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Scenic City Bootcamp goes through it’s own body transformation

April 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

This is me before bootcamp and after I had been going to bootcamp for four months.Before bootcamp and after four months of bootcamp

Can you believe the difference in just four months? I lost 30 lbs and 14% of my bodyfat. I  gained muscle and stamina. I ran a 5k and I am still going. I love going to bootcamp. I wake up at 4:30 am and get dressed I leave the house at about 5:10 and get to bootcamp at 5:30 am for the first class of the day. I have my regular bootcamp friends and I enjoy getting an hour of intense training in before the day has even really started. I love how feel now, I was very unhealthy when I started which is why I decided to go. I also went from a size 20 to a size 14. I know without a doubt that I will continue to transform with scenic city. I am one of those people that can not get motivated about working out and I tried for years to be able to go to the gym on my own, but i wasn’t cutting it. I need to have people around to keep me accountable and help motivate me. This is what Kevin Harvey, Kristen Harvey and  Clarrissa Seales are great at. Without them I could not have made the amazing transition that I did and will continue to do.

While I already loved bootcamp I am even more excited about it now as they have just moved into a new and larger space.  In addition to the enormous new space there are now showering facilities as well, which is fantastic! Kevin and Kristen have built so many people up and changed so many lives, it’s great to see that the space they use is transforming with them. I highly recommend visiting scenic city bootcamp! Your first class is always free and if you tell them that Jessi sent you, you can get two full weeks for free. What an awesome deal?!

Kevin Harvey at scenic city bootcamp Bootcamp2 Bootcamp3 Bootcamp4

 

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Milk and Honey hits the spot

April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

  Milk and Honey is a brand new addition to the northshore area. Today I decided to take my daughter (Lil) out for a mother/daughter lunchdate and we chose the milk and honey gelato bar. It was a hit! We both loved the funky atmosphere and Lil really loved that she could sit outside and still see inside, at the indoor/outdoor counter seating.  Aside from the fact that I wanted to spend time with my sweet daughter I also wanted to check out two of the new flavors of gelato. The Ecto-Cooler and Butterbeer flavors. First let me say that if you grew up in the 80’s/90’s you are most likely familiar with the ghost buster’s cartoon but in case you are not, watch this clip: who ya gonna call Pure awesomeness, right?! Well with the spawn of that awesome show came the drink ecto-cooler by Hi-C. This and ninja turtle pies by hostess were a huge thing for our generation. When I heard that milk and honey had the ecto-cooler flavor, it I had to try it, and it did not FAIL! I loved the flavor, it was dead on, the only thing that would have made it a bit better was if it had been a brighter shade of green. Nothing says you are drinking delicious slime like that eye punching shade of chemical green. Even without the correct hue, the flavor was spot on and I was taken back to my childhood.

The second flavor that I was there to try was Butterbeer! I am a harry potter fan, and when I say that I am not talking about one of those people who saw some of the movies and says they are a fan. I am a hardcore harry potter nerd complete with: full ravenclaw house costume and authentic robes, a remembral, a monster book of  monsters that actually bites, an alivan’s wand and a wand from Ollivander’s at harry potter world in Universal Studios Florida. I even have a beautiful trophy that proudly states that I won the costume contest at the triwizard ball this past year, I also have a deathly hallows tattoo and of course have read the books and watched the movies all too many times to count. With all of that being said, I am an extremely harsh judge of Harry Potter themed foods. I loved the butterbeer at HP world but not from the cart, the butterbeer inside the Hogshead brewery was perfection and I was transported into the books. So needless to say I was more than skeptical when I sat down to try my butterbeer gelato. I apprehensively took a bite, then another and another and soon the cup was empty. I am still not sure how that happened, but I blame the nargles. No seriously though it was fantastic! I worry about writing this and sending it into the world for fear that when I go in tomorrow they will be out of the amazing butterbeer gelato. Aside from the wonderful gelato  and the awesome atmosphere the service was impeccable. Lil and I both enjoyed our gelato and had a fun time. Don’t walk, run to this place! Seriously before the nargles eat the gelato….

The domestic fruit loop.

The interior of Milk and Honey

The interior of Milk and Honey

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Foodworks offers new gluten free lunch menu

April 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I recently visited Foodworks restaurant in the north shore. I enjoy eating at Foodworks but I normally get to do it in the evening. It’s great for me because they have a gluten free menu for the dinner items and it’s a fabulous menu. I have a gluten intolerance and I am a foodie sometimes these two things are mutually exclusive. I am happy to say that at Foodworks this is not the case. My favorite menu item on the GF dinner menu are the candied crusted scallops they are served with a butternut squash and pear risotto that is is also phenomenal. On this particular visit however, it was 11 am and time for lunch. I was a bit apprehensive. I wondered if I would need to order off of the dinner menu and if I did I wondered what I would do with the extra food that I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat. As luck would have it when I asked for the GF menu I was presented with a brand new GF lunch menu! It was fantastic, I knew the portions would be correct and the very knowledgeable staff would keep me from getting sick. For lunch I decided to get the hot ham and cheese. This GF option comes without bread but it’s very filling and delicious. The normal hot ham and cheese would be a bit disappointing but Foodworks hot ham and cheese is amazing. This ham and cheese has ,ham, pepper bacon, aioli, provolone, smoked Gouda and tomato and for a side I got the wonderfully comforting yukon gold mashed potatoes. This meal was perfect and the service was excellent. foodworkslocation

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The Chattanooga Market Opens

April 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
With summer almost upon us it’s time for The Chattanooga Market to open. Opening day at the Chattanooga market is this Sunday April 21st at 11:00 am. The Chattanooga market is a nooga staple and a great place to find one of a kind items. From handmade clothes, to soaps, to hot off the griddle donuts the market has it all. With spring in full swing this sunday’s market is sure to boast a beautiful array of flora and fauna. Come enjoy the the tastes and smells that the market has to offer. In addition to the wonderful array of food and vendors this sunday’s market will host the Chattanooga symphony orchestra conducted by Kayoko Dan. What better way to spend a day with the family then to walk around the market and take in the lovely music or maybe stop and dance. Don’t forget to bring your furry friend, dogs are always welcome at the market! So gather the family, bring your furry friends and come down to the first day of the 2013 Chattanooga Market, it will be a spring fling not to be missed.
Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings

Vacation on a dime in Chattanooga

April 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Planning a vacation is difficult, planning a vacation for a family is even more difficult and planning a family vacation on a budget is down right frustrating. Luckily planning a trip to Chattanooga for a family on a budget is easy with these simple techniques. When booking a hotel you first want to decide if you will have your own transportation. If you do then staying near the Hamilton place mall will be more cost effective, with several hotel choices starting at 100/night. However if you do not have your own transportation than you will want to stay near downtown to be close to the action. The recently built Springhill suites by Marriot offers luxury accommodations at an affordable price. A bonus with this hotel is the amazing view of the river just outside. With your home away from home now in place it’s time to take a look at the best and most affordable experiences that Chattanooga has to offer.
The first stop on our budget friendly tour is the Chattanooga zoo, which offers chimpanzees, jaguars, and some friendly and pet-able goats for the bargain price of 8.95 per adult and 5.95 per child, plus kids 2 and under are free! At a small additional fee of 5 dollars you can ride a camel or for 1 dollar you can ride on the zoos famed carousel which boasts an array of colorful creatures hand carved in the traditional carousel fashion. The next place that if easy on the wallet and fun for the family is the Creative Discovery museum, this fun filled museum is a kid’s paradise.IMG_1914
Everything here is hands on, interactive, and lively. Children will love  creating a sculpture in the art studio, creating their own puppet show and becoming a paleontologist as they dig for dinosaur bones. At a price tag of 11.95 per person this is a great to spend a day. Our last stop under attractions is the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, with daily 2 1/2 hour train rides this is a Chattanooga must! Chattanooga is known for it’s trains and no other attraction thrills children while giving them a history lesson like tvrm. Price tag for this one of a kind experience is 16.00 per adult and 10.00 per child.

With all of this exploring you are bound to get hungry, these restaurants are budget friendly, and unique to Chattanooga. The first restaurant on this tasteful tour is Good Dog, this locally owned and operated joint boasts the best dogs in the south and while good dog has some amazing hot dogs and vegetarian chilli, their breakfast is not to be missed. Open at 7 am until 10pm they are a family friendly local dining stop that is available whenever you are. The prices range from 4.00-9.00 and this amazing establishment has vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available. Aretha Frankenstein’s is our next haunt. This one of a kind restaurant is known for it’s monstrous pancakes. These pancakes are huge but if pancakes aren’t your thing they have other breakfast samplings as well. They also have some pretty impressive lunch sandwiches and with almost all the prices around the 7 dollar range this makes our second spot for our budget friendly restaurant list. *Disclaimer- (The locals know how great this place is so get there early to beat the crowds on the weekend otherwise you could be waiting an hour or more.) Last but not least on this delightfully delectable tour is the Fork and Pie bar, a newcomer to the area this quirky establishment has quickly made it’s mark as a place not to be missed. With a relaxed family friendly atmosphere and pie so good that it will make you think of Grandma, you would expect the prices to be sky high but much like grandma these folks understand penny pinchers. The prices on this menu stay right around the 7 dollar mark. The portions are large as well. When you visit do not leave without trying the pie of the day.

With all of these budget friendly sites there is no reason not to make Chattanooga your next vacation destination! We hope to see you soon.

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings, the 'NOOGA things to do

Review of the Yellow Deli

April 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
yellow deliThe Domestic Fruitloop, a local Nooga reader,  reviews the Yellow Deli.

I lead a very hectic life. I get up at 4:30 am and go to bootcamp, then I come home, make breakfast, wake my daughter up and help her get ready for school. After I drop her off at school I usually need to get back home to do things. However there are certain days where I get a bit of quiet time. I relish this time and my favorite place to spend it is at the yellow deli. The yellow deli is a quaint restaurant off of Mccallie. When you walk in you are greeted warmly but not aggressively by the waiters. The decor harkens back to a fairy cottage from a tale in my childhood and the light tinkling music that plays puts me in an instant state of peace. After I sit down I order a Hibiscus cooler. It is the best drink, a fruit punch of sorts but with the perfect mix of sweet and tart. When we moved here 6 years ago I still ate gluten (I didn’t know that it was the reason that I was sick) so when we would go to the yellow deli I loved to order the yellow submarine. It’s a vegetarian sandwich that changes between three different spreads daily. My favorite of the spreads is the hummus. Later I really enjoyed getting a turkey and provolone with avocado on an onion roll.  This sandwich would come to the table in all it;’s sheer perfection. It was melty and warm and cheesy and delicious. Now that I eat gluten free, it’s difficult for me to find things to eat at certain restaurants. However, at the yellow deli i get the cranberry cashew salad and it is divine. The greens are crisp and dark, the radishes and carrots are sliced so thinly that they really even out the overall texture of the salad, which also boasts large chunks of white cheddar, dried cranberries and spiced cashews. The dressing is a sweet balsamic that is house made. While I love the food, what really makes this place a special retreat for me, is the atmosphere. It’s calming, relaxing and inviting. After I have finished a meal there I will sometimes simply sit and read. I never feel rushed or hurried and I get to enjoy a simple pleasure that normally as a busy mom I would not. The yellow deli is a calm oasis in the midst of a hectic city and I would highly recommend it for a nice quiet meal.

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