Blue Ridge Sprouts Celebrates

Blue Ridge Sprouts celebrates community as festival goers enjoyed delicious fare and fun filled contests while learning new culinary and gardening skills. Tenth generation West Oaks Farm Market recently played host to hundreds of locals and Valley visitors. And a teenage chef, with a little help from a seasoned pro, took the title of “Sprout to Finish Cheftarian.” Blue Ridge Sprouts Celebrates Community Family Style Family fun is a top priority for the Johnstons, also known as FamilyAdventuresVA on social media. They were special guests ...

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Get Ready for Blue Ridge Sprouts!

Sometimes it's hard to find events for those ‘tweens and teens. If you have kids ages 8-15, then get ready for Blue Ridge Sprouts, a festival for “foodies” and the whole family! Get Ready for Blue Ridge Sprouts Blue Ridge Sprouts celebrates locally sourced food, agricultural heritage, and environmental sustainability. The fun takes place Saturday, November 6, 11:30am - 5pm, at West Oaks Farm Market in Winchester, VA. Sprouts brings together top culinary talent, including a former White House Chef and a Food TV Winner, farmers, food arti...

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There are No Grocery Stores in Space

Ever wonder what - and how - astronauts eat? After all, there are no grocery stores in space. From applesauce in a tube to baking cookies, here's what astronauts put on their on their plates, courtesy of Guest Blogger and Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Curator Jennifer Lavasseur, PhD. There are no Grocery Stores in Space When was the last time you visited a grocery store? I would guess it was within the last few days. You probably picked up some milk, maybe eggs and bread, fresh produce, and perhaps some meat or fish. The plastic a...

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Cooking with Your Kids 9 Great Reasons

Cooking with your kids not only makes memories, it’s a great way to learn and grow. Check out these 9 important reasons to get into the kitchen as a family. Learn about age appropriate skills and try some easy, delicious recipes. Cooking with Your Kids - 9 Important Reasons From toddlers to teens, cooking does more than just provide a meal. Here are 9 great reasons why your kids should develop some culinary skills: #1 Good Nutrition Habits: Kids are more inclined to eat healthy when they have a hand in preparing a meal. Inspire that habit ...

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5 Numbers for Good Health – 95210

Looking for an easy way to stay on track with family fitness goals? Think 95210 for good health. Learn how these 5 little numbers add up to a well balanced lifestyle. Think 95210 - 5 Numbers for Good Health The 95210 approach for good health started over a decade ago through a partnership between INOVA Health Systems and local school districts. Winchester’s Valley Health Wellness Services has been promoting the plan since 2012. Pre-Covid, Wellness Services spread the word through attending local health and resource fairs as well as its own We...

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Get Ready to Garden!

With increasing interest in sustainability and locally sourced food, now’s the time to get ready to garden. We have 3 great ways to garden, whether you’re contained to a terrace or have room to grow, along with suggested veggies and planting techniques. Read on to learn about the benefits of family gardening. Get Ready to Garden! As spring approaches, you may be thinking about last year’s grocery store shortages and how you can provide more sustainability to your family. A garden is the perfect answer. And it will provide more to your family...

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Free Fall Family Fun Ideas

Fall family fun doesn’t need to be expensive! Let the Kids Trail gang show you some free (or nearly free) fall family fun ideas. Bucket knows the best places for day hikes, picnicking and biking. Fungi takes you to a PYO orchard then shares a baked apple recipe. Shenny has come up with some fun fall crafts that make beautiful holiday gifts. And Ridge shows us how to celebrate our natural heritage by gathering a future forest. Free Fall Family Fun Ideas Some would argue that there’s no better season than fall in the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah V...

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11 Great Garden Goodies for Picky Eaters

Entice the picky eaters in your family with these 11 great garden goodies. With unique textures, shapes, and tastes, they make healthy eating fun for kids. Take a tour with Kids Trail Mascot Fungi and see what’s in the garden. Great Garden Goodies Lydia’s Fields at Wheatlands in Purcellville has not only summer “classics” like cucumbers and eggplants. The farm also offers unique vegetables, fruits and herbs. Carrying on a 200 year old farming tradition, Lydia’s Fields grows an assortment of heirloom tomatoes as well as hybrid varieties. C...

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Blue Ridge Family Fun Is Now Open

Slowly, but surely, Blue Ridge family fun is now reopening. Here’s an update of Kids Trail stops for kid friendly adventure. And always, “know before you go.” Check websites and social media for updates. Blue Ridge Family Fun in Winchester State and national parks are a popular family adventure choice. The Winchester region of the Kids Trail is home to Shenandoah National Park as well as Shenandoah River State Park. Get the latest Virginia Park updates here. Looking for more outdoor fun? While in the area, take a trip to the prehistoric p...

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Seven Popular Blue Ridge Picnic Spots

Summer means outdoor eating. Here are seven popular Blue Ridge Picnic Spots. Add some produce, proteins, or preserves from local farms and community stores to your basket. And always “know before you go” - check location websites and social media for updates. Popular Blue Ridge Picnic Spots With so many scenic spots, it’s hard to pick our favorites. But here are three just an hour west of Washington, DC. Bears Den, Bluemont VA: Take a hike and then enjoy a Blue Ridge picnic in the gazebo, at the stone pavilion, on the rocks, or under ...

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