Add Cauliflower to Your Thanksgiving Menu

While cauliflower may not be thought of as a traditional Thanksgiving vegetable, the fact is that it is a versatile vegetable and is plentiful in the fall.

Try adding one of these delicious cauliflower recipes to your Thanksgiving menu!

Roasted Cauliflower

8 cups of cauliflower florets

5 garlic cloves (chopped)

1/4 cup of olive oil

fresh chopped thyme leaves, 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and crushed red pepper to taste.

Instructions

Toss the all the ingredients together and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in a preheated 450 degree oven and cook for approximately 20 minutes.

Mashed Cauliflower

1 head of cauliflower, broken in to florets

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 clove of garlic (smashed)

1/4 stick of butter

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Instructions

Steam the cauliflower until tender (about ten minutes) In the mean time, heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat, add garlic until softened. Remove from heat. Mash the cauliflower or put cooled cauliflower in a food processor and blend on high.

 

Jazz Up Your Friday Night!

Friday has finally arrived! We’d hope that you have plans already but if you don’t, we have you covered! Orlando is one of the nation’s hubs for culture and entertainment so you know regardless your tastes you will find something worthwhile on this glorious start to the weekend.

Tonight, starting at 6:30pm, Get Your Jazz On, a live jazz concert will begin! This 21 and over event features unlimited select Wine, Beer, Spirits and Seasonal Blended Cocktails. The chef will be serving delicious roast chicken, pork and a vegetarian selection. For those who enjoy quality cigars, there will be a smoking lounge that will feature Phenom cigars. The best part? You’ll be partying for a good cause! All proceeds will go towards the Alfond Scholars Program, which awards scholarships to worthy college students. If you don’t already have a ticket never fear! They will still be selling at the door.

For more information about the event, click here.

Selecting the Right Exercise Routine

Ever wonder why those exercise memberships go unused or those plans to run more or take a yoga class never pan out?  It might not be your will power, but instead your exercise choice.

With a plethora of exercise options to choose from the first place to start is by taking an honest assessment of your lifestyle, your goals, and your athletic prowess.

The Newbie

We all need to start somewhere, but your choice of exercise will play an important part in your exercise success.  Start with walking and work your way up to a jog or join a beginner’s class at the local YMCA.

The Socialite

You love to do things in groups, so why not find a group that can combine both exercise and social interaction.  Join a softball team or a cycling group. a walking club or a class near by.

The Dancer

If you like to shake it or rock out, then choose an exercise routine that lets you shake things up a bit.  Maybe it is pole dancing, ballet, Zumba, or dancing in your Orlando apartment, however you do it incorporate dance in to your exercise routine.

The Gym-Hater

If the idea of going to the gym is enough to have you plopping back on your couch with a bag of tortilla chips and a beer, then a gym membership isn’t for you.  Instead choose biking instead of riding to the store or work.  Another option is to join a league and play softball, touch football or fun activity that doesn’t fell like exercise.  Adding 20 minutes of some aerobic or cardio-healthy activity can go a long way to maintaining your health.

 

Check Out These Fun Orlando Events

Still don’t have plans for the weekend?  Tired of watching news about the elections?  Why not check out these fun events near your Orlando apartment this weekend.

Fall Fiesta in the Park – November 5th and 6th

Get a jump on your holiday shopping at the 46th Fall Fiesta at Lake Eola.  The event features over 600 artisans and some great live entertainment and tasty food!

Website

Food & Wine Weekends  through November 13th

There are still a few weekends left to enjoy Waldorf Astoria’s Food & Wine Weekends.  Indulge in finely prepared foods paired with the perfect wine.  Enjoy an evening or stay for a weekend.

Event Details

 

 

 

 

Orlando’s Best Halloween Events

In a city of magic and make believe, it is no wonder that Orlando residents go crazy over Halloween!  Here is a guide to the best Halloween events in Orlando!

Orlando’s top attractions go all out for Halloween

  • Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
  • SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular
  • LEGOLAND Florida’s Brick or Treat
  • Orlando Zoo Boo Bash
  • Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights

Not to be outdone, many other spots have some great Halloween options.

A Petrified Forest

1360 E Altamonte Dr,
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

On weekends through October you can visit a Petrified Forest in Altamonte Springs for a scary haunted experience.  Enjoy live entertainment, food, vendors, and oh yes, monsters and zombies strolling around.

More information and tickets.

Church Street Halloween Block Party

Located right near your Orlando apartment you will find one of the best parties in all of Orlando, on Saturday, October 29th (starting at 8pm) with drink specials, costume contests, music by DJ John Campisano and DJ Jay Mac

Join us for Downtown Orlando’s BIGGEST Halloween Celebration on Church Street!  This one is going to be FUN!!!

Learn More

University of Central Florida – Nightmare 2016

4000 Central Florida Blvd
RWC Park
Orlando, FL 32816
If you haven’t had enough Halloween over the weekend, visit the University of Central Florida on Monday, October 31st for UCF’s annual outdoor costume carnival.  This year the RWC fields will be turned into a movie with outdoor stages, a light show, and music, food, and fun!

The 6th Annual Black and Orange Ball

Don’t miss out on Orlando’s premier Halloween event on Friday, Saturday 28th at the 6th Annual Black and Orange Ball.  This upscale event is the place to be this Friday.  Tickets include costume contest, live entertainment, celebrity guests and a night of fun.

Get more details and tickets here … but don’t wait!

 

Stylish Halloween Decorating Ideas

When thinking about decorating your Orlando apartment this Halloween think outside of the pumpkin and decorate with black and white!

Decorate your table with a black table cloth or placemats and black and white candles and pumpkins.  Use a cake stand to display a skull or other Halloween fright!

Another idea is to use a white table cloth and then add a spider webbed table cloth on top.  Bed, Bath, & Beyond has a great one with webs and spiders.

Purchase scary plates for your table or for appetizers.  Williams-Sonoma and Pier 1 have some great and elegant ones, but Target and Walmart have some as well.

Add sparkle to your pumpkins by painting them with glittery silver or gold and then add a black and white polka dot bow on the stem.

Welcome guests with a haunting message on a chalk board displayed on a table or in your entry way.

These unusual Halloween decorating ideas will look great in your apartment in Orlando.

Check Out These Spooktacular October Events

October is that spooky month where we welcome ghosts, goblins, zombies, graveyards and gore. From haunted houses, to pumpkin patches, haunted tours, and costumes, dancing, parties, Orlando has it all. Check out these events in Orlando this Halloween.

October is a great month to visit the pumpkin patch at Green Meadows Farm in nearby Kissimmee.  Visit for a free pumpkin between October 1 and  November 6, 2016.  If you are looking for something a bit more spooky, the Trail of Jack-O’-Lanterns and Ooky Spooky Haunted House are sure to please.  This year’s haunting activities are on the following weekends:

October 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30, 2016

The Thorton District is throwing its 4th Annual Thornton Park Halloween Block Party in  Orlando’s most haunted district this Halloween and not far from your Orlando apartment.  The fright begins at 8 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.  This haunted party includes a Costume Contest, Live Music by The Sh-Booms, DJs, Food Trucks, and more …  Must be 21 years of age. Tickets are available on Event Brite and entry is by Dexter’s Thornton Park.

Don’t miss out on  Orlando’s premier Halloween event, The 6th Annual Black and Orange Ball. Tickets include costume contest, live entertainment, celebrity guests and a night of fun. Tickets are available from $15 and $20 at the door!  VIP tickets are already sold out, don’t miss the party of the season.  Click Here for More Details.

American Ghost Adventures offers a variety of haunted tours near your Orlando apartment that are a perfect for a group of friends on a weekend night.

It’s Apple Season

Even if your Orlando apartment is much closer to citrus orchards than apple orchards, fall always conjures up thoughts of apple pie, apple crisp, and other delicious apple treats.  These days markets and grocery stores carry a wide selection of apples from Washington State or other apple growing regions.

To get you in the right frame of mind for apple season, here are a food and decorating tips.

Fill your apartment with the sweet smell of apples with apple scented candles or potpourri or create your own simmering pot using apples, all spice, cloves, cinnamon and oranges.

Image result for green apple icon Use colorful apples to create a centerpiece instead of flowers.  Fill a vase or basket with floral foam.  Stick a bbq skewer in the bottom of the apple and arrange it in the foam.  Use leaves and greenery to add a bit more color.

Image result for green apple icon Apple slices are delicious and nutritious.  Core and slice apples and dip them in warm caramel or chocolate sauce.

Image result for green apple icon Treat yourself to a sour green apple martini using fresh apples with this easy to follow recipe.

Ingredients

  • Ice cubes
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1-1/2 ounces sour apple liqueur
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

Garnish

  • Green apple slice

Instructions

Fill a shaker three-fourths full with ice. Add the vodka, apple liqueur and lemon juice. Cover and shake for 10-15 seconds or until condensation forms on outside of shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a fresh apple slice

 

 

Visit These Orlando Parks

With the return of fall comes the return of the hustle and bustle of every day life.  With work, school, exercise, and even time spent with friends, it is difficult to find some down time.  And in an increasingly complex world, some times all you need to rejuvenate and re-energize is a brisk walk in a park surrounded by nature.

With that in mind, we are going to suggest that you try these nature parks near your apartment in Orlando.  Come on, stop reading this blog, put on your sneakers, leave your phone behind and enjoy all that Orlando has to offer!

Greenwood Urban Wetlands

1411 Greenwood St, Orlando, FL 3280

Tranquil park with great trails for humans and dogs with lakes of the lake!

Lake Eola Park

512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 3280

This is downtown Orlando’s most popular park for walking, relaxing, feeding the swans, renting swan boats or viewing the fountain.  There are a number of great restaurants and cafes nearby and they have special events in the park.

Cherokee Park

525 Cherokee Dr, Orlando, FL 32801

This is a great spot for the family, with a nice tot lot, jungle gym, picnic areas, and pavilion, why not grab the family and head to Cherokee Park.

 

Orlando Welcomes a New French Restaurant – DoveCote

One of area’s newest restaurants can be found just minutes from your apartment in Orlando.

After a year-long renovation, DoveCote opened its doors in July to rave reviews.  This 150 plus seat brasserie is a great addition to Orlando’s restaurant scene.

The restaurant features welcoming blue walls, exposed brick and an old world charm with a modern art nouveau flair.   Tables are simple and elegant and the engraved silver ware adds a touch that transforms you to Paris or a city far away.

Opened from Monday to Saturday, DoveCote is a coffee bar in the morning serving fresh pastries and coffee; it is a great spot for a power lunch during the week or a relaxing lunch with friends on a Saturday afternoon. After work it turns into one of downtown’s hottest happy hour places and then in the evening it is transformed in to one of the area’s finest dining experiences at night!  After dinner the coffee bar opens and is an ideal place for a coffee and dessert.

The menu is eclectic; with everything from freshly baked pastries, to starters, salads, sandwiches and healthy entrees, this is approachable French cuisine at its best.

The menu includes these French classics; pork terrine, beef tartare, oysters, chicken leg confit, roasted bone marrow, mussels and frites, duck and risotto (OK, that one isn’t French).  It also serves a variety of seafood, chicken, and other creative entrees.  Did we mention the bread basket; amazing!

If you haven’t tried it yet, you really should.  Less than one mile from 420 East Apartments, we are sure this is going to be one of your favorite go-to spots.

DoveCote

390 N Orange Avenue, Ste 110
Orlando, FL 32801

http://dovecoteorlando.com/