· From September 16 through November 20, The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze will return to Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson where the historic grounds will be filled with a magnificent display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o ’lanterns.
· Celebrate Día de Muertos with a free family-friendly event at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts on Oct. 16 in Katonah. The event will feature Calpulli Mexican Dance Company for a fun-filled afternoon of live music, dance, and stories, all capturing Mexico’s colorful, passionate and inviting traditions.
· Visitors can learn about the history of Lyndhurst Mansion and explore Victorian lore during the Lyndhurst After Dark experience, Oct. 21-23 and Oct. 27-30. Additionally, Lyndhurst will host Spirited Mansion Weekends Oct 22-23 and 29-30, during which guests can walk through the mansion without a guided tour, view the seasonal decorations at their own pace, and take in the wonders of the historic mansion.
· More than 200 years ago Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” introduced the world to characters like the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane. These days, the village of Sleepy Hollow welcomes visitors to explore the Old Dutch Church from Irving’s tale and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, with famously historic graves, including Washington Irving, himself. At the latter, not to miss is the chance of an evening tour by lantern light, offered Friday and Saturday nights between September and November. For those that prefer the comfort of the sun’s rays, daytime tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays in October and November. Either way, advance tickets are required.
· Visit Irving’s historic Tarrytown home, Sunnyside, for the chance to see “Irving’s Legend,” a dramatic outdoor performance by master storyteller, Jonathan Kruk. Complete with live music by Jim Keyes and an appearance from the Headless Horseman, this performance is sure to thrill audiences of all ages all October long.
· For years, local rumors have swirled around The Armour-Stiner Octagon House, implying connections between the eight-sided home and the spirit world. This September and October, visitors to Irvington can visit the historic site with a Myths and Mysteries Tour.
Fall Festivities:
· The Fall Family Festival will return to Rye’s Jay Heritage Center on Oct. 1 with plenty of family-friendly activities including hayrides, a petting zoo, old-fashioned cornhole and ring toss, guided tours, and scavenger hunts.
· Family Fun Day returns to Yonkers’ Untermyer Gardens Conservancy on Oct. 9 with entertainment and tours of this public garden of national significance.
· A Railroad Avenue Makers Market debuts at the Peekskill Metro North train station on Sept. 10, open every Saturday into late December, spotlighting the best of Hudson Valley maker culture.
· Farms of all kinds are located in Westchester County, offering fall activities like apple picking and wagon rides. Many of the farms in Westchester are family-owned and operated, some dating back 300 years. Among those to consider are Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem, Stuart’s Fruit Farm in Granite Springs and Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights. Each farm brings its own personality to the party – at Harvest Moon, for example, visitors can find everything from live music, BBQ, and a pumpkin patch to other memorable experiences. For a private farm experience, reserve a visit to Faraway Farm Alpacas, Yorktown Heights’ home to a colorful herd of alpacas where guests can meet and learn about alpacas, Icelandic Horses and donkeys. After the tour, visitors can browse the farm store, specializing in everything alpaca such as homegrown yarn and handmade alpaca garments. Tip: the by-reservation-only format makes Faraway Farm Alpacas a truly unique spot to capture family photos.
Music:
· ArtsWestchester will host two White Plains festivals this fall including JazzFest White Plains from Sept. 14-18, featuring live jazz music including Joey Alexander and Buster Williams, and The Serious Fun Arts Fest which will feature five days of public art, concerts, gallery openings, family artmaking and more from Oct. 12-26.
· Nine-time Grammy-awarded jazz trumpeter and composer Randy Brecker will perform October 7-8 at Jazz Forum in Tarrytown. Brecker has helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for more than four decades and will perform a quintet featuring Ada Rovatti.
· The legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester is commemorating its 10-year reopening anniversary this fall. Sept. 23 is officially proclaimed The Capitol Theatre Day in the village, and the season’s performances include such notable artists as The National, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, ZZ Top, Steve Vai and nine nights with Grateful Dead co-founder Phil Lesh.
Leaf Peeping and Flora Fun:
· Croton Gorge Park in Cortlandt is the perfect place to spend an afternoon on an easy two-mile hike that includes gorgeous vistas of the New Croton Dam and its autumnal color palette.
· For next-level leaf peeping, Mianus River Gorge Preserve in Bedford is a trail that looms 40 feet above the Mianus River. Despite the exhilarating view, the hike is easy and perfect for the whole family.
· An Enchanted Forest event comes to Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining Oct. 28-30. Other nature preserves and parks for fall foliage include Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale, Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, Rockefeller State Park in Pleasantville, and Tarrytown RiverWalk.
· Celebrate the change of seasons above ground with Wings Air during a helicopter tour. Guests can soar above the Hudson Valley for a bird’s-eye view of Westchester County’s colorful foliage and spot landmarks including the Kenisco Dam in Valhalla and Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate in Sleepy Hollow.
Fall Dining & Drinks:
· Hudson Valley Restaurant Week returns Nov. 7-20, 2022, with new tiered pricing to explore the best of lunch and dinner in Westchester, ranging from $24.95 to $44.95.
· The outdoor patio at Rye’s Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse is great for a cool fall gathering.
· The Tasty Table will be featuring fall menu items made from scratch such as pumpkin pancakes and blood orange mimosas. Stop by this Ossining eatery and mention the fall guide to Westchester County for a 10 percent discount on food.
· Grab a bite at Horsefeathers in Tarrytown, a Westchester staple since 1981. With 100 different menu items offered daily, there is something to delight every palate.
· Michelin-rated RaaSa in Elmsford is the County’s premier Indian fine dining destination. Featuring traditional Indian fare with a modern twist, RaaSa celebrates all the tastes of India and is created by Michelin Star and James Beard Foundation-recognized Chef Peter Beck.
· Westchester’s craft beverage scene continues to thrive, from distilleries to craft breweries, a cidery and even a micro-winery. For sunny days, Peekskill Brewery boasts a Hudson Riverfront location and dog-friendly Outdoor Biergarten (with live music Thursday-Saturday), as does Broken Bow Brewery in Tuckahoe (be sure to try to Pumpkin Spiced Octoberfest lager). During a visit to the iconic Sleepy Hollow, be sure to check out The Bridgeview Tavern, which is another outdoor gem.
· For a warming caffeine boost, stop by Sunshine Coffee Roasters in Larchmont for small batches and quality coffee. Or try The Good Witch Coffee Bar in Hastings-on-Hudson for flat whites, icy cold brews, spicy egg sandwiches, and wild bagels.
Developing a healthy lifestyle requires a conscious effort and consistency. It proves beneficial in many ways, including preventing diabetes and high blood pressure, boosting your confidence, and helping you stay fit. A healthy lifestyle involves various little steps, from diet to regular checkups. According to research, almost 78% of Americans have regular health checkups, indicating how much being healthy is a priority. Do you want to develop a healthy lifestyle but don’t know where to start? Here are some healthy habits to consider.
- Good oral hygiene
While considering ways to stay healthy, many overlook the role of having good dental health. However, practicing good oral hygiene can significantly impact your overall well-being. It starts with building daily habits like brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing. It’s best to also avoid excessively sugary foods to reduce the likelihood of tooth decay. Aside from that, regular visits to the dentist are also vital. Before visiting the dentist, you can search online for the best dentist in your area and book an appointment in advance. Experts recommend visiting the dentist at least once or twice a year for the best results, so keep this in mind.
- Effective weight management
While visiting the doctor for your routine checkups, it’s also best to check your weight. Doing this will help determine your body mass index, guiding you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle to lower your risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes, among others. You can also effectively manage your weight through regular exercise. You don’t need to do anything strenuous to stay in shape. Staying active for even a few minutes a day can go a long way in keeping your heart, mind, and body healthy. Additionally, remember that what you eat can significantly affect your weight. Therefore, you should be conscious of what you eat, incorporating more elements such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet.
- Regular blood and cholesterol checks
Regular medical checkups can help you easily identify whether any changes in your body need immediate attention. Doing this becomes increasingly essential as you grow older. You can start by regularly checking your blood glucose level to determine whether you’re diabetic or prediabetic. Additionally, you can avoid heart disease and stroke by constantly monitoring your cholesterol levels. This way, you’ll know what to eliminate from your diet and what to include more. Aside from your blood sugar and cholesterol, remember to check your blood pressure to prevent hypertension. If you have a family history of high blood pressure or diabetes, it’s best to do these checks regularly to be safer.
- Good skincare
Believe it or not, how you take care of your skin is also a crucial aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Your skin is a vital body organ and deserves tender loving care. Paying close attention to your skin will help you identify early enough if there’s anything wrong, such as skin discoloration, acne, and so on. Additionally, practice daily skin care habits, including moisturizing, using sunscreen when outdoors, and drinking water regularly. You should also be conscious of the products you use on your skin to ensure they are not too harsh for your skin type.
- Regular cancer screening
Although many people are apprehensive about this step, it’s always best to regularly screen for cancer, especially breast cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer. As the popular saying goes, early detection saves lives. Knowing your condition will help you adopt the necessary steps as early as possible and help your body recover. Getting tested at least once a year can go a long way, but you can consult your doctor to determine what’s best for you. If your workplace also does these screening exercises regularly, consider taking advantage of them.
- Quality sleep
Getting quality sleep can reduce stress and, in turn, reduce the risk of high blood pressure and other stress-related conditions. It’s best to put away distractions such as your phone and other devices, reducing your screen time before bed to help you unwind after a busy day. You can also dim your lights and play relaxing background music to calm you. You should also avoid eating or drinking caffeine right before bed.
A healthy lifestyle goes beyond focusing on only one aspect such as weight. It involves your overall well-being and affects other aspects of your daily life. Applying the above-listed tips with consistency and discipline will improve your quality of life and help you enjoy good health.
Fall is a good time to spend with your family in your yard. It’s also the perfect time of year to prep our living landscape for another favorite season—spring.
Here’s what you need to do now to have a fabulous and TurfMutt-approved family yard this fall and beyond.
Mulch Leaves: Mulching your leaves rather than raking and bagging is good for your lawn and the environment. As shredded leaves decompose, they feed your lawn, naturally.
Aerate the Family Lawn: Aerating prevents soil from becoming compacted and covered with thatch – a thick layer of roots, stems, and debris that blocks water, oxygen, and nutrients from reaching the soil.
Mow at the Right Height: Keep cutting your grass until the first hard frost. Find the just-right length for your species, typically between 2-3 inches, to keep your grass healthy when it turns cold.
Water Wisely: If you’re not getting at least an inch of water a week from Mother Nature, you’ll want to keep watering through the fall. Install watering solutions, such as smart controllers on irrigation systems, to help conserve water.
Getting back to a regular cooking schedule is almost upon us with back to school just around the corner. This recipe landed in my mailbox this week and I thought it would be perfect to share, just as we are starting to think about our cooking meal rotation! Bon Appetit.
Adapted from Command Cooking
Garlic Butter Pork Chops
Ingredients
• 4 pork loin chops
• kosher salt, to taste
• ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon rosemary, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
Mix together the butter, rosemary, and garlic in a bowl.
Add the oil to an oven-safe skillet over medium heat
Set the pork chops in the skillet with the hot oil.
Cook the pork for 4 minutes on each side.
Place the skillet in the oven, and cook until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, about 10-12 minutes
Serve with garlic butter.
For years we have seen the posters and listened to the PSAs, we’ve seen the literature on smoking and what it does. We know that cigarette smoking is not good for the human body, and the cigarette packets that we buy tell us so. It should feel comforting then, if you are planning to quit, that vaping devices have hit the market and they’ve hit the market hard. The problem is that most people still struggle to understand how smoking and vaping are very different.
They worry that vaping won’t give them the same feeling, and they worry whether they should choose to vape instead of smoke. They also worry that if they’re trying to quit smoking, is it really going to work if they’re just switching from one thing to the other. It can help to understand all of the facts before you get started, especially if you plan to buy your own vaping equipment from the vaping fluids to the CCELL TH205-RYS. If you are looking at starting vaping rather than cigarette smoking or smoking cigars, then you need to have a look at the list of things to know about it below.
- Vaping is better for your health. One of the key ingredients of cigarettes is tar. It is a combination of various combustion by products and these products are known to have carcinogenic properties. When you are smoking and breathing in the cigarette smoke, the harmful components can affect many of your organs that the cigarette smoke comes into contact with. Mouth cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer and even cancer of the stomach and the other organs are all very prevalent with cigarette smokers. It’s why smoking is always associated with various health diseases. From chronic coughs to heart disease, difficulties with fertility and even cancer, smoking can very much ruin your health. Vaping takes those combustion by products out of the equation. The only inhalation you do is for clean vapor, and this contains the stimulant that you are looking for. Of course, we can’t say that’s completely healthy given it can still have an impact on your lungs, but we can say that vaping is significantly safer than cigarette smoking.
- There is no lingering smell. It’s one of the biggest reasons people choose to quit smoking; The scent of cigarette smoke is in everything. Their walls and ceilings are yellow because of the effects of the smoke, their sofas, carpet and curtains all stink of cigarette smoke. The smoke can permeate most fabrics and even be embedded in the walls, so with smoking you have to constantly chew or wash your hands to tone down the bad smell that clings to your own body. Your house and your clothing can’t hide the fact that you are a smoker even when you wear a smoking jacket and even if you wear gloves. Vaping cigars don’t actually leave that same unpleasant smell. If you use a scented or a flavorful fluid on the inside of the vaping device, you will find that most of you will actually enjoy the smell after you have finished vaping.
- It’s not so bad for your appearance. If you worry about the colour of your teeth or your hands, then vaping is probably better for you than it is cigarette smoking. You don’t have to worry about eye bags being the result, dry eyes or irritation or stretch marks, like smoking does. Smoking cigarettes also makes you look older, because your mouth develops more fine lines much earlier than any other part of your face. I also find that you don’t have anybody wrinkling their face at you because you no longer smell like a cigarette factory!
- It’s better for other people. One of the biggest reasons that we no longer are allowed to smoke in restaurants, indoor spaces, bus stops or any other public place that involves crowded areas, is because of the effect it has on other people. You are more than welcome to smoke inside or outside your own home, or in a designated smoking space, but this is because it no longer affects anybody else unless they choose to be in that area. With vaping, you don’t have to worry about impacting anybody else. You’re not having to worry that said secondhand or thirdhand smoke is going to impede anybody else’s health, and you limit the chances of harmful smoke filling the environment. If you want to stop everybody around you from passive smoking, then vaping is the better switch.
- Vaping can actually help you to quit smoking. You may think you are transferring one addiction for the other, but actually the action of holding a cigarette is the same when you are vaping. That means that instead of reaching for the killing thing, you are reaching for something that a) tastes nice and b) isn’t going to impact your health as much. If you are looking to quit smoking, congratulations, and you can reduce the amount of nicotine you consume by beginning vaping. Overtime, you will be able to enjoy the E juices without any nicotine in them, effectively weaning yourself off of the thing you are addicted to in the first place.
- It’s so much cheaper. You may have noticed the cost of living has gone up, which means that taxable items like cigarettes and alcohol have also gone through the roof. The main expenditure when you vape will be on the device itself, and that can last you for a long time. A good vape can cost quite a bit of money, but it will last, and all your spend after that is on e liquids and some other accessories that you might want.
You may not have considered vaping an option until now, but now all you need to do is go shopping for the accessories, the device and any of the tasty eliquids you would like to try. You can get vaping liquid in plenty of flavors, from candy floss to strawberry and back again to mint. no matter what you do, make sure that you are doing your research before you get started.
Finding wedding guest dresses that can impress other guests attending the big event can be difficult. If you’re not afraid to up the game on your wedding guest dresses, you might be able to stand out and really show off your unique and gorgeous style with ease.
Are there ways to find sustainable wedding guest dresses? Would it be worth it to show off with a pair of statement shoes? And how else might you be able to grab a little extra attention at the next wedding you’re attending? If you need a little assistance, allow me to point you in the right direction with a few useful tips and tricks.
Find Sustainable Wedding Guest Dresses
If you want to make sure you don’t look like anyone else at the wedding, then don’t go to the same stores where everyone else is already shopping. Instead, try to find stores that make sustainability a priority and allow you to invest in pieces you’ll truly love.
Finding sustainable wedding guest dresses doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you try looking in the right places. Some stores and online retailers put sustainability into their mission statement, meaning stores like Reformation are fantastic if you want to find dresses that are specially made and long-lasting. While you might expect to pay a little more at these locations, this is because you’re paying for improved quality that’s expected to last far longer than other clothing options. This will also encourage you to only select items you’ll really love wearing for a long time.
Alternatively, you can also go shopping in thrift stores. If you want to make this a bit more of a socially involved event, you certainly can. This is because going thrifting with your friends allows you to conduct a more thorough search of the entire establishment, get opinions on one another’s outfits, and share excitement about the fun styles and good deals. Going to a thrift store is a great way to ensure you’re not going to wear something that can be easily found off the rack in the mall, making it look more one-of-a-kind and unique.
Look Into Getting Statement Shoes
While you think everyone might only be interested in your wedding guest dresses, it might be fun to look into letting another part of your outfit shine. Here, I’m talking about picking out shoes that are the centerpiece of your outfit at the wedding. Instead of picking the boring block heels in black or nude, it may not be a bad idea to find other footwear that takes on a bit more of the limelight.
While many people do not necessarily find this practical, it is possible for you to do this without ever wearing the shoes again. You can also find these shoes for pretty reasonable prices by going to online resellers or thrift stores with pretty good shoe selections. What might this look like for you?
Many people have been told to find shoes that work well with multiple outfits in their closets, and this often requires us to get footwear in neutral colors that are commonly thought to go with almost every color. And while this might be what your closet looks like, I’ll bet there are a few colors that are a bit more prominent than others. If you have a lot of purple in your wardrobe, try finding purple shoes you can wear with a lot of the items in your closet, for example.
Additionally, you can also find shoes that are in different shapes and have a non-traditional silhouette to them. Maybe this means, instead of finding block heels or stilettos, you find platform shoes, chunky boots, or other footwear that has fun accessories. What might these accessories be? Consider sequins, rhinestones, sparkles, spikes, tassels, feathers, velvet… almost anything you have the ability to imagine. Even if you get one of these in a neutral color, you’re sure to stand out whenever you wear them.
Focus on Your Makeup
If you don’t have the budget to get an all-new wardrobe for the wedding you’re attending, that’s okay! You can focus on the other aspects of your look instead. For example, you can choose to focus on your makeup look and have this be the eye-catching part of your outfit. Play with fun colors, add some sparkles, and go a little “extra” with your eyelashes. The point is not to be too traditional in your looks and really just allow a part of your look to stand out in the crowd.
Don’t Forget to Accessorize
If you’re really trying to stand out, try not to forget about your accessories. What do I mean by this? Many wedding guests forget to add accessories to their wedding guest outfits, so adding a couple of necklaces or bracelets to your look just might make you look extremely well put together. You can do the same by picking out earrings or rings that go well with another part of your outfit, as well. You might even look to Reformation to find sustainable and gorgeous shoes.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to up your wedding guest game, the key takeaway is to avoid looking too traditional. Instead of pulling a look off the mannequin or off the shelf, make an effort to find pieces that make you look unique and well put together. Don’t be afraid to look different from everyone else, especially if you feel confident and know you look good.