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Meghan Rodgers

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The 100 most romantic restaurants in America, according to OpenTable users

The 100 most romantic restaurants in America, according to OpenTable users

Valentine’s Day is the most popular day all year for dining out, and to help diners decide where to impress the object of their affection, OpenTable has released its user generated annual list of 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America. The online restaurant reservation company creates its comprehensive list by culling more than 12 million verified diner reviews of more than 28,000 restaurants in all 50 states plus D.C. And the results? Perhaps surprisingly, Ohio tops the list with nine recognized restaurants. Texas comes in close with eight, followed by North Carolina and Virginia with seven each. Pennsylvania places fifth with six winning restaurants. And the type of food diners desire most? American cuisine-serving restaurants dominate the list, but French, Italian, Latin, Seafood, and Southern restaurants have a strong showing, so you’ll be able to customize the cuisine to whatever your love loves most. “These 100 restaurants excel at setting…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Detoxing celery, apple, ginger juice

Detoxing celery, apple, ginger juice_2

What’s the point of a healthy juice if you can’t stand drinking it? So many of those green juices are great for you, but they taste like a liquid salad. If that’s your sort of thing, good for you! The rest of us are jealous. Me? I need some sweetness, and a juice I can actually look forward to. This celery, ginger, apple juice definitely checks all of  the boxes. Did you know, the timing of your meals throughout the day also plays into your overall health? I’ve been making this juice for years, so I wasn’t surprised when celery juice started getting tons of national attention. Here are just a few reasons why you should drink it too: It may lower inflammation. Celery is loaded with antioxidants, which are thought to combat free radicals that contribute to inflammation. It’s good for your liver. Celery has diuretic properties, so it’s…

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Wendy’s is coming to the breakfast table in 2020

wendys breakfast menuWendy's

Move over McMuffins. Wendy’s is officially entering the fast food morning breakfast battle—and the menu looks pretty delicious. In a tweet, Wendy’s announced the company would officially serve breakfast nationwide beginning March 2. Of course, it also took the opportunity to throw a jab at leading competitor, McDonald’s. https://twitter.com/Wendys/status/1224725170235019265 “People deserve a delicious, affordable, and higher quality breakfast than what they’re currently getting, so that’s exactly what we’re going to serve when Wendy’s launches breakfast nationally on March 2,” said Kurt Kane, President, U.S. and Chief Commercial Officer of the Wendy’s Company. So what’s for breakfast? The company is banking angling that it’s more delicious and interesting than competitors’ offering, and that it’s a new real to become a “morning person.” From fresh, hand-cracked eggs on sandwiches, to Applewood smoked bacon, Wendy’s items pay homage to fan favorite menu items including: the Breakfast Baconator, a bun loaded with an egg,…

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Cadbury Bunny Tryouts are back for 2020

Cadbury Bunny Tryouts are back for 2020COURTESY OF CADBURY

Your pet has a shot at 15 minutes of fame this Easter. The Cadbury bunny has been the company’s mascot for years, but because “everybody wants to be the Cadbury Bunny”—as the iconic commercial declares—recently they’ve opened the casting call to more than just regular old rabbits. Last year, Cadbury hosted a tryout for the position and invited any species of animal to don a pair of fuzzy ears and see if they had what it took to be the next face of its festive chocolate Easter egg candies. A bulldog named Henri took top honors in 2019, but now the company is once looking for a fresh adorable face for 2020. Cadbury is encouraging all pet owners to enter to become the official Cadbury Bunny, and they’ve made the process simple. Visit the Cadbury website and submit a cute photo of your pet wearing bunny ears. No bunny eats…

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Heart-Healthy February: Timing of meals might help reduce heart risks

Heart-Healthy February: Timing of meals might help reduce heart risks

It’s unfair that heart-healthy February falls right when we’re reaching for cold weather comfort food. But this inconvenience reminds us that we need to stay vigilant all year long — not just when it’s convenient. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. About 1 in every 4 deaths in the United States is the result of heart disease. But it’s not just what you eat that affects your heart health. It’s also when you eat. A scientific statement released by the American Heart Association says that there is reason to believe, that the timing of our meals matters a lot when it comes to cardiovascular disease. The conclusion: Eating earlier is better. The body maintains its own internal clock, so eating later can reset that rhythm and alter metabolism. “Meal timing may affect health due to its impact on the body’s internal…

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Seasonal

25 most romantic restaurants in Pittsburgh

25 most romantic restaurants in Pittsburgh

The once industrial Steel City might be well-known for its dominating sports teams and french fry smothered salads and sandwiches—but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a softer side. Take the guesswork out of where to go this Valentine’s Day. From fire-lit dining, to impeccable service, historic architecture, and of course, decadent dishes, Pittsburgh’s most romantic restaurants have something for everyone. 1. Altius Award-winning Altius offers contemporary American cuisine served with a scenic city view. From its spectacular location atop Mt. Washington to its exceptional new dining concept created by B DeFrancis and Chef Jessica Bauer, Altius takes the dining experience “higher”—which just so happens to be the Latin translation of its name. Make reservations here.  1230 Grandview Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15211, Phone: 412-904-4442 2. Hyeholde Hyeholde sits on four acres of gardens and winding stone paths. It’s easy to see why it has long been considered one of the most…

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Krispy Kreme offers Conversation Hearts Doughnuts for Valentine’s Day

krispy_kreme_valentines_day_hearts_1

Conversation Hearts might be back with their little messages of love thanks to Spangler Candy Company, but Krispy Kreme doughnuts also have something to say. The delicious doughnut chain decided to launch a line of heart-shaped doughnuts, available now through Feb. 14. It can be hard to find the right words to express your love on Valentine’s Day, but offer the object of your affection a box of these pastel-colored, jelly-filled beauties, and he or she will surely know. “Finding the right word can be like, I don’t know… hard. But eating a doughnut is easy. So we printed the right words on the doughnuts for you so you can’t mess this up,” Krispy Kreme chief marketing officer Dave Skena said in a release. The decked-out doughnuts come in strawberry and kreme, cake batter, original kreme, and chocolate kreme, and include 24 sayings, like “All the feels,” “Be Mine,” “So…

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The most popular Valentine’s Day candy in each state

The most popular Valentine's Day candy in each state

Valentine’s Day is all about love—and what candy you’re going to buy to demonstrate that love. February 14 is a holiday centered around indulgent gifts and treats. The National Retail Federation is forecasting that spending on sweets this season will be strong. Candy is projected to take in a whopping $2.4 billion this month.—smashing last years record by $600 million. Also read: The Sweet History of the Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates Of course, what candy you should buy depends on the sugar-coated wishes of your one true love—But it might also depend on where you live. Candystore.com has compiled online sales data from the past 12 years to determine what candies are most popular in each state. The map below illustrates the results: Source: CandyStore.com. Key takeaways Missing the conversation Conversation hearts were once the darling of Valentine’s Day, but after a change of manufacturer’s hands last year, and the…

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Seasonal

What’s in season in February?

What's in season in February_oranges

Nothing tastes better than fresh-picked fruits and veggies. If you too prefer your produce when it’s freshest from the farm, here’s what you should be buying in February. Fresh produce is tastier and cheaper since there is plenty of it—simple supply and demand here! So stock up, save money, and enjoy these fruits and vegetables grown this time of year right here in the U.S. Oranges Oranges show up every year right when we need their powerful vitamin C the most. Cold, grey days tend to be synonymous with sickness, but a healthy dose of OJ or a fresh orange a day can help keep the doctor away. Grapefruits Grapefruits also offer a pop of bright color and cheery flavor when we need it most. Grapefruits are perfectly ripe and juicy in February so enjoy them this month in fresh-squeeze juice, salads, or all on their own. Try this grapefruit…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Immunity boosting orange carrot turmeric ginger juice

Immunity boosting orange carrot turmeric ginger juice_3

It’s official. It’s sickness season in the North East. There is no denying winter is here. Once the winter gloom sets in and you’re cooped up inside, it doesn’t take long to start feeling the sniffles set in. But food is your first line of defense against that expensive, unwanted trip to the doctor’s office. What you eat REALLY matters! Staying on top of your health and eating a generally healthy diet full of immunity-boosting foods can be the difference between floating through February and laying in bed for weeks managing a raw, red nose. There are lots of immunity boosting foods, including yogurt, green tea, almonds, garlic, and broccoli, but it’s probably citrus that most people turn to after they’ve caught a cold. And for a good reason! Citrus is full of vitamin C, which is through to increase the production of white blood cells—you body’s way of fighting…

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