Go Local Wednesday- Gypsy Apothecary

Located in the SODO region of Orlando is probably one of my favorite herb shoppes Gypsy Apothecary. 

Their motto is to nourish the Mind, Body & Spirit and have the best selection of

• Organic herbs
• spices
• 100% essential oils (Cheapest I’ve found in town while maintaining 100% organic status)
• herbal teas
• Medicinal Herbs
• Himalayan salt lamps
• incense
• gifts from around the world and so much more!
  

  Wall of Herbs

I’m not a guru of inner peace, but if I can walk into a local establishment and have a rush of relaxation hit me, with attendants that are knowledgeable on herbal wellness and relaxation, I’m going to be all about it.

I stop in every Sunday afternoon to unwind and get ready for my week usually with a lavender tea and a good book.

Tea corner

Lavender

Each jar explains what the contents are and how they benefit you!

 

Here they have a selection of herbal teas that are targeted to all sorts of matters such as Stress, Energy Boost, Detox, Nail Hair & Skin remedies, and more that you can purchase by the ounce.

With a small tea corner you can quietly sit at peace in a room usually filled with a calming essential oil and sip on freshly steeped tea at a very cheap cost! Or take the tea leafs and steep them in the comfort of your home (They provide you with tea steeping bags)

Gypsy Apothecary also offers practices for those wanting a deeper idea of inner peace through meditation and crystal readings and can answer any questions you may have.

I love this place, don’t hesitate on this sweet spot. Go in, gain some knowledge, explore, enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Tuesday Tour- Lawsona/Fern Creek Neighborhood

Today on our Tuesday Tour we are taking you to the gorgeous Lawsona/Fern Creek Neighborhood.

Lawsona/Fern Creek is truly one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Downtown Orlando.  From the historic homes to the charming Washington St. bridge, you will not be disappointed.

The Lawsona/Fern Creek neighborhood is located between Thornton Park and the Milk District  so you will never run out of places to eat, drink or shop.  It is very well  known for one of the most beautiful parks in Downtown Orlando, Dickson-Azalea Park.  Located just beneath the historic Washington St. bridge, the park is shaded by sprawling oak trees, nature trails, and lined with azaleas in the Spring.  Across the street the park setting continues at Langford Park with more trails, playgrounds, and pavilions.  The Florida landscape is  picturesque in this neighborhood that is just blocks from Lake Eola and Downtown Orlando.   

Thinking about moving to Lawsona/Fern Creek Orlando, Search Lawsona/Fern Creek Homes for Sale

Search Downtown Orlando Neighbhorhood Homes for Sale

Need to sell your Lawsona/Fern Creek home, call us today, 407-494-2820

Do you love where you live?   #heartorlandohome

Go Local Wednesday- The Sanctum

For my vegan friends!!! This is the place! for my non-vegan friends!!! This is still the place! 

I had lunch at Sanctum the other day and I walked in feeling like I needed to be worried about finding something to eat that was “flavorful and filling” because I’m not a choice vegan. (Though all my closest friends, who have zero relation, happen to be vegan) OF COURSE I felt foolish once I sat down and started to take a peep at their menu.

Sanctum is owned by  health coaches/chefs Chelsie and Jamie Savage who spent years traveling to find the right balance of flavor and fare.

This popping establishment is located in the Mills 50 area and is geared towards a plant-based, Non-GMO, mostly organic and gluten free fare. They serve up hearty vegetarian and vegan dishes and have a list of hot teas/coffees, specialty cocktails, craft beers, and cold pressed juices.

 

I went for it and ordered the Shiva bowl (which I found on their Sunday Brunch Menu) It was loaded with organic kale, butternut squash, apples, celery, raisins, organic house tempeh, candied walnuts, chickpeas, coconuts, and topped with a curried peanut dressing!! I found my filing and definitely my flavorful in this dish. I did question what “tempeh” was and the server was extremely knowledgeable about their products and loved to educate me on the process of the deep fried soybean (Plus Plus for service)

I ended my brunch with a ginger steeped tea with a shot of honey and walked out spending less than 15 dollars! I will indeed be back.

 

Hours and Location here!

Photos Credit to the sanctum cafe

 

Who Says There’s Nothing to Do in Orlando?- Lakeridge Winery July Summer Music Series

The Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards located at 19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont, Florida 34715 opened their doors in 1989 with 127 acres to craft their premium and sparkling wines.  

 

The winery produces varietals of Red and White wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, They offer winery tours 7 days a week and have a large retail area featuring all the Lakeridge wines, gourmet foods, and wine accessories for the home wine enthusiasts!

Every Saturday this July Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards is holding a Summer Music Series from noon – 4:00 pm with free admission.

That’s 5 opportunities to get out there and enjoy the free live music, cheese and wine bar, food, beers and (my personal favorite) a corn hole tournament! 

Every Saturday proceeds will go to which every Charity is sponsoring that week (more info here) and there’s many opportunities to score yourself one of the many prizes they have to offer by competing in the tournaments (which only cost 2$ for the first game and admission of team and $1 for each additional game per team)

Charity for July 1st 2017

My partner and I are making it to at least 2 of these events this month, so get out there and check it out!

If you see me say hi, if you’re on the opposing team during the corn hole tournament well then I suggest you wait until after I win to say hi (ha!, kidding)

 

Any questions or recommendations for my blogs email me at admin@thinklivebe.com

all photos credit to Lakeridge Winery!

Go Local Wednesday- Saigon Noodle & Grill

You can’t not find authentic Vietnamese cuisine if you take a stroll up E Colonial between Summerlin Ave. and Bumby Ave. You CanNOT find authentic cuisine as good as what Saigon Noodle & Grill has to offer. 

Located just off of E. Colonial at 101 N Bumby Ave. is Saigon Noodle & Grill.

Family owned and operated by founders Thuy and Tudy Nguyen (voted 2016  power couple), the establishment specializes in authentic cuisine including Vietnamese noodle soups, rice platters, special family style entrees, pan-fried noodle dishes, and more!

Being how Saigon is a jump, hop, and skip from my office I tend to visit this location a lot and my partner raves the Crispy Noodle Pan Fried dish.

K4 Crispy Noodle Dish

We were shook (but not surprised) when we saw that it was being featured on Food Network’s Diner’s Drive-Ins & Dives with Guy Fieri back in May. Since then they have seen an abundant, consistent flow of guest that keep coming back for more.

So if you’re near Bumby Avenue check this place out.

It’s local, it’s fresh, it’s delicious, it’s filling, it’s generous in pricing and portions, it’s family driven and it’s just plain and simply the best Vietnamese dishes Orlando has to offer. period.

Don’t fully take my word on how awesome this place is check out their reviews here!

As always shoot me an email with any local establishments you think deserve a little spotlight (Establishments are not required to be restaurants!)

Who Says There’s Nothing to Do in Orlando? – Winter Park Boat Tours

With water levels back to a healthy reach, why not take a scenic stroll through Winter park on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour. 

The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, established in 1938 and located at 312 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, is for those wanting to take an adventure through three of the seven chain of lakes as well as two man-made cannals that connect you to the lakes.

With sights of sub-tropical flowers, Florida ferns, the occasional lazy gator, Florida’s large cranes, and the historic homes along the shore (which are the major eye catchers on this tour) it’s a fun trip out with a group of friends or the family!

 

I’ve not had the opportunity to make this scenic boat tour myself but now that a little birdy has mentioned it as a must do in Orlando I just might

Prices are reasonable with admission rates of 14$ for adults and 7$ for children (2-11; under 2 are free) The last boat takes off at 4:00 p.m. everyday so get there before it does!

More details at their website scenicboattours.com

As always I’m in constant search of new Things to Do in Orlando that you (the audience) need the world to see! Email me at Admin@thinklivebe.com to share some trips and experiences, I’d love to hear them!

photos courtesy of Scenic Boat Tours

Go Local Wednesday- Beefy King

49 years and counting! that’s how long this local sandwich joint has been wowing Orlando lunchers.

Dating back to 1968 Freeman and Margaret Smith soon enough became known for their steamed hot and fresh roast beef sandwiches, Three generations later and a lot of happy customers it’s no surprise they’ve walked away with Orlando Sentinel 13th Annual Foodie Award. 

My partner has been in love with Beefy King and I’ve been very skeptical about roast beef (Bad experience that involved me as a kid and a fast-food chain). Well I took the leap of curiosity and trusted the word of mouth that this place was a must. 

Of course I had to get a traditional Roast Beef sandwich with cheese lettuce and coleslaw on a kaiser roll and I kid you not…. it was gone in less than 3 minutes. Hot, flavorful, and very filling, If I were a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers I’d order two for sure.

If you find the opportunity to stop by for a quick bite to eat I would so recommend it!.

Check out their menu here

Email me your experience or any local recommendations you may have! Admin@thinklivebe.com

 

 

 

I never think ahead of the game, sometimes its the hunger being impatient for the right angle, so food photo is credit to beefyking.com!**