Best Brunch/Breakfast Spots in and around Lynnfield

As the weekend approaches it’s time to start planning where you will brunch this weekend! Lynnfield has some great breakfast/brunch spots that offer great coffee and mouthwatering breakfast favorites. Here are some of our favorites in the area!

Red’s Kitchen & Tavern

Looking for a big, hearty, American breakfast? You can find it at Red’s Kitchen & Tavern! Even if you are a big group you can expect great service with breakfast being served all day. Different than your typical diner experience, Red’s has a darker atmosphere but still offers one of the best breakfasts around. Stop by and enjoy their amazing eggs benedict or large, fluffy pancakes!

The Little Depot Diner

How can you go wrong with breakfast all day? At The Little Depot Diner you can experience just that with a menu full of classic breakfast options! The quaint little diner also offers breakfast specials including the Monet Depot, Eggs Benedict and The Fenway. Check out the full menu here.

Omelet Headquarters

The best things come in small packages right? The Omelet Headquarters may be small but inside are endless make it yourself egg options that will satisfy and egg craving. Although it might be a converted train station you will leave with your hunger satisfied. 

Weekly Recipe: Spring Onion Soup

Even with warmer temperatures we all crave soup from time-to-time! This Spring Onion Soup is a light, tasty dish that you could eat for dinner or even include on the side of your meal! If you make this dish share it with us on Instagram or Facebook  with the hashtag #MakeItMonday and maybe you will see your cooking skills featured!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 2 pounds spring onions (or yellow onions), trimmed and thinly sliced
• 2 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1 1/4 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock
• 2 cups water
• 8 pieces crisp flatbread, for serving 

Directions

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent but not brown, about 15 minutes.

Stir in salt, stock, and water. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes.

Remove from heat, and let cool for 20 minutes. Working in batches, puree in a blender, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high, blending until soup is smooth.

Divide soup among 4 bowls, drizzle with oil, and serve with flatbread on the side and enjoy!

Easy-to-Grow Edible Plants

Now that spring is here, you finally have an inspiration to begin those decorative and productive home projects. So why not start with something that will give back to you in so many ways? Home gardens are easier than you think, and we are here to help you add some freshness to more than just your living space. Whether your taste runs to fruit plants or herb gardens, you don’t need a lot of earth to add a tasty element to your apartment. Spice up your meals with a selection of home-grown edibles that are so fresh, they’re dirty!

  

 Strawberry Plants

Strawberries are surprisingly easy to grow. If you are looking to start a garden, begin with a small pot of these luscious fruits, purchased with bare roots. The tendrils will start to leaf within a couple of weeks after putting them in the ground. Water them daily but make sure they don’t just sit in water. If you notice any decay or fungus, remove those branches immediately to prevent harmful spread. Once the berries are ripe, pick them, ripe and juicy, for your entire family.

Basil Plant

A basil plant is the perfect outdoor growing option. Easy to grow and care for, basil usually is watered every other day. Make sure not to water too much or too little. Monitor the bright green -- not yellow -- and the moist -- not limp -- leaves as the best indicator of correct watering. Planting environment should be fairly warm with lots of sunlight. For a growth spurt, pick off the big, top leaves, which never taste as good anyway. Basil is an easygoing plant  with fabulous flavor that will add lovely greenery to your apartment.

Grape Tomatoes 

This versatile fruit -- that’s right, not a vegetable, because it has seeds -- is the perfect addition to any summer meal. If you have hooks on your patio, the grape tomatoes make beautiful hanging plants. If not, you can always stick to a traditional ground pot. Take care the plant is well watered, saturated enough to reach the deep roots. Tomatoes love light so place them where they can bask in it most of the day. It will take a couple of weeks for your tomatoes to mature. Picking time is best once they turn red. Any earlier and they can tend to dry out while they mature, even if on a sunny windowsill.

Weekly Recipe: Marathon Monday Linguine With Caper and Green Olive Sauce

It’s Marathon Monday and we’re celebrating here at Lynnfield Commons! Whether you’re cheering on the runners at the finish line in Boston or following the elite on television, it’s one of the most exciting days of the year. 

Since runners are loading up on carbs, we thought it would be appropriate for our weekly recipe to include a must-have pre marathon meal, PASTA! If you try this out, be sure to share a photo on our Facebook or our Instagram! 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 26-ounce jar marinara sauce
• 1 6.75-ounce jar Spanish olives, drained and roughly chopped
• 1 3.5-ounce jar capers, drained and roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 1-pound box linguine

Directions

1. Heat the oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper in a large saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
2. Add the marinara sauce, olives, capers, parsley, and lemon zest. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook the linguine according to the package instructions. Drain and add to the sauce, tossing to coat. Transfer to a serving dish.

Run Boston!

The warm weather has finally arrived in Massachusetts! That means you are no longer stuck running in place on a treadmill at our gym! Spring is the perfect time to run outside with warm temperatures with a slight breeze that make your runs that much more enjoyable. With the upcoming Boston Marathon in five days, we know Massachusetts has running on the mind.

For those of us who aren’t ready to take on 26.2 miles though there are smaller races around the Boston Area that you can participate in! So venture out of Lynnfield Commons and check out this list of races that’ll get you outside and maybe help you take on the Boston Marathon next year!

iChase the Cure 5K for Kids' Brain Tumors 2014

This 5K is Saturday, April 19, 2014 @ 12:00 PM on the DCR Charles River Esplanade. There will be balloons, prizes, music, food and more! All proceeds go to the PLGA Foundation, d.b.a. A Kid's Brain Tumor Cure. So enjoy the warm weather and run along the Esplanade for a great cause! 

Freedom Trail Run

The Freedom Trail Run is a unique and active way to tour Boston's historic Freedom Trail! This 5k running tour will show you the sites in an up-close and detailed way that's unlike any other running trail! The trail passes some of America's most important historical landmarks where you can stop by and explore. This 5k is like an educational run! What better way to celebrate the Boston Marathon by running through its history. You can register for any day before the Boston Marathon if you want to here.

Newtown Heartbreak Hill Road Race

For people looking for a shorter run check out the one mile race up and down historic Heartbreak Hill. It’s Saturday, April 19, 2013, 12:00 noon -3:30 pm with a free pasta/pizza party. Registration ends the 17^th so hop on this chance to run the historic Heartbreak Hill with friends and family before the Boston Marathon.

We hope you register for one of these races and get outside to run with this perfect spring weather. If you do end up running one of these races or even the Boston Marathon share your images with us! We would love to feature the awesome runners of Lynnfield Commons on our social media! 

Weekly Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole for an Easy Dinner

Spring is here and that means your food pallet should match the weather.  Warm, light, and flavorful dishes are what you need as the temperatures rise. After a long day a work that last thing you usually want to do it slave over a warm stove. This dish is perfect for using leftover chicken for dinners earlier in the week, saving you from wasting more time in the kitchen. Here’s what you need and how to make it:

Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 4 scallions, sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (skin removed)
• 1 cup medium-grain white rice
• 1 plum tomato, chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 cup diced dill havarti cheese (about 4 ounces)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Melt the butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and about three-quarters of the scallions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 2 minutes. 

Add the broccoli, chicken, rice, tomato, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; stir to combine.

Whisk the chicken broth and sour cream in a bowl, pour into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in half each of the havarti and parmesan. 

Cover tightly with a lid or aluminum foil, transfer to the oven and bake until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Turn on the broiler. Uncover the skillet and sprinkle with the remaining havarti and parmesan, then broil until golden, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with the reserved scallions and enjoy!

So next time you are feeling like an easy to make dinner or have left over chicken that you want to spice up try this Chicken and Rice Casserole. If you try making this dish share it with us on Instagram with the hashtag #MakeItMonday or on Facebook and maybe you will see your finish product shared!

Thank you to our friends at Food Network for this delicious recipe! 

Foodler’s Best Picks in Lynnfield

Sometimes the extra tough part of ending your day is realizing that the home-cooked meal you’d love to come home to may not be there. But that doesn't mean you don’t deserve the fruits of your labor (literally). Foodler.com helps you find your nearby favorite restaurants to help take the stress out of the ‘What am I going to eat’ decision. With Foodler, you can order your food online, have it delivered to you and even participate in a rewards system that offers customers three points for every dollar spent. Here are some of Foodler’s picks in Lynnfield right now!

Sakura Organic
Sakura Organic tops the list with its focus on fusion sushi. Sakura emphasizes unique dining experiences to nourish the body and promote a healthier lifestyle. It promises organic ingredients free of pesticides, GMOs and preservatives. Some of Sakura’s best dishes include salmon sushi, the new wave maki, ever-popular peking ravioli and roast pork wonton soup. Sakura offers triple points for all orders made through Foodler.

My Brother’s Place
Nothing says ‘Let’s Eat Out’ like a quick and easy pizza delivery. And with a 4.2 out of 5 star rating, My Brother’s Place offers some of the best pizza in Lynnfield right now. MBP’s menu comprises the spectrum of deli favorites from pizza to salads to specialty grinders like the customer favorite, Bruins Grinder, which includes steak, mozzarella and the works on a warm garlic bun. Other fan favorites are designer pizza, which includes maui pizza, the veggie wedgie and shrimp scampi pizza. So if you’re in the mood for pizza with a twist, checkout My Brother’s Place.

Midwest Grill
If you’re looking to try something new, why not Brazilian Barbecue? The Midwest Grill serves the best seafood, vegetarian and barbecue dishes with meats roasted to perfection on a South American rotisserie.  Entrees like grilled lamb and the top cut sirloin seasoned with sea salt are enticing. If the dinner menu doesn't satisfy your palate, dessert options like crème brulee or tiramisu can capture more taste buds. For those in the mood for something new and something great, check out the Midwest Grill.

Pit Stop BBQ 

If American barbecue sounds more appealing, Pit Stop BBQ in Wakefield is a community favorite, mainly due to its homemade barbecue sauce. Added to hard-to-resist fried chicken or pork ribs, who can deny a fresh pan of homemade mac and cheese? Pit Stop BBQ offers convenience of a home-cooked meal, without the hassle of home cooking. If you’re looking for a great barbeque restaurant near you, Pit Stop BBQ can fill the bill.

So if the energy to cook subsides, remember time to order out. Reward yourself on relaxed occasions with some of the cuisine favorites in your area. Foodler makes ordering from cuisines far and away, close and convenient. 

Perfect Indoor Plants for Your Home

The weather is finally warming up and that only means one thing: Spring has sprung.  From cleaning to redecorating, the change in weather is sure to spark your motivation to update your apartment. One of the easiest ways to add some life to your space after the dreary winter is by taking a hint from the outdoors. Low-maintenance plants will liven up any room in your apartment and finally let spring in! Here are some plants that require minimal light and are even proven to improve air quality.  Indoors or outdoors, plants help the environment, your health and well-being and, of course, your décor.

Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese Evergreen is a staple in most home offices or living rooms. It provides a full bodied plant without requiring lots of sunlight. Places with natural lighting and even artificial lighting are the perfect medium for this plant. You want to make sure to water the plant moderately and allow some drying in between waterings. If it becomes too dry, the leaves will yellow and drop. However, one of the best effects of this plant, besides the natural look it will bring to your apartment, is the filtering out of toxins and air pollutants in your space! This plant will give your place a fresh look, while also freshening up the air.

Warneck Dracaena

Looking to fill up some space in your apartment? The Warneck Dracaena is an ideal plant for the indoors and grow tall to fill up that empty corner you have been hiding. Watering regularly isn’t as necessary, but they do prefer more humid conditions. Make sure the soil is usually damp and can even be a little drier than other plants. This is the perfect plant for a living room or entry-way, because it combats pollutants associated with varnishes and oils. This striking houseplant is sure to make a statement anywhere in your apartment and even add a little life to the dead space.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is one of the most popular houseplants because of its beautiful white blooms and forgiving nature. It requires little light and only weekly waterings. Although it is easy to care for, beware of yellow leaves, an indicator that your plant is getting too much light. As a decorative addition to your home, this lily provides an elegant accent to any style and wall color. The plant even topped NASA’s list of best plants to remove unwanted houseguests like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. This lily is sure to bring peace and style to your space.

Looking to add greenery to your home? Check out these local stores for different houseplants. Even if you’re just looking for tips and advice on starting your home garden or plant maintenance, they can help with any questions. With the weather finally improving, plant-browsing is a perfect weekend activity. Jump into spring with these plant ideas and get your apartment on the right track for summer.

Northeast Nursery 

234 Newbury St, Peabody, MA 01960

(978) 535-6550

Eric’s Flower and Plant Emporium 

1090 Main St, Reading, MA 01867

(781) 944-0547

Weekly Recipe - Poppyseed Chicken Pitas

We finally seem to be moving past the cold season as we finally begin to feel the warmth of spring! Every Monday we’ll be sharing one of our favorite recipes for you to try – and we’re thinking this new take on the traditional chicken salad will be a tasty treat. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Poppyseed Chicken Pitas

What You’ll Need:

3 skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)

Kosher salt

1 large orange

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sour cream or low-fat Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1 stalk celery, chopped

1/2 cup chopped pecans, almonds or walnuts, toasted

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped (optional)

Torn lettuce leaves, for serving

4 whole-wheat pitas, halved

How It’s Made:

Cover the chicken with cold water in a saucepan and add 1 teaspoon salt. Remove strips of zest from half of the orange with a vegetable peeler; add the zest to the water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 18 minutes. Remove the chicken and let cool.

Grate the remaining orange zest into a large bowl; juice the orange into the bowl. Stir in the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, celery, nuts, chives, poppy seeds, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Add the apricots, if desired.

Shred the chicken, discarding the bones and skin, and toss with the dressing. Stuff a few lettuce leaves and some of the chicken salad into each pita.

How to Declutter Your Apartment this Spring

Spring is upon us - even if the weather isn't fully cooperating - and that puts spring cleaning on the mind here at Lynnfield Commons. It’s time to clear out the clutter you've accumulated and bring new life to your apartment. With these tips you can eliminate the stress of a messy apartment and approach the upcoming warm months with a renewed outlook! 

Set a Date

In order to successfully declutter your apartment, you need to set a mindset and get it done. Along with this you need to set a date. Otherwise, you will find yourself saying, “I’ll do it next weekend” every weekend. If you don’t finish in one day that’s fine, but create a to-do list to help you keep track of what you still need to accomplish. Once you start to see your hard work paying off you’ll want to complete the whole apartment!

Use Wall Shelves

Clutter often builds from the floor up. To eliminate the mess, move the clutter from under your feet onto your walls. Shelves not only help create a neat place to store what was underfoot, but can also serve a dual purpose, providing a decorative additions to your apartment. Try colorful or unusual shapes to add extra style to your rooms and start seeing your floor again!

Tackle Your Closet

Fashion trends come and go therefore they have an expiration date in your closet. Apply the golden rule: if you haven’t worn it in a year, you’re finished wearing it. You can even do “The Hanger Test.” Turn all hangers in one direction and once you wear an item turn the hanger the other way. If after a couple months a hanger hasn’t been switched it’s probably an indication for you to get rid of that item. By clearing out your closet you add space for new purchases and can also provide donations for Goodwill or the Salvation Army.  Looking at a clarified closet can also make picking out an outfit in the morning that much more enjoyable!

Fill a Trash Bag

The single best way to declutter your apartment is to remove all trash  It’s surprising how much extra unnecessary stuff can gather in corners and closets around your home. Set a goal to fill one trash bag. Go through your kitchen, bedroom, and living room and remove any items that can be classified as trash. After tossing all that clutter, you’ll feel brand new!  

Invest in Containers

Containers are necessary when it comes to organization. Having an assigned place for everything in your life will instantly help declutter your apartment. Once you have your containers and organization tools assign a location for each item in your apt. Not only will this help declutter but will also help you maintain a neater, easier-to-clean home.

Take on Junk Drawers

Junk drawers often become a feeding ground for clutter. Usually you end up throwing anything that doesn't have a designated location into these drawers and the disorder continues to grow. Take the drawer out and empty it on a table. Then sort the drawer into three piles:

1. Stuff belongs in the drawer

2. Stuff that belongs elsewhere

3. Trash

Once you have these three piles sort what you want to put back in the drawer and find locations for the other items. This task could be accomplished as you cook dinner or are catching up TV and will make your life a lot easier when you need to find something.

With these simple tips you can transform a cluttered apartment into an organized home. Start planning today and let the spring cleaning begin. You will be glad you did when the warm weather comes and our pool is open!