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Labor Day Events We’re CRAVE-ing

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Chillin’, grillin’ and sippin’. These are a few of our favorite things to do during the summer, and since Labor Day marks the end of this great season, we’ve put together a list of our fave events going on in and around Atlanta so that you can give it a proper send off.

Atlanta Braves vs New York Mets
755 Hank Aaron Drive SE
(404) 522-7630
@Braves

Grab your tomahawk and watch the first place Atlanta Braves take on the New York Mets. With Chipper out for the rest of the season and Prado off the DL list, it’s anyone guess how this highly anticipated match-up will turn out. The long standing  rivalry comes to a head on Thursday, Sept 2 at 7:10pm.

Callaway Gardens Hot Air Balloon Festival
1130 Anthony Court Suwanee, GA 30024
1-800-CALLAWAY
@callawaygarden

Want to get away from the city but don’t want to spend hours of traveling to get there? Callaway Gardens offers anything and everything for the family, and it’s only a short car ride from Atlanta. Enjoy a long weekend away from the city noise and enjoy water slides, rock climbing, bungee jumping, or even a triathlon. But if you’re more into relaxing before heading back to the reality of the working world, there are beaches (and a beach bar!), musical performances, plenty of shopping and, of course, the beautiful gardens. Don’t miss the balloon glow on Robin Lake Beach Friday and the balloon launches Saturday and Sunday.

Labor Day sales at Lenox Square Mall and the Shops Around Lenox
3393 Peachtree Road NE
(404) 233-7575

If the fashionista in you can’t miss out on a great deal, than you’ve been eagerly anticipating Labor Day weekend for a while.  Whether it’s stocking up early for Christmas at Papyrus and Bloomingdale’s or getting great bargains on summer staples for next year at Tootsies and Swank, don’t miss out on all the great Labor Day sales.

Noon Midtown
1050 Crescent Avenue
(404) 496-4891
@noonmidtown

After all that shopping a girl needs a cocktail! Slip into one of your new fashion finds and gather your girlfriends for a drink and nosh at Noon Midtown. Hang out at the bar with handsome mixologist Reggie Weekes from 5pm-10pm on Friday or Saturday and watch him whip up luscious concoctions such as a Painless Brazilian or a cocktail named after our very own Broke Socialite. They also have fantastic snacks like goat cheese stuffed piquillo peppers and to-die-for truffle fries with gorgonzola mousse.

Decatur Book Festival
Decatur Square at Church St and E. Ponce De Leon Ave
@DBookFestival

Looking for something to stimulate your intellect? While away the morning browsing through hundreds of book stands, local artisans, merchants, and food vendors. The festival also features author and publisher talks all weekend. Whatever you do, don’t miss Atlanta local Hollis Gillespie‘s appearances on Friday and Saturday. Parking is limited and most are metered til 6pm. Take MARTA east to the Decatur stop to put yourself right in the middle of all the action.

Piedmont Park
Piedmont Ave NE at 14th St
@piedmontpark

No pool has made a bigger splash over the last few summers than the new aquatic center at Piedmont Park. Uber-cheap rates ($2 for kids, $4 for adults) make this urban swimming hole the choice for a Labor Day dip. Since the pool’s last open day is Labor Day, take advantage of all the parks amenities by grilling out with the family and reliving those childhood memories on one of the two playgrounds. Remember to pick up some Hot Squeeze sauce from Whole Foods before heading out to the grill and bring the family dog along to the nearby dog park.

Beer and Whiskey Fest @ Park Tavern
10th St and Monroe Ave
(404) 249-0001
@ParkTavern

A charity event for the Nature Conservancy Gulf Coast Relief Fund, Park Tavern is hosting their 6th annual Beer and Whiskey Fest on Sunday Sept, 5th. For a measly$10 ($15 at the gate) you get to sample some unique whiskey and beer and eat barbecue from Wild West BBQ ; all while listening to music from tribute bands such as Hysteria (Def Leppard) and Mr. Brownstone (Guns N’ Roses).

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Snag the Perfect Travel Snacks

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Summer is finally here which means many people are planning their summer getaway. So after packing the bathing suit and sunscreen, what’s next to go into your bag? That’s right, must have travel foods! Read on for some insight from our wellness guru Jamie Dougherty.

Of course, fantastic food awaits you upon arrival. However, it is not always fun to trust the culinary “delights” along the way. Airplane and airport food? No, thanks! To make sure you don’t get hungry before reaching your final destination, it is important to pack a reusable grocery bag full of edibles that will keep well for at least 24 hours without refrigeration.

Here are the best travel friendly foods that will withstand up to 30 hours of travel. They are all delicious, nutritious, and easy to pack.

1. Dried fruit and nuts- Favorites are peaches, apricots, cherries, dates, prunes, walnuts, almonds, and pecans. Just make sure they are organic and sulfur-free.

2. Fresh fruit with hard cheese- Apples and oranges work best.

3. Roasted garbanzo beans- Rinse and drain 2 cans of garbanzos. Mix with olive oil and salt and roast at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. They are yummy and a great protein source.

4. Tamari sunflower and pumpkin seeds- A perfect snack when you want something fatty and salty. Click here for a yummy, crunchy recipe.

5. Honey tea cookies- Make a whole batch of these and grab one every time you need something sweet. Click here to find out how to make yummy cookies.

6. Cut veggies- Celery, radishes, carrots, and sugar snap peas work well. They also help keep you hydrated on the dry plane.

7. Your favorite chocolate bar- What can I say? Never travel without chocolate. My favorite is the Alter-Eco BlackOut bar. YUM!

8. Crackers- These will keep you way from the baggies of pretzels. The best brands are Ryvita, Dr. Kracker, and Mary’s Gone Crackers.
So this summer, whether you are traveling long distances or just doing a few day trips, be sure to pack these snacks for the journey. I promise they will keep you energized, full, and away from all the junk along the way.

To receive your fill of healthy living tips become a JAMIE|LIVING Facebook Fan or follow her on Twitter! You can also find delicious recipes at http://www.jamieliving.blogspot.com/.

Jamie G. Dougherty is the owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Counseling. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor with a private and corporate practice that offers assistance nationwide. She is passionate about deliciously healthy food and specializes in helping her clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition and self-care.

*written by Jamie Dougherty for the CRAVE company

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Planning a Fun in the Sun Picnic

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Food always seems to taste better when enjoyed outdoors and in the company of great friends and family. So, pack your picnic basket, grab a blanket, bring some companions, and take advantage of the sunny warm weather the spring and summer months have to offer with an al fresco dining experience! Don’t sweat, planning a picnic doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some fun and fuss-free ideas for planning a picnic in the fresh air and sunshine!

1. Pick a Location:

  • At the Park: Whether you’re on a grassy spot in the sunlight or under the shade of a tree, a park is the perfect place to gather for a picnic! If you’re feeling guilty about leaving your beloved pooch at home, there are plenty of pet-friendly parks so you can bring Fido along!
  • On a Beach: Sun, surf, and sand is the ideal combination for a picnic on the beach! Just make sure you enjoy each element separately to avoid melted, soggy, or grainy grub.
  • At a Drive-In Movie: CRAVing a romantic night with your sweetie? Dinner and a movie underneath a blanket of twinkling nighttime stars is a perfect date night combination. Don’t forget to bring popcorn and candy!
  • In Your Backyard: Want to enjoy a meal outside but don’t feel like hauling a basket or cooler full of food around? No problem, a picnic in your backyard can be just as fun and probably less stressful if you happen to forget the napkins!
  • On a Roof-top Patio: For those of you dwelling in the concrete jungle, many apartment and condo buildings have a roof-top patio for their residents to enjoy. The only difference? Rather than being surrounded by trees, you have adjacent skyscrapers to provide shade.

2. Picnic Menu Items:

We encourage you to be creative, but to also keep things simple with your picnic menu! Remember, you have to schlep these baskets around with limited heating or cooling available, and food poisoning is never included in the recipe for fun. Pack your picnic baskets with these simple palate pleasers, bon appetit!

  • Savor: Definitely use your left-overs when you can! Roasted chicken can be used to make a yummy pasta or Caesar salad. You can also make some simple PB&J or turkey sandwiches the night before and refrigerate them until you’re ready to head out. Soft bagels with cream cheese are also a great and effortless menu option. Here are some other easy picnic recipes to consider.
  • Sip: Class up your picnic with a bottle of wine to sip while you savor your meal, which is ideal if you’re enjoying a laid-back picnic on your backyard porch. For public parks and beaches, we recommend some bubbly and refreshing sparkling apple cider instead. Lemonade is also the classic beverage of choice for a sunny spring/summer picnic.
  • Sweets: You can’t go wrong with brownies and cookies, which are crowd-pleasers for any age. A fresh fruit salad is delicious and nutritious, and also surprisingly portable! We generally don’t recommend packing anything that melts quickly, but if you’re having a backyard picnic you can get away with serving ice cream and popsicles!

3. Picnic Essentials NOT to Forget:

  • Sunscreen/sun block: Don’t ruin your outdoor picnic with a painful sunburn, keep yourself sun protected! As the people from the land down under would say, “Slip, Slop, Slap: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat.”
  • Insect repellant: A good idea if you’re going to be outdoors long enough for the mosquitoes to come out for their own picnic.
  • Big quilt/blanket: If you’re going to be dining on the grass, sit on a big quilt or blanket to protect yourself from ants in your pants, or even worse, in your food!
  • Eating utensils: Finger food is always fun, but if you plan on serving something that requires a fork, spoon, or knife, eating with your bare hands will get messy and complicated.
  • Plastic bag(s): Be considerate of others and the park in which you are enjoying your picnic and clean up any trash or food waste. Also, if your pooch joined you for your picnic, please pick up behind your pawed pal as well.
  • Anti-bacterial hand gel/wipes: Ahh, germs! Need we say more?
  • Entertainment: Don’t dine and dash, stay a while! Bring some playing cards, a Frisbee, or play bocce ball while your tummies digest.

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Hit the Slopes at Ski Camps for Girlfriends

Monday, February 8th, 2010

The Groundhog said it all – On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and doomed the rest of us to six more frigid weeks of winter. Rather than crawl under the covers and hibernate ’til spring, why not make the most of the chilliest time of year and go skiing (or snowboarding) with your girlfriends? Take a look at these women-only snow camps and book your long weekend now!

1. ROXY All Star Snow Camps – Whistler Blackcomb
These 2-day snow camps are all about girls, fun, and hitting the slopes! The women-only camps are taught by highly skilled female skiers and riders and give you the opportunity to make friends with other women in the group. ROXY caters to ladies at any level of skiing and snowboarding, from beginner to expert, and they even throw in some prizes to get you motivated to boost your skills! Check the website for rates and dates.

2. Women’s Edge – Aspen Snowmass
Women’s Edge is a 4-day female-centric experience for intermediate to advanced skiers. You’ll spend time getting to know the women in your group while being instructed by female pros and getting treated to a luncheon, lectures, and chances to ski at nearby mountains with skiers in your same skill level. It’s a fun program with chances to build relationships with like-minded women while having a great time! Check out the website here.

3. Women’s Ski Camps – Snowbird
In Snowbird, Utah, these 3-4 day ski camps offer small group sizes and ample one-on-one coaching with women instructors to make for a truly rewarding experience. Intermediate to expert skiers can be accommodated, and the intimate program comes with an optional Meal & Spa Add On with special perks! To see prices and itineraries, check out the Women’s Ski Camps’ website here.

These are a few examples of resorts that currently offer women-only skiing and snowboarding camps. Check out your favorite mountain’s special deals for girls in advance and start planning next year’s wintry adventures now!

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The Resort Wear You CRAVE

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

The weather outside may be frightful, but beach season is just around the corner.  Whether you’ll soon be cruising the coast of  the Mexican Riviera or are planning an urban staycation, we invite you to indulge in chic resort wear we’re CRAVE-ing.  These local boutiques will have you looking beach-ready and fabulous in no time!

Atlanta Beach For the hottest trends in swimwear, look no further than Atlanta Beach. This premiere designer swimwear boutique carries up to 50 lines of swimwear, including Eres, Vitamin A and the new line of shape swimwear from Spanx, designed by CRAVE’s own pioneering entrepreness, Sarah Blakely!  Atlanta Beach offers the largest selection of swim separates in the city, and with tops ranging from sizes 4 to DD, E and F cups and everything from demure one-pieces to barely-there bikinis, you’re sure to find the perfect suit for sippin’ drinks and relaxing at the pool!  In addition to the perfect swimsuit, this one-stop shop has a wide selection of cover-ups, flip flops and resort wear to complete your cruise-worthy look!

Elements of Three Elements of Three is the place to go for all of your cruise wear needs!  Owned by fashionista and glamour goddess Colleen Nolan Holt,  the hip boutique not only offers an eclectic array of summery dresses and accessories, but has such a sunny atmosphere, it’ll transport you straight the beach.  Best of all, the store gives 10% proceeds to its Save the ta-tas merchandise to the Susan G. Koman Foundation.  Fashion for a good cause?  How can you not indulge!?!?

The Fickle Manor There is no better way to start your vacation than shopping in a relaxed, breezy atmosphere.  And you can’t go wrong with The Fickle Manner‘s colorful summer dresses, unique jewerly, fun accessories and sassy flip flops, all selected with care by featured entrepreness J.J. Tomlinson, the essence of beach chic.  Stylish, fun, affordable–perfect for an urban fashionista on a budget!

Pashmere Flirty and fun, Pashmere is a stylish boutique that won’t break the bank. With adorable sandals and super cute dresses, skirts, and shorts, this boutique is perfect for budget-conscious fashionistas who are always looking for something different and fun. Best of all–it has two locations–one in Buckhead and one in Smyrna–for convenient shopping for your next getaway!

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