Grab a Coffee, Read a Book at Brewed Awakenings

Brewed Awakenings is a local Newark coffee house that earns high marks for quality and ambiance. The coffee itself is fresh and aromatic, and the skilled baristas do a great job at making all the standard espresso drinks with care and precision.

The shop's atmosphere is half-library, half-living room, with bookshelf-lined walls and a pile of board games. Feel free to pluck a novel off the shelf and spend a few hours reading; you certainly won't be the only person doing so, as Brewed Awakenings is also popular with studying students who hunker down with their books, computers, and notes. If you get hungry while you're there, try a turkey wrap with cheese or hummus, or ask about the soup of the day. If you've got a sweet tooth, you might indulge it with a pastry or cookie from the display case.

Brewed Awakenings
64 East Main Street
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 562-7567
www.facebook.com/pages/Brewed-Awakenings-Newark/294869415397
www.yelp.com/biz/brewed-awakenings-newark-2

Jake’s Wayback Burgers: Where Burgers Are Well Done and Done Well

Jake's Wayback Burgers serves big, juicy, hand-shaped burgers to a happy crowd of loyal regulars, and once you try these burgers you just might become a regular yourself. This is a quick, casual burger joint, but it's got little in common with the greasy fast food places you might be used to.

Bite into a one of Jake's signature "cheesy burgers," each piled high with four slices of cheese, two all-beef patties, and served on a grilled, buttered bun. Add a few slices of bacon or some grilled onions, and add a side of chili cheese fries or beer battered onion rings. Wash it all down with one of Jake's hand-dipped milkshakes. Sip on a traditional chocolate shake, or go gourmet with chocolate mint or cafe mocha. In addition to the standard menu, Jake's offers a new, custom-crafted burger and shake every month, so there's always something new and special to order.

Jake’s Wayback Burgers
1100 Ogletown Road
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 737-1118
waybackburgers.com/restaurantlocations/detail/Newark-DE-Ogletown-Rd/56
www.yelp.com/biz/jakes-hamburgers-newark

How to Reduce Your Daily Caffeine Intake

You might feel like you simply can’t function without your morning coffee, but that boost of caffeine may be doing you more harm than good. Caffeine addiction causes you to rely on drinking coffee, soda, and energy drinks throughout the day, and it is also proven to contribute to stress and anxiety. If you want to cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume per day, these simple tips will make it easier.

  1. Examine your intake. Studies show that 200 milligrams of caffeine or less is a healthy amount for the average adult to consume per day. This translates to about two strong cups of coffee, so this is an easy way to decipher how much you need to limit yourself. If you can’t make it through the workday without that third cup in the afternoon, that’s a good place to start.
  2. Gradually cut back. Quitting caffeine cold turkey is just as painful as quitting any other bad habit. To prevent headaches, grogginess, and other signs of caffeine withdrawal, mix your usual coffee with a bit more decaf every day, or work your way down to just two cups of coffee instead of your usual amount.
  3. Be smart about caffeine. Once you know that you can only have two cups per day, you should choose when to drink them wisely. If you feel most tired early in the morning and around 2 p.m., plan on drinking your cup of joe about an hour before those times.

Easy Ways to Reduce Caffeine Intake [U.S. News]
How to Lower Your Caffeine Intake Without Headaches [Fitday]
10 Ways to Start Your Day Without Caffeine [Everyday Health]
Caffeine [McKinley Health Center]

Happy Presidents Day

Today we take the time to honor our courageous leaders and how their visions have shaped our great country.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Wishing you a sweet day with your loved ones!

White Clay Creek State Park: An Oasis

Whether you’re looking for a fun place with the family or a respite from your busy day, come to White Clay Creek State Park. As part of the Delaware State Park System, White Clay Creek State Park calls itself a “relaxing oasis,” and that’s the truth! You can relax and enjoy the lush greenery and have a picnic with friends or your family. Or you can take a hike or mountain bike ride on the many trails. The Pomeroy Trail takes you over the footbridge, where you get a nice view of the creek. The park also hosts a number of events year round. Bring the kids to the Nature Center, where there’s usually something fun and educational happening. There’s sledding and cross country skiing in the winter, and don’t miss the summer concert series!

White Clay Creek State Park
425 Wedgewood Road
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 368-6900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/white-clay-creek-state-park-newark

Picnic, Bird-Watch or Fish at Brandywine Creek State Park

At an impressive 933 acres, it's no wonder that Brandywine Creek State Park plays host to such a huge spectrum of activities. Some of the activities are simple, like enjoying the sights and aromas in the Tulip Tree Woods. One of Delaware's first nature preserves, this grove of tulip poplar dates back nearly 200 years. So does the Freshwater Marsh, where bluebirds flit to and fro and wildflowers thrive.

You can also go bird-watching at the park, which is home to more than bluebirds. Many types of hawks soar overhead, so keep an eye out. If you're interested in fishing, Brandywine Creek teems with bluegill, crappie, and small mouth bass, while Wilsons Run has trout. Near the lakes there are 14 miles' worth of trails. They're an ideal spot to go for a run or a hike, or to capture a special photograph. Once you're done, spread out a blanket on one of the lawns and read a book, fly a kite, or have a picnic.

Brandywine Creek State Park
41 Adams Dam Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
(302) 577-3534
www.destateparks.com/park/brandywine-creek/
www.yelp.com/biz/brandywine-creek-state-park-greenville

Indian Sizzler: Indian Cuisine in Newark, Delaware

Indian Sizzler has built a loyal following among Newark locals, and it's easy to understand why. The menu is large and varied, the prices are reasonable, and the portions are large. But most of all, the food is simply delicious.

Start your meal with an order of keema samosa, which are delicately-spiced, meat-filled hand pies, deep fried and served with a sweet dipping sauce. Vegetarians will appreciate the large number of meat-free choices. Saag aloo is a popular potato and spinach-based dish, while navratan korma combines garden fresh vegetables with a spicy cashew and herb sauce. And don't forget to include an order of naan, the clay oven baked bread that is traditionally used as a utensil to scoop rice and sauce from your plate to your mouth.

Dining in is always fun, but an online ordering system also makes it quick and easy to get delivery or take out from Indian Sizzler.

Indian Sizzler
72 E. Main Street
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 738-3445
www.indiansizzlerus.com
www.yelp.com/biz/indian-sizzler-newark

How to Choose the Right Houseplant for Your Home or Office

Whether you have a green thumb or you just can’t seem to keep a plant alive, there is truly an indoor houseplant for just about everyone. Here is a list of the best houseplants for the home or office, and some of them require almost no care at all.

  1. Geranium. This green flowering plant features long stems with lush leaves at the end, and it will thrive all year round if placed near a sunny window. Best of all, the sturdy geranium won’t suffer much if you miss a watering, so it’s a good fit for forgetful plant owners.
  2. Golden barrel cactus. Cacti are especially great plants for those who don’t want to water their plants daily, as they only need watered about once per month. This particular type of cactus is especially large and unique looking, though it only grows to about 1 foot tall.
  3. Jade plant. Jade plants are some of the most popular houseplants because they grow to be quite tall and impressive-looking when placed in bright sunlight. Because they are succulents, they also store a great deal of water in their leaves and require watering very infrequently.
  4. Aloe. With its numerous healing properties and its long, spiky appearance, it’s easy to see why people love aloe plants. With bright light, an aloe plant can grow to 3 feet tall.

Houseplants for the Forgetful Gardener [Better Homes and Gardens]
How To Choose the Right Houseplant [Bayer Advanced]
Houseplants for People Who Can't Grow Houseplants [This Old House]

Grassroots: Where Style Meets Whimsy in Newark

Regulars say you can always find something fun and unique at Grassroots, one of Newark's favorite local boutiques. Interested in a set of shot glasses shaped like miniature mason jars? You'll find 'em at Grassroots. How about a corkscrew shaped like a trout? Got that, too. Have a friend who'd get a kick out of molds that'll turn your soft boiled eggs into spooky, yolk-oozing skulls? Grassroots can deliver on that quirky desire.

You'll also find more sophisticated items: sterling silver bangle bracelets, turquoise pendants, and hand-crafted opal earrings are all for sale at Grassroots' jewelry counter. Head over to the accessories wall for a beaded leather shoulder bag and a cashmere infinity scarf to complete your outfit.

Whether you're looking for a gift for that friend who has it all, or want to find something special for yourself, Grassroots has plenty of stylish, whimsical items on offer.

Grassroots
93 East Main Street
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 453-9751
www.grassrootsonlineshopping.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grassroots-newark

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This