San Antonio Flavor

Next week brings one of the most anticipated events of the San Antonio foodie community - San Antonio Flavor. The event brings 25 local restaurants under one roof for an evening of culinary delight. The event also features the Whole Foods Market Showdown, where four top chefs partner with four local celebrities for a cook-off. San Antonio Flavor is March 5 from 7-11 PM at the San Antonio Museum of Art. Culinaria provides more details:

The highly anticipated 2nd San Antonio Flavor event returns March 5, 2015 from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. and this time with an Alamo City twist! San Antonio Flavorcelebrates the local culinary scene by bringing together San Antonio restaurants who lead the foodie scene in our city. Select beer, wine and cocktails add to the VIP-style soiree that is, San Antonio Flavor.

Last year the inaugural San Antonio Flavor event brought in over 1000 foodies from around the city. Food and drink lovers enjoyed the top, most highly regarded restaurants and bars in San Antonio.

The Whole Foods Market Culinary Showdown is the highlight of Flavor this year. A top chef from San Antonio will pair up with a local celebrity to create a unique, mouth-watering dish. Each team will have 30 minutes to stir up a winning quick-fire dish to impress our judges. The winning duo wins bragging right for years to come!

A panel of expert food judges, along with a selection of audience judges will choose the winning team. A limited number of raffle tickets will be sold before and during the event to give our guests a chance to be a judge on stage. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised from the raffle will go to Culinaria.

Culinaria is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to promoting San Antonio as a premier food destination while fostering community growth and enrichment.  Culinaria also supports local students pursuing a degree in culinary arts.

We invite you to join us for our 2nd San Antonio Flavor and experience food and drinks in a VIP setting, like no other.

San Antonio Agenda: February 20-22

Are you ready to celebrate the weekend? So are we! From Hollywood stars at The Academy Awards to actual star-gazing at Phil Hardberger Park, these events (courtesy of San Antonio Magazine) are worth adding to your weekend agenda! Where will we see our #LaCanteraLiving residents out and about?

Asian Festival
Celebrate the Year of the Ram during the Institute of Texan Culture’s 28th annual Asian Festival, which will include music and dance performances on multiple stages, martial arts demonstrations, craft sales and traditional Asian foods. The day-long festival provides an opportunity to learn more about Japanese, Chinese, Laotian, Philippine, Korean and other cultures all in one place. Also on Saturday, the ITC will open Sikhs: Legacy of the Punjab, an exhibit that originated at the Smithsonian. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd., 210-458-2300, texancultures.com

On and Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour
Take a glimpse into the homes, studios and galleries of more than 65 area artists in 50 locations on and around a 5-mile stretch of Fredericksburg Road during this eighth annual self-guided art tour. Artists include stone sculptor Cody Vance, painters Russell Stephenson, Charles Ingram and more. Musicians, dancers and other performers also will showcase their skills at various venues. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m. onnandofffred.org

Red Carpet Extravaganza
Get the full Academy Awards experience while supporting athletes with Special Olympics Texas. Guests will gather to watch the Oscars while enjoying tasty bites, and local comedians Alex Ansel (known as Kool-Aid) and Michael Suarez will perform. A silent auction and raffle also will take place during the evening. Sunday, 6 p.m. DoubleTree Hotel, 37 N.E. Loop 410, 210-530-9898, sotx.org

Star Party
Join local astronomers to learn about the night sky during a star gazing event at Phil Hardberger Park. Telescopes will be set up in an open field and available for use. If the sky is not clear enough for stargazing, visitors will be invited for an indoor program in the Gathering Hall. Saturday, 6 p.m. Phil Hardberger Park West, 8400 N.W. Military Hwy., 210-492-7472, philhardbergerpark.org

Valentine's Day in San Antonio

Valentine's Day weekend is upon us! Did you remember to book a reservation? If not, that's okay! Think outside the box (although you can never go wrong with a jewelry box) this weekend and change your Valentine's Day tradition by trying a new event! We live in such a vibrant city that you never have to do the same thing twice! Here are just some of the events going on in our city Valentine's Day weekend, courtesy of KENS5:

28 Days of Hearth Health with Baptist Hospital: Is your heart healthy enough for love? You may think so, but did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women? Take charge of your health! By participating in "28 Days of Heart Health" you'll learn how to reduce blood pressure, identify heart-related illnesses in your family history, prepare recipes for better heart health and even determine what the signs are of a heart attach. You can sign up for free online at BaptistHearts.com.

5Ks all weekend: Take care of your heart this month! There are a few 5K run/walks across San Antonio this weekend.

• The McNay's 5K run/walk honors the founder of the museum, Marion Koogler McNay. It takes place on the museum grounds Sunday Feb. 15 at 10 am. Food, birthday cake and music will be provided after. You can find more information about registration on their website.
• Cupid's Chase 5K benefits people with disabilities. The event is put on by Community Options, Inc. It takes place at McAllister Park and the race starts at 10 am. Raffle tickets will be available for prizes including a $500 HEB gift card, a $500 diamond pendant and more. For registration information, go to their website.
• River City Run is a running tour of San Antonio. They happen every Saturday and Sunday morning but are putting on a special run for Valentine's Day. Take a significant other or even a family member to get out and get active for Valentine's day. Two people can run for $60. The run is at 8:30 am on Sunday, Feb. 15. For registration information, head to their website.

Salud! Culinary Nights at the Witte: This is a recurring event at the Witte. It is an interactive evening program for adults featuring local chefs and a diverse array of cuisines and topics. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, it will feature the culture and flavors of chocolate from some of San Antonio's best chefs and restaurants. While you enjoy the food, Bryan Bayle PhD, MPH, Curator of Anthropology and Health, will discuss the history of chocolate, its significance in different cultures and even health benefits! Any one who tells me chocolate is healthy is a friend of mine. The cost is $50 a person, $45 for members and includes a souvenir wine glass and access to the new HEB Body Adventure. You can reserve your spot by calling 210-357-1910.

San Antonio Museum of Art's Love Party: Art, music and cocktails. Are you sold yet? This is the museum's 3rd annual Love Art Party. The event is Friday, Feb. 13 and is free with museum admission. A cash bar will be provided by The Esquire Tavern. Gallery talks will be 5:30 to 6:30 and happy hour will be 6:00 to 8:00. Show your honey your artistic side!

The McNay Second Thursday: While it's not particularly Valentines's themed, it's another way to relax and enjoy quality time with your sweetheart over music, art and drinks. There will be a docent-led tour of the museum. Food, music and beer are free thanks to their generous sponsors, meaning it could even be a cost-free date leading up to your big weekend. Click here for more information.

Love Central Library Day: Head over to the library Saturday Feb. 14 to show your love for your library! They will host a variety of come-and-go events like food trucks, classical guitar in the lobby, classic movies in Connect, a Friends of Texana book sale and crafts for kids and teens. There are a ton of other events for the entire family or for you and date. The event runs from 11:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. at the Central Library, 600 Soledad Street.

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Speaking of fun events for the family, Clifford the Big Red Dog will make an appearance Saturday at the Barnes and Noble on San Pedro. Valentine's Day Storytime will feature the lovable dog, created by the late Norman Birdwell. Your kids will have fun with activities like "I Love You Like This," showing kids that there are many ways to say "I Love You." The event is at 321 NW Loop 410, Suite #104 this Saturday, Feb. 14 at 11:00 a.m.

Animal Care Services "The One" Adoption Party: Looking to get your sweetie a furry friend? You can pick one out together at the Valentine's Day adoption event this weekend. Animal Care Services is putting on the event with Best Friends Animal Society on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Adoptions are only $10 and adult cats and dogs will be available!

My Furry Valentine at San Antonio Pets Alive!: If you are just in the market for a dog, you also have an adoption option! Dogs over 25 pounds will be available for $25. Vendors will be set up and all proceeds from purchases will go towards heart worm treatment for SAPA! animals. All pets are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots and are microchipped. They are also covered for the first month for flea and heart worm prevention.The event will take place at all four SAPA! locations. You can find the one nearest on their website.

San Antonio ZooAmore: The name of this event is "Strange mating habits of the animal kingdom," and that's all we will say about that. Cocktails and snacks will be provided and guests might even get to touch an animal or two! The event is open to everyone, but is free for Zoomers, the zoo's young professionals group. If you aren't a Zoomer, it will cost you $35. To RSVP, email the Zoomers at sazoomers@gmail.com

Rosella Coffee. Food. Beer. Wine: The all-encompassing establishment at The Pearl is offering half off bottles of wine when you order one of their large dinner plates. That's all the information they gave us, but head to their website for more information.

Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours: Take a look inside the historic Menger Hotel during the most romatic time of the year. Tour inside the Menger and hear "spine chilling ghost stories" and find out why it's the most haunted hotel in Texas. The tour is $70 per adult and includes a 3-course meal. Tours will take place Friday and Satruday.

Historic Gruene, Texas: What is sweeter than quaint Gruene, Texas? Why, Gruene with your sweetheart of course! There is always lots to do and this weekend is no different.

• The staple restaurant Gristmill in the historic district is featuring their reserve wines and a steak and shrimp dinner special. You can call the restaurant for reservations and information
• The oldest dancehall in Texas, Gruene Hall, will play host to great shows all weekend. Texas Country newcomer William Clark Green takes the stage Friday night. WCG, as he is known in short on Twitter, is gearing up to release his sophomore album, "Sympathy." He writes and performs with the likes of Josh Abbott and Randy Rogers, if that clues you in on the stylings you're in for.
• Saturday will include two performances. A gospel show will be the afternoon showcase, from artist So-Patch. ShinyRibs will close out the night. The dancehall's website calls him "alternative country."
• For all concert information, go to Gruene Hall's website.

Cowboys Dancehall:

Live music will also be at Cowboys Dancehall this weekend!

• Friday night will feature Texas Country crooner Aaron Watson. The show is Watson's CD release party for his 12th album, The Underdog. The album is the first time Watson has written music about and for his daughter Julia, who passed away just hours after she was born nearly three years ago. Some of Watson's hits include "3rd Gear and 17," "Reckless," and "Barbed Wire Halo." You can buy tickets online on the venue's website.
• Also at the dancehall this weekend is Stoney LaRue. LaRue is popular on the Texas and Red Dirt circuits. He is a natural-born performer as well as songwriter. Drinking songs, love songs -- LaRue has them all. You can buy tickets on the venue's website.

John T. Floore's Country Store: Keeping with live music, you can catch Whiskey Myers at Floore's. If you have heard their music, you know what you are in for. Opening for Whiskey Myers is Jake Ward, a band out of Corpus Christi. Tickets are available on Floore's website.

San Antonio Rodeo: Starting Thursday, you can catch some fabulous shows at the AT&T Center along with great rodeo action!

• Thursday, Feb. 12: Joe Nichols opens up the rodeo with hit like "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" and "Brokenheartsville."
• Friday, Feb. 12: Four-time Grammy nominee Hunter Hayes takes the stage. The kid is a true talent, he can sing, write, produce and play just about any instrument on the stage.
• Saturday, Feb. 14: Keith Urban. A good country music, a good guitar and an Australian accent. Enough said.
• Sunday Feb. 15: The North Texas acapella group was one of 11 Texas artists that won Grammys this year. They are unlike any vocal group in the business today.
• For tickets to these and any other rodeo events, head over to the rodeo's website.

Last but certainly not least....

Get Married at the County Courthouse for free: The Rev. Joe Sullivan will offer another free mass wedding on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse (north side, Dolorosa St.) on Valentine's Day. The first ceremony will begin at 12:01 a.m. and then again at 10 a.m. and every two hours until 4 p.m. You must get a marriage license this week before showing up.

Renew Your Vows: Same place at 5 p.m! Congratulations to you! There will also be a vow renewal ceremony at The Salvation Army's Center of Hope Corps Chapel. They even have a reception planned after. Ceremonies start at 9 a.m, and mariachis start at 10 a.m. The chapel is located at 521 W. Elmira Street, 78212.

Bedroom Styling

"IMG_1208" by Matthew Piatt is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Your bedroom should be the oasis in your apartment, so you want that space to feel as large as possible, whether it is actually large or not. You can use the decor and furniture pieces in your bedroom to manipulate the size of the space. So how do you make a room feel larger than it is? Try these tricks from Apartment Therapy:

1. Bed drawers and multi-tier nightstands

It's not within every budget to buy a bed that has built-in storage, but in this small and closet-less space, it appears to have been a vital element to ensure this small space actually functioned the way they needed it. Another fun storage feature? Not just one nightstand, but three, on each side! Floating nightstands have long been a smart choice for small spaces, but here, the addition of even more wall-mounted (or in this case, headboard-mounted) ledges means more room for both needed and decorative objects.

2. A large, horizontal wall-mounted mirror

We all know that wall-mounted reflective surfaces like mirrors work magic in small spaces, and in here it's no different. They chose to add the mirror to the wall opposite the door, which is a smart move since it'll reflect an image of the other room, making it feel a little more open than it actually is.

3. A sliding door

For privacy, you can't beat a door. For saving space and adding privacy, you can't beat a sliding door, which they made here themselves using mostly items found at Home Depot.

DIY Home Decor: How To Make a Sliding Door for Under $40

4. Light-colored black-out drapes that blend

For those who need a lot of darkness to sleep peacefully, black-out drapes (lined with dark, light-blocking fabric) are a must. But keep the side of the drapes that face the bedroom a light color, preferably a similar color to the wall. This will help them blend in and expand the look of the space visually.

5. A minimal style

It just makes sense — small spaces need less stuff, and keeping the decorative elements to a minimum will help keep a small space from feeling cluttered. But, that doesn't mean you have to keep everything out. As this small bedroom proves, you can find a good balance between art, decorative elements and more and still have a room that feels spacious for its size.

Football Party Beer & Cheddar Dip

Image courtesy Nealey Dozier, The Kitchn

When you think of football, food also probably comes to mind. From pizza to wings to beer, the unhealthier the food, the better it tastes on game day! Whether you're hosting a party or attending someone else's on Sunday, this beer & cheddar dip (courtesy of The Kitchn) is sure to please! After all, it's the best of both football food worlds--beer and melted cheese!

Beer & Cheddar Dip

Serves 4-6

1 cup (8 ounces) evaporated milk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

10 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1 cup amber beer

2 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Bacon crumbles and green onions, for garnish (optional)

Pretzels, pretzel bread, or crudités, for serving

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together evaporated milk, eggs, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and half of the shredded cheese. Once the cheese sauce begins to warm, add the beer and cornstarch-water mixture (aka the slurry). Whisking frequently, gradually add the remaining cheese and cook until the sauce reaches desired thickness, about 10 - 12 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Keep warm over lowest heat setting, stirring frequently, until ready to serve. Garnish with bacon crumbles and green onions and serve with pretzels, pretzel bread, or crudités.

What are your favorite Super Bowl snacks and recipes?

Cold and Flu Season Essentials

"Tea for two" by Naama ym is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

We are right in the middle of cold and flu season, so if you haven’t been sick so far, congratulations! If you do get sick though, the last thing you want to do is leave the house. While you’re healthy, make sure you stock up on these sick day essentials, courtesy of The Kitchn, so that you’re back to health as quickly as possible!

The Drink Essentials

Herbal Tea: Make sure your stash is well-stocked, as herbal tea is probably the #1 go-to drink for most of us when we get sick. Black and green teas are nice too, but don't soothe the throat quite as well.

Honey: Tea by itself is fine, but tea with honey is extra soothing...

Lemons: ... and even more so if you add a squeeze of lemon. In fact, why not just go ahead and make this ginger honey and lemon tonic? The shot of whiskey in the recipe is optional, but highly recommended. (Trust me.)

Ginger and/or High-Quality Ginger Ale: You'll want fresh ginger for the tonic above, or to make any one of these stomach-soothing teas. You may also want to pick up a bottle or two of high-quality ginger ale — the kind made with real ginger, not just ginger flavoring and sugar — when you're feeling like a little light carbonation would be helpful.

Orange juice or oranges: Give yourself an extra shot of vitamin C with a glass of orange juice, even better if it's freshly-squeezed. (But hey, you're sick! Do whatever is easiest.)

The Food Essentials

Chicken soup: It's not all in your head; there's scientific proof that chicken soup really does help soothe cold symptoms, so buy a few cans for your pantry, or make and freeze a big homemade batch. Looking for the perfect soup recipe? Try one of these → 5 Soups to Soothe a Cold and From Chicken Noodle to Egg Drop: 10 Soothing Broth-Based Soups.

Applesauce: An essential part of the BRAT diet, applesauce is low in fiber but has lots of calories, so it's easy on a delicate stomach.

Bread for toast: Keep a loaf of sliced bread in your freezer, and you'll be so glad you have some bread around when you can't keep anything else down.

Quick-prep frozen meals: If your stomach isn't the problem and you're just wallowing in a head cold, quick-prep frozen meals (like these Trader Joe's recommendations) mean you can get some food in your system fast. You can also reheat one of these excellent freezer meals.

Your favorite comfort foods: This is different for everyone. What makes you feel good when you're sick? Maybe it's something from childhood, like mashed potatoes or a bowl of ramen noodles. Whatever it is, pick it (or the ingredients to make it) up the next time you go to the grocery store.

Do you have any secret cold and flu fighters?

Illuminate Your Space

"test" by jinkazamah is licensed under CC BY 2.0

A new year signals a new, fresh perspective on things - like your apartment style! If you’re not in the mood to complete big projects like moving around furniture or painting, there’s something simple you can do that will make all the difference in your apartment’s atmosphere - let the light in! Your apartment will feel bigger and happier by brightening it up with these tips from Apartment Guide:

Keep Shades Light

Since you probably want to avoid drilling into the ceiling of your rental, much of your lighting is bound to be in the form of floor lamps or end table lamps. The good news is that lamp shades offer an opportunity to really show off your style, so you can handle the whole daylight savings time issue with grandeur.

To keep your apartment as bright as possible, stick to light-colored lamps shades. Think white, cream, light gray, or similar hues when selecting a lamp shade. Darker lamp shades will filter out a considerable amount of light and may leave you sitting in the dark.

String Additional Lighting

If you still need more light once you have lamps set up, consider buying string lights, also known as fairy lights. While you may associate this type of lighting with the twinkle lights around a Christmas tree, there are other options available.

Designers now offer string lights with large bulbs, black or silver string, and a sleek modern look. Buy a decorative wooden ladder and string lights around it; set up your pyramid shelves in the corner and adorn the piece with string lights; or simply string them around a window.

Accessorize with Wireless Lights

Some rentals have a limited number of electrical outlets, and rewiring your home is not an option as a renter. Turn to wireless lighting that operates on battery power and is extremely mobile. Wireless LED candles, for instance, offer ambiance and go on with the flip of a switch.

Best of all, faux candles don’t pose the same fire hazard as an actual candle. Tap lights are also wireless and a good way to illuminate shelves or other small spaces. These lights are typically small and round, activated when you apply a small amount of pressure to the top of the light.

Use Mirrors to Maximize Lighting

Add a few mirrors to your rental space if you don’t have a lot of room or money for new lighting. Mirrors propped up against your walls won’t damage the drywall, and can reflect light from your lamps and other home lighting.

Mirrors create the illusion of more lighting sources, and doubles the amount of light that bounces around your apartment. Place larger mirrors next to a floor lamp and small wall mirrors adjacent to end tables with a lighting fixture.

Space Out Your Lighting

Now that your space is outfitted with several floor lamps, a few strands of string lights, and a handful of large mirrors–take a moment to consider the placement of each piece. Don’t put all the lighting in your living room, for instance, while neglecting to consider your dining nook.

Instead, space out your lighting fixtures. Put at least one light source near each corner of larger rooms. Place your mirrors within a few feet of a lighting fixture; this allows them to better reflect the light out into the rest of your space.

Lighting your new apartment should be at the top of your daylight savings to-do list. If you neglect to properly light your apartment, you will soon realize that it’s not possible to enjoy all of your lovely decor in the dark.