May 18 2012

Portland Trails– explore Portland!

By Nathan Strange | Corporate Office, Corporate Furnished, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Health, Travel, Lifestyle, Community, | (0) Comments

Portland Trails– explore Portland!

So, everyone knows about the 3.6 mile walking/running loop around Portland’s Back Cove, but did you know Portland has over 50 miles of networked trails?

That’s right! Portland Trails has 31 trails to run, cycle, hike, mountain bike, walk, snow shoe, and cross country ski on. Some of the trails lead to fishing, swimming, and picnic destinations that are stroller and/or wheelchair accessible

“Portland Trails is a nonprofit land trust that preserves green space for public access and connects people with places. Since our founding in 1991, Portland Trails has been dedicated to creating a network of trails in greater Portland, Maine that is available to everyone free of charge”. (http://trails.org/)

Want to bring poochie for a walk? Portland has 28 trails that are dog friendly! Don’t forget to stop by the Quarry Run Dog Park, its pretty much an amusement park for dogs.

Visit the Portland Trails website at: http://trails.org/ for more info. You can join to become a member and or donate at: http://trails.org/join-or-donate/ and volunteers are always welcome at http://trails.org/volunteer/ .

Get out there and explore Portland!

Photo by David Hanauer

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The 1-2-3 Mug Cake!

By Shannon Flannery | Corporate Office, Food, | (2) Comments

null I’m someone who really loves sweets….brownies, cookies, cake…you name it! Unfortunately my fiancé is not a sweet-eater and believe it or not, he HATES chocolate. Sometimes I wonder why a woman couldn’t have been born with his taste buds! Since it seems wasteful to bake goodies just for myself, I came up with the perfect solution (thanks to Pinterest of course)….the 1-2-3 Mug Cake! It is quick to make, low in fat and calories and best of all, can be made in 1 serving!

What You’ll Need:
1 box Angel Food Cake mix
1 box Devil's Food mix
unsweetened apple sauce
A few chocolate chips
Take the two cakes mixes & combine them in a large container. Make sure it has an airtight lid! Now you're ready to make the cake!

The measurements:
3 Tablespoons of the Angel Food/Devil's Food mixture
1 Tablespoon of Unsweetened Applesauce
1 Tablespoon of water
A few chocolate chips

The assembly:
Mix everything together except the chocolate chips.
After you mix, place the chocolate chips on top so they will slowly sink into the cake as it cooks.
Put it in the microwave for 45-60 seconds
Let cool for a couple of minutes and top with a little whipped cream.

Enjoy!

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Spring Cleaning Tips

By Lisa Bettencourt | Corporate Office, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Georgia, Multifamily, Apartment Living, Lifestyle, | (1) Comments

Yes, it’s that time for spring cleaning. When discussing spring cleaning, there are a few things that come to mind that we all easily forget. Each of these chores can easily be completed in less than 15 minutes.
1. Clean or replace those drip pans on your stove. Pull out the bottom drawer and clean underneath as well.
2. Clean out your refrigerator and freezer. Make room for freeze pops, ice creams and those summer treats you love.
3. Wipe down any small appliances you may have (unplug all appliances first). If the microwave smells, boil lemon juice.
4. Clean out your car. Take out that ice scraper and winter survival kit and replace it with an umbrella and picnic blanket.
What are some of your spring cleaning tips we can add?

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Dare to Share

By Casey Swan | Corporate Office, Corporate Furnished, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Georgia, Lifestyle, Community, Casey Swan, | (1) Comments

I recently read an article on The Daily Good about the dirty little secret that one woman carried with her for years. Although she was altogether accomplished in many areas from hoola-hooping to reading Latin, she could not ride a bike. Once she revealed this confidence to a friend, she discovered that he was as mystified by her ability to bake cupcakes from scratch as she was about his ability to balance on two wheels. These two friends swapped a bike riding lesson for a cake baking lesson. The exercise brought them closer together, helped them value each other more, and solidified their own appreciation for the aptitudes they already had.

My friend Shelley sews beautiful quilts. I look at the finished products and marvel at her dexterity with a sewing machine. I grew up at the elbows of both my mother and my grandmother as they sewed clothing, household items, and all of my childhood Halloween costumes. I dream of making a polished looking skirt or reupholstering the pillows in the camper, but despite owning a machine of my own, my handiwork hasn't matured over the years.

I can't help but wonder why this activity comes so naturally to Shelley when the hours I have put in with my foot on the pedal haven't paid off. And then I remember that there are things Shelley envies about me, like my ability to plan and serve a meal whose centerpiece is not Hamburger Helper. And I recall how good I feel when I know I am nourishing my friends not only with food, but with that little piece of myself that I've instilled in the meal; call it kindness or love or soul.

The moral of the story is that everyone has strengths and talents, some that we recognize and some that we take for granted. Much has been said about generosity, but I think the best form is to share of oneself. Share your interests with a friend and you open the door for reciprocity, to learn a new skill yourself.

Technology has even advanced so you can benefit from the collective knowledge in your area right from your computer. SkillShare.com offers free online courses curated and taught by your peers. The aim of this enterprise is to create a collaborative environment in which every community is a campus and every citizen is both student and teacher. Upcoming courses offered for the Boston area include the art of conversation, how to empathize with others, and an introduction to belly dancing.

On this note, there is a fantastic, free event going on in Lowell this weekend. On Sunday, May 6, the Mill City Skill Share will host dozens of workshops around downtown Lowell to spread knowledge and to connect community members. Workshops span diverse interests from cooking to social networking, grant writing to moped maintenance. Registration begins at 9:30 am at the Mogan Cultural Center on French Street and workshops run between 10 am and 6 pm. Visit http://millcityskillshare2012.wordpress.com/workshop-schedule/ for an overview of everything you can experience this weekend, then think about what you know that other people could benefit from during next year's event!

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Mother’s Day is approaching!

By Jen D'Apice | Corporate Office, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Lifestyle, Community, | (1) Comments

null For all the moms out there today, I wish you a very warm and thoughtful day full of the love and appreciation from your daughters and sons. I’m eternally thankful for my mom and try and let her know throughout the year of my appreciation. Because, after all, you don’t need a special day once a year to let your mother know how much you care about them. While you don’t need to let them know every day, just remembering to let them know from time to time is all that’s needed. People just need to know — and hear — they are loved and appreciated.

What special token will you have planned for your mother on this wonderful day?