Dieting? These Foods Can Help You Lose Weight!

Dieting is never easy, but once you know the right foods to eat you'll start to see the pounds melt away. Here are a few smart foods that will help you to lose weight and stay fuller for longer.

  1. Beans and legumes. Foods like black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas are high in fiber, which builds muscle and helps to keep you feeling full. Beans are also very inexpensive, and they’re a great alternative to meat for those who are vegan or vegetarian.
  2. Dark chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth that just won’t quit, it doesn’t have to sabotage your whole diet. Dark chocolate is a great alternative to sugary milk chocolate, cakes, and cookies, and it is also lower in calories. Just be sure to mind your portion sizes!
  3. Eggs and turkey sausage. Eating a protein-packed breakfast will help you to stay on track for the rest of the day. Eggs are great because they’re versatile and can be prepared a number of different ways, and lean turkey sausage is much lower in fat than traditional pork sausage. Eat this meal with a side of fresh fruit to start your morning off right.
  4. Avocado. You may think that you need to avoid eating fat in order to, well, lose fat, but healthy fats like avocado are actually an important part of any lean diet. The oleic acid found in avocados helps to quiet hunger, and these superfoods are also packed with fiber and protein.

9 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [WebMD]
Best Superfoods for Weight Loss [Health.com]
15 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [Good Housekeeping]
Use These 8 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [U.S. News]

Don’t Skip These Kid-Friendly Attractions in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a very family-friendly city, provided that you know the right places to take the little ones. Kids of all ages will love these exciting, fun-filled attractions, and the adults might even enjoy them just as much.

Please Touch Museum
Few museums are as hands-on as Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum, which invites children to build, drive, climb on, and explore every exhibit. The museum is centered around the idea that kids learn best through play, and it features exhibits like mazes to teach special reasoning, an interactive neighborhood, and even a Flight Fantasy exhibit that teaches balance and coordination.

Smith Memorial Playground
This historic playground is located in Philly’s East Fairmount Park, and it is targeted toward children ages 10 and younger. The park spans 6 ½ acres and hosts more than 50 pieces of safe, age appropriate playground equipment to offer children the opportunity for creative and social play. Better still, entry to this Philadelphia institution is free.

Philadelphia Zoo
Tiny animal lovers and their parents will both enjoy spending a day at the Philadelphia Zoo. This expansive zoo is 42-acres large and is home to more than 1,300 exotic animals, many of which are rare or endangered. The zoo includes a KidZooU area that is specifically designed for children, including child friendly gates, accessible restrooms and more. This area teaches children about animals in a way that they can understand, and it even offers education about the zoo’s conservation and recycling initiatives.

La Colombe: Premium Coffee and Prime People-Watching

Coffee beans from Colombia are considered the best in the world, so it’s no surprise that Rittenhouse Square’s La Colombe Coffee Roasters is arguably one of the best coffee shops in Philadelphia. This atmospheric cafe is beloved by the area’s coffee fanatics for its premium brews and expertly prepared beverages, but it’s also warm and inviting to those who aren’t as knowledgeable about their beans.

Inside, La Colombe is spacious and sunny, with small tables decorated with colorfully painted designs and equally colorful mugs that clash wonderfully against the tabletops. Skilled baristas prepare cafe mochas, pour-over coffees, and iced lattes behind a long coffee bar, and beverages like the 16-hour cold brew prove that the extra effort is well worth the wait.

La Colombe in Rittenhouse doesn't offer Wi-Fi, so swap your laptop for a little conversation.

La Colombe
130 S. 19th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-0860
www.lacolombe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-colombe-philadelphia

Kanella: Mediterranean Fare in Philadelphia

Authentic fare is what’s cooking in Kanella’s kitchen in Philadelphia. Go there to feast on flavorful Mediterranean fare.

Stop by in the a.m. for the Cyprus Breakfast with two eggs fried in olive oil, with halloumi – cheese, lounza – smoked pork, and bread, the Shakshouka – two Eggs poached in a cumin scented tomato and pepper stew, with grilled bread, or Malohwa – pan fried savory puff pastry, boiled egg, spicy tomato salad & Greek yogurt. Some tasty sandwiches are on the menu, along with entrees like Whole Fish of the Day with fresh greens, Braised Rabbit Leg with fregula pasta, Organic Pig Cheeks with roasted fennel, Goat Chop with dolmades, and Stuffed Pepper with raisins, rice, lentils, & pine nuts.

Visit Kanella's website to find out more about this Philadelphia restaurant.

Kanella
1001 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-1773
www.facebook.com/kanellarestaurant
www.yelp.com/biz/kanella-philadelphia

How to Care for Your Kitchen Knives

You use your kitchen knives almost every day, from slicing your morning banana to chopping vegetables for dinner at night. Because good knives can be expensive, you likely want to keep them in top working condition. Here are a few simple tips for properly caring for those important cooking knives.

  • Don’t let them soak. It may be tempting to simply toss your knives in with the rest of your soaking dishes, but avoid doing so. This can cause the knife to bend or get scratched, and it can also be dangerous if someone reaches their hand under the water.
  • Don’t run them through the dishwasher. Likewise, the dishwasher can also dent or ding your knives. Instead, wash them thoroughly by hand after every use.
  • Don’t store them in a silverware drawer. This is especially important for renters who might not have much extra space in the kitchen. Instead, invest in a small wooden knife block that you can keep on the counter, or at least use a knife sheath to keep the blade safe.
  • Keep them sharp. In order to get the best results from your knives, you need to sharpen them frequently. Use a honing steel or a knife stone if you’re comfortable doing it yourself, or if you’re not, you can always send them out to be sharpened by a professional.

Caring for Kitchen Knives: Dos and Don'ts [About Food]
How to Take Care of Your Knives [David Lebovitz]
How To Care For Kitchen Knives: 6 Common Mistakes [Huffpost Taste]

Sip Cold Brews in a Waterfront Beer Garden at Morgan’s Pier

If you can’t think of anything more relaxing than sipping an ice cold beer outdoors along the water, then you’ll fall in love with Morgan’s Pier. This summertime beer garden is situated right along the Delaware River Waterfront and offers enough wooden picnic tables to accommodate up to 500 people, making it a great place to plan a party or hang out after work with friends.

There is a casual yet upscale menu curated by some of the best local chefs in the area, and it includes peel-and-eat shrimp, grilled whole lobsters, and large gourmet sandwiches. Specialty cocktails and wines are served in addition to the extensive beer menu, and everything changes from month to month to serve only what’s in season. On the weekends, you’ll even find a full brunch menu complete with morning libations at Morgan’s Pier, one of the coolest and most relaxing seasonal spots in all of Philadelphia.

Morgan’s Pier
221 N. Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia PA, 19123
(215) 279-7134
www.morganspier.com

Talula’s Daily: From Market-Fresh Food to Dinner for Two

Talula’s Daily is a European-style market, restaurant, and bar that aims to provide fresh food and beverages in all forms to its patrons. The stylish eatery is decorated in a quirky, modern way that features open shelving with colorful glassware displayed all over, an artistic curved bar, and wooden tables in all shapes and sizes scattered right in the middle of the marketplace.

Guests can browse local cheeses, crusty breads, takeaway dinners, and bottled beers, and then sit down to enjoy a sandwich and coffee with friends. For dinner, Talula’s serves a pre-set supper that changes from month to month. This meal is a flat rate of $55, and it includes dishes made with local ingredients that reflect the current season. Warm breads and cheeses are served with your dinner, and you can choose cocktails and wines that perfectly complement the unique dining experience.

Make a dinner reservation at Talula’s Daily on the restaurant’s website.

Talula's Daily
208 West Washington Square
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 592-6555
www.talulasdaily.com

Happy Independence Day!

We hope everyone enjoys a fun and relaxing time with family and friends as we celebrate America's freedom.

Take a Bite of a Banh Mi at Ba Le Bakery & Restaurant

If you love all types of Vietnamese food, you’ll be hooked on Ba Le Bakery & Restaurant after your first bite. This authentic Vietnamese eatery on Washington Avenue specializes in both lunch and dinner foods and traditional Vietnamese baked goods, and it serves them in a colorful, modern locale that makes it very easy to get in and out when you’re in a hurry.

There are refrigerated cases filled with fresh juices and pre-made dishes that you can just grab and go, or you can order a customized sandwich if you have a bit of extra time to wait. Ba Le specializes in Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, which are similar to hoagies and served on freshly baked baguettes. After your meal, you can also indulge in a Vietnamese dessert, like fried bananas or sweet bubble tea in your choice of flavors. The iced coffee also receives high marks here.

Ba Le Bakery & Restaurant
606 Washington Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-4350
www.facebook.com/bale.philadelphia/timeline

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father's Day! We hope all of the Dads out there have a great day with loved ones! Let us know how you plan to help Dad relax today!

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