Easy Snacks To Enjoy During the Oscars

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The Oscars have arrived and whether you are enjoying it with a few close friends or having a viewing party at your home at Outlook Golden Ridge, there are plenty of delicious and easy snacks for you to enjoy during the award show. We have the best recommendations for sweet treats, salty munchies, and hearty snacks to meet any craving that comes your way.

Sweet Treats - Fruit Kabobs

When we think of sweet treats, our minds normally drift off with thoughts of brownies or cupcakes. However, health conscious people can still enjoy incredible tasting sweets while they snack. Fruit kabobs are the perfect way to savor something sweet while watching the Oscars. All you’ll need is fresh fruit of your choosing, skewers, low-fat sour cream, brown sugar, and lime juice. Mix one cup of low-fat sour cream and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Add a hint of lime juice and you have a delicious and nutritious snack to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Salty Munchies - Sesame Potato Chips

Sesame potato chips are a new twist on an old favorite. You can’t go wrong by making a salty munchie! The best part is that it’s delightfully easy to make this snack. All you need are potatoes, olive oil, salt, and sesame seeds. Cut the potatoes as thin as you can. Drizzle olive oil, salt, and sesame seeds on top and bake them for 10 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hearty Snacks - Bean Roll-Ups

Bean Roll-Ups are the perfect example of a hearty, yet simple snack. All you’ll need to prepare this snack is tortillas, bean dip, shredded cheddar cheese, and vegetable oil. Put the bean dip and cheddar cheese inside of the tortilla shells and roll them up. When you’re finished, coat the outside of the shells with the oil and bake them in the oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. After they’re done cooking, you can top them off with your choice of sour cream, guacamole, or salsa!

The best part of award shows is getting together with friends and family and enjoying the show with some tasty snacks. Don’t put too much effort into your snacks this year. Sometimes it’s the simple things that are too delicious to put down! What are you doing for the Oscars tonight? Share with us and your neighbors what you have planned!

Unique Shops in Golden, Colorado

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Any shopaholic knows that big brand stores aren’t always the best places to shop. It’s the local businesses where you can find true treasures! Luckily, your home at Outlook Golden Ridge is in the wonderful town of Golden, Colorado. There are plenty of shops and boutiques that are unique and full of charm! Whether you have gifts to buy for friends and family, or just want to treat yourself, you won’t have a problem finding incredible items to purchase!

Rewind Consignments
Rewind Consignments is a great place to start exploring in Golden! It is a consignment store full of throwback clothing, decor, furniture, and antiques. You can fill your home and closet with items that are truly original. You simply can’t find more charm anywhere else. Don’t forget to check back frequently; there are always new items coming into stock!

Golden Quilt Company
Golden Quilt Company allows you to bring out your inner crafter! Quilting fabrics, supplies, and DIY project kits are just the start of what you will find. Whether you are an experienced crafter or just starting out, Golden Quilt Company is the perfect destination for your crafting hobbies. You can make something for yourself, or for a friend or family member!

Golden Sweets
Shopping is about treating yourself, and what’s more of a treat than ice cream? You can enjoy delicious organic ice cream at this locally-owned shop, Golden Sweets. If you’re not in the mood, or think it’s too cold for ice cream, try any of the delightful chocolate options. Besides the great flavors, the vintage feel of the store will make you feel like you have time traveled to another era!

Living in an area such as Golden, Colorado is all about the local charm. Next time you are in the mood for a shopping spree, think local! You will find much more interesting and unique items when you take the time to experience the small businesses of the area. What is your favorite locally-owned shop? Share with us and your neighbors where you look for the perfect gifts for you, your friends, and your family.

Romantic Places in Golden

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Valentine’s Day is an incredible opportunity to share a romantic evening out in Golden with your loved one. However, there are so many delicious and romantic restaurants, it might have been hard for you to choose which one was the best choice for the occasion. Make time to experience more romantic places close to your home at Outlook Golden Ridge in the months to come with these local suggestions.

Ali Baba Grill
Ali Baba Grill is a family-owned establishment and is perfect for anyone who is a fan of Lebanese and Mediterranean food. It has great atmosphere for any romantic evening out with your significant other, and also has a wide variety of incredible dishes. Try their tasty Chicken Shawarma Tenders marinated in a savory garlic sauce or their savory Lamb Kabobs. Whatever you choose to order, it is sure to be delicious and served to you with a smile.

Table Mountain Grill & Cantina
Table Mountain Grill & Cantina is located in the Table Mountain Inn. It specializes in serving delicious Southwestern and American cuisine. Its stimulating furnishings make it cozy and welcoming to all who enter. You and your date can enjoy the food, atmosphere, and each other’s company for a romantic evening out on the town!

Grappa Mediterranean Bistro & Cafe
Gourmet Italian and French food is what you can expect at Grappa Mediterranean Bistro & Cafe. The setting is extremely intimate, which makes this the perfect romantic date night for you and that special someone. Start your meal with a delectable appetizer such as their Beef Carpaccio made with arugula salad, capers, aged balsamic, extra virgin olive oil, and shaved Parmigano-Reggiano. Follow it up with any of their wonderful dishes such as the Wild Mushroom Risotto.

Romantic evenings aren’t just for Valentine’s Day. There are so many great restaurants in Golden that one night out just won’t suffice. Give these local eateries a chance next time you want to spend a night out with that special someone in your life. How are you spending Valentine’s Day? Share with us and your neighbors how you are spending your night in Golden!

Fun Games to Play While Watching the Big Game

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Tonight is the big game and that means great football, iconic advertising, and a halftime show that will have everyone talking! However, if you are having friends and family over to your home at Outlook Golden Ridge, you may be looking for even more ways to entertain your guests. Thankfully, there are plenty of fun and interactive games to play while you watch and cheer for Denver tonight.

Commercial Bingo

Commercial Bingo is played like traditional bingo, but with brand logos instead of numbers. Each time a commercial airs from a certain brand, each player will place his or her chip over the space if it is on their card. You can play where the winner is the first person to get five in a row, or the first to fill his or her card. Give the winner a football themed prize, such as a Denver hat or keychain.

Football Trivia

Another fun and interactive game to play with your friends and family during the big game is football trivia! You can print off questions about game rules and team history to test the knowledge of your guests! Find out who is truly the biggest Denver fan. The winner is entitled to bragging rights.

Rate the Advertisements

If you’re having a group of people over who may not know each other very well, you need a game that will stir up some chatter! Simply tape paper onto popsicle sticks and number them one through five. Each guest should have his or her own set of five. For each advertisement that comes on during the big game, your guests can rate it and have a great ice breaker to get conversation flowing!

The big game is one of the most exciting times to get together with friends and family. It is even more fun when your team is playing for the championship! Keep your guests engaged and excited throughout the game tonight while you root for Denver! What are your traditions to watching the game? Share with us and your neighbors a selfie of you in your gear, rooting on Denver!

Valentine's Day in Golden

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Tomorrow is the first day of February, and Valentine’s Day is almost here! That means that it is time to make sure your plans are set for a romantic night out in Golden, Colorado! No matter what dining experience you want to partake in this holiday, Golden has the best restaurant options to make your night special for you and your date. Whether you want to try an award-winning restaurant, a place with healthy options, or a spot with a laid-back environment, you won’t have to wander far to find the perfect place for you!

Bridgewater Grill
Bridgewater Grill is an award-winning restaurant in downtown Golden. It is inside The Golden Hotel and is the perfect location for anyone looking to enjoy incredible, unique American food and great dessert this Valentine’s Day. Some of their delicious menu items include their High Plains Buffalo Short Ribs, Rosa’s Green Chili, and their Salmon BLTA. You can contact them here to make a reservation! 

Abejas
Abejas is the best place for health-conscious patrons this Valentine’s Day. They pride themselves on only using fresh and local produce, organic meats, and sustainable fish. You can indulge in dishes such as their Grape Leaf Wrapped Halibut made with baby turnips, roasted grapes, mustard greens, and aioli. You are guaranteed to leave satisfied. You can make a reservation online here.

Blue Canyon Grill & The Underground
If you and your special someone prefer a more down-to-earth environment for the evening, nowhere has more charm than Blue Canyon Grill & The Underground. It is family owned, has great atmosphere, tasty grub, and is a local favorite. You can kick back with your Valentine’s Day guest and a friendly crowd to enjoy a brew and tasty menu items.

Living at Outlook Golden Ridge puts you in great proximity to all of the great dining experiences Golden, Colorado has to offer. Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember by taking your companion to one of these restaurants in Golden. Do you already have your plans finalized? Share with us and your neighbors what you plan to do on this special holiday this year!

Get Organized Month

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January is “Get Organized Month!” The new year is the perfect time to de-clutter your home and better your time-management skills! You can make 2016 your best year yet by putting your best foot forward and getting organized this month. Use these tips to get your home at Outlook Golden Ridge organized and de-cluttered, and better your time-management skills!

De-clutter
One of the biggest problems people have that hold them back from getting organized is clutter. We own too many things, but just can’t seem to decide what we should throw away or donate. The attachment to these material objects often stems from emotional reasons. An item may remind us of a fond memory or we may simply just be under the impression that we may one day want or need the item. This is especially true of clothing. To break the curse of this attachment, get a large trash bag and put everything that you don’t wear or use into it. Since you are just temporarily putting items into the bag, you shouldn’t have any qualms about doing so. You are simply compiling items that you recognize you don’t wear or use often. The next step is to tie the bag off and forget about. Make a deal with yourself to not think about it for a week or two. After the time has passed, you won’t remember what you put in the bag. The concept of “out of sight, out of mind” comes into play here. This will give you the willpower to throw it away or donate it since you probably won’t even remember what is in the bag.

Time Management
Do you find yourself constantly late for appointments, or procrastinating at work? You could be in need of a better time-management system. Luckily, there is a way to cut through your barriers and get on a better path. First, make a list of your priorities. Include obligations at work, responsibilities in your personal life, and fun parts of your social life. Once you have your life prioritized, buy an appointment book and start scheduling appointments with yourself for your priorites. Writing down your schedule is like making a promise to yourself. You will be more likely to make your appointments on time and get your work done when scheduled, because you are taking your scheduling seriously.

Getting organized for the new year will help with your stress levels and overall happiness. Once you get your apartment de-cluttered and have a better time management system in place, you will be on your way to the best year yet! Do you have an awesome organization tip? Share it with us and your neighbors!

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Denver

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Denver hosts one of the largest Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations in the U.S. If you get the day off from work this upcoming Monday, January 18th, there are plenty of festivities for you to enjoy in honor of the great civil rights leader. Commemorate his life with friends and family and even learn something new this holiday. These events in Denver will be the perfect way to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and his accomplishments.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade
Start your morning off by attending the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade. Meet at the Dr. King memorial in City Park at 9:00 that morning. The Marade will begin at promptly at 10:00 a.m. You will march together to Civic Center Park. Then, you get to indulge in some cake. After, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. yearbook will be signed. This will take place at the Colorado State Capitol Building. All of the festivities end at 1:00 p.m. That leaves you at the perfect time to get some lunch!

The Martin Luther King, Jr. African-American Rodeo of Champions
After you spend your afternoon enjoying some lunch and resting from the Marade, there is another perfect evening event to honor MLK. The Martin Luther King, Jr. African-American Rodeo of Champions starts at 6:00 p.m. at the National Western Complex. The goal of the show is to recognize how African American cowboys and cowgirls affected history. There is no better way to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life than to enjoy an educational experience regarding African-American history!

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and contributions were very important to our history as a nation. Who knows how our country would have progressed if it weren’t for his dedication and leadership. That is why Denver commemorates the day with events that are both fun and educational. How will you honor Martin Luther King, Jr. this year? Do you plan on attending either of these Denver events? Share with us and your neighbors at Outlook Golden Ridge your plans for the day, and any pictures of you at the events!

Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

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The new year has just begun and some people have probably already forgotten about their New Year’s resolutions. This is because, despite how much we may want something, sticking to our goals with a busy lifestyle can get tricky. However, hope is not lost! With these tips, you’ll be more likely to keep your resolutions and make 2016 the best year yet!

Tell Your Friends and Family
Telling your friends and family members about your goals will help you stick to them. Not only will they be there to remind you of your goals, but also to support them. For instance, if your New Year’s resolution was to eat a healthier diet, your friends and family can be there to support you by talking to you when you feel like giving up and by making sure there are healthy options for you to choose from at get togethers. You don’t have to do it alone. Telling your friends and family can help keep you on track with your goals this year.

Breakdown Your Goals
If your goals are too large, it can be overwhelming. However, that’s not to say that you should not set ambitious goals for the year! Breaking down your goals into smaller steps can help you keep your eye on the prize and stay motivated. For example, if your resolution was to organize your apartment at Outlook Golden Ridge, you may want to break your goal down by sectioning off your apartment and organizing one section per week. This way, the task will seem less daunting, and you will be able to feel more fulfilled.

Don’t Let Setbacks Stop Your Progress
We all mess up, and we all fall off of the bandwagon from time to time. When we make changes in our lives, it’s easy to fall victim to old habits. The most important thing is to keep persevering. Accepting your relapse and continuing on towards your goal is all that matters. You may veer off track once or you may veer off track 100 times. Get up, dust yourself off and keep going after your goals.

Don’t let anything get in the way of you meeting your goals for 2016. With these tips, you’ll have the tools you need to keep your resolutions and make this year the best one yet!