Category: Very inexpensive or FREE!

  • Edible Boston’s Winter 2016 Issue Is Available

    This edition of Edible Boston is a love letter to the Boston Public Market. Yes, it covers other things, but the big heart of this issue is a lovely photo album of the people you'll meet on your visits to Boston's latest fresh & local source.

    Edible boston winter 2016

    In her Letter from the Editor, Ilene Bezahler wrote, "While we are celebrating the holidays, I would also like to give a huge thank you to all participants who have worked over the past 19 years to bringing the Boston Public Market to fruition. It was a monumental task over a long period of time but now it is open!"

    Photographer Michael Piazza has captured the personality and personalities of the market in his sixteen page homage to the people and the place.

    Big Recipe Issue

    This issue inspires me with great recipes. In fact, the technique covered for "The Best Roasted Potatoes" on page 43 alone will make finding a copy worth your time. You'll also find a collection of other potato recipes plus a primer on savory pies.

    Support publisher Ilene Bezahler and her talented team

    First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.

    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!

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Covershot: Courtesy of Edible Boston

  • Furnish the Future Needs Your Gently Used Furniture

    Furnish the Future will find a new home for your gently used furniture, and they will have Gentle Giant Moving Company pick it up for you on November 10 & 11, 2015. But, you only have until October 29th to reserve a pick up for your donation to their pick up list.

    Furniture Drive Flyer 2015 jpg

    Furnish the Future is a partnership of the Greater Boston Association of Realtors, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, and Gentle Giant Moving Company. 

    If you would like to promote this project you can download a copy of the flyer above at this link.

    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 & Ed Cherubino
    Artwork courtesy of Furnish the Future

  • Furnish the Future Needs Your Gently Used Furniture

    Furnish the Future will find a new home for your gently used furniture, and they will have Gentle Giant Moving Company pick it up for you on November 10 & 11, 2015. But, you only have until October 29th to reserve a pick up for your donation to their pick up list.

    Furniture Drive Flyer 2015 jpg

    Furnish the Future is a partnership of the Greater Boston Association of Realtors, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, and Gentle Giant Moving Company. 

    If you would like to promote this project you can download a copy of the flyer above at this link.

    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 & Ed Cherubino
    Artwork courtesy of Furnish the Future

  • Rainy Day at the Old Granary Burying Ground

    Rain does not deter Boston's history buffs. A bit of rain on Tuesday morning brought out umbrellas over some of the visitors to the Old Granary Burying Ground.

    IMG_8786 - Version 22015-10-13Old-granary-burial-ground-rain-toursits-boston-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Tours with costumed guides continued.

    IMG_8776 - Version 22015-10-13Old-granary-burial-ground-rain-toursits-boston-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Jazzy red umbrellas added a bit of color to the scene.

    IMG_8779 - Version 22015-10-13Old-granary-burial-ground-rain-toursits-boston-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    In addition to the tour groups, there were people strolling in pairs and solo visitors.

    IMG_8771 - Version 22015-10-13Old-granary-burial-ground-rain-toursits-boston-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    With the help of a friend, this woman stayed dry while she took a closer look at one of the grave markers. 

    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 & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Rainy Day at the Old Granary Burying Ground

    Rain does not deter Boston's history buffs. A bit of rain on Tuesday morning brought out umbrellas over some of the visitors to the Old Granary Burying Ground.

    IMG_8786 - Version 22015-10-13Old-granary-burial-ground-rain-toursits-boston-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Tours with costumed guides continued.

    IMG_8776 - Version 22015-10-13Old-granary-burial-ground-rain-toursits-boston-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Jazzy red umbrellas added a bit of color to the scene.

    IMG_8779 - Version 22015-10-13Old-granary-burial-ground-rain-toursits-boston-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    In addition to the tour groups, there were people strolling in pairs and solo visitors.

    IMG_8771 - Version 22015-10-13Old-granary-burial-ground-rain-toursits-boston-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    With the help of a friend, this woman stayed dry while she took a closer look at one of the grave markers. 

    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 & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Boston Public Library’s Digital Magazine Service

    These days, I'm spending more time reading magazines because I discovered the Boston Public Library’s digital magazine service.

    BPL digital magazine

    It's another one of the free services included in your Boston Public Library Card. Once you finish the steps to get started with the service, you can browse the newsstand and read the latest issue and a few of the back issues right on your desktop or laptop. 

    If you want to read on your mobile device, you can download the appropriate app and have reading material on hand wherever you are. 

     IMG_4040

    I love the option to be notified when a new issue of a favorite magazine is available. I'm using that service for the New Yorker and Saveur right now. This week I enjoyed all the cartoons and a few of the articles in the New Yorker. 

    When they announced this service, the Library said,

    "Boston Public Library now provides library cardholders free access to popular magazines via a digital magazine service, making more than 100 popular English and Spanish language magazines instantly available. The online resource Zinio offers the ability to check out and download titles like National Geographic, ESPN the Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and Newsweek, and is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers. Zinio features complete, full-color magazines with intuitive navigation, keyword article search, and interactive audio and video elements.

    “Boston Public Library is pleased to offer this new resource,” said Michael Colford, Director of Library Services. “It is a convenient, free, no-waiting option that appeals to avid magazine readers as well as those who prefer to consume their news and information in digital form.”

    Cardholders can reach the service via the “collections” section of the Boston Public Library website. Library users log in with their Boston Public Library card and then create a library collection account and a Zinio.com reader account. In addition, users have the option of downloading a Zinio app."

    If you don't have a Boston Public Library Card, get one. You might not know that you qualify for a BPL card. 

    Here's the official word on who is eligible:

    "You are eligible for a library card if you are:

    • a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
    • a Massachusetts property owner
    • commute to Massachusetts for work
    • residing in Massachusetts while attending school
    • a resident of temporary housing in Massachusetts
    • Library users from outside Massachusetts may apply for a research card for the purpose of using Research Library materials (in-library use only)."

    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 Cherubino, Screen shot from the Boston Public Library website.

  • Boston Public Library’s Digital Magazine Service

    These days, I'm spending more time reading magazines because I discovered the Boston Public Library’s digital magazine service.

    BPL digital magazine

    It's another one of the free services included in your Boston Public Library Card. Once you finish the steps to get started with the service, you can browse the newsstand and read the latest issue and a few of the back issues right on your desktop or laptop. 

    If you want to read on your mobile device, you can download the appropriate app and have reading material on hand wherever you are. 

     IMG_4040

    I love the option to be notified when a new issue of a favorite magazine is available. I'm using that service for the New Yorker and Saveur right now. This week I enjoyed all the cartoons and a few of the articles in the New Yorker. 

    When they announced this service, the Library said,

    "Boston Public Library now provides library cardholders free access to popular magazines via a digital magazine service, making more than 100 popular English and Spanish language magazines instantly available. The online resource Zinio offers the ability to check out and download titles like National Geographic, ESPN the Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and Newsweek, and is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers. Zinio features complete, full-color magazines with intuitive navigation, keyword article search, and interactive audio and video elements.

    “Boston Public Library is pleased to offer this new resource,” said Michael Colford, Director of Library Services. “It is a convenient, free, no-waiting option that appeals to avid magazine readers as well as those who prefer to consume their news and information in digital form.”

    Cardholders can reach the service via the “collections” section of the Boston Public Library website. Library users log in with their Boston Public Library card and then create a library collection account and a Zinio.com reader account. In addition, users have the option of downloading a Zinio app."

    If you don't have a Boston Public Library Card, get one. You might not know that you qualify for a BPL card. 

    Here's the official word on who is eligible:

    "You are eligible for a library card if you are:

    • a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
    • a Massachusetts property owner
    • commute to Massachusetts for work
    • residing in Massachusetts while attending school
    • a resident of temporary housing in Massachusetts
    • Library users from outside Massachusetts may apply for a research card for the purpose of using Research Library materials (in-library use only)."

    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 Cherubino, Screen shot from the Boston Public Library website.

  • Time to Pick Up Your Edible Boston Autumn 2015 Issue

    My preview copy of Edible Boston's Autumn 2015 issue arrived this week. It is another issue filled with great writing and photography. 

    39_Cover_Corn-772x1024

    Look for this cover when you visit shops and restaurants that support the local, sustainable food movement. Many of those places are advertisers and distribution spots for this publication.

    Sharing Food Stories

    This is one publication where the Letter from the Editor near the front is the place to start. Ilene Bezahler always makes me think, resolve, or remember. This time she shared memories of the food scene on Martha's Vineyard where Ed and I vacationed for many years. 

    She also recommended staying in a house or apartment on vacation rather than a hotel so that you can experience a place more like a local. That's something we've always preferred. She and I will have to sit down over a cup of tea or glass of wine one of these days and compare notes in person. 

    The Field of Grain

    There are a couple of articles in this issue about grains – growing grains and turning them into great artisan breads. Living with a confessed bread-a-holic, these were two of my first reads this time around.

    You'll meet another issue full of food makers, food growers, and food curators. And, the ads will give you lots of great ideas, things to do, places to visit, and items to add to your shopping list. Of course, a gift subscription to Edible Boston itself is a perfect gift for anyone who is a lover of fresh, local food, and the people who bring it our way. 

    Support publisher Ilene Bezahler and her talented team

    First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.

    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!

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Covershot: Courtesy of Edible Boston

  • Time to Pick Up Your Edible Boston Autumn 2015 Issue

    My preview copy of Edible Boston's Autumn 2015 issue arrived this week. It is another issue filled with great writing and photography. 

    39_Cover_Corn-772x1024

    Look for this cover when you visit shops and restaurants that support the local, sustainable food movement. Many of those places are advertisers and distribution spots for this publication.

    Sharing Food Stories

    This is one publication where the Letter from the Editor near the front is the place to start. Ilene Bezahler always makes me think, resolve, or remember. This time she shared memories of the food scene on Martha's Vineyard where Ed and I vacationed for many years. 

    She also recommended staying in a house or apartment on vacation rather than a hotel so that you can experience a place more like a local. That's something we've always preferred. She and I will have to sit down over a cup of tea or glass of wine one of these days and compare notes in person. 

    The Field of Grain

    There are a couple of articles in this issue about grains – growing grains and turning them into great artisan breads. Living with a confessed bread-a-holic, these were two of my first reads this time around.

    You'll meet another issue full of food makers, food growers, and food curators. And, the ads will give you lots of great ideas, things to do, places to visit, and items to add to your shopping list. Of course, a gift subscription to Edible Boston itself is a perfect gift for anyone who is a lover of fresh, local food, and the people who bring it our way. 

    Support publisher Ilene Bezahler and her talented team

    First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.

    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!

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Covershot: Courtesy of Edible Boston

  • Flu Vaccination Info, What Are Your Options for the 2015-2016 Season?

     UPDATE: Latest Flu Vaccination Information … Boston Area Resources to Find a Flu Shot6a00e54fc42bb888340120a5dbc161970c-320pi-1 

    Here's the latest Flu Shot information. We've compiled a list of sources to help you search for and better understand this season's vaccination.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds us, “There are several flu vaccine options for the 2015-2016 flu season,” including a specific vaccine designed for seniors. Besides the usual trivalent vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses, there are quadrivalent vaccines to protect against four different flu viruses. >>Here's What You Need to Know.

    In this post, you'll also find assistance from federal, state, and local authorities – including medical institutions and retail stores. There are sites to track flu activity, plus suggestions that could help save you time and money.

    As always, check with your doctor or other healthcare professionals for any flu-related advice.  

    Do federal, state, and city health officials have any updates on flu or flu vaccinations?

    Where can I get a flu vaccination in the Boston area?

    • Here's a search box made available to us by the U.S. Department of Health. Just enter your Zip Code, tap go, and you'll have a map of options.  


    Where can I get a flu vaccination in the surrounding area?

    More information below the ad.

    Whether you're waiting in line for a flu shot or taking an easy day with a headcold, an Amazon Kindle makes a great companion. Buy new books on the fly, dig into your archive to re-read old favorites. And, thank you to everyone who supports the compiling of information like this by beginning all their Amazon shopping from BostonZest. It doesn't cost you a penny more, but it does put a few pennies in our pockets.

    What's the level of flu activity in our area?

    • Google flu trends will give you the current level of flu activity in Massachusetts.
    • More on regional/worldwide flu activity: Here. 

    More details below ...

    • Some Pharmacies have flu vaccine, including CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid.
    • If you haven't checked lately, this might be a good time to consult with your primary care physician for the latest flu shot information.
    • Whichever flu shot location you choose, we recommend that you call the site directly before going.

    Here's a link to information on caring for someone with the flu and preventing the spread of the disease.

    And, for a friend suffering from a bad cold or the flu, remember Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend!

    Follow us on Twitter for alerts when we update this article.

    Details:
    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photo Credit: James Gathany, courtesy of  the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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