Starbucks Cheer Parties = Free Coffee

As 2016's end draws closer, who couldn't use a bit of cheer? Find the Starbucks near you giving away sippable joy!
StarbucksCheer.com

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Lincoln Road Mall, South Beach

This outdoor mall lends to the encapsulation of South Beach. I strolled through on my first night in town and at various times thereafter. Locals and tourists alike congregate here at all hours because Lincoln Road Mall offers something for everyone: dining, retail, bars, clubs and galleries. Although I missed them, I found out that farmers and collectibles markets are also held there.

The mall is well-maintained and truly designed for pedestrians, with some areas blocked off to vehicles. Almost every restaurant offers drink or appetizer specials and al fresco dining. For people watchers, there are public seating options. I didn't buy anything but food while exploring Lincoln Road Mall and engaged in my share of window shopping. Some streets adjacent to the mall are worth exploring as well. I did so on foot and discovered more shops and even residential areas with interesting architecture.

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Free Crunch Gym Pass

Been slacking all summer? Stop stepping on the scale hoping for a miracle. Check out Crunch's free 3-day pass. Besides weight, what have you got to lose?

Visit: https://www.crunch.com/guest-passes/?d=3

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7-Eleven = Free Coffee Heaven

Download the 7-Eleven app if you want a free cup of joe every day this week. Offer applies to any size and usually rolls around yearly!

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Whole Wheat Buttermilk Biscuits

I bought some pastry flour intending to make a pie. Then my oven died! Wary of baking a pie in my convection oven, I settled on biscuits.

The recipe I adapted from FaithfulProvisions.com is the best using whole wheat flour that I've found.

I made a slight alteration, using a cup of Arrowhead Mills Pastry Flour and 1.75 cups of King Arthur Whole White Wheat Flour.

See: http://faithfulprovisions.com/2012/05/16/whole-wheat-biscuit-recipe/ for details.

Chipotle Chiptopia Rewards

Like a dumped lover longing for a second chance, Chipotle hopes to woo customers with loyalty rewards. Grab a Chiptopia summer earnings card at any location and make a purchase before 7/31 to earn free chips and guac.
https://chipotle.com/chiptopia

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Westside Community Garden, New York

Guess what's in bloom at Westside Community Garden? Tulips galore. The plot, tucked away in a mostly residential area, offers tranquility from NYC's continual grind.

Besides stunning flowers visitors can partake in concerts and other, mostly free, events.

Westside Community Garden depends on the kindness of volunteers and donations. So don't cheap out.

Drop a few bucks in the collection jar!

Visit www.westsidecommunitygarden.org/ for a list of upcoming events.

Shrimp Fried Rice

Either I'm becoming better with my timing when cooking seafood or the quick marinade I made countered any overcooking blunders. The totally tender shrimp remained so even when I microwaved leftovers. Use more or less of the entree ingredients based on your preferences.

You'll need approximately:

• .75 cup shredded purple carrots
• 3.75 cups cold, steamed Jasmine Rice
• .50 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• garlic salt
• 1 egg
• 4 basil leaves
• black sesame seeds
• .25 cup soy sauce
• tbsp agave syrup
• 1 tsp sesame oil 
• 10 large raw shrimp
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• .25 tsp salt 

For marinade:

• 2 dashes black pepper
• 2 dashes garlic salt
• 1 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1.5 tbsp canola oil

Make the marinade first. Whisk the juice and oil together. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss them in the mixture. Season with pepper and garlic salt. Refrigerate until you are ready to fry the rice. My shrimp marinated for a few hours.

Now for the rice. Beat the egg, a pinch of pepper, and .5 tsp of sesame oil. Set aside. Add 1.5 tbsp of canola oil to your wok or heavy frying pan. Heat to medium and add shrimp when oil starts to sizzle.Turn them as soon as they become opaque then remove from pan after the other side is done. Set shrimp aside but reserve oil for the carrots and onions. Lightly season vegetables with garlic salt  then cook for about 5 minutes, depending on how tender you like them.

Set veggies aside. Add remaining 1.5 tbsp of canola oil to your wok. Increase the heat to high then add the rice.Toss so the oil coats most grains. Add the ginger and stir. Repeat process with syrup and soy sauce. I use enough sauce to make most of the rice brown without drenching it. Create a well in the center of the rice. Scramble the egg there then distribute it within the rice. Add veggies, salt, and .5 tsp of sesame oil. After stirring, remove from heat. Cut shrimp into thirds then toss into rice. Garish with basil and sesame seeds. Add more soy sauce if desired.

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Dream South Beach

Quirky germaphobe searching for a suitable South Beach hotel. That was me until I discovered Dream South Beach, formerly the Palmer House. I spent countless hours reading reviews for other hotels, none of which struck the balance of cleanliness, service, location, safety, and price I sought.

Soon I realized that most Miami accommodations were pricey but expensiveness did not equal quality. Not only was Dream's standard suite comparable to if not cheaper than many of its competitors, the peace of mind and relaxing setup proved priceless.
Attendants remained in the lobby around the clock. Often they remembered my name and asked about my itinerary, gleefully providing suggestions upon request and asking how I enjoyed spots I visited. One employee even offered to snap a picture of me when he noticed me photographing Dream’s exterior.

The staff stayed attentive without stalking. I sensed they would recognize non-guests lurking about. Since I was solo, feeling secure in my surroundings was especially important.

Phone calls and internet service are additional charges, but beach chairs and towels are free. For me, parking was a non-issue because I chose to forgo renting a car. The hotel is in walking distance to the beach and restaurants.

Those who don't mind mingling with the masses can catch the SOBE local one street over for a quarter or splurge on a $5 day pass to explore other parts of town. Also, the Airport Flyer provides cheap and quick service, so there's no need for a cab to and from the location.

This boutique establishment proved tranquil overall. Sounds from other rooms were minimal. However, I could sometimes hear loud employees at the hotel next door. Its kitchen and patio area faced my room. Closing windows significantly muted the noise.

I scoured the suite for cleanliness issues and found one foreign eyelash (even I could live with that). The lighting felt weird at first: subdued blue and white hues throughout, including the shower. Dark, rich wood flooring covered all areas. Luxurious bedding allowed me to sleep comfortably after my first night there. That's a virtual feat when I'm in unfamiliar surroundings.

Upon returning home, I dreamt of duplicating the Dream suite on my turf, especially the bedroom.

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New Park Pizza, Howard Beach

I skeptically stared at the piece square of pepperoni pizza before it entered the brick oven. Would it engage my taste buds or disappoint them?

The perfect combo of savory tomato sauce and cheese crowned this unassuming pizza's slightly salty, chewy crust. One more bite of the filling portion and I would've been stuffed. New Park's fare isn't gourmet, but it certainly calms a pizza craving.

Belly Rewards

Belly, a little-known loyalty program, tracks visits when users sign in at restaurants and other businesses. Download the app or join for free by activating a scannable card that fits on your keychain.

To maximize this app's money saving potential, sign up for Belly Bites. These limited-time offers entice potential customers with free products and services from hot dogs to haircuts and everything in between. I even scored a grocery store gift card. Also, the location search option proves particularly beneficial when traveling in unfamiliar territory. It lists participating businesses that are in close proximity. Here's another tip. Plenty of merchants add on additional incentives if you haven't returned within a month. Their attempting to steal you from the competition, which equals even more savings for you!

Explore offerings in your area: www.bellycard.com.