November 2020 Newsletter

Veganizing the Holidays

Maybe you’ve decided to be more plant-based or perhaps you have some vegan guests joining you for the holidays this year, whatever your reason, you can easily veganize many of your traditional recipes with a few quick swaps. Here are some of my favorite vegan products that will allow you to have plant-based sides that are sure to wow your guests.

Butter - Miyoko’s Organic Vegan Butter - From sugar cookies to mashed potatoes and melted butter on freshly baked bread, this is simply outstanding. (Note: this is made from a cashew base. If you need a nut-free option, Miyoko’s has an amazing oat milk butter) - Miyokos
Broth - Imagine Foods No Chicken Broth - With a rich flavor, certain to rival the best broths, you will not be disappointed with this swap! - Click here
Milk - Oatly has changed the game when it comes to plant-based milk; it’s incredibly creamy, higher in calcium than dairy milk, and a thicker consistency than nut-based milk. It’s sure to make the most amazing whipped potatoes! - us.oatly.com/collections/products

If you are interested in more specific swaps or recipes for your holiday meals, email me at [email protected], and I’ll be happy to share all my tips, tricks, and go-to's for plant-based products.

-MaryAshley

How to Celebrate The

Holidays Safely

It’s been a year of firsts: first pet, first virtual classroom, first time baking bread from scratch. Now our first Thanksgiving during a pandemic. We adapted to working from home with virtual offices and zooming family and friends for happy hours. No matter how you choose to celebrate the holidays this year, there are ways to adapt, observe CDC safety recommendations, and still make it fun!

If you are traveling: Note the CDC does not recommend traveling, but if you do, quarantine & take a Covid test before you travel, wear a mask at all times, stay local & drive to your destination, and pack enough snacks to avoid extra stops.
Hosting a celebration: Limit the duration of your gathering, find an outdoor place preferably or indoor space with enough ventilation, practice social distancing, wear masks, and invite-only a small group.
Host a virtual holiday party: Have each household cook the same meal or have a baking contest to see whose pie looks the best. Decorate your table and set a tablet on it to be able to see your invitees. Play games like Pictionary after your meal. For a special touch, send a box with gifts ahead of time or treasured family recipes.

Whatever you choose, we want to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Preparing Your Home for Winter

Clean your chimney - done annually, it will help save larger deferred maintenance costs. Order your wood early!
Check your roof - make sure no shingles are missing and no evidence of leaks.
Protect the pipes - make sure all exterior water pipes are insulated and all exterior hose bibs valves are turned off. Detach and drain all garden hoses.
Inspect your HVAC system - make sure all your filters are changed, and the system has been inspected by a licensed professional.
Check your smoke detectors - residential fires are more prevalent in the winter so double-check that your system is working properly.

Real Estate in the News

Modus Joins Compass

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Modus, an escrow and digital title startup, has joined the Compass family! This exciting addition is another step towards Compass' goal to create the first end-to-end platform in real estate. Modus' digital title and escrow tools will provide Compass agents and clients a seamless closing process.

Read more here.

Local Events

The Power Of Words

The long-awaited Planet Word, a language museum, has opened, giving visitors an immersive experience into language and words. Located in downtown DC at the restored Franklin School, you can check out a first look from Washingtonian, HERE.

Harness the Sun

Considering a home with solar panels? Or interested in adding them to your current residence? Bethesda Magazine took a look at how local residents benefit from solar panels. Read more HERE.

Lifestyle Tips & Tricks

2021 Paint Trends To Try Now

For A Fresh Interior

It's amazing what a can of paint can do. If you've ever applied a fresh coat to your walls, you know how instantly transformational this relatively simple decor task can be. The Zoe Report's paint trends reveal a few themes among the colors that appear to be gaining momentum: those that offer a soothing, calming feeling, as opposed to something more electric and energizing.

Celebrate Turkey Day In Style With 51 Thanksgiving Table Ideas

Aside from the big meal, setting the Thanksgiving table is a big part of the occasion for many families. After all, you want your table to look as good as the food you serve.

Parade recommends

adding a small detail or two to elevate your Thanksgiving tablescape.

Here's How To Put The "WOW" Into Your Home Workout Space

The days of gyms being grungy, unfinished basements with a dusty weight bench are over. Elle Decor showcases how the pandemic's shutdown of public gyms across the country propelled the home gym from afterthought to a design priority. These times have brought new importance to what many fitness buffs have known all along: where you work out matters almost as much as how you work out.

November 2020 Newsletter

Veganizing the Holidays

How to Celebrate The

Holidays Safely

Preparing Your Home for Winter

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