Chicago Home and Lifestyles – A Better Morning Routine for a Better Day

We would all like to be more productive during the day. Our morning routine is one of the most effective ways to increase your productivity. Many times, the hardest part of the day is simply to get started. Our days tend to be quite chaotic as more things are dumped on our plates as the day goes on. The morning though is usually quieter before the workday starts. But for a better morning, it needs to start the night before with enough sleep. Do go to sleep at a consistent time each night and plan to get at least 7 hours.

The first thing to do when you wake is to exercise. It does not have to be an hour-long workout, but at least 20 minutes of moderate exercise will get your blood going and wake up your brain. Using weights is good, along with some light cardio. If exercise is not your thing or it is easier for you later in the day, try meditating. Get out of bed and either sit on the floor or a chair. Meditating in bed might let you fall back to sleep. Meditation can leave you focused with a quiet mind. Use this on days you expect to be stressful.

After your exercise or meditating, do get yourself ready. Years ago, we all needed to leave the house to work. Now with so many working from home, the usual routine is often neglected. Working online in your pajamas is not the best way to start the day. Take a shower, fix your hair and makeup, and dress in work-appropriate clothes. Make sure the house is in order too. Make your bed and straighten the bedroom and kitchen after breakfast. This creates a sense of order for the day as well as in your mind. You will also appreciate not coming back to a mess later. 

Speaking of breakfast, it is essential. I know many of you do not think it necessary, but look at the word itself – break/fast. Break your fast. It is likely you have not eaten for several hours before bed. Your body needs some fuel to perform efficiently. It need not be a full meal, but your stomach needs something. Make sure you include some protein and a complex carb. Peanut butter on whole wheat or some scrambled eggs are great. I sometimes scramble a big batch of eggs and eat for a few days; they taste great out of the microwave. Throw on some toast with a slice of cheese for a good breakfast sandwich.

A good morning starts the night before. Lay out your outfit for the next day, so you spend less time finding clothes. Plan your following day. Write down the 3-5 top tasks you need to accomplish for the following day. Get into a sleep mode before it is time for bed. Limit your blue light from devices like phones and tablets. It can mess with circadian rhythms that will give you better sleep. If you have a tough time getting up or are a habitual user of the snooze button, set a second alarm. Having to physically get out of bed to shut it off will stop the snoozing. 

Have an awesome day!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Mortgage Interest Deductions 101

Purchasing a home comes with many tangible and intangible benefits. One that is commonly overlooked until the start of the year rolls around is the deductions you get on your taxes. As a homeowner, you’re likely able to deduct most, if not all, of your home mortgage interest resulting in a lower tax bill.

Interest paid on a loan that was used to buy, build, or complete substantial renovations on your primary or secondary home falls into the deductible mortgage interest bucket. The property can be a house, apartment, condominium, mobile home, house trailer, or co-op. The amount of interest you can deduct does cap out at $750,000, although most homeowners do not reach that threshold.

At the end of each tax year, your lender will provide you with a mortgage interest statement, or Form 1098, that states the total amount of interest paid for that year. You are responsible for reporting an accurate total of interest paid when you file. This requires you to itemize your taxes. If you have purchased a home with one or more people, each homeowner can deduct the amount of interest they personally pay.

There are a few others payments that may count as mortgage interest and could be added to your deductible amount. These include mortgage points, late payment charges, prepayment penalties, interest on a home equity loan, and certain mortgage insurance premiums.

By deducting mortgage interest from your taxes, you are reducing your taxable income. As a result, you have less tax liability and reduce the amount of taxes you owe which is more money in your pocket!

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – THE HUNT IS ON!

We’ll be closing out the last weekend of March here in Chicago hopping towards Easter, which is next weekend already! As usual, there is plenty of fun to be had inside and outside as we inch closer to the reappearance of the bunny!! Here are a few of those choices.

Watson Adventures invites those 10 and older to partake in its Hop to It, Kids! Online Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday through April 4. Their eggceptional host will meet with teams and send each one hopping off for a one-hour extravaganza around the world following clues that lead to websites where you must find eggs and answer fun questions about them! Eggs can be found almost hidden in art museum paintings, in royal homes as Fabergé eggs, or in natural history museums as giant dinosaur eggs. It’s definitely a mad scramble that can leave your brain fried!!

Watson Adventures is also celebrating spring with a virtual museum scavenger hunt – Great Eggspectations: The Online Easter Egg Hunt Game. Eggs are an ancient symbol of new life and the arrival of spring, so eggs are hidden everywhere for you and your team to follow a trail of clues to find those eggs and answer tricky questions about them. 

This egg hunt game takes you into some of the world’s greatest museums and is available to the general public this Saturday and on Easter weekend! So, hop to it and find those eggs!!

This year’s Long Grove Egg Hunt will be a dynamic, socially distanced hop-through experience instead of the usual free-for-all blitz. Head on over to Brother’s Field (344 Old McHenry Rd.) in Long Grove this Saturday (12 p.m.-4 p.m.) with your own baskets to partake in a memorable day of hunting through an Easter-themed field loaded with plenty of filled eggs and stopping at themed attractions as well (must be pre-registered). 

After the hunt you will receive a card with a list of merchants participating in the Jellybean Hunt. Just hop into the participating stores and guess the number of jellybeans in each jar. Once the hunt is complete, return your card to the Long Grove Visitors’ Center where the little ones will receive a treat (while supplies last), and the adults will be entered to win a prize from the participating merchants!

For those who will be celebrating Passover, here are some Kid-Friendly Matzo Recipes that are great for family kitchen time together! Recipes include Matzo Granola, Matzo Grilled Cheese, Matzo Pizza, Matzo Lasagna, Matzo S’mores, and Chocolate Caramel Matzo.

Feel like shopping for deals this weekend? The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual InSidewalk Sale this weekend, bringing together over 30 neighborhood businesses for in-person or online deals as they make way for spring by clearing out winter merchandise. The Chamber has also partnered with George’s Ice Cream & Sweets, who will be offering FREE ice cream cones to the first 100 guests! Can’t go wrong with free ice cream and shopping for deals!!

With more and more adults receiving vaccinations here in Illinois, more Chicagoland Attractions are reopening and extending capacity requirements. Here’s who opened in March: Brookfield Zoo (March 1), Chicago History Museum (March 4), Chicago Riverwalk (daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.), Lincoln Park Zoo (March 4), Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (March 2), and Museum of Science & Industry (March 7). Since timed tickets are required at most attractions, be sure to plan ahead!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Neighborhood News: West Loop, Blue Island, Lincoln Park, Andersonville, Streeterville

West Loop: Beginning today, March 25, and running until Saturday, March 27, visit the Cobra Lounge, located at 235 North Ashland Avenue, for the Chicago Craft: A Collective Grip Pop Up Shop. Starting at 1 pm each day, visitors can check out vendor’s arts and crafts inside the Cobra Lounge (social distancing rules apply, and masks are required) while also purchasing beer from local breweries. Build your own six-pack, try shots of Barrel Aged Malört, and enjoy a drink while basking in the warmth of the outside bonfire at this event brought to you by the team of Cobra Lounge and Jeppson’s Malört. Find more info here.

Blue Island: The temps are rising after a frigid February, and the Rock Island Public House, located at 13328 Olde Western Avenue, is hosting a drive-in movie series that will help get us in the mood for warmer weather. Beginning Friday, March 26 at 7:30 pm, you can catch a screening of True Stories, directed by David Byrne of Talking Heads fame. On Saturday, March 27, you can watch the hip-hop mockumentary Fear of a Black Hat and finish off the weekend on Sunday, March 28, with a screening of That Thing You Do! directed by Tom Hanks. All showtimes are at 7:30 pm, and you can eat and drink from the comfort of your car. The best part? The films are free to watch, but it is first-come, first-served. Find more info here.

Lincoln Park: The Lincoln Park Conservatory, located at 2391 N Stockton Drive, is back in action and ready to welcome visitors with its Spring Flower Show entitled Pretty in Pink. Come see a wide array of amazing flowers, including azaleas, tulips, and cymbidium orchids, bursting in pink that will definitely get your mind of this past winter. The flower show runs each weekend beginning Friday, March 26 to May 9, with operating hours from 10 am to 2 pm. The show is free, with donations encouraged. You will need to book a reservation ahead of time for a 60-minute visit. The typical COVID-19 safety restrictions will apply to all visitors. Find more info here.

Andersonville: The annual InsideWalk Sale in Andersonville brings together over 30 neighborhood businesses offering fantastic sales as they clear out their winter merchandise to make room for spring. A long list of merchants is taking part this year, including AKIRA, Andersonville Galleria, Brown Elephant, Rattleback Records, StellaLily, the Swedish American Museum, Woman & Children First, and many more. The event kicks off Friday, March 26, and runs until Sunday, March 28, with hours varying by business. You can also shop online if you can’t make it out this weekend. Find more info here.

Streeterville: Looking for some arresting eye candy? Look no further than the new Christina Quarles exhibit taking place now at the Museum of Contemporary Art, located at 220 East Chicago Avenue. The Los Angeles-based artist’s work captures surreal and stunning paintings of the human body where limbs, faces, and more crash into something entirely new and mesmerizing. This current exhibit features Quarles’ output from the past three years. Entry to this showcase is included in the price of admission to the museum. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review: Steingold’s of Chicago

Beloved Steingold’s Delicatessen recently moved, but their modern take on the classic deli menu is still one of the best in the city. The delicatessen has changed addresses, moving from Lincoln Square to a new abode at 3737 North Southport in Lakeview. Situated next to the Music Box Theater, visitors can still expect the delicious bagels, meats, and sandwiches that made Steingold’s a favorite amongst city dwellers looking for traditional Lower East Side NYC food with a twist.

Steingold’s is a Jewish deli at heart, so you can expect all the traditional favorites done right, such as lox sandwiches, Reubens, and matzo ball soup. What differentiates Steingold’s from other delis in the city is the unique and delicious mixture of items from different cultures to add a kick to the menu. For instance, the Sister-in-Law sandwich features pastrami, slow-cooked for six hours no less, on rye with the significant addition of kimchi, giving this sandwich an ideal blend of old and modern tastes.

For those longing for overstuffed sandwiches, Steingold’s has you covered. The Uncle Rube features thick-cut pastrami, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, and sour kraut on grilled Publican Quality Rye. If reading this gets your taste buds going into overdrive, wait until you take your first bite. The Classic Lox sandwich lets you choose your choice of bagel and cream cheese, with house-cured Skuna Bay lox, red onion, tomato, capers, and pickled cucumbers. Lox fans looking for a great spot in the city will rejoice at the explosion of taste coming this mighty sandwich.

There’s literally a sandwich for whatever you’re craving at Steingold’s. The Uncle Paul BLT has applewood smoked bacon, thick-sliced Mighty Vine tomatoes, and mayo on a grilled PQB rye. Their Grandma Rachel hot sandwich features pastrami spiced turkey, Swiss cheese, pickled red cabbage, and Russian dressing on grilled challah, which is sure to put your mother’s BLTs to shame (sorry, mom). If you want something cold and fresh, go for the Aunt Alice headlined by smoked whitefish salad with lettuce, tomato, and onion on challah. 

Steingold’s has really upped the bagel dog game in the city with their delicious chicken thigh duck fat dog served with brown mustard on either a plain or everything bagel. Each bite brings forth a wild fusion of tastes that is nothing short of out of this world.

Speaking of bagels, one would be hard-pressed not to order some to go the next time they visit. Whether you crave plain, everything, garlic, poppy, onion, cinnamon sugar, or just about any other kind of bagel, Steingold’s has it. Their baker’s dozen is a surefire way to make your next brunch a destination event. While you’re at it, the slice challah loaf is going to make the Wonder Bread in your fridge extremely jealous.

Steingold’s new location has them right next to the Music Box Theater, with more significant square footage than their previous spot in Lincoln Square and a walk-up window to quickly grab your food while maintaining social distancing. There are plans in the next few months to add a bakery, which is sure to be just as exciting and welcoming as their already tasty menu.

Steingold’s of Chicago is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 8 am to 2 pm. Order online here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – You Too Can Be Clutter-Free

Spring is on its way, and it is a great time to clear out some of the clutter around the house. We all see pictures online or in magazines of beautiful clutter-free homes and wish that could be ours. It can if you will adopt a few principles of a clutter-free life. 

Do we always live within our means? That may be one of your clutter problems. You might be able to kill two birds with one stone here. Is your closet bulging? Solve your clutter and budget problems at the same time. Resist buying clothes you do not need. Go through closets and donate anything you have not worn in a year. Every time you look to buy another appliance or knickknack, think first. Do I really need this?

Paper clutter can really sneak up on you. Do scan all your important documents. There are apps like Evernote to keep them organized. It is a big job but is so satisfying when it is done. Go paperless on all monthly bills that you can. Have a place for all the mail coming in. I use my dining room table. Discard junk for recycling and file the rest. If you cannot go through it every day, do not let it go more than two days. It can really pile up.

There is an old saying: a place for everything and everything in its place. It really is true. Consider your kitchen counters. Many of the things on your counters are not used daily. Store them away for a clutter-free counter. Clutter elsewhere in the house can be stored away easily in plastic bins. A file cabinet provides a place for paperwork, or you can buy a cabinet with many drawers.

On the topic of drawers, a junk drawer is a necessity. You need a space for all the things that do not have a regular spot, such as office supplies like tape, scissors, and paperclips. Kitchen junk drawers can hold food thermometers and other items like candy thermometers and garlic presses, or any small necessities requiring a landing spot.

But everything, even junk drawers, needs a purge now and then. Places like junk drawers and closets do end up being a spot we just cram things into. Spring and fall are good times to go through the gathering spaces in our homes and get rid of anything not used in the previous 6 months. You and your house will feel much lighter.

Do make it a habit to put things away immediately after you use them. Hang up your clothes and put clean laundry in the basket and away in drawers. Put the can opener back in the drawer. Store your make-up and hair products away after getting ready. This is part of having a place for everything. That cannot work if you don’t put things in their rightful place. 

Finally, realize that a happy life is about your experiences, not the stuff that accumulates. With all the online advertising we get bombarded with, it is not easy to avoid buying too much useless junk. But wouldn’t that money be better spent with your family? Then you won’t have to worry about finding space for this stuff. Also, realize no one is perfect.

Sometimes things get away from us for a few weeks or months, and our home is a mess again. Never fear; get back on the horse and get yourself clutter-free again.     

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Put More Money In Your Pocket Each Month

Reviewing your monthly expenses once a year is a great practice to get into. As you look at your monthly budget, you will find some expenses that are fixed, like your rent or mortgage, car payments, and child care expenses. But there are several other common monthly expenses that should be reviewed and re-negotiated each year.

Call your current car insurance provider and shop other providers to make sure you have the lowest possible premium at that time. Contact your cell phone carrier to make sure you have the best and lowest cost package currently available. Shop health insurance each year to make sure you are covered at the best possible price. Contact your gym to make sure you are paying the best current pricing for your membership.

Research your cable and internet provider’s offers online then give them a call to make sure you have the best pricing for your services. Cable and internet companies often have promotions or package pricing that could be lower than your current bill. Do an audit of all online and app subscriptions you have to make sure you are not paying monthly fees for apps you signed up for in the past that you are no longer using. You will be surprised what the small fees add up to!

Don’t stop here! Analyze your monthly recurring payments and see how many of them you can bring down. The compound effect will give you a nice monthly raise.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – We’ve Made It! Spring has Sprung!!

We’ve made it! This weekend Chicagoans officially welcome the spring season on Saturday. And although we’re still not out of the woods completely with the pandemic, there’s lots to look forward to if we play our cards right. In the meantime, here’s a sampling of activities to make the most of your first spring weekend!!

There’s no better time to experience Chicago’s acclaimed dining scene than with Chicago Restaurant Week. This annual food fest will take place through April 4 and offer diners the option to dine-in, order takeout, or have it delivered! It’s the perfect time to not only visit your favorite places you often don’t frequent but also to explore the newest additions to the city’s culinary scene. 

Over 50 restaurants are making their Chicago Restaurant Week debut this year! Here are 13 of those to help get you started: Avec (Mediterranean, River North); The Dandy Crown (Cocktail Bar/Dining, West Town); Miki’s Park (Korean, River North); Azul (Seafood, located right on the Chicago River); Dear Margaret (French, Lakeview); Gaijin (Japanese/Sushi, West Loop); Marvin’s Food and Fuel (American, Fulton Market area); The Perch (American, Wicker Park); Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! (Spanish/Tapas, River North); UpRoar Chicago (American, Uptown); Rye Deli + Drink (Bakery/Café/Deli/Diner, West Loop); Andros Taverna (Greek, Logan Square); and FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar (Italian, The Loop).

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is once again kicking off the outdoor running season here in Chicago. For four decades, participants of all abilities have come together on the streets of Chicago to enjoy a fun and healthy day of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. This year though, participants can take part in a virtual 8K run, a 2-Mile walk, or The Mile this race weekend. Plus, all Shufflers across all distances will receive a Shamrock Shuffle Nike Dri-FIT shirt, a Shamrock Shuffle running belt, a digital event bib number, access to the Shamrock Shuffle Spotify playlist, and more!

This year, the Porchlight Theatre’s annual fundraiser benefitting the theatre’s educational and artistic programming hosts its Chicago Sings Rock & Roll Broadway premiering this Saturday (7 p.m.) and streaming live through April 18. This virtual concert celebrates two American creations – Broadway and Rock & Roll – from Bye, Bye Birdie to Dreamgirls to Rent to Jagged Little Pill and a variety of other productions in between. Not to mention a great cast of musical talents performing the songs!

In the mood for an interactive game show extravaganza? Then check out Pivot Art’s What Next? this Saturday at 7 p.m. The evening promises to be a ridiculous and wild game show ride where players can determine What Next? and is hosted by performers Cheryl Graeff and K.F. Jacques. Plus, DJ Oliver Fade will be spinning tunes, and there will even be special guest appearances with your favorite artists! You also have the choice of playing or sitting on the digital sidelines to watch this interactive game show!!

Three actors and a stage manager from Theatre in the Dark assemble to create a live online audio theatre of Moby Dick in the Dark now through April 10. After losing his leg in pursuit of the elusive and vengeful white sperm whale Moby Dick, Captain Ahab vows vengeance at all costs, but to what lengths and at what cost to his crew? To find out, just purchase a ticket online, build a dark, cozy space at home, mix a measure of grog, and pop-up some popcorn. Then log on, crank up your speakers and listen in the dark!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Neighborhood News: Wrigleyville, West Town, Wicker Park and Bucktown, Logan Square, Lincoln Park

Wrigleyville: Take advantage of the warmer weather and eased COVID restrictions by heading out to Rizzo’s in Wrigleyville, located at 3658 North Clark Street, for their Beer & Whiskey Tasting Experience. This recurring event takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout March. Guests will sit at a private table in the heated atrium under a retractable roof while enjoying 12 beer and whiskey tastings. This event is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a night out with friends in a socially distanced atmosphere. Tickets start at $30. Find more info here.

West Town: In keeping with the spirit of spirits from our previous pick, check out In the Realm Of Senses’ current show, In the Realm Of Whiskey: Luck of the Irish, taking place Thursday, March 18 and Thursday, March 25. Take a journey through visuals, music, scent, and of course, taste with this event hosted by Jeff Yang with accompanying music by Ryan Ingebritsen and original fragrance by perfumer Christophe Laudamiel. Taking place at Jordan’s Food of Distinction, located at 1551 West Thomas Street, tickets are $40 for this sure-to-be unique whiskey tasting experience. Find more info here.

Wicker Park and Bucktown: March Madness kicks off today, and you can keep an eye on all the action at Mac’s Wood Grilled, located 1801 West Division Street. Stop by Thursday at 3 pm for deals on many drinks, including $4 Paddy’s Irish Whiskey shots, $5 Skrewball whiskey shots, $5 Moscow Mules, $5 Bloody Marys, and $5 house vodka cocktails (excludes Red Bull) while watching the games on one of their 17 4K Ultra HDTVs. Starting Friday, March 19 through Monday, March 22, Mac’s will open its doors at 10:30 am so NCAA fans can get a good seat for the 11 am tip-off of the games. Find more info here.

Logan Square: On Saturday, March 27, from 9:30 am to 11 am, take an eye-popping walk around one of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods with the Logan Square Street Art Tour. This 90-minute tour led by a Native 312 guide showcases the vibrant murals that adorn the neighborhood’s streets and alleys. As you view the unique art, you’ll learn about Logan Square’s beginnings as a stop on an original Native American Trail to its current position as one of Chicago’s most lively neighborhoods. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under. Tickets must be purchased online, and social distancing rules apply. Find more info here.

Lincoln Park: Celebrate the arrival of better weather with the Spring Break Nature Walks at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, located at 2430 North Cannon Drive, on Tuesday, March 30, Thursday, April 1, and Saturday, April 3. This free nature program takes guests on a guided tour of the museum’s outdoor exhibits, where you will learn about the wildlife and plants that thrive on its grounds. Be sure to register ahead of time as tickets are going fast. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review: Big Kids

Lululemon’s Lincoln Park Chef Series brings a different Chicago-based chef to its location every two weeks throughout the spring. The chosen chef prepares a special multi-course meal that you can pick up along with an included ticket to the featured chef’s favorite sweat class and a pass to Lululemon’s Lincoln Park’s Tune beds.

On Saturday, March 27, from 11:30 am to 4 pm, head over to Lululemon Lincoln Park, located at 944 West North Avenue, to pick up great eats courtesy of Big Kids

For their stint at Lululemon Lincoln Park, Big Kids offers a menu that features the Cuban sandwich featuring ham, homemade mustard, fancy pickles, and Swiss on a sub roll. Next, dive into their delicious Mac n’ Cheese with pickled jalapeño and potato chip crust. Wash down all the scrumptious food with the Tang-A-Rita cocktail made with Mezcal, tequila, TANG!, and lime. The meal will run you $35 plus fees, and tickets can be purchased here.

Located at 2545 North Kedzie Avenue in Logan Square, Big Kids opened in late 2020 as a carry-out only spot, serving up amazing sandwiches amid a heavy 90s nostalgia vibe. Being no stranger to their menu, I can’t recommend highly enough making a visit to this new sandwich shop to take a break from the same old same old and quite possibly find your new favorite spot.

On a previous visit, I tried the fried bologna sandwich featuring Duke’s mayo, shredded lettuce, American cheese, and mustard. This heavenly creation instantly reserved a top spot on my best sandwiches in the city. Not to be outdone, the Amy N’ Nettie is something to enjoy visually as much as it’s a tour de force for your taste buds. This beef Milanesa and burnt tomato sandwich is definitely off the beaten track and well worth the visit. Big Kids’ Veggie Crunch Wrap, featuring Vietnamese pickles, cilantro, jalapeno, tostada, Duke’s mayo, and provolone, will make you forget all about Taco Bell’s version and wish this Logan Square spot expanded their hours.

Big Kids is the creation of ex-Blackbird chef Ryan Pfeiffer and Mason Hereford of New Orleans sandwich shop Turkey & the Wolf. The duo opened the spot in the previous location of cocktail bar Young American. Kids of the 90s will love the menu’s aesthetic almost as much as the awesome eats created at this new Logan Square culinary addition. 

Big Kids Logan Square location is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm. Don’t hesitate to try this spot on via the Lululemon Lincoln Park Fuel Bar Pop-Up taking place March 27. One thing to keep in mind about Big Kids is that every Monday they transform into Uncle Shiddy’s Burger Barn from noon to 8 pm serving up tasty burgers that usually sell out fast. So be sure to order online if you want to grab a bite from this awesome pop-up as well. 

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEANS TEAM CHICAGO