Chicago has had to endure plenty of changes recently: flood-inducing rains, a depressing economy, expensive gas prices, and an unbelievable sales tax. Combine all this with the country’s second-highest population density, and you have the formula for a stressful situation.

Forbes examined the country’s 40 largest metropolitan areas and looked at things like unemployment rates, housing affordability, cost of living, air quality, weather, and population density. The Windy City topped the list in anxiety issues, followed by New York City, Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

However, despite these worries, Chicago recently ranked highest in resident satisfaction. Plus, as Edward Hallowell, M.D., (of the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health) told Forbes, some stress can be a good thing. It inspires us to work harder, which can lead to accomplishment and self-satisfaction.

Here’s hoping the changes in your life don’t cause too much stress. If you need to relax, check out one of Chicago’s spas, enjoy a cocktail, or treat yourself to some retail therapy.

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) carl dwyer

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

• The 75^th annual SAIC Fashion Show is produced by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students and faculty. Located at the Sullivan Center, the exhibition is preceded by a cocktail reception and features a meet-and-greet with the designers afterward. (May 2)

• For four nights, Adobo Grill will feature special Mexican menu items and $5 margaritas. (May 2-5)

• Can’t party on Monday? Hit up the Dos de Mayo Party at Easy Bar, featuring Dos Equis brews, great food, and a raffle. Proceeds benefit the Foundation for Community Betterment. (May 2)

• The 18^th annual Alivio y Salud Run for Health near Harrison Park includes a 5K run, a 2-mile (3.2-km) walk, and a kids’ dash. A health fair takes place afterward. (May 3)

• Dogs need fun too! The 14^th annual Bark in the Park includes a pet/owner look-alike contest, a 5K walk, a souvenir photo booth, a canine fashion parade, a doggy obstacle course, and a pet-tricks contest. Proceeds benefit the Anti-Cruelty Society. (May 3)

• Cheer on your favorite horse at the Derby Day Party at Fizz Bar & Grill. Make the experience authentic with $9 mint juleps in an official Derby glass ($5 refills) and a free buffet full of Kentucky dishes. (May 3)

• It’s time for “the biggest Polish parade outside of Poland.” The Polish Constitution Day Parade in Grant Park celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish constitution in 1791. This year’s theme is Polonia’s Youth: Our Pride and Our Future. (May 3)

• The 5-mile (8-km) Stray Cat Strut kicks off Be Kind to Animals Week. Rain or shine, the walk begins from the Tree House Animal Foundation’s Uptown location and ends at the Bucktown branch. (May 4)

• Written by Ifa Bayeza and directed by Oz Scott, The Ballad of Emmett Till is a historical drama at the Goodman Theatre about the gruesome 1955 Mississippi murder of a 14-year-old African-American from Chicago. The production is a moving combination of jazz, poetry, and theatre. (ends June 1)

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) kk+, (c/o SXC) Iwan Beijes

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

My Gourmet Kitchen can help. You choose four or more meals from a monthly selection of recipes, cook it up in their kitchen, and then bring it home. That’s it! They’ve already picked out the ingredients and prepped all the food. All that cutting, washing, cleaning, chopping… already done. All you have to do is put it together. And the nice folks at MGK will even clean up after you. Once you get home, you can either put your prepared entrées in the refrigerator for later or warm it up via baking, grilling, or sautéing, following the instructions you’ll be given.

My Gourmet Kitchen is better than your average take-out because the meals are healthy, organic, and nutritious. And because you’re making it yourself, you can alter the recipe to your own liking. All of the meals come with a nutritional analysis, making it easy to fit the meals to your dietary needs and goals. You can even schedule a private party, customized for your wedding shower, family event, work party, etc.

Now you can tell all your friends that every meal you eat is homemade. Sorta.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) polomex

My Gourmet Kitchen: 2333 W North Ave; 773-278-5800
Street parking available
Public trans: Bus # 49, X49, 72
http://www.mygourmetkitchen.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

*takes a deep breath*

Yes, according to a recent survey, Chicagoans are the most caffeinated people in the United States. While Seattle took the top spot in coffee consumption, we here in Chicago eat more chocolate and drink more pick-me-up beverages than anyone else.

The rest of the top five most caffeinated cities are Tampa, FL; Miami, FL; Phoenix, AZ; and Atlanta, GA. Who’s consuming the least caffeine? San Francisco, CA; Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Detroit, MI; and Baltimore, MD. This is a bit of a surprise to me, because cities like San Francisco and New York, with all their famed hustle and bustle, actually came out on the low end of the spectrum.

The survey looked at consumption of coffee, chocolate, energy drinks, tea, sodas, and caffeine pills in 20 major cities in the U.S. Half of all people questioned said they drink coffee every day, followed by 21 percent who drank caffeinated cola. However, perhaps in denial, more than 70 percent of people questioned said they were not addicted to caffeine.

The study was an eye-opening look at cultural views, considering drinks and food with caffeine have become an integral part of pop culture. Coffee has become the social beverage of choice, and businesses like Starbucks have made high-end coffees (mochas, cappuccinos, lattes, etc) much more accessible to the public. Energy drinks have become increasingly popular. Even tea, while celebrated for its health benefits, can have just as much caffeine as coffee.

I will admit that I have one or two cups of coffee every weekday to help me wake up. Now that I think about it, there are three different coffeemakers in my apartment. (A traditional coffeepot, a single-cup brewer, and an espresso machine that I don’t know how to operate.) While I’ve been trying to limit my sugar intake, I haven’t been paying attention to how much caffeine I consume. Several people say that coffee would be the most difficult caffeine product to give up. What about you? What would be most difficult to go without: coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate?

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Alicja Michalik, Mateusz Atroszko, Jasper Greek Golangco

Post from: The Chicago Traveler