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How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar Beyond the Kitchen

May 26, 2015 by

Many natural cleaning enthusiasts have been touting the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar for years, but vinegar's list of uses often ends in the kitchen. You may be surprised to find that there are a number of other ways to use apple cider vinegar in every room in your home. Here are a few of the best.

  1. Use it like an odor eliminator. Instead of masking odors with a perfume-heavy scented spray, neutralize odors by letting a dish of apple cider vinegar permeate the air.
  2. Clear your sinuses. Sip some warm water with a bit of apple cider vinegar to help break up mucus in your sinuses and even kill the bacteria that causes the common cold. (Be sure to consult with your doctor first.)
  3. Soothe sunburned skin. Instead of using a cream or lotion, rub sunburned skin (or bug bites, rashes and poison ivy) with apple cider vinegar to relieve the itch naturally. Do so at the instruction of your physician.
  4. Rinse hair. Many people cite apple cider vinegar as the source of their shiny, silky locks. Mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 4 cups of water and use it as a weekly hair rinse.

7 Surprising Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar [The Dr. Oz Show]
25 Ways Apple Cider Vinegar Will Change Your Life [Mamavation]
15 Reasons to Use Apple Cider Vinegar Every Day [Mind Body Green]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Sink Your Teeth Into Juicy Rotisserie Chicken at Stanford Grill

May 19, 2015 by

At Stanford Grill, chefs have full reign of their kitchen. They personally select the freshest fruits and veggies available to transform into upscale American dishes at the popular Columbia eatery. According to a slew of mostly positive Yelp reviews—more than 300 of them—the chefs' attention to detail pays off.

The rotisserie chicken, in particular, earns raves from happy customers. One of the house's specialties, the rotisserie chicken slow-roasts until it's juicy and tender, then chefs plate it with a side of green beans and redskin mashed potatoes. Eastern shore crabcakes, short-smoked Atlantic salmon, and hickory-grilled tenderloin filet are among your other options. If you're craving something slightly lighter, opt for a burger or sandwich instead. Match your chosen dish with a glass of wine from Stanford Grill's impressive list.

You can also come by for Sunday brunch and dig into one of Stanford Grill's signature Benedicts with filet mignon or crab. Omelets fill plates at brunch, too, and contain ingredients such as goat cheese and tomato or chorizo and black beans.

Stanford Grill
8900 Stanford Boulevard
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 312-0445
www.thestanfordgrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/stanford-grill-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Soak Up the Sun at Centennial Park

May 19, 2015 by

Centennial Park encompasses 325 acres' worth of the 7,000-plus park acreage in Howard County. That's plenty of space for Columbia's local outdoorsmen and -women to get some fresh air and exercise. Many of them come here to go for a run or a bike ride on the 2.4-mile path. It rings the lake, so no matter which part you traverse, you'll have a view of the sparkling water.

Some folks come just to fish in the lake. Rent a boat and spend a day angling for your dinner or just spend some time sunbathing. You can also explore the sights and smells of the buds that burst into colorful blooms in Centennial Park's designated wildflower space. You'll probably see birds dancing around the blossoms and splashing nearby in the lake. Take the kids to the playground if they're still small enough to enjoy a good slide (or two).

Centennial Park
10000 Route 108
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7271
www.centennialmd.org
www.yelp.com/biz/centennial-park-columbia

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Victoria Gastro Pub: Don’t Miss the Lobster Grilled Cheese

May 12, 2015 by

Inspired by the gastropubs that dot London's busy city streets, Victoria Gastro Pub is named for one of the very busiest transportation hubs: Victoria Station. Plus, the owners of Victoria Gastro Pub happen to have a daughter named Victoria. With such a meaningful name, it makes sense that Victoria Gastro Pub contains both the cosmopolitan vibes of a city and the warmth of a family dining room.

Locals flock here for an upscale meal of American and international fare, all infused with the chef's own unique flair. Try the duck fat fries, a local favorite, or the poutine (fries with cheese curds) to kick off your meal. They both boast a slew of glowing Yelp reviews. So does the lobster grilled cheese, which takes a childhood classic and transforms it into a sophisticated dish. Enjoy the grilled cheese, a steak, or fresh seafood with a draft beer from Victoria Gastro Pub's ever-popular list.

Victoria Gastro Pub
8201 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 750-1880
victoriagastropub.com
www.yelp.com/biz/victoria-gastro-pub-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Robinson Nature Center: Protecting and Showcasing Mother Earth

May 5, 2015 by

Robinson Nature Center doesn't just invite Columbia residents to explore nature; it pays homage to Mother Earth in every part of its daily processes. Solar panels generate juice for the facility (15% of its total electricity, in fact). Geothermal air conditioning and heating saves on traditional energy. Water-conserving features protect the globe's limited water resources. The nature center boasts an LEED Certification—one of only three buildings in the state that does.

But these are the things unfolding behind the scenes. Locals come here to check out the hands-on exhibits. Head to the NatureSphere, a domed planetarium that shows various films regarding natural phenomena. Spend some time in the Children's Discovery Room if you have little ones along. You can also meander the nature trail, which winds throughout 18 acres of land (connected to another 1,000 known as the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area).

Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Lane
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-0400
www.howardcountymd.gov/RobinsonNatureCenter.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/robinson-nature-center-columbia

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Add a Touch of Color to Your Space With These Easy-Care Blooming Houseplants

April 27, 2015 by

If you want to breathe new life into your home’s decor, there are few better ways than by adding a few blooming houseplants. These unique plants give you a pop of green and a burst of bright color from their blossoming flowers, and they’re surprisingly easy to care for.

  • Begonia. Although most people think of begonias as outdoor plants, they also look beautiful inside your home. Types with fibrous roots work best indoors, and they bloom almost continuously throughout the year.
  • Peace lily. This elegant plant features a beautiful, white flower against its lush green leaves, and it’s one of the easiest to keep alive. The peace lily even does well in low light.
  • African violet. If you’re looking for a plant that will last for years to come, this is the one to choose. Their purple, red, or white flowers bloom almost year-round.
  • Orchid. Although orchids can be quite finicky plants, they flourish when placed in bright, indirect sunlight. Plus, they’re some of the most beautiful flowering houseplants.
  • Geranium. If you’re prone to forgetting a few waterings here and there, the geranium is the plant for you. These vibrant flowers thrive in dry soil between waterings, and they really bloom when placed in a bright window.

Flowering Houseplants [About Home]
The 16 prettiest and most colorful indoor flowering plants [Today Home]
16 Drop-Dead Gorgeous Flowering Houseplants [AOL Real Estate]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Read About Some of the Country’s Weirdest, Wackiest Museums

April 21, 2015 by

While the Smithsonian is fascinating, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is always a sight to see, some lesser-known American museums are just as interesting—if a bit weirder! If you have a flair for all things out of the ordinary, these unique museums are worth a visit.

1) International Cryptozoology Museum
Cryptozoology is the study of “hidden animals” not verified by science, and this small museum in Portland, Maine, is dedicated to just that. From Bigfoot to Lake Monsters, take a tour of all of the world’s most intriguing—and mysterious—unknown species.

2) International Banana Museum
This fruity museum in North Shore, California, is filled with every type of banana-related item that its curators could hunt down, from salt and pepper shakers to staplers and even a banana record player. Be sure to visit the famous banana bar and sample a banana-flavored milkshake or banana split.

3) Mütter Museum
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Mütter Museum is one of the finest museums of medical history in the world. While it is a bit creepy to see the 19th-century medical instruments and anatomical specimens, it is also completely fascinating.

4) The Museum of Bad Art
The name says it all at this silly museum in Somerville, Massachusetts. Keep in mind that it’s all in good fun, and just enjoy the truly awful displays of artistic expression.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

The Second Chance Saloon: A Hometown Bar

April 14, 2015 by

There’s something about an old-school neighborhood bar that no other kind of business can capture. It has to be hospitable, it has to be cheap and the food has to be good. The Second Chance Saloon ably handles all three. Advertised as the “Home of 100 Beers,” the Second Chance opened in late 2008 and has become a watering hole for a diverse blend of locals. With a dozen constantly changing beers on tap bolstered by 88 bottle beers, this is a destination for the brew lover. If you’re not into beer, the talented bartenders can put together just about any cocktail you desire. The food here is also excellent, with a robust menu of high-quality pub grub. Some favorites include the exceptional crabcake sliders, served with amazing home-made potato chips, as well as spicy Old Bay chicken wings. Each night of the week brings different activities as well, with Monday’s trivia night drawing huge, rowdy crowds.

The Second Chance Saloon
5888 Robert Oliver Place
Columbia, MD 21045
(443) 545-5844
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-second-chance-saloon-columbia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Awaken Wellness: Rejuvenate Your Mind and Your Body

April 7, 2015 by

Awaken Wellness is a light-filled health and wellness facility located in a stylish and well-decorated office suite, and although it offers a number of different services, acupuncture treatment is its main focus. There are a variety of different styles of acupuncture treatments to help treat just about any physical or mental ailment, and skilled acupuncturists administer the relaxing treatments in comfortable, private treatment rooms. Awaken Wellness also offers massage therapy using hot stones, reflexology, and Swedish practices, and there is even a yoga program for everyone from beginners to advanced yogis.

Whether you’re struggling to lose weight, looking to make more positive lifestyle choices, or you simply want to take up yoga to meet your fitness goals, you can do it all at Awaken Wellness.

Awaken Wellness
7130 Minstrel Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 312-9922
www.awakenwellnesscolumbia.com
www.yelp.com/biz/awaken-wellness-columbia-2

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Monarch Mills where pets are family too.

April 7, 2015 by

Welcome Home to Monarch Mills!

We realize that your pets are family too and would love to have them move here with us. We have pet stations throughout the property and a nice big open green space.

Even your pets will be begging to live here once you visit.

Filed Under: Life at Monarch Mills Apartments
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