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Snag the Perfect Travel Snacks
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
Planning a Fun in the Sun Picnic
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.
Hit the Slopes at Ski Camps for Girlfriends
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!
Athletes Head North – Best of Chicago Olympians
The start of February brings us both slightly less brutal weather, and pure enjoyment in the highly anticipated 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. At CRAVE, we believe in not only supporting local businesses and organizations, but also showcasing extraordinary women and their personal accomplishments. Here’s a peek at a few local Chicago ladies to keep an eye on during the Winter Games.
Lisa Chesson: Hockey Currently a junior at Ohio State, Lisa Chesson will be competing in her first Olympics as a member of the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team. Raised in Plainfield, IL, Lisa started as a figure skater, but around the age of five she convinced her parents to let her switch to hockey. Luckily, the obliged and the rest is history. During the 2009 World Championships, she scored a crucial goal, which helped the U.S. take home the gold over Canada. Keep an eye out for her and the rest of the U.S. Olympic Team as they go for the gold in Vancouver!
Lana Gehring: Short Track Speed Skating A 2009 graduate from Glenbrook South, Lana is one of speed skating’ brightest stars. In 2005, she became the first female member of the Junior World Team to qualify for both short and long track in the same season. From Beijing to Berlin, this youngster has had the opportunity to travel across the globe thanks to her athleticism and drive… and has no plans on stopping. Hopefully Vancouver is ready, because Lana sure is.
Katherine Reutter: Short Track Speed Skating Three-time National Champion Katherine Reutter will be making her Olympic debut in Vancouver. The Champaign, Illinois native {also home to Olympic legend Bonnie Blair} began to seriously train after Blair came and addressed a group of students at her high school. Reutter decided to move to Michigan to begin intense training and later that year she won the 2004-2005 Junior National Championships. At only 22 years old, we can expect many more years of athletic excellence from Katherine.
Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr.: Long Track Speed Skating Wheaton native, Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr., is the 16th-ranked 3000m skater in the world. Coached by her mother, a four-time Olympian, Swider-Peltz Jr. will be competing in her first appearance in the Olympics at this year’s Winter Games. An all-around athlete, Swider-Peltz Jr. said if Chicago won the 2016 Summer Games, she would try putting her background in running, swimming and cycling to use in a triathlon. Nancy’s website chronicles her experiences and adventures prepping and training for the 2010 Games.
We wish each of these women great luck and will surely be watching their events later this month!
Beauty on Call and Glossed & Found: Interview with Stacey
Stacey Roney is the girl to know. After spending five minutes with her you’ll realize if you want to feel hip, look amazing and be a part of everything that is going on in and around the city, you need to add Stacey to your rolodex. Stacey broke away from the typical corporate day when she began Beauty on Call, a freelance company offering on-location beauty & spa services. Beauty on Call is every girl’s dream source to magnificent make-up, spa parties and seminars.
Once you’re beautified, it’s time to make use of lookin’ good! Stacey developed Glossed & Found as a beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog {and vlog} that can’t be missed! Glossed & Found offers insight into spectacular events, exclusive celebrity interviews and spotlights on emerging Chicago designers. The Glossed & Found weekly e-newsletter is one of our favorites!
Let’s learn more about Stacey, founder of these two amazing companies…
People may be surprised to know…
Although I am considered a beauty expert in the industry, I am the worst makeup artist! Â I am great at finding and managing top artists and have extensive product knowledge, but you don’t want me doing your makeup!
What or who inspired you to start your business?
I was previously a cosmetic buyer for Nordstrom and saw a void in the industry, so I started the first staffing agency in the country focused on beauty.
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Trying to do everything myself! Â I’ve since hired amazing people who help handle the day to day responsiblities so that I can focus on the bigger picture.
What is your indulgence?
Taking a nap. Â With 3 kids under 3, it doesn’t happen very often. Â Come to think of it, it never happens!
We are excited to announce Beauty on Call and Glossed & Found are partnering with CRAVE on our Beauty & Wellness event in April 2010!
Chicago’s Best Places to Experience the Holidays
During the holidays, money is always a little bit tight, but just because you’re a bit short on cash doesn’t mean you can’t partake in all the holiday fun that Chicago has to offer. Here are some of the CRAVE ladies’ favorite ways to get in the holiday spirit, without breaking the bank.
Christkindlemarket Festival From delicious German food to handmade Christmas ornaments, Chicago’s Christkindlmarket Festival brings the charm of Germany to this midwestern metropolis. The market is directly in front of the Daley Plaza, making it the perfect pit stop during your holiday festivities. Enjoy the live music while you mingle with vendors and find some special gifts for the people you love.
Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Make sure to swing by the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights before it disappears on January 3rd. The air is filled with Christmas tunes, the smell of popcorn and the zoo is completely illuminated with brightly colored lights. Watch ice sculptors create masterpieces, take a photo with Santa Claus or just check out the animals. Everything is both fun and free.
Millennium Park Round-up a group of gal pals or your significant other and head on down to the Loop. Throw on a pair of skates and take a few laps around Millennium Park’s outdoor ice rink. It’s the perfect spot to soak in the city’s skyscrapers and Michigan Avenue’s splendor. The best part is it’s free if you have your own skates! Make sure to bring your camera so you can capture the moment.
Navy Pier’s Winter WonderFest Sometimes it’s fun to be a tourist, especially during the holiday season. With over 750,000 lights, 25,000 ornaments and over 1oo fully decorated trees, Navy Pier’s Winter WonderFest is the ideal spot to savor the last few days of December. Take a stroll down the pier or indulge in the restaurants and shopping.
Last chance to get tickets to tomorrow’s Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty
Registration closes 12/9 at 10AM! |
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| CRAVE Chicago Winter Wonderland Party
WHAT: Join your girlfriends for a captivating evening of opulence and magical events! WHEN: Wednesday, December 9th, 7-10pm WHERE: The Historic Stan Mansion at 2408 N Kedzie in Chicago – Click here for directions. {Must be 21 and over to attend. Ticket non-transferable.} With one ticket, you are treated to:
All registered guests of the Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty are invited to join us at the after-party hosted by Jbar where you will be treated to a complimentary CRAVE cocktail and a special performance by KeysNKrates! Baby, it’s cold outside! Join the Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty on December 9th to find your perfect holiday ensemble from one of Chicago’s most fabulous boutiques, all of which will be under one roof! FASHION & SIPS SPA & SOOTHE GIFTS GALORE AND MORE…
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SPONSORS
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| Let’s see how many tweets we can create; please use the hashtag #craveparty when tweeting about this event. Thank you! | |
You Just Shop: Interview with Nancy
For women that love to shop – yes, you! This is the perfect adventure! You Just Shop is Chicago’s premier limo-driven, custom shopping excursion company, designed to deliver you and your friends to the doorsteps of the City’s best boutiques. Started by Nancy Harris, a customer service extraordinaire, You Just Shop is the ideal way to enjoy a fabulous day of shopping with girlfriends whether it be to complete your holiday gift list in a stress-free environment, a bachelorette party excursion, a visit to the Windy City with friends or to celebrate your grandmother’s birthday; You Just Shop offers a specialized shopping excursion {complete with limo service and bubby!} to fit your needs. If that isn’t enough, just having Nancy at your side will inspire you and allow for unique finds to be made throughout Chicago!
Nancy understands that each woman has a desire to be unique and that we all dream about the ‘ideal & perfect’ purchase. She can help you find it! Nancy knows everyone who is anyone in this great City of shopping opportunities and can tailor your shopping excursion to match your every dream ‘find’! Let’s learn more about Nancy…
People may be surprised to know…
that once you venture off Michigan Ave, Chicago has some of the best neighborhood shopping.
What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?
My love of shopping and fashion were the inspiration behind my business. Â I wanted to integrate fashion, fun and friends.
How do you spend your free time?
Listening to music, doing yoga, shopping, travel, spending time with family and friends.
What is your indulgence?
Indulging in a massage, pedicure and lounging with a good book at the Peninsula Spa.
Follow Nancy on Twitter and Fan You Just Shop on Facebook
CRAVE Chicago Winter Wonderland Shopping Party
Indulge Your “Holiday Cravings” This Season With
CRAVE ChicagoĘĽs Winter Wonderland Shopping Party
CRAVE Chicago Announces the “Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty”: A Shopping Event Supporting Local Female-owned Businesses and Offering Irresistible Goods and Exciting Entertainment.
CRAVE Chicago announces the “Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty” – a holiday shopping party made up of local female-owned boutiques, designers, and businesses in Chicago, taking place on December 9th (7-10pm) at the fabulous, historic Stan Mansion (2408 North Kedzie). A CRAVEparty is an exclusive, festive, glam-gal gathering for fun, entertainment, personal pampering, sippinĘĽ and noshinĘĽ on great food.
Hosted by Nancy Loo and Felicia Joy, amplified by fresh tunes via Toast & Jam DJs and enhanced with amazing raffles throughout the night, the Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty will offer Chicagolandʼs ladies and gents (those who dare) the perfect opportunity to enjoy themselves before the hectic holiday season and complete their holiday shopping list in one evening & location. “Winter Wonderland” will offer stylish vendor booths brimming with Chicagoʼs very own in the latest and greatest clothing, jewelry, handbags, girly gifts, delicious treats, fun items for you pets, home decor and so much more – not to mention a fashion show, mini-manicures by Aniko Salon & Spa and enchanting dance performances!
“2009 has been an incredible and exhilarating year for CRAVE Chicago: marking the debut of the CRAVE Chicago guide and my influence on the company. Iʼm thrilled to be working with some of the top local female- owned businesses of Chicago, while creating an unforgettable experience for consumers. The Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty is certainly the big-bang event of the season and marks the end of a marvelous year for CRAVE Chicago. That said, stay tuned to learn about our exciting line-up of events for 2010,” says Michele Kravetz, CRAVE Chicago Coordinator.
Tickets are available for $35 at thecravecompany.com/chicago and will not be sold at the door. First 300 tickets purchased will receive two X-Rated Fusion Liqueur cocktail tickets and a complimentary goody bag brimming with fabulousness! All ticket holders are invited to join us for an after-party at JBar, where we will be treated to a complimentary cocktail and music by KeysnKrates!
Stay tuned to our website for more information and a complete list of participants.
@WorkDesign: Interview with Julia
Style with purpose. This does sum-up the amazing selection of items found inside @WorkDesign, located in Forest Park. @WorkDesign offers workspace furnishings, products and supplies for the home. A one-stop resource for people who want to seamlessly integrate their work and life, and who believe that great design is a lifestyle essential. Julia Archer, owner of @WorkDesign, provides all of the necessary tools to beautifully assist in creating environments that positively impact people’s lives. Her eye for effortless style and impeccable design are what make this store something special, and her positive nature is what keep her clients coming back for more; though we must mention most of the items carried in the store are exclusive to @WorkDesign… another testament to how Julia creates an opportunity for your space to be special. Let’s learn a bit more about Julia and where she derives her inspiration…
People may be surprised to know…
That we offer not just new lines of furnishings but provide lifestyle products such a coats made of Tyvek, felt slippers. We also bring in vintage product solutions to bring an eclectic style to our offering.
Who is your role model or mentor?
Store owners such as Larry at Scout and Robin Richman because of their uncompromised taste and point of view.
How do you spend your free time?
Flea Markets and spending time with my husband.
What is your indulgence?
Cappuccinos and the New York Times
…for all of you city-dwellers reading this post, get out and find new hidden gems like @WorkDesign! Not all great things are found within the city-limits; sometimes you need to take yourself on a little adventure… even just 15 minutes west.
Follow Julia on Twitter
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