#tsgtips

[tsgdenvercolorado]

TSG Tip: Benefits of Drinking Organic Wine

Wander + Ivy recently launched their gift boxes featuring four 6oz bottles of wine. We sat down with Dana Spaulding, Founder & CEO of Wander + Ivy, and asked her about the top 3 benefits for drinking organic wine.

Grapes are one of the “Dirty Dozen,” the list developed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) based on data from the US Department of Agriculture. The list highlights the foods that have the most pesticide residue.

Studies have shown that these pesticides can show up in your wine glass and there can be many negative impacts.

Drinking wine made from certified organic grapes means that NO pesticides or herbicides can be used during the grape growing process.

Avoid the potential negative impacts of pesticides and drink organic!  Wander + Ivy sources premium wines made with certified organic grapes from family-owned vineyards around the world. They’re pure, expressive, and packaged conveniently for one.

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WANDER + IVY info@wanderandivy.com www.wanderandivy.com social: @wanderandivy

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[tsgbatonrougelouisiana]

How to make the perfect cup of coffee

Perhaps no beverage is quite as beloved (or essential to beginning the day) as coffee. But even for those who consume it daily, what goes into making a great cup can seem like a mystery. To help us perfect our method, we asked Richard and Mindyjane Berman, the owners of Devon, Pennsylvania-based Pour Richard’s Coffee Co., to break down the basics. Here are the most important elements to consider, according to our experts:

The number one key to a great cup of coffee is to buy freshly roasted beans—preferably directly from the roaster. Using beans within 21 days from the time they were roasted is essential, as after that amount of time coffee starts to oxidize, which creates a bitter taste.

A high-quality grinder makes a great deal of difference. The goal is to get a grinder that generates a consistent particle size, since flavor is enhanced when the coffee is evenly immersed in water. If you’re going to spend money on your coffee-making equipment, this is where to invest. Baratza, a company based in Washington state, makes good grinders starting at $129.

In terms of extraction methods, the Aeropress and French press will yield best results, as they allow for full immersion. Though each apparatus will produce an excellent cup of coffee, the Aeropress is preferable due to the paper filters it uses, which trap even small particles (as a bonus, it’s also reasonably priced). For those who appreciate the ease of use that a drip maker offers, Technivorm makes a good (though somewhat pricey) product, while Behmor’s Brazen model will give you the best bang for your buck.

From a numbers perspective, keep your ratio of coffee to water in the ballpark of 16 to 18 grams of coffee per 8 to 10-ounce cup. And though less critical than the quality of your coffee or grinder, knowing the proper extraction time for the method you use—which is usually between 2 to 4 minutes—is also helpful.

TSG Tip 171 from Pour Richard’s Coffee Co. in Devon, Pennsylvania.

[thescoutguide]

5 YOGA POSES FOR INCREASING STRENGTH, TONING MUSCLES, AND EASING ANXIETY

The benefits of yoga have long been recognized, with everything from increases in strength and flexibility to improved energy and blood flow attributed to the practice. To help those who enjoy yoga but don’t have a lot of time in their schedules to devote to the postures reap the health perks, we asked Nya Alemayhu of Washington, D.C.-based Yoga with Nya to share five of her favorite postures. While some of these poses may require a knowledge of yoga beyond a beginner level, they provide an overview of a variety of beneficial postures and sequences and can serve as inspiration for those thinking about taking a class: Yoga Poses for Increasing Strength, Toning Muscles, and Easing Anxiety.

[tsglexingtonkentucky]

SCOUTED | Happy National Cocktail Day! ....YES...that’s a ‘Day’ 🥃 established March 24th, 2014 (according to google). New spring cocktail menus are popping up all over! Follow our IG stories for our favorites, like this one from @middleforkkb 🥃 #CHEERS . . . #thescoutedlife #cocktails #bar #craftcocktails #craftcocktail #bartenderlife #bartender #drinklocal #drinkbetter #nationalcocktailday #cocktailsofinstagram #livelovelocal #thescoutguide #Lexington #kentucky #tsglexington #tsgtip #shakennotstirred #tsg #supportlocal #cocktailmenu (at middle fork kitchen bar) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvZPAJogphC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v9rk9cqqswnp

[tsgnashvilletennessee]

Dreaming of the sun and warmer weather! Check out Scout Guide’s “How to Select and Maintain Outdoor Furniture,” so you are ready when the warmer weather finally stays in Nashville. 📷 @lesleemitchell of local landscape designer @annedaigh #outdoorfurniture #outdoorliving #tsgtip #thescoutguide

[tsgbergencountynewjersey]

KITCHEN GARDEN|| They were gaining in popularity pre-pandemic, and the arrival of social distancing guidelines only accelerated their appeal. Beautiful and functional, the produce-yielding plots provide both delicious backyard crops and an enjoyable and satisfying pastime. Check out our Scouted tips from garden experts across our TSG network in the design and decor link in our bio. Then stop in to @gofflebrookfarm or @stokesfarm1873 to pick up everything you need to create your own “Victory Garden.” #kitchengarden #organicgardening #njfarm #farmtotable #tsgtip #livelovelocal (at Bergen County, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBIyWpHDRwM/?igshid=jia9qg176867

[tsgcharlottenorthcarolina]

All about Earth Tones || Heather Smith @circainteriors // @circacharlotte shares easy tips for incorporating nature inspired hues into your home 🍃 Tap our link in profile to read more #interiordesign #earthtones #tsgtip #decoratingtips (at Circa Interiors & Antiques) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBCJBWZhrLj/?igshid=eg94m2s8kmt9

[tsgtrianglenorthcarolina]

Hello first full work week of 2020 & this well timed post on @thescoutguide blog.... tips to making a beautiful and functional work space. Just the project for the beginning of the year and also reminding me we have a a sleek & chic file cabinet to pick up @areamodernhome! #littletodolist #tsgtip #scouteddesign #newyearnewoffice #designiseverything https://www.instagram.com/p/B6-tHHgnRBc/?igshid=cnuodmncde65

[tsgbaltimoreandannapolismaryland]

7 STEPS FOR ACHIEVING A MORE COMFORTABLE AND EFFICIENT HOME FROM EISENBRANDT COMPANY

For advice on how to make our homes more energy-efficient, we turned to two experts in the field, Jeff Bogard, president and LEED Green Associate of Saint Louis, Missouri-based R.E.A. Homes, and Fritz Eisenbrandt, president of Baltimore, Maryland-based Eisenbrandt Companies

https://thescoutguide.com/energy-efficient-home-tips/

[tsgsarasotaflorida]

Gorgeous fall blooms from @hedgefineblooms scouted member of @tsgcharlottesville. Visit TSG tips to learn how they work their magic! #fallblooms #hedgefineblooms #thescoutguide #tsgcharlottesville #tsgsarasota #tsgtips

[tsgdenvercolorado]

TSG Tip | How to Choose a Fertility Clinic

Unless your best friend, family member or your OB/GYN points you in a certain direction, choosing a fertility specialist can be difficult. Who you see and where you go can be the difference between walking away with a baby and walking away with nothing more than a big bill. 

Here are the five things to consider when picking the fertility clinic that’s right for you:

1. Outcomes

Fertility medicine is moving fast. As a result, you need to make sure wherever you go practices fertility medicine on their toes. Being up-to-date with the newest techniques and latest procedures translates into success. You can check live birth IVF success rates on the Society for Assisted Reproductive Medicine (SART) website at sart.org. All SART-member fertility clinics, such as CCRM (Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine) for example, are required to report IVF success rates in a standardized manner, as well as adhere to strict practice, advertising and ethical guidelines. CCRM is a global pioneer in fertility research, advancement and treatment and delivers some of the highest IVF success rates in the industry.  Through their proven methods, it takes the average CCRM patient 1.2 IVF cycles to get pregnant (versus the national average at 1.6).  If you're not doing IVF, ask about the live birth success rates particular to your situation.

2. The Lab

Some of the most important work performed in a fertility clinic happens in the lab. Unfortunately, not all fertility labs are created equal. From the equipment (think petri dishes and pipettes) to the control measures, it’s the details that distinguish a good lab from a great one, which can be the difference between a failed IVF cycle and success.  Unlike many other fertility clinics that outsource their specialists and testing needs, CCRM leverages its own data, as well as a dedicated team of in-house reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists and genetic scientists in order to deliver consistent, successful results. This centralized approach to comprehensive fertility care relies on in-house lab operations, proprietary research and data to set the gold standard in fertility care and treatment.  Moreover, CCRM is the only fertility center in the U.S. with its own internal genetics lab and team of molecular genetic scientists, spearheaded by world renowned geneticist Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe in Denver, Colorado.

Some questions to ask the fertility clinic: is the lab in-house or are the services outsourced? What is the level of expertise of the embryologists? Does the lab have its own genetics team?

3. Practice Style

While all fertility doctors go to medical school followed by a residency and fellowship to become reproductive endocrinologists, the way doctors practice medicine can be very different. Some are talkers, and some are quiet. Some like to chat on the phone, and some prefer to email. Make sure that whoever you select as a doctor matches your needs and personality. 

At CCRM, fertility treatment is not a one-size fits all approach. Rather, CCRM’s team of award-winning physicians partner with each individual patient to develop custom-tailored analyses and treatments to help ensure the best outcome possible.

4. Cost

When evaluating cost, it’s not as straight forward as it may seem. Success rates should be factored into the question when considering costs. For example, if a clinic like CCRM charges more for an IVF cycle, but you’ll bring home a baby after one cycle, you’ll end up saving more in the long run than if you choose the cheaper clinic that may take two or more IVF cycles to get you pregnant. Look for clinics that can offer the latest treatments available, such as preimplantation genetic testing or comprehensive chromosome screening, and make sure to review their IVF success rates. 

5. Additional Services

In addition to cutting-edge fertility treatments, you may want access to support groups, counselors, and alternative therapies like acupuncture and mind-body workshops. Not all fertility clinics offer these services, so if having access to holistic care is important to you, ask the clinic up-front what they offer.

Pursuing fertility testing and treatment is a big commitment (physically, financially and emotionally), so do your homework and choose the fertility clinic that’s right for you!

TELL THEM SCOUT SENT YOU!

CCRM 303-788-8300 www.ccrmivf.com social: @ccrmfertility

[tsgbatonrougelouisiana]

WHAT WE'RE READING: THE TSG SUMMER 2017 BOOK CLUB

Summer is the perfect time to tackle your to-read pile. Plane rides, comfortable porches, and poolside lounging all call for cracking open a good book, and there’s no better way to wait out a summer storm than curled up with a novel or entertaining essay collection. Here, we’ve collected 10 titles spanning a variety of genres that we’re looking forward to reading over the next few months. Whether you’re looking for something to throw into your beach bag, seeking a recommendation for your next book club read, or in need of a good laugh, this list has you covered.

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett What the critics say: The Washington Post declared, “This is surely the smartest, most exciting novel of the summer.” Meanwhile, a New York Times review posited,“The questions Commonwealth raises are ultimately counterfactual, philosophical: Who might we be if our parents hadn’t made catastrophic choices, and we hadn’t responded catastrophically to them? Maybe better-adjusted people with easier days and nights. But maybe the poorer for it.” Why we picked it: Patchett is an excellent storyteller, and this book about how a romantic encounter affects the lives of six stepsiblings over the course of five decades promises to be a compelling and emotional examination of family.

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff What the critics say: Where to begin? This book was lauded by critics in every major outlet, from The New York Times to The New Yorker to Vogue. Here’s a sample of the praise: “Groff’s novel unfolds in a he said/she said gutting drama that you won’t be able to resist.” –Marie Claire Why we picked it: This National Book Award Finalist tells the story of a marriage between a glamorous couple from the perspectives of both the husband and wife. The premise alone is tantalizing, but Groff’s prodigious literary skills and talent make it a true must-read.

Invincible Summer by Alice Adams What the critics say: The British author received widespread critical acclaim for her debut novel, including the following from The New York Times Book Review: “A crackerjack storyteller who deeply inhabits her characters—deploying pitch-perfect dialogue to poignant and hilarious effect—Adams uses the conventions of the form to examine larger ideas about class and commerce, art and science, friendship and family at the time of the most recent fin de siècle.” Why we picked it: This story about four college friends who go their separate ways, then are brought back together years later, is perfect beach reading.

Theft by Finding by David Sedaris What the critics say: It’s fairly unanimous that Sedaris’s diaries are a comedy goldmine. Harper’s Bazaarsaid this of his latest collection: “Theft by Finding reveals intimate details of this literary luminary’s life and mind—all told with his singular sense of humor.” Why we picked it: It’s not often you can say a writer is “laugh out loud” funny and really mean it, but in David Sedaris’s case, it’s 100% true. Those who have seen him speak know how hilarious his diaries are, and there’s no doubt this book of entries from 1977 to 2002 delivers the humor.

Flâneuse by Lauren Elkin What the critics say: Though the book may be difficult to categorize (it’s part cultural commentary, part memoir, part many other things), the general critical response is that this is a refreshing, worthwhile read. For example, the Chicago Tribune wrote, “[An] eclectic and absorbing memoir and cultural history….The book strikes a rewarding balance between present and past, as it establishes and illustrates the much-needed definition of the flaneuse as ‘a determined, resourceful individual keenly attuned to the creative potential of the city, and the liberating possibilities of a good walk.’” Why we picked it: As soon as we spotted this book on Charlotte Moss’s Instagram we knew we had to order it—and not just because of its chic cover. In it, the author examines what it means to be a woman wandering in a city, exploring and being inspired by her surroundings.

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan What the critics say: You know a book is going to be good when words like “delicious” and “uproarious” come up again and again in reviews. Take, for example, this passage from InStyle‘s write-up: “Kevin Kwan has done it again. The mastermind behind the delicious Crazy Rich Asians series has drawn a cult-like following with his extravagant tales of Asia’s upper echelon. He’s back at with the series’s final installment, Rich People Problems (rest assured, it’s just as enthralling as the trilogy’s first two volumes).” Why we picked it: The latest novel from bestselling author Kwan is sure to be a hilarious riff on high society—and perfect poolside reading.

Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy What the critics say: By and large, critics billed this novel as a must-read this summer. Here’s Vogue‘s take: “A marital reboot becomes a zip line to disaster in Maile Meloy’s holiday cruise-set thriller Do Not Become Alarmed, in which the children’s moral complexity outstrips that of their parents.” Why we picked it: Ten years after reading it, Meloy’s Liars and Saints still ranks high on our favorite books list. Do Not Become Alarmed, a novel about what happens when two families go on a luxurious tropical vacation together and the children go missing, seems poised to take a spot right next to it.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead What the critics say: This Pulitzer Prize-winner was universally praised, including in a Washington Postreview that read: “The Underground Railroad reanimates the slave narrative, disrupts our settled sense of the past and stretches the ligaments of history right into our own era…The canon of essential novels about America’s peculiar institution just grew by one.” Why we picked it: While it’s definitely not a light and breezy beach read, The Underground Railroad is a thoroughly engrossing tale that’ll stay with you long after the last page. The book, which follows a female slave’s escape from a Georgia plantation in the antebellum South and her journey to find freedom, is an important, thought-provoking work that’s perfect for book clubs.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders What the critics say: Yet another universally beloved book, Elle wrote, “Saunders has written an unsentimental novel of Shakespearean proportions, gorgeously stuffed with tragic characters, bawdy humor, terrifying visions, throat-catching tenderness, and a galloping narrative, all twined around the luminous cord connecting a father and son and backlit by a nation engulfed in fire.” Why we picked it: Short story writer Saunders’s first novel sounds utterly fascinating: it follows a mourning Abraham Lincoln as he grieves the loss of his 11-year-old son, Willie, while the Civil War rages. When Lincoln visits Willie in the Georgetown cemetery, the spirits of the dead come to life to help Willie and his father move on. Saunders is a brilliant writer, and while his latest work sounds undeniably ambitious, according to the critics it’s expertly executed.

How They Decorated by P. Gaye Tapp What the critics say: This collection of interiors by well-known style icons certainly piqued the interest of critics, including Forbes.com, which stated: “In How They Decorated: Inspiration from Great Women of the Twentieth Century, P. Gaye Tapp casts her eyes on the decorating styles of iconic women like Babe Paley, Pauline de Rothschild, Mona Von Bismarck and Elsa Schiaparelli. Whether these women employed top decorators or executed their homes on their own, the book provides great insights into lives fabulously lived.” Why we picked it: Who could resist an invitation into the homes of some of the most stylish women of the twentieth century?

[thescoutguide]

At this point in the summer, the extreme heat and amount of water required to keep your grass from turning brown might have you rethinking whether you need a traditional “green” lawn. In our latest #TSGTip, we spoke with Organic Green Lawn Care, Inc. of @tsgwilliamsburg and @lawnpopastroturf of @tsgaustin for advice on how to choose the proper lawn for your environment, from outside-the-box grasses to ground cover, and for those who truly want a low-maintenance lawn routine, the advances and benefits of artificial turf. Read their insights here: https://thescoutguide.com/how-to-achieve-an-eco-friendly-lawn/

[tsglexingtonkentucky]

SCOUTED | #TSGTip - An experts guide to Tequila from Toby Darling, Spirits Specialist at @imbibechattanooga - in Chattanooga, Tennessee - details above in bio! . . . . #local #tequila #cocktails #laborday #sharethelex #thescoutguide #thescoutlife #lexingtonkentucky #chattanooga #tsg #drinklocal #shoplocal #supportlocal (at Chattanooga, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnRA-qXBs4U/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p6hkwc3l5cgf

[tsgneworleanslouisiana]

On My Radar: 4.27.19

VISIT: If I could live on one street in New Orleans, I think it would be Audubon Boulevard. In a town known for houses being close together, I love the wide neutral ground that divides the street to provide homeowners with more living space, truly a a unique approach to living in Uptown New Orleans. That’s why I love this house at 212 Audubon Boulevard listed by Lynn Morgan. And for those who want the charm of an old New Orleans house (think high ceiling & screened porch!) but new construction plus deluxe renovation —this one is for you!! Make an appointment to view it by calling Lynn Morgan at 504-473-8320

LEARN: If you consider the amount of time you spend in bed, it makes perfect sense to invest in the best of the best when it comes to where you rest. In our latest #TSGTip, Jane Scott Hodges, founder of Leontine Linens, walks us through everything from basic elements to luxurious embellishments to build the perfect bed. Read her recommendations here.

LOVE: Harvest Jewels (as seen in The Scout Guide Mobile Bay) will be at SOSUSU on Thursday, May 2nd. Pop in and scout it out!

MEET: As double board certified Facial Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Christian Jacob and Dr. Thomas Moulthrop of Hedgewood Plastic Surgery have an intimate understanding of facial anatomy and how it changes with age. Wondering whether fillers are right for you? Feel like your face has lost its glow? Is it time for the facelift? Read this article to find out why The Scout Guide recommends Hedgewood Plastic Surgery.

WANT: Hilltop Shoppe is your one stop shop for Mother’s Day, graduation gifts, and everything in between! See what’s in store here. 

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—TAYLOR

[tsgnashvilletennessee]

Read Scout Guide's "The Beauty of a Painted Floor" for tips on this easy way to add interest to a room. (Link in profile.) #mondayinspiration #tsgtip #thescoutguide #paintedfloor #painting