water, and hang it near the area where you wish to be fly-free (like near the dining table). The movement of the water in the bag, and the shadows it casts on the table will make the flies stay away! You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.

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The Pollo Factory: Peruvian Style Chicken

May 15, 2013 by

Enjoy expertly prepared chicken at The Pollo Factory. Go for the classic Pollo a la Brasa which comes with half a rotisserie chicken cooked with Peruvian spices and two sides of your choice. Sides include steak fries, salad, black beans, cole slaw, mixed rice, and more authentic choices like fried plantains, fried yucca, and sweet corn. Whole chicken and quarter chickens are also available. The chicken is perfectly cooked with crispy skin and moist, juicy meat. The menu is not large but does have a few other dishes including steak, pork, rice, and seafood. The wait for this delicious chicken can be a little long so come early or get your meal to go. You can always call your order in advance to reduce the wait time. 

The Pollo Factory
44650 Waxpool Road, Suite 100
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 724-0587
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pollo-factory-ashburn

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Five Camera Apps for Smartphones

May 13, 2013 by

Thanks to the latest cutting-edge technology, our phones are becoming so influential in our lives, they can now do almost anything. Today, your phone can take the place of your laptop, calculator, MP3 player, and even camera. In fact, phones can take such great pictures nowadays, there's really no need to carry around an extra digital camera. Take your pictures to the next level with these camera apps for your phone. 

Snapseed
With just a few taps on your phone you can improve the quality of your picture with Snapseed. Instead of running your picture through multiple editing programs, this one app will create high quality photos. 

Instagram
Instagram lets you share pictures with your friends and followers. Every picture can be edited to have a fun filter to change the look of the picture. Tag each picture with a caption and keywords so people can search for your pictures, not just your friends. 

Camera Art FX
Create works of art instead of just normal pictures with all the special effects available with Camera Art FX. Watch in real time as a personal sketch artist in your phone creates pictures that resemble cartoons, neon lights, vintage photos, silent films, and more. 

Photosynth
There's no need to take group pictures in small segments anymore. Photosynth allows you to take panoramic pictures so you can get your entire party in one picture seamlessly. 

Camera+
Basically a more high tech version of the original camera on your phone. Camera+ lets you tap to adjust focus and exposure. There's even a stability feature to make pictures less shaky. After you take the picture you can adjust with filters and more. 

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The V Virginia Eatery and Brew House: Brewery in Ashburn

May 9, 2013 by

Enjoy a night out at The V Virginia Eatery and Brew House. The interior of the restaurant has a relaxing quality with low lights and dark wood. The menu is full of typical American brewery fare like steaks, seafood, burgers, and appetizer. Start with the braided pretzel appetizer with spicy cheese dipping sauce. The pork pops, tender pork shanks tossed in a honey mustard BBQ sauce, and Blackened Ahi Nachos are popular appetizers. The entrees are a mix of steaks, seafood, chicken, sandwiches, and pasta. The bar has a nice selection of house-made craft beers and wine. The V does get crowded so make a reservation to avoid waiting. Outdoor seating is available when the weather is nice. 

The V Virginia Eatery and Brew House
44630 Waxpool Road
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 723-6500
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-v-virginia-eatery-and-brew-house-ashburn

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5 Must See Movies About Music

May 2, 2013 by

Movies and music play a big part in our culture, so it makes sense that the two come together in these great movies about music. And it's not just in documentaries or films about live performances; it's in some of the best-loved fictional films of all time. Here are a few popular films with music as a theme:

This Is Spinal Tap
The 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap follows the fictional band Spinal Tap as they embark on a comeback tour. Watch as the musicians who once played to sold out arenas fight, argue, and struggle through creative differences while trying to keep their careers going in this hilarious ode to playing in a band.

High Fidelity
Nick Hornby's book set in London is made into the Chicago-based High Fidelity. John Cusack plays the lead working in a record store, making mix tapes to suit every situation, and obsessing about music.

The Blues Brothers
Jack and Elwood may not be the best of singers but they do try. Music is at the forefront of The Blues Brothers, a comedy about two brothers trying to raise money through their blues band. The cameos by famous singers like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, and James Brown make it a classic music film. 

That Thing You Do!
1960s fictional musical act The Wonders try to make it big after their first hit song in That Thing You Do! The film is full of catchy pop tunes, screaming fans, and a sense of melancholy as the glitz and glam of fame fade away.

Almost Famous
Cameron Crowe takes us on a journey in Almost Famous as we follow a band who wants to be big and an aspiring Rolling Stone writer on the road to fame.

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Five Effective Anxiety-Management Techniques

April 30, 2013 by

Anxiety is a plague that affects millions of Americans. As today’s high-stress world makes things increasingly difficult, more people are looking for ways to self-soothe and release tension. Here are five techniques that you can do at home, prescribed by experts in the field.

Breathing is widely considered the most important thing you can do to manage the onset of anxiety symptoms. Anxiety generates real physical reactions in the body, but by performing controlled, even breathing you can mitigate many of those symptoms and prevent the attack from getting worse.

Mindful awareness is another common method used to deal with the early stages of an anxiety attack. Close your eyes and slow your breath, concentrating your focus on different parts of your body in turn. This will give you the understanding that you are in control of your attentions.

Try to avoid worrying. This is easier said than done, obviously, but most doctors agree that feelings of dread or concern for the future engender anxiety attacks. A simple cognitive therapy response is to note the worry and then reply to yourself silently “That’s just my brain worrying. I know I don’t have to worry.”

Avoid recursive or ruminant thoughts on negative experiences. Getting the brain caught in a thought loop can lead to serious anxiety, lost productivity and more. Being conscious of these loops and working to stop them with mental commands can give you increased control over your situation.

Most importantly, make sure your body is getting everything it needs to be healthy. Getting enough sleep and regular, nutritious meals will help your brain functionality as well.

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Tuscarora Mill: What’s Old is New Again

April 26, 2013 by

Tuscarora Mill has been cooking up fine fare in Leesburg since 1985. Situated in a historic flour and grain mill, the restaurant’s rustic decor lends charm to the formal dining room and comfortable bar area. An early adopter of the “buy local” movement, the restaurant, known to patrons as “Tuskie’s,” sources ingredients from local farms and bases its menu around what’s fresh and in season on the farm. Although the menu changes frequently, regulars tout signature dishes like shrimp and grits and lamb shank. Adventurous eaters shouldn’t miss the wild game plate, which changes daily. In addition to food, Tuskie’s offers a wide selection of craft beers, wines, and cocktails. Bread-lovers will appreciate the efforts of the on-site bakery, which produces dinner rolls and sandwich breads fresh every day. For an upscale date night, celebratory brunch, or business lunch, Tuscarora Mill offers a great taste of the Northern Virginia harvest and southern hospitality.

Tuscarora Mill
203 Harrison Street
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-9300
 

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Spring Produce: Seasonal Fruit and Veggie Highlights to Add to Your Menu

April 26, 2013 by

As spring begins, gardens are alive with new shoots. The spring fruit and vegetable season adds tons of exciting new options to your cooking. Here are some of the best fresh fruits and vegetables to consider cooking with this season.

Asparagus is one of the most eagerly anticipated new crops every spring. When picked fresh, it’s fragrant and delicious. Cooking it is incredibly simple – steam it, roast it or grill it. All it needs is a little salt, pepper and olive oil for its natural flavor to shine.

Garlic shoots are an unusual but remarkable spring harvest. Before the white garlic bulb that you are familiar with forms, the plant grows a large, green shoot, also called a “scape.” This has a flavor similar to the bulb but milder. It’s great for soups.

Spring is also the best time to harvest new potatoes. Although potatoes can stay in the ground through the summer and into the late fall, harvesting them early keeps the skin from setting, making for sweet, tender spuds that cook quickly and burst with flavor.

In terms of fruit, one of the best bounties every spring is the cherry harvest. Cherry fruit starts growing in the middle of the season, and should be eaten quickly after harvesting for the best flavor.

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Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

April 22, 2013 by
If you’ve ever watching a gripping basketball game played at the highest levels of the game, then you know the unique brand of athleticism that a truly great basketball player possesses. Read on to learn about five of the very best players to ever hit a basketball court:
 
Michael Jordan
Many basketball fans and sports experts consider Jordan to embody the peak of human capabilities when it comes to the sport of basketball. His career accomplishments are dazzling. An inductee of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he was a 14-time NBA All-Star, a member of six NBA championship teams, and a five-time NBA MVP, and he holds the all-time record for the most points per game in NBA history. At the height of his game, he was also a hugely popular figure for his charisma and general sportsmanship. 
 
Magic Johnson
This phenomenal Los Angeles Lakers player is one of the most famous figures in basketball history, known for his dazzling versatility on the court. Sports experts tout Johnson’s ability to play every position with consummate skill and also his talent for generating a positive team spirit. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star, a three-time NBA MVP, a member of five NBA championship teams, and holds the all-time record for most assists per game in NBA history.

Bill Russell
Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics was widely revered for his many skills on the court, and especially for his virtuosic abilities when it came to defensive positions. He was considered the kind of athlete who made everyone around him a better player. Russell was the member of 11 NBA Championship teams, was a 12-time NBA All-Star, holds the record for having the second highest number of rebounds in all of NBA history, and has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
 
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is known for his size and remarkable agility, and widely considered one of the best centers that professional basketball has ever seen. He’s known for innovating moves like the “drop step,” an effective offensive move designed to help him achieve slam dunks, and he became celebrated for his accuracy when it came to dunking. O’Neal was a member of four NBA Championship teams, was a 15-time NBA All-Star, one-time NBA MVP, and three-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection.
 
Wilt Chamberlain
Chamberlain is celebrated for his phenomenal ability to consistently do one of the most important things in the game of basketball – score points. He played the center position and is considered by many sports fans, experts, and fellow players to be one of the greatest and most dominant players in NBA history. His statistics and accomplishments are the stuff of legend. He was a 13-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA MVP, two-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, and he has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. 
 
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Famous Horses In History

April 12, 2013 by
Horses have been an integral part of human existence since the earliest stages of life on earth – whether used for riding, used as a means of pulling loads, or simply admired and celebrated for their physical beauty. Here are some of the most notable and fascinating horses in equine history:
 
Winchester
Winchester was General Sheridan’s horse throughout the Civil War. The horse got its name when it carried Sheridan on his famous ride from Winchester, VA, to Cedar Creek, VA, getting Sheridan there in time for him to rally the troops and lead them to victory. 
 
Trigger
The golden Palomino Trigger was the on-screen companion to movie icon Roy Rogers, and he became one of the most famous horses to ever appear on celluloid. He was featured in all of Rogers’ films and television shows, loved by both Rogers and audiences for his intelligence, quickness, gentle good nature, and physical beauty. 
 
Little Sorrel
Little Sorrel (nicknamed “Fancy”) was the horse of General Stonewall Jackson. After being captured by the Confederates at Harpers Ferry, Little Sorrel quickly became indispensible to Jackson. After Jackson died, the horse rose to public fame when he was sent as a mascot to the Virginia Military Institute and then displayed at fairs and exhibitions around the country.
 
Haleb
This Arabian Horse (known fondly as “The Pride of the Desert”) is famous in the annals of horse history. He was celebrated for his strong physical build, his remarkable endurance capabilities, and the stunning shine of his coat. He was the first Arabian horse to win the Morgan cup in 1907, beating out the best race horses alive (including the Morgan horses themselves, who were racing on their home ground). This amazing feat made Haleb one of the best-known racehorses of all time.
 
Adios Butler
This horse was a famous North American harness racing champion. He performed several athletic feats that resulted in him becoming the first pacer to ever capture the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers. Not longer after that victory, he went on to record a 1:54.3 mile, which at that time was a world record for the fastest time in harness racing history. 
 
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