Georgia's First Restaurant Week

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Georgia’s first ever restaurant week starts next week from the 13-19. Over 90 Georgian restaurants from all over the state will be laying out the best of their best for you to taste and enjoy. Today we’re showcasing 12 of the participants you’ll see and taste over the coming week. For more information head to Access Atlanta.

The first ever Georgia Restaurant Week takes place July 13-19, 2015. This inaugural seven-day event provides an opportunity to learn more about Georgia's culinary scene and sample the state's unique and varied dining options. During the week, over 90 restaurants throughout Georgia will offer dinner selections for a set price. Please check with each restaurant about their specific specials. Below are 12 exciting participants, recommended for their unique flavors and/or for their appealing atmosphere.

Unique Flavors

Bangkok Station (Buckhead) Exotic Thai cuisine looks as heavenly as it tastes at Bangkok Station. Stately dishes imported from Thailand serve up traditional cuisine crafted from original recipes. Dine inside with a classic "train station" feel, or opt for the patio's handsome seating and stone accents.

Der Biergarten (Downtown) Claims that they are the only restaurant in Atlanta to serve two German beers on tap is reason number one to visit. Reason two? Authentic German cuisine prepared in the traditional manner. Feast on dishes such as weiner schnitzel, jäger schnitzel, schweinshaxe and sauerbraten. Leave room for German chocolate cake.

Nikolai's Roof (Downtown) Taste strong Russian influences at this AAA Four Diamond award winner that has flown atop Hilton Atlanta for nearly 40 years.

Colletta (Alpharetta) Chef Michael Perez's interpretation of the cuisine of Northern Italy promises delight with every bite. Whether you are enjoying a la carte selections or dining family style, unique creations such as Triangolini pasta with duck and foie gras, kale, cherries and 20-year-old basalmic de Modena, each bite will leave you craving more. If you miss Colletta during Ga Restaurant Week, be sure to stop in during their new lunch hours.

Bhojanic (Buckhead and Decatur) Indulge in the unique flavors of Northern India at Bhojanic. Tapas and entrees are prepared with authentic Indian spices, yogurt and fresh vegetables and meats.

Serpas True Food (O4W) Chef Scott Serpas, true to his south Louisiana roots, serves humble dishes with rich taste. Try tomato PBR mussels, jumbo sea scallops or venison flank.

Unique Atmospheres

Article 14 (Midtown) This contemporary bistro puts the emphasis on bourbon and whiskey. Concoct your own Manhattan by selecting from 14 spirits, seven vermouths and 12 bitters. Comfy couches, small tables, round booths and a long bar create a posh, sleek and sexy atmosphere.

Braves All Star Grill (Downtown) Feast at Atlanta's quintessential sports bar. Braves memorabilia and oversized video screens fill 8,000 square feet. While noshing on treats like Ahi tuna tacos or beer can chicken, you can test your arm in a real pitching cage.

Game-X (Downtown) You'll find fast and casual selections at this arcade made especially for adults. Take a turn at over 60 games, both new and old-school. How are your Pong skills? Maybe you're better at a Connect 4 that's 10 feet tall? Once you've played to your heart's content, sit with a burger stack, club or California wrap.

Joe's on Juniper (Midtown) Joe's patio is perfect for a drink from the bar, and the tunes and trivia add to the fun. Everyone is welcome at Joe's, but they pride themselves on being LBGT-friendly. Grab a salad or burger, or select a sausage d'jour.

Kevin Rathbun Steak (O4W) Sure, it's a steakhouse. But it's also so much more: scallops, lobster, Asian-style meatballs and gumbo are just the beginning. Second to the food, but hardly second fiddle, the Beltline patio is an idyllic location to savor the evening.

Mystic Grill (Covington) Inspired by the filming of Vampire Diaries, you won't find the undead but you will find delightful southern fare and great views. Dine atop the city at the rooftop patio or nosh inside surrounded by brick and woodwork with a curious back story.

4th of July Popcorn Snack

Independence Day is a big holiday for food. From burgers, hot dogs, to an assortment of others, there’s always a smorgasbord of options to choose from. But if you want to be healthier and still enjoy the snacks, you can try this healthier meal choice of holiday themed popcorn from Eating Richly. Delicious and still healthy for you!


Sweet Holiday Popcorn Recipe

Prep time: 10 minutesCook time: 5 minutesTotal time: 15 minutesYield: 8 cups

Calories per serving: 138Fat per serving: 7.48g

Ingredients:

8 cups
fresh popped popcorn
2 cubes
vanilla almond bark
3 TBS
nonpareil sprinkles

Cooking Directions:

1. Place popcorn in a large bowl.
2. Melt almond bark according to package directions. Stir melted almond bark into popcorn, coating evenly, then quickly spread popcorn on wax paper lined baking sheets.
3. Evenly distribute sprinkles over popcorn.
4. Let dry completely before serving.

Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 97.2mg, Total Carbohydrate 17.43g, Dietary Fiber 1.1g, Sugars 11.13g, Protein 1g, WW Points Plus 4, WW old points 3

Approximate cost/serving: This cost me just $1.50 to make the whole batch. At 1 cup per serving that’s just 19 cents a serving. Cheap snack!


Vegetarian/Gluten free: Almond bark does contain milk whey, but you can get vegan white chocolate.  Although the ingredients in the almond bark appear to be gluten free, I can’t guarantee against cross contamination as the packaging doesn’t state gluten free. I have heard that Plymouth Pantry brand is gluten free, but I recommend contacting the company to be sure. I know you can get gluten free popcorn and sprinkles.

7 Tips for Sun Safety This Summer

The first day of summer was Sunday and with this weather heating up, we’re in for a sunny summer! Keeping your skin protected from the sun’s rays is smarter than lying out and soaking them up all day. You can enjoy the sunshine while still staying safe. These tips and facts from Real Self will help keep you safe from the dangerous UV rays.


Summer's almost here, and you know what that means: outdoor festivals, backyard barbecues, and days at the beach! Unfortunately, there's nothing like a sunburn to put a damper on the fun, not to mention leave behind some pretty unsightly tan lines.


However, there's more to using sunscreen than preventing crazy patterns and itchy skin. Any time a RealSelf user asks our doctor community how to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging, their #1 tip is to wear sunscreen daily. Not only is UV radiation the most common cause of facial aging, but 90% of skin cancer is caused by exposure to the sun. (An even scarier statistic is the fact that one in five Americans are expected to develop the disease in their lifetime.)


You may think your avoiding UV damage isn't always as simple as "my moisturizer has SPF 15." To help you avoid the risks of too much exposure, we turned to dermatologistDr. Susan Van Dyke and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) to bring you these seven facts about proper sun protection:

1. Anything greater than SPF 50 provides the same protection

"A 50 SPF blocks 98.00% of UVB light (the burning rays) while a 100 SPF will block 99.00%,” says Dr. Van Dyke. “This level of benefit [to either] is of course contingent on applying enough and reapplying frequently."

2. Makeup and moisturizers with sunscreen aren’t always enough

Unless your makeup/moisturizer provides broad spectrum sunscreen and is reapplied throughout the day, it isn’t enough protection for all day sun exposure. According to ASDS, it’s fine if “you are only walking to your car from work or going into the store. But if you are going to spend a few hours outdoors, then you need to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen."

3. You need to reapply every 2 hours

"The active ingredients in sunscreen break down when exposed to UV light," says Dr. Van Dyke. "To maintain the SPF on the label, you need to keep reapplying as the ingredients lose effectiveness: every 2 hours, more often if you sweat or swim."

4. You should use one ounce to cover your whole body

According to ASDS, “Research shows that many people put on about half of the amount of sunscreen they need, so be sure to lather it on." And don’t forget the sensitive skin on your lips: Use lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher.

5. It’s not a free pass to suntan all day

"Sunscreen is not 100% even in the best of cases," warns Dr. Van Dyke. "Realistically speaking, few of us follow guidelines perfectly. If you really want to save your skin, the best approach is to use sunscreen, cover up (hats, sunglasses, SPF clothing), and seek shade."

6. Tanning oil with SPF 10 doesn’t count

“Less than an SPF of 15 doesn't protect you from the cancer-causing side effects of sun exposure,” says Dr. Van Dyke.

7. Don’t wait til you’re in the sun to apply

“Sunscreen should be applied one-half hour before going outside, giving the skin time to absorb it,” says ASDS.

The next time you're picking out sunscreen, here's what you should look for:

• Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide
• Minimum SPF 15, ideally 30-50
• Broad spectrum UVA/UVB (UVB causes burns, but UVA is also damaging to the structure and health of skin)
• Water resistance if you'll be swimming or sweating

4 Alternative Uses for Tool Totes

Keeping things organized is important when you live in an apartment is imperative! Small spaces call for getting creative with your storage. Sometimes giant plastic crates aren’t going to get the job done. That’s where tool totes come in. These multipurpose tool carriers don’t have to be used just for tools. They can be utilized by everyone: kids, crafters, car enthusiasts. Check out how the folks at Apartment Therapy use theirs. Do you have anything that you use for things other than its intended purpose? Let us know on the Facebook page.

My dad recently gave me this tool tote and, organizing fanatic that I am, I immediately started looking beyond its intended use and wondering what unexpected uses I could come up with. This little thing is handier than you might think, so read on for four uses, as well as some suggestions for similar totes, in case the red and black look isn't your thing...

Kids' Tote: Keep the things that keep your child entertained handy. Because of it's portability, a tool tote is easy to take with you or to keep in the car, and the pockets are great for all the odds-and-ends that kids adore.

Some sample items to keep in the tote:

• books
• stickers
• pencils and markers
• coloring books
• earphones
• iPad or other electronic device
• small toys
• card games
• snacks
• construction paper
• stuffed animals

Craft Tote: Stash everything related to your latest project in this tote so that it's easily to handle. When I lived in a studio apartment, I used a similar tote as my mobile "craft room." It kept me from acquiring too many crafty things, but it also kept all my items organized and accessible for whenever inspiration struck. Plus, everything is easily packed up again, so your coffee table isn't perpetually strewn with yarn and paper.

Some sample items to keep in the tote:

• filing folders filled with decorative papers
• yarn
• knitting needles
• embroidery hoops
• sewing needles
• scissors
• glue gun
• glues
• craft paint
• threads
• hole punches
• stamps
• ribbon
• markers
• sketch pad

Car kit: In case of emergencies, having a designated tote means that necessary items are close at hand. Consider adding daily essentials like parking passes and a phone charger in addition to emergency items like jumper cables and a tire iron. The whole kit is easily moved from the backseat to the trunk and vice versa.

Some sample items to keep in the tote:

• jumper cables
• flashlight
• maps
• cleaning wipes
• Tide stain pen (in case of an in-car eating mishap)
• a bottle of water
• granola bars, dried fruit, or nuts
• parking passes
• a pen and notebook
• an umbrella
• flat tire emergency spray
• an ice scraper
• bungee cords
• a tire iron
• first-aid kit
• extra chargers for electronics

A Bill-Paying/ Office Caddy: Tool totes are handy for corralling the things that you need every month when you spread out to tackle the bills. Even if you pay your bills online, having important papers and mailing supplies at the ready can be handy. Plus, in a really small space, this could serve as "mobile office", filled with all the supplies you need and easily stowed in a closet or a cabinet.

Some sample items to keep in the tote:

• File folders for receipts and bills (keep separate ones for bills that need to be paid, bills that have been paid, or bills that need to be filed elsewhere)
• calculator
• pens
• envelopes
• stamps
• checkbook
• letter opener
• scissors
• computer screen wipes
• a notebook and pen

I used a small sewing caddy from the dollar store to corral things like push pens, rubber bands, Post-it flags, staples, and the like

Oh, and of course you could use it for tools. Any other alternate ideas?

Travel Hacks

The sun is shining, the weather is heating up and that means it’s time for vacation! No matter where you’re going or how you’re getting there, traveling can be stressful. Buzzfeed has compiled a list of traveling hacks to make your traveling go much more smoothly. Where are you headed this summer? Let us know on our Facebook page!


1. When you pack a suitcase, wrap your shoes in a shower cap. This will prevent the soles from touching your clean clothes.

2. Call your credit or debit card company before traveling internationally so that you’re authorized for vacation purchases. The last thing you want is to be reported for suspicious activity and not have access to your money.

3. Store your loose cables/chargers in an old sunglasses case to keep everything in one place.

4. Bring an empty water bottle to the airport and refill it after you pass security. That way you can drink H2O without having to spend $4.

5. Enable private browsing when searching or booking flights online. Travel sites often track visits and will increase your price based on search history. You can also clear your cache.

6. When packing your suitcase, roll your clothes to save space and avoid wrinkles. This is how many flight attendants pack.

7. Put your bobby pins in a Tic Tac container to keep from losing them. You can also do this with toothpicks if need be.

8. If you forget the wall plug-in for your phone charger, check the back of your hotel TV. There’s usually a USB port.

9. And if you forgot your charger, ask your hotel if they have one you can borrow for the duration of your stay. People forget them all the time so they’re bound to have some lying around in lost and found.

10. Stick a dryer sheet in your suitcase with your clothes to keep them smelling fresh.

11. Use a pill container to store and sort your jewelry. Especially good for earrings. You should probably stick some extra backs in there for good measure.

12. Buy a portable phone charger (or charging case) for when you’re not near a wall plug. Great for planes, cars, theme parks, etc.

13. Turn a cereal container into a trash can for your car when on road trips. You can also obviously buy a small trash can, but if you already have this handy and don’t feel like running to the store and spending money, it’s helpful.

14. Buy a shower caddy from the dollar store and use it for easy eating. Especially good when there are not enough cup holders and you don’t want to make a mess.

15. When you’re driving in a new city and need to remember where you parked, drop a pin on Google Maps or take a picture of the parking space with your phone.

Just hold down on the location and a pin will appear.

16. To use Google Maps offline, type “ok maps” and the current area on your phone will save for later.

17. Roll up your belt and stick it inside your collard shirts to keep them clean and stiff.

18. If you’re heading to a theme park or the beach, put your phone in a plastic bag to prevent it from getting wet.

19. To protect wine bottles in suitcases, wrap them in Wine Skin or pool floaties.

20. Turn a pot holder into a case for your flat iron so you can pack it even while it’s still warm.

21. Use a binder clip to protect razors when traveling.

22. Scan your passport, ID, and itinerary and email it to yourself so you have a digital copy in the event of loss or theft.

23. To prevent bottles from leaking in your luggage, place plastic wrap over the container and then seal it with the cap.

24. If you want to bring a small amount of concealer or lotions, put them in contact cases. Better than bringing a whole bottle you don’t need.

25. If the back of your plane seat doesn’t have TVs, put your phone in a plastic bag and hook it to the back of the tray table (or use a barf bag). I don’t know how well this actually works, but you might as well give it a shot. Directions for the barf bag here.

26. You can google your airline name and flight number to check the status of your flight. For example: Google “Delta 2262” and this will pop up.

27. To keep your headphones and chargers tangle free, wrap them around old gift cards.

28. If you want to drink on your flight, you’re allowed to carry on miniature bottles.

Decatur Rated One of Best Small Towns of 2015

In Decatur we have it pretty good. On top of being one of the safest places to live in Georgia, Decatur has now been voted #36 on a list of the Top 100 Best Small Towns of 2015. To read more about how Decatur was ranked and where other towns ranked head to Decaturish.

What’s your favorite part about living here? Let us know on the Facebook page.


Decatur is on a list of the Top 100 Best Small Towns of 2015.

Livability, a site that looks at the best places to live in the U.S., ranked Decatur number 36. No other Georgia towns made the list.

The list was compiled looking at health care, housing, the economy, education, social and civic capital, amenities, demographics, and infrastructure. Livability said, “We examined more than 40 data points each for more than 12,000 towns with populations between 1,000 and 20,000.”

The site has previously done a Top 10 Small Towns list, but this is the inaugural Top 100 Best Small Towns list.

You may remember Decatur was named one of the 10 Best Atlanta Suburbs. And it’s one of the Safest Places to Live in Georgia.

Surprisingly, Decatur ranked third on an AshleyMadison.com Top 10 list of “Atlanta Neighborhoods With the Most Affairs.”

Summer Class Do's and Don'ts

Summer courses are a great way to try and get ahead in your college career. Get that pesky public speaking requirement out of the way. Good for you! Before you start, make sure you take a look at these do’s and don’t’s of taking summer classes from Straighter Line.


This summer, invest in yourself by taking online college classes to earn college credit. By taking your summer college courses online, you can learn anywhere, anytime – and at your own pace.

Here are the essential do’s and don’ts of taking summer college courses:

DO -
Consider the flexibility and convenience that online summer courses offer a busy college student. Even if your summer plans include a job, you can still keep a full work schedule when you take classes online.

Online college courses give you the freedom to study any time of the day or night. By taking online courses this summer, you can start whenever you want and complete your required college courses at your own pace – allowing you to fit your summer academic goals within the confines of your work, family or social calendar.

"With the online revolution in education, there’s no reason to pay name brand prices for generic courses when store brands will suffice."


DON'T -
Assume that you are too busy to make academic progress during the summer. You’ll find that online college courses allow you to hunker down and move through material when you have time, and back off when you don’t.

Tip: Keep this process going, and over the course of a few weeks or months, you may be surprised by how many college courses you have successfully completed and how many college credits you have managed to earn at ultra affordable prices.

DO -
Complete required general education courses or prerequisites for your major by taking online classes this summer. With the online revolution in education, there’s no reason to pay name brand prices for generic courses when store brands will suffice.

DON'T -
Take online college classes without verifying first if the school to which you’d like to transfer will accept those college courses for full academic credit. While many colleges and universities do accept ACE Credit recommended courses for transfer, not all of them do.

Tip: It’s your job to verify that your school will accept ACE Credit recommended courses for transfer – and get it in writing to avoid any hassles later on. High quality online college course providers will have Student Advisors who can help guide you through this process.

"You can conveniently take college courses for credit online that are equal to or above the required standards at on-campus colleges and universities."

DO -
Take advantage of the low cost structure of online college course providers. These days, you can start taking college courses online for as little as $99 per month through StraighterLine and earn fully transferrable college credit.

Remember to check if your college accepts ACE transfer credits. Since over 2,000 colleges and universities do, there’s a good chance yours does as well. (And of course, if you’re taking courses at StraighterLine, those courses are guaranteed to transfer to partner colleges.)

Tip: The more ultra affordable courses you take online through low cost college course providers, the more you save on your degree.

DON'T -
Confuse the quality of learning outcomes with price.

You can take college courses for credit online that are equal to or above the required standards at on-campus colleges and universities – and save thousands towards your degree - even more when you factor in the average annual cost of tuition, room, and board is $14,300 at a public institution and $37,800 at private ones, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Tip: Many accredited colleges and universities, in fact, have transfer agreements with online college course providers, community colleges, and international schools that are based exclusively on learning outcomes. These degree programs are part of the competency-based education movement.

DO -
Take online college courses you were prevented from taking at your current college due to over-subscription issues or because life got in the way. Due to budget cuts, many colleges and universities are being forced to “ration” some of their most popular and/or required courses.

DON'T -
Delay your graduation just because you don’t have access to a required course or had to withdraw. Consider this: online summer college classes don’t fill up and don’t have quotas.

Tip: With online college courses, you can quickly and affordably take the courses you need this summer, transfer the credits back to your college or university, get back on track to earn your diploma on time – and avoid a mountain of student debt.

Do you have experience with earning college credit over the summer? What are your favorite tips for taking online courses?