Category: We recommend!

  • Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us

    Instead of thinking, “Time to walk the dog,” try turning it around by saying, “Time for my dog to take me outside.” Say it in a tone of appreciation, because being outside can be very good for both of you. 

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    Here are Leo (front) and Wolfgang (rear) taking their humans outside this past spring.

    Cameron Woo, co-founder and publisher of The Bark magazine, brought to my attention recently the importance of the time I spend outside with my dog. He wrote, “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 87% of their life indoors with another 6% spent in automobiles for a total of 93% habitating in enclosed spaces. That leaves only 7% of one’s entire life to spend outdoors. Translated to daily life, we average only about 100 minutes of our day outside”

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    Even with the cold and snow last winter, Poppy made sure we had some time outside each day. She likes the cold better than the heat and loved those high snowbanks.

    Living in one of the country’s most walkable cities (where 15% of us walk to work), Bostonians may do a bit better than average at spending time outdoors. But, Bostonians with dogs have the advantage of taking a few more trips a day to the streets and parks with their canine companions. 

    Where Do You Walk?

    Most days we walk the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. That's our routine dog place. But, we also love to explore the city and discover other great dog neighborhoods. Where do you walk your dog? What places do you recommend that we explore? And, how much time do you spend outdoors each day?

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. And, we highly recommend a subscription to The Bark. It is one of the few print publication subscriptions we still receive.

       

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino (Adapted from one of her City Paws newspaper columns)
    Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us

    Instead of thinking, “Time to walk the dog,” try turning it around by saying, “Time for my dog to take me outside.” Say it in a tone of appreciation, because being outside can be very good for both of you. 

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb082715b5970d-800wi

    Here are Leo (front) and Wolfgang (rear) taking their humans outside this past spring.

    Cameron Woo, co-founder and publisher of The Bark magazine, brought to my attention recently the importance of the time I spend outside with my dog. He wrote, “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 87% of their life indoors with another 6% spent in automobiles for a total of 93% habitating in enclosed spaces. That leaves only 7% of one’s entire life to spend outdoors. Translated to daily life, we average only about 100 minutes of our day outside”

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb07f01033970d-800wi

    Even with the cold and snow last winter, Poppy made sure we had some time outside each day. She likes the cold better than the heat and loved those high snowbanks.

    Living in one of the country’s most walkable cities (where 15% of us walk to work), Bostonians may do a bit better than average at spending time outdoors. But, Bostonians with dogs have the advantage of taking a few more trips a day to the streets and parks with their canine companions. 

    Where Do You Walk?

    Most days we walk the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. That's our routine dog place. But, we also love to explore the city and discover other great dog neighborhoods. Where do you walk your dog? What places do you recommend that we explore? And, how much time do you spend outdoors each day?

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. And, we highly recommend a subscription to The Bark. It is one of the few print publication subscriptions we still receive.

       

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino (Adapted from one of her City Paws newspaper columns)
    Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Great Restaurant List from Tiny Urban Kitchen: Our Friday Link

    Today's Friday Link is an updated list of restaurants from Jen over on Tiny Urban Kitchen. 

    Here's her headline and a link to the post: UPDATED! JEN’S TOP RESTAURANTS IN BOSTON.

    Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at Friday, July 10, 201510.51.08 AM

    When the list was published last week, I shared it on social media and had friends comment on how great it was and send me thank you notes for linking to it.  

    Later in the week, I was on my way to meet a friend for lunch when I came across a park bench filled with friends. One of them mentioned it and another asked if I could email a link to her. I did, but realized that it was a perfect Friday Link post for BostonZest.

    This type of great resource, whether it's a site you should follow or a particular post on a site we've already recommended, is one of the reasons we started BostonZest back in May of 2004. 

    Jen, thanks for making my friends and neighbors happy with your great list of restaurants and wonderful photos of the food they serve.

     

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Great Restaurant List from Tiny Urban Kitchen: Our Friday Link

    Today's Friday Link is an updated list of restaurants from Jen over on Tiny Urban Kitchen. 

    Here's her headline and a link to the post: UPDATED! JEN’S TOP RESTAURANTS IN BOSTON.

    Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at Friday, July 10, 201510.51.08 AM

    When the list was published last week, I shared it on social media and had friends comment on how great it was and send me thank you notes for linking to it.  

    Later in the week, I was on my way to meet a friend for lunch when I came across a park bench filled with friends. One of them mentioned it and another asked if I could email a link to her. I did, but realized that it was a perfect Friday Link post for BostonZest.

    This type of great resource, whether it's a site you should follow or a particular post on a site we've already recommended, is one of the reasons we started BostonZest back in May of 2004. 

    Jen, thanks for making my friends and neighbors happy with your great list of restaurants and wonderful photos of the food they serve.

     

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Boston Chefs: New Look for a Reliable Resource

    Our Friday Link takes you to the Boston Chefs site, a web address we've linked to many times when we do our special occasion dining posts. Click over to see their redesign.

    BostonChefs

     They say:

    "With our new platform we’re providing even deeper, more comprehensive coverage of news and events.”  BostonChefs.com represents nearly 230 member restaurants, and each is showcased with current menus, stunning pictures of their signature dishes, and insider information on their concepts, chefs, and events. “Everything our readers tell us they love about us is still there, and the site has always been updated daily,” says Lydon, “but now, the minute you land on BostonChefs.com, you’ll instantly see what’s new and be able to share what you’ve discovered with others who are equally passionate about all things food.” 

    We say, nice work!

    We find lots of reasons to click over to this site a few times every week and we rely on the lists they provide of what's going on in their member restaurants. That's important, because we only cover the places that fit our specific criteria and Boston Chefs can offer alternatives that may appeal to our readers. 

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: Screenshot from Boston Chefs.

  • Boston Chefs: New Look for a Reliable Resource

    Our Friday Link takes you to the Boston Chefs site, a web address we've linked to many times when we do our special occasion dining posts. Click over to see their redesign.

    BostonChefs

     They say:

    "With our new platform we’re providing even deeper, more comprehensive coverage of news and events.”  BostonChefs.com represents nearly 230 member restaurants, and each is showcased with current menus, stunning pictures of their signature dishes, and insider information on their concepts, chefs, and events. “Everything our readers tell us they love about us is still there, and the site has always been updated daily,” says Lydon, “but now, the minute you land on BostonChefs.com, you’ll instantly see what’s new and be able to share what you’ve discovered with others who are equally passionate about all things food.” 

    We say, nice work!

    We find lots of reasons to click over to this site a few times every week and we rely on the lists they provide of what's going on in their member restaurants. That's important, because we only cover the places that fit our specific criteria and Boston Chefs can offer alternatives that may appeal to our readers. 

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: Screenshot from Boston Chefs.

  • When the Table Wobbles …

    Patio dining often comes with table wobbles. The restaurant may have taken the trouble to adjust each table so that it was on the level and stable when the day began. But, as diners make slight adjustments to assist someone to enter or exit or simply bump the table a bit this way or that, wobbles develop on uneven paving.

    Photo - Version 22015-06-26quarters-wobbly-table-solution-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Ed's solution is a quarter, or rather a stack of quarters, plus one more to set on the tabletop as a reminder to take back the others as we leave. 

    FullSizeRender - Version 22015-06-26quarters-wobbly-table-solution-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Normally, adjusting one leg will do the trick. This one needed a dollar's worth of lift. 

    We've also cut corks in half on the diagonal to use as wedges to keep doors open at rental homes or to prevent tables from wobbling. I still recall the amazed look on a waiter's face the time we asked for a cork and a steak knife to solve their tippy table issue.

    And, if you're in the hospitality business, you must be the reason Wobble Wedges Leveling Shims are sold in jars of 50 or 100. We've thought about carrying one with us but since we usually have quarters, we'll stick with those. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

       

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • When the Table Wobbles …

    Patio dining often comes with table wobbles. The restaurant may have taken the trouble to adjust each table so that it was on the level and stable when the day began. But, as diners make slight adjustments to assist someone to enter or exit or simply bump the table a bit this way or that, wobbles develop on uneven paving.

    Photo - Version 22015-06-26quarters-wobbly-table-solution-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Ed's solution is a quarter, or rather a stack of quarters, plus one more to set on the tabletop as a reminder to take back the others as we leave. 

    FullSizeRender - Version 22015-06-26quarters-wobbly-table-solution-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Normally, adjusting one leg will do the trick. This one needed a dollar's worth of lift. 

    We've also cut corks in half on the diagonal to use as wedges to keep doors open at rental homes or to prevent tables from wobbling. I still recall the amazed look on a waiter's face the time we asked for a cork and a steak knife to solve their tippy table issue.

    And, if you're in the hospitality business, you must be the reason Wobble Wedges Leveling Shims are sold in jars of 50 or 100. We've thought about carrying one with us but since we usually have quarters, we'll stick with those. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

       

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Edible Boston’s Summer 2015 Issue Has Arrived!

    My Summer 2015 preview issue of Edible Boston arrived with another fantastic cover shot. This time around you'll meet Erin Bligh from Dancing Goats Dairy and her delightful goats and learn how she developed the skill set needed to open her own cheesemaking facility. 

    IMG_2647 - Version 22015-06-23-Edible-boston-summer-2015© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Now when I see Dancing Goats Dairy cheese at a farmers market or fine food shop, I'll have faces (both a person and some adorable goats) to put with the name.

    Editor's Letter

    If you've been reading my past posts on this publication, you know that my first read in each issue is the letter from editor Ilene Bezahler. This time she shares her memories of summer food and gives thanks that she has never known food insecurity. Then she challenges each of us to take some small steps to help solve the problem.

    In addition to ideas on how to help, she points out that, "Many of the stories in this issue touch on this topic directly or indirectly." You'll learn about city gardens, Somerville Mobile Markets, Fresh Truck and Fresh Food Generation. 

    Edible Boston is a local business.

    And, they can also support other important local businesses in our local foodshed. Edible Boston deserves your support. Here's what I always say about that:

    How do you support a publisher like Ilene Bezahler and her remarkably talented team?

    Here's where you can pick up a copy.

    May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on Facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

    And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Artwork: Courtesy of Edible Boston who also provides BostonZest with a preview copy of each issue.

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

     

  • Edible Boston’s Summer 2015 Issue Has Arrived!

    My Summer 2015 preview issue of Edible Boston arrived with another fantastic cover shot. This time around you'll meet Erin Bligh from Dancing Goats Dairy and her delightful goats and learn how she developed the skill set needed to open her own cheesemaking facility. 

    IMG_2647 - Version 22015-06-23-Edible-boston-summer-2015© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Now when I see Dancing Goats Dairy cheese at a farmers market or fine food shop, I'll have faces (both a person and some adorable goats) to put with the name.

    Editor's Letter

    If you've been reading my past posts on this publication, you know that my first read in each issue is the letter from editor Ilene Bezahler. This time she shares her memories of summer food and gives thanks that she has never known food insecurity. Then she challenges each of us to take some small steps to help solve the problem.

    In addition to ideas on how to help, she points out that, "Many of the stories in this issue touch on this topic directly or indirectly." You'll learn about city gardens, Somerville Mobile Markets, Fresh Truck and Fresh Food Generation. 

    Edible Boston is a local business.

    And, they can also support other important local businesses in our local foodshed. Edible Boston deserves your support. Here's what I always say about that:

    How do you support a publisher like Ilene Bezahler and her remarkably talented team?

    Here's where you can pick up a copy.

    May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on Facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

    And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Artwork: Courtesy of Edible Boston who also provides BostonZest with a preview copy of each issue.

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino