New To Sushi? Try These Beginner Tips

The sushi trend is here to stay. Not only is it good for you, but it is delicious, too (once you develop a taste for it). This time-tested culinary technique offers a countless array of options, so it can be difficult to know where to begin if it's new to you. Below you'll find a few tips that provide an easy introduction to the sensational world of sushi.

Did you realize that not all sushi contains raw seafood? Sushi simply means cooked, vinegared rice topped with other ingredients. Sashimi is the raw stuff. If you're new or unsure, try a few cooked or vegetarian rolls first. Eel (unagi & anago) is always served cooked, usually with a sweet and savory sauce that is delicious. If eel is too exotic, California rolls have avocado, cucumber, and cooked imitation crabmeat (kamabokoor surimi). Squid (ika) or octopus (tako) are often grilled, as is shrimp (ebi). Alternatively, vegetarian rolls like kappa maki (cucumber) are a great introduction to sushi style, and are completely delicious with wasabi and ginger.

Once you gain some traction, move on to sashimi, but start with what you know. Sushi isn’t much different from eating any fish; it's just not cooked.  You’ll see many exotic fish on the menu, but you'll also recognize many staples. If you like grilled salmon, seared tuna, fried calamari, or broiled scallops, you won’t be surprised by the taste or texture of sashimi.

As you continue to increase your repertoire, stick to milder fish. Scallop (hotategai), red snapper (tai), squid (ika), and halibut (ohyo) are particularly mild and great for beginners who are unsure. Tuna (maguro) may appear to have a strong flavor, judging by its rich, dark color, but it’s also a very mild and common in sushi restaurants. Plus, if you've ever had a tuna steak in a restaurant, they are rarely cooked through, so you'll be familiar with the taste and texture.

Ask your waitress or the sushi chef (itamae) for some suggestions. If you see on the menu something called omakase, that usually indicates "chef's choice". If you choose that option, then the itamae will select what he thinks is best that day, and will continue to serve you until you’re full. If you’re brave enough for the omakase, tell the chef you’re new to sushi, and if you have any strong likes or dislikes. Once you fill him in, he'll prepare an expert introduction to sushi just for you!

Loudoun Symphony: Established Local Symphony Shares Its New Home

Now in its 21st season, the Loudoun Symphony offers world-class music and arts performances featuring musicians at all professional levels. Formed in 1990 as a community orchestra, the Loudoun Symphony has steadily risen both in status and in service to the wider community. Two adult groups, the Symphony and String Workshop, are both well-known for their excellent performances. Led by conductor and musical director Mark Allen McCoy, the symphony performs pieces both modern and classic, from the traditional Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major “Romantic” by Anton Bruckner to The Phoenix which was completed and first performed in 2008. Other popular performances are by the Loudoun Youth Symphony, featuring children ages 10-18, and Loudoun’s Got Talent!, a student competition. In the 2010-2011 season, the Loudoun Symphony found its home in a gorgeous state-of-the-art 800-seat auditorium in Virginia Academy, and from there will undoubtedly continue to delight audiences for years to come.

Loudoun Symphony
7 Loudoun Street SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-8287     

Windy City Red Hots: Ashburn’s Chicago Style Hot Dogs

Sure, Windy City Red Hots may be located near BLVD l Loudoun Station in Ashburn, Virginia, but Windy City serves authentic Chicago-style hot dogs to a legion of hungry fans. Located at the Bluemount Nursery, Windy City Red Hots offers everything you'd expect from a Chicago hot dog spot: think classic hot dogs and Italian sausages along with complements like chili cheese fries and a seasonal selection of desserts. On the menu you'll also find the unique taste of Pizza Puffs: they're pizzas in tortillas, and well worth a try. Windy City Red Hots also offers a changing selection of craft beers from breweries around the region. Service is prompt and friendly and prices are fair. Since the Ashburn outlet is a food truck, there aren't many of the amenities of a traditional restaurant — but you can visit Windy City Red Hots's Leesburg branch if you prefer a more traditional sit-down experience.

20052 Lexington Drive
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 505-6934
 
 

Sweet Treats: Shortbread Toffee Bars

Looking for the ideal dessert to bring to your next holiday party or seasonal celebration? Look no further — these shortbread toffee bars are rich, buttery, and offer the ideal combination of sweet and salty — with just a hint of sea salt to really kick up the flavor. This recipe makes 12 bars.

For the shortbread:
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour

For the toffee:
2 sticks salted butter
1 cup sugar
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 (10 ounce bag) good-quality bittersweet chocolate chips
Sea salt

For preparation instructions, click here.

All Sports Grand Prix: Start Your Engines

Looking for thrilling competition? Want a fun outlet to release your inner speed demon? At All Sports Grand Prix, you can experience some souped up go-karting. These aren't just bumper cars; this is real go-karting, simulating a real race environment even down to the racing uniforms. Bring some friends and choose among packages of 10 laps, 25 laps, or 35 laps. If you've got a serious urge to drive, All Sports Grand Prix also occasionally offers a 120 lap endurance race, which might be as close as you'll ever get to driving at Sebring. With such intensity, All Sports Grand Prix makes for a great teambuilding experience, an interesting spot for a date, or simply an adventurous day. On designated days, kids can also train and even race, too, so check the All Sports Grand Prix website for more details. It's a great way to get a real racing experience near BLVD l Loudoun Station.

All Sports Grand Prix
45915 Maries Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(571) 434-9566
http://www.yelp.com/biz/allsports-grand-prix-sterling

Five Most Empowering Self-Help Books

Sometimes you need a little push to get elevated to the next step of your life. A good self-help book can provide that push, but the market is so full of tomes that promise results that it can be hard to pick the right one. In this list, we’ll share five that deliver results.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne is one of the most successful self-help books of all time. With an easy to understand message of positive thought accompanied by productive action, it’s great to get motivated to start a new phase.

Tom Rath’s StrengthsFinder is a scientifically organized self-help book that can help you discover your inner power. Through a system of questionnaires and thought experiments, this book isolates your strengths and helps you convert them to purpose-driven results.

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff by Richard Carlson is an excellent book to have in your self-help library when daily life is getting you down. It’s full of great advice to maintain your focus on the things that really matter.

Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is an all-time best-seller in the self-help field, offering workable tips in following the power of your inner spirit through positive mental attitudes. Although it was published in 1937, it’s still relevant today.

Eckhart Tolle’s The Power Of Now is probably the best introduction to the many works of the spiritual self-help author. It works as a useful guidebook to the ins and outs of human consciousness.

Pollo Factory: Rotisserie Chicken and More

As you might have guessed from the name, Pollo Factory specializes in chicken. And it does chicken well! This isn't a typical fast food place; here you'll enjoy perfectly seasoned rotisserie chicken with the delectable flavors of Peruvian cuisine. You'll choose from quarter, half, and whole chickens and then pair them with your choice of tempting sides. Options like black beans and rice, yucca, and fried plantains come in generous portions. Pollo Factory also offers a variety of sauces; if you like spicy food, try the green chili sauce. And although Pollo Factory specializes in chicken, the place also offers a menu of options for kids, including kid-friendly favorites like hot dogs and cheese quesadillas. Service is quick and friendly and the ambiance is bright and open. Pollo Factory offers eat-in, take-out, and delivery, which helps satisfy your hunger whether you want to dine out or eat right at home at BLVD l Loudoun Station.

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

Foot Care Tips for an Active Lifestyle

Your feet are one of the most important parts of your body, and you subject them to a lot of abuse every single day. Foot pain can be seriously debilitating, whether it be from strains, blisters or other issues. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your feet in good shape.

The most important thing you can do for your feet is wearing the right kind of shoe. Not only should they fit snugly, but they should also be appropriate for the kind of activity you are doing. Different kinds of shoes are designed for different things, so make sure your shoe offers the ideal combination of support and comfort.

Good sock selection is also very important. It’s important to wear socks that will wick moisture away from your feet as you exercise. Excess moisture left on the skin can result in blisters, fungal infections and more.

Toenail care is essential for healthy feet. You should always trim your toenails in straight lines perpendicular to your toes. This prevents ingrown nails and other issues. Make sure not to trim down the side of the nail.

If you feel anything unusual with your feet, you should consult a podiatrist immediately. Left undiagnosed, foot problems can lead to very significant health issues that can impact you greatly.

Best Coaches in Sports History

If you love to watch sports or have ever played one yourself, then you know the value of good coaching. A truly great coach can push a team to achieve its fullest potential, and history has shown over and over that top-notch coaching often makes the difference between victory and defeat no matter the talent level of the players. Here are some of the most profoundly impactful coaches ever to lead a sports team: 
 
Scotty Bowman
Many sports aficionados consider Bowman to be the best coast in the history of the National Hockey League. He coached for over three decades and seemed to have a golden touch when it came to leading teams toward triumph. He guided his players toward 28 playoff appearances and currently holds three major NHL records as a coach: the most Stanley Cup Victories, the most wins, and the most playoff wins. 
 
Don Shula
Don Shula had a glowing impact in the realm of professional football. He led the Baltimore Colts to the NFL Championship and went on to lead the Miami Dolphins to two Super Bowl victories. He’s also known as the man who coached the only football team ever to complete a perfect season – in 1972, under his leadership, the Dolphins went 17-0 and then went on to win the Super Bowl.
 
John Wooden
There are legions of sports fans and experts who consider John Wooden to be the greatest coach of all time in the history of any sport. He led the UCLA Bruins to 10 NCAA Championships, and he also guided his teams to a whopping 88 consecutive wins between 1971 and 1974. Wooden was also widely known for instilling powerful values in his athletes, beyond just the importance of wining. 
 
Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson started out as a professional basketball player before he became a coach. He is famous for having coached the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan’s glory days, guiding the team toward six NBA Championships. Jackson also coached Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal on the Los Angeles Lakers, leading the team to five NBA Championships. He currently holds the record for the most championships in NBA history. Nicknamed “The Zen Master,” Jackson is noted for including aspects of Eastern philosophy in his coaching style.
 
Pat Summitt
Pat Summitt has achieved the most wins ever in the realm of women’s college basketball. She led the Lady Vol’s to eight National Championships, which makes her the coach to have earned the second most National Championships in NCAA history. Summitt has been named NCAA Coach of the Year a whopping seven times and holds the honor of having been named the Naismith Coach of the 20th Century.
 

Great Camping Destinations Around The Country

Do you love packing only the essentials and setting up camp in the great outdoors? If you’ve ever gone camping or even just dreamed about it, then you understand the appeal of escaping the rigors of modern life by immersing yourself in the natural world. Here are five of the best camping destinations in the country, certain to help you experience nature in a unforgettable way:
 
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Many serious camping aficionados consider Grand Canyon National Park to be America’s best camping destination. The landscape is startlingly beautiful and the opportunities for outdoor fun are endless – including backpacking, vigorous hiking, rambling nature walks, guided mule rides, and boating and fishing trips on the Colorado River. There are two central campground options in the park: The Mather Campground, a great choice if you want a bustling camp experience full of fellow outdoor-loving folks, and the North Rim Campground, a wonderful option if you’re interested in a wilder, more secluded place in which to set up camp.
 
Bowman Lake Campground, Montana
This gorgeous campground is located in the Glacier National Park in northern Montana. You’ll bask in a glorious view of Bowman Lake and the surrounding mountain vista. If you like water activities, the lake is a great place for kayaking, fishing, and canoeing. Bowman Lake Campground is an especially ideal location if you’re an experienced camper looking for a very remote and authentic camping experience rather than a campground full of first-time campers and tourists. 
 
Blackwoods Campground, Maine
This natural wonder of a campground is located in Acadia National Park. You an opt for an entirely solitary, self-directed camping experience or else take advantage of the park’s offerings for guided private and group activities – including nature walks led by park rangers and evening campfire programs. The Blackwoods Campground offers over three hundred camping sites, each with room for up to two tents and one vehicle. If you’re looking for an active camping experience, you’ll love hiking the park’s granite peaks, biking and walking on the historic carriage roads, and taking a guided boat cruise to learn about the area’s sea life and natural history.
 
Chickasaw Campgrounds, Oklahoma
At these campgrounds, located in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, you’ll find a lush natural oasis away from the bustle of regular life. You can watch majestic blue heron fly over the Lake of the Arbuckles, swim and fish in the area’s many cool creeks, and enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful sunsets over Veterans Lake. You’ll also relish the area’s abundance of unique and gorgeous prairies plants, including Coneflowers, Little Bluestem, and Yucca. If you love to watch wildlife, then you’ll enjoy catching glimpses of flying squirrels, armadillos, white-tailed deer, and Eastern Meadowlarks.
 
Moraine Campground, Colorado
This camping area in the gloriously beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park offers five drive-in campgrounds. You’ll enjoy extensive hiking, walking, and biking trails, rafting and fishing opportunities, guided trail rides and backpacking trips, and wildlife sightings that can include glimpses of elk, moose, bears, bighorn sheep, and even mountain lions. There are also several well-mapped-out routes for glorious scenic drives through the park and surrounding areas. Some of the popular family-fun-options include cowboy sing-a-longs, ranger talks, and marshmallow roasts. 
 
 

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