So, after checking out our top 10 kid-friendly and couple-friendly restaurant options last month, we have all become culinary experts. But Wait! there is more to come on this front.  The eighth-annual Miami New Times Iron Fork, presented by the Downtown Miami Development Authority, once again partnered with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau to host the official Miami Spice Kickoff Event on Thursday, July 30, 2015.

The kickoff event returns to the Hyatt Regency Miami where dining enthusiasts will enjoy some of the finest restaurants featured during the Miami Spice program, as well as dozens of other top local eateries. The footprint also extends into the James L Knight Center’s world-class theater and entertainment venue.

The event brings guests culinary creations from more than 60 of South Florida’s luxury and fine-dining restaurants, including Morton’s the Steakhouse, 26 Sushi & Tapas, Miami Smokers, City Hall The Restaurant, Sugar Yummy Mama, Rusty Pelican, and one of our favorites Novecento, just to name a few. (Full list – updated daily)

What is even better,  Miami New Times has once again partnered with the charitable organization Share Our Strength to support their No Kid Hungry campaign to bring awareness of childhood hunger in America. Guests can participate in a silent auction during the event to support the cause, as well as get the chance to win one Grand Prize – A Night of Spice with Chef Allen.

And of course, celebrated Chef Allen Susser hosts the Fork Off Chef Competition, a fierce fight to the culinary finish between two of Miami’s hottest chefs, Eileen Adrade from FINKA Table & Tap and Dena Marino from MC Kitchen with judges Danny Serfer (Mignonette/Blue Collar), Jamie DeRosa (Tongue & Cheek/Izzy’s Fish & Oyster) and Ralph Pagano (Naked Taco/Naked Lunch).

In addition to the Fork Off Chef Competition, Susser has also curated the Shuck It Oyster Competition presented by Midtown Oyster Bar.

The epicurean event will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. for General Admission ticket-buyers and will bring together thousands of young professionals, local businesses, and foodies for an evening of gourmet food selections, tasty libations, and live entertainment. Guests who prefer a more intimate dining experience can purchase VIP tickets, which include entry to the event one hour early, at 6 p.m., and access to a private VIP bar and lounge area featuring exclusive entertainment and an elite selection of Miami’s best luxury dining restaurants.

Our BKB Moms get special discount on admission, check the link below and insert Promo Code: BKBMOM

Who:                Miami New Times Iron Fork/Miami Spice Kickoff Event
Where:            Hyatt Regency Miami/James L Knight Center, 400 SE 2nd Ave., 33131
When:              Thursday, July 30, 2015, VIP: 6 – 7 p.m. GA: 7 – 10 p.m.
Tickets:            VIP $85 Regular Price July 1 – July 29 $100 at the door
GA:                    $50 Regular Price July 1 – July 29 – $65 at the door

Tickets can be purchased at NewTimesIronFork.com

Les ha pasado que ¿llegan a casa y desde que van dando el primer paso empiezan a observar cada una de las cosas que quisieran cambiar, modificar, remendar o simplemente eliminar de su espacio?… Ese momento donde pareciera que todo lo que algún día nos entusiasmo adquirir, hoy pierde el valor.

Este sentimiento, aunque no lo veamos, nos absorbe energía y nos genera una sensación de frustración. ¿ Que pasaría si en lugar de ver que cambiar o modificar agradezcamos lo que SI tenemos?, es decir, agregarle un poco de energía a tu entorno.

Durante próximas semanas estaremos compartiéndoles algunos consejos y hábitos que utilizamos para lograr de nuestro entorno un lugar que apreciamos, que nos alimenta el espíritu y nos hace disfrutar en el hoy.

Flores y más flores

En lo personal siempre me han gustado las flores, sin embargo, no me consideraba una persona que podía cuidar de ellas, sentía que se marchitarían rápido, que no me durarían. Pero como saberlo si no lo intentaba, así que me fije un objetivo, donde cada semana que iba al supermercado agregaba comprar flores.

Al principio se me complicaba hasta el tipo de flor a elegir, me iba por colores, luego por temporada, luego por olores, hasta que fui descubriendo aquellas que cubrían mis expectativas. Este simple ejercicio le agrego un toque de diversión al momento de elegirlas, pero no solo eso, el llegar a casa buscar un lindo jarrón, donde ubicarlas, se volvió un acontecimiento.

Empecé colocando flores en la sala, luego me pase al cuarto de mi hija , en mi escritorio para inspirarme y así poco a poco ilumine de color diferentes rincones de mi hogar.

Y ¿cuáles son los beneficios?

Físicos

• A través de la fotosíntesis, limpian el aire. Normalmente, lo hacen por las mañanas, pero las que son de ambientes cálidos, como las orquídeas, la realizan por la noche
• Dan humedad al ambiente, algo que es muy beneficioso para nuestras mucosas, gargantas y, como no, para nuestra piel. Así la tendremos más hidratada
• Aumenta el flujo sanguíneo y empiezas a experimentar un aumento en la energía, te sientes revitalizado

Emocionales

• Nos alegran, hacen que nuestro estado de animo cambie
• Reducen el estrés, relajan y animan
• Aumentan el nivel de concentración
• Atenúa los sentimientos negativos como el enfado

Los invito a colocar una flor cerca de su cama, experimenten como al levantarse y observarlas no solo les hace estar de mejor humor, muchas veces hasta logran pintar una pequeña sonrisa!

Gracias por darme un espacio en su valioso día,

IME  Integrative Nutrition Health Coach & Wellness Corner Contributor – 305 431 6012 / imelizarraga@outlook.com

While the concept of a new and improved tennis facility at Crandon Park funded by the Tournament sounded good on the election ballot, some people don’t agree that the current plan is in the best interest of the year-round tennis players. According to the starters of the petition current plans for Crandon Park Tennis Center expansion include eliminating all six (6) clay and the only two (2) grass courts at the Tennis Center in order to build three new permanent tennis stadiums.

Currently, the Crandon Park Tennis Center has 18 hard courts, 6 clay courts (4 green and 2 red), and 2 grass courts, making it the only multi-surface public tennis facility around. The courts are utilized by the public year round and booking/ using a clay court at prime time is often difficult with only 6 clay courts while the hard courts are plentiful (18). According to the folks that initiated the petition it makes little sense to eliminate them because most of the leagues and the Sectional Tennis Championship (Daytona) are almost always on clay courts.

If you would like to show your support of keeping the clay and grass courts at the Crandon Park Tennis Center please sign the petition!

We have researched a few great services in our community. Savvy Shelly is a comprehensive personal assistant and concierge service in Miami designed to help people balance life’s demands. Services are entirely customized to fit the client’s needs. Savvy Shelly provides free consults anytime.

At the keys, Personal Gofer is another safe, convenient and reliable partner.  Their platform operates as a helper to individuals and businesses within the community – they called themselves an “errand network”: a group of individuals around our neighborhood who are ready to help anyone get any type of task done.

Whether you’re running a household or have a demanding career, quality time with family and friends is lost when the “to do” list kicks into overdrive. Having personal assistant for only a few hours a week or month, could make all the difference in your life.

For more info call:

Savvy Selly @786.553.3808 or visit SavvyShelly.com.

Personal Gofer @305.349.3416 or visit personalgofer.com

When it comes to eating out with kids we always have doubts. Many restaurants are not prepared to handle all aspects of the dining experience with kids. From menu, atmosphere, location, diners and so on. Fortunately we have researched all options in Brickell and KB to provide you with the best picks!

When it comes to eating out with our significant other we do not have doubts – however a simple reminder of the best available options out there for a romantic weekly date or a night out with friends is a good thing to know.

Hope you enjoy all the different options available with kids and without kids. Just remember to let us know how your experience was. You know…we love to share!

How to explain to our kids the removal of trees in Brickell?

If you live in Brickell or have lately driven through Brickell, your kids have probably asked you about the cutting of the trees. Personally, I have witnessed a group of  4 year olders bringing up the Lorax movie to the explanation.

Even tough the 1971 original children’s book written by Dr. Seuss and later Universal Pictures movie is commonly recognized as a fable concerning the danger corporate greed poses to nature, most young children relate tree cutting to a cruel anti-green action.

How do we become informed parents and teach our kids what is right or wrong about what is happening?

The Brickell Avenue Median Landscaping & Sidewalk Improvement project began September 3 and is anticipated to take 90 days. The project entails the redoing of the medians with 10,000 new trees, plants and shrubs. A new irrigation system will be installed, and a new sidewalk path will be constructed on both sides of the Avenue. On the east side, the sidewalk will expand to 11 feet wide which will definitely benefit moms and strollers. Furthermore, the project also entails removing approximately 75 trees to be replaced with 240 shade trees, 20 feet and higher.  Last week the project took effect and started the controversy when a few trees were removed.

According to the City of Miami there are many reasons for removal, i.e. root structure problems, damage, funguses, storm damage, plantings too close together prohibiting proper growth, etc., and necessity loomed large and in some cases dangerous, causing the trees to be removed. To be informed about the project you can check the city of Miami’s City Capital Improvements Plan B-30288 documents.

A number of residents however is expressing strong opposition of Capital Improvement plan B-30822 and are protesting to stop the removal of the trees until the City Council  properly presents and discusses the plan with the residents. They do not agree with the claims that most of the trees are sick and consider that many only need proper pruning, feeding or treatment.  The protesters have been meeting most days last week in the afternoon on Brickell at 1800 to get signatures to stop the removal of more trees. There is also on-going online petition to be found at change.org.

We,  at Brickell and KB moms,  have not yet taken a position. All we know is that we definitely need further information to accept this B-30822 new project. As a mom, I need to have a right response for my 4 year old. I somehow wish Lorax would show up in Brickell and speak for the trees for “the trees have no tongues” as he says.

Not to worry! We know two local wonderful chefs- better yet pâtissiers who will get you talking and eating of course!

Lele from LELE B PATISSERIES and Maria Luisa Benavides from Piononos Inc. are extremely passionate about what they bake and both happened to be extraordinary local moms!

Lele B likes to think of her cakes as “little mouthful of happiness”. At LELE B PATISSERIES they use nothing but the finest local and imported ingredients. Cakes are handmade and only bake to order so you can be sure they will be as tasteful and fresh as they can be.

Maria Luisa’s happiness and love for what she does can be seen through her creativity and work. To her, every cake is an adventure and every new client a learning experience.  Her strawberry pavlova is to die for…

To satisfy your sweet tooth make sure to contact:

Lele B Patisseries
Phone: 7862667584

Maria Luisa @ Piononos Inc.
Galeria Mall, 2nd. Floor.  328 Crandon Blvd. #217.
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Phone: 786.488.6770

Photos: Top/ Brownie cake topped with dulce de leche and fresh berries melange by Lele B Patisseries. Bottom/Maria Luisa Benavides from Piononos Inc. with her famous strawberry pavlova

Late Summer and early Spring are the best seasons for everything and anything!
It is time to celebrate great weather to its fullest. Most of you will be happy to know that we have put together the best dining options available in the Brickell & Key Biscayne communities. Because we as moms have different needs, we have created two great categories: the kid-friendly restaurant picks and the couple-friendly restaurant picks.

When it comes to eating out with kids we always have doubts. Many restaurants are not prepared to handle all aspects of the dining experience with kids. From menu, atmosphere, location, diners and so on. Fortunately we have researched all options in Brickell and KB to provide you with the best picks!

When it comes to eating out with our significant other we do not have doubts – however a simple reminder of the best available options out there for a romantic date or a night out with friends is a good thing to know.

Hope you enjoy all the different options available with kids and without kids. Just remember to let us know how your experience was. You know…we love to share!

May we suggest a 50 minute restorative massage at the Mandarin Oriental’s Spa and later a delicious lunch at Cafe Sambal with your girlfriends? Or a 60 minute Ultrasonic Facial + mind body class at the Epic Spa to later join your loved one for lunch at Zuma?

We have put together a list of all participating Spas in the Brickell, KB and nearby locations:

• Biltmore Spa, The Biltmore Hotel
• The Boutique Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
• Casa Moderna Spa, Casa Moderna Hotel and Spa
• Elemis Spa at the Village of Merrick Park
• Enliven Spa, JW Marriott Marquis
• Exhale Mind Body Spa, EPIC Hotel
• Jurlique Spa at the Mayfair Hotel
• mySpa Miami, InterContinental Miami
• Salus Spa, JW Marriott Miami
• The Spa at Conrad Miami
• The Spa at Grove Isle, Grove Isle Hotel & Spa
• The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami
• The Spa at Viceroy Miami

We have created the perfect outfit for your Spa day. So? What are you waiting for? Book your appointment. No! we are not out of our minds, you are a mom and you deserve it! So, indulge before August is over!