Olivia Lancaster

Follow I Love South Florida on Pinterest

December 30, 2016 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

At ILoveSouthFlorida.com, we believe the beaches, weather, food, wildlife, and culture of South Florida should be shared with the world. So adding Pinterest to our social media arsenal as the demand for South Florida content grows across multiple platforms only seemed natural.

Follow the new I Love South Florida Pinterest page to check out some of the cool new boards we created, including Florida Travel, The Florida Keys, and Florida Everglades – to name a few. Of course, the site is addicting and we expect to be creating new boards regularly.

As of this post, our Facebook Page has 2,547 likes and we think our message will be even more popular on Pinterest. Some of our favorite topics to follow so far include Old florida and Florida beaches.

Tell us your favorite Pinterest boards and topics related to South Florida in the comments section so we can connect and share with our network!

Top 5 Gluten-Free Restaurants in South Florida

November 22, 2016 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

While several restaurants boast about their gluten-free menu options, only a few live up to the hype.

Often gluten-free translates to a very limited menu without any dessert options, but these restaurants will exceed anybody’s expectations.

A couple of the restaurants on this list, curated by our friends at Gluten Free Underground, are fit for date night or other special occasions.

Go ahead and indulge in the spectacular gluten-free cuisines these restaurants offer.

Grand Lux Cafe

Grand Lux Cafe has an extensive menu with several options. The restaurant is fairly casual with multiple locations. Gluten-free options include burgers and pasta.

Fresh First

Everything on the menu at Fresh First is gluten-free and delicious. The only drawback- the restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch.

Market 17

While swanky and upscale may be used to describe this date and special occasion worthy restaurant, Market 17 showcases a fresh seasonal menu that changes daily.

Seasons 52

A variety of gluten-free healthy choices can be found at Seasons 52. The menu changes seasonally and the caloric count for each dish is printed on the menu.

Farmer’s Table

Farmer’s Table is number one on this list for good reason. All gluten-free options are clearly notated on the menu and there are plenty of them. They even have a selection of gluten-free desserts, including chocolate cake.

This list is a good start for those in South Florida trying to adapt to this unique diet and lifestyle. For additional gluten-free articles, recipes, resources, and more.

Know of other great, gluten-free options in the Broward, Palm Beach, or Miami-Dade areas? Let us know in the comments section!

The 10 Best Florida Winter Memes

February 22, 2016 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

Winter. It is the best time to be from Florida, if not for the fact that you get to taunt your snowbird friends on Facebook with some hilarious Memes. Memes that will make them question their entire lives and re-evaluate why they do not live in the Sunshine State.

Alas, here is a collection of the 10 most popular Memes shared on our I Love South Florida Facebook Page that make fun of Winter, in no particular order:

1. Salt in the Winter

This Meme sums up the different priorities between Florida and the rest of the world by showing how salt is used in the Winter. Two margaritas sounds better than two stuck tires!

2. This is my view of Winter…from my cell phone in Florida

For most living in Florida, the best view of a real Winter is seen through this tiny little screen. And we’re okay with that.

3. This could be us, but we live in Florida.

We could be shoveling snow all day and watching our cars slowly sink into a freezing abyss, but we live in Florida.

4. I’m in Florida, so that’s none of my business.

Kermit the Frog enjoying his tea in South Florida, minding his own business.

5. I looking at the Snow. On Facebook. From Florida.

It’s beautiful. To look at. From here.

6. Messy the Mudman, Frosty’s distant relative.

The next time your out of town friends send you a picture of their perfect, powder-white snow man, show them this, and get on with your life. You can do more with your day than just building snowmen, like go to the beach.

7. Florida in the Summer. Florida in the Winter.

Consistency is key.

8. The Florida Seasons

Even Frosty migrates down here after the Holidays.

See?

9. Time to break out the Winter clothes!

Socks and Sandals. A fashion taboo most of the year, totally okay in the Winter.

10. Meanwhile, back in Florida.

Like I said, one of the best parts of Winter in Florida is getting to brag about it to your Northern friends – and getting to do this in the middle of January.

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And there you have it! Ten of the “best” Memes that sum up Winter in Florida. Not only do they provide the perfect seasonal humor, but provide gratitude for living in Florida after further reflection. A good Florida meme also makes you think twice before complaining about some cloudy weather when half the world is covered in snow!

Let it be known that these Memes were not originally created by I Love South Florida, and were collected from across the web. If there is a watermark on the meme, that is usually the source. Those without one have origins unknown.

Picking 10 of the funniest Florida Winter Memes wasn’t easy, and there are plenty more out there, so check back for the sequel to this post!

Have a Florida Winter Meme that you didn’t see on the list? Share it with us in the comments below!

If you liked those, check out The 10 Best Florida Winter Memes – Volume II.

South Florida Doctor Reverses Blindness Using Stem Cells

February 21, 2016 by Olivia Lancaster 1 Comment

“We didn’t know how penicillin worked for many years, but it saved many lives in the meantime,” said Dr. Jeffrey N. Weiss of Margate, Florida, speaking about stem cell treatments he has used on hundreds of patients suffering from blindness.

Dr. Weiss has been enrolling blind patients in an unorthodox stem cell study that injects stem cells into the eyes of patients in one of three ways – around the retina, in the retina, and directly into the optic nerve – in hopes of restoring some people’s sight.

According to Weiss, 60% of his 278 patients with macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other diseases have regained some sight.

The procedure is not FDA approved and can cost roughly $20,000, to enroll, but to some, that is a price worth paying to restore their vision.

“I’m happy to be a guinea pig,” said Vanna Belton, who regained her sight after being treated by Dr. Weiss in Florida.

Read about Belton’s stem cell success story, reported by the Baltimore Sun, by clicking here.

As word of his success begins to spread, Dr. Weiss may be a boon to South Florida in the ways of stem cell tourism in the future.

The Best Places to Spend New Year’s Eve in South Florida

December 30, 2015 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

One of the greatest things about living in South Florida is that there is plenty to do on holidays, especially the one that brings everyone together – New Year’s Eve.

Fortunately, you don’t need to wait for an invite or see a posted flyer to find out what’s going on. In today’s world, a simple search for “New Year’s Eve in South Florida” will yield a treasure trove of results for things to do in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties.

Broward and Palm Beach Counties

The top result while searching for New Year’s Events – with good reason – is South Florida’s New Year’s Eve 2016 Party Guide by the New Time Broward-Palm Beach, a daily South Florida news website with a weekly paper.

There is literally a plethora of options available in Broward and Palm Beach Counties that would make you wish New Years coincided with Ground Hog Day so you could attend each one of them and not miss a thing.

Sadly, this is reality and you can only pick one.

Will it be a countdown drink at Blue Martini in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale? Live music at Murphy’s Law? Maybe you’d prefer a 2015 last meal at Tap 42 in Boca Raton. I’ll probably be at the Funky Buddha in Oakland Park because there is no cover charge and it is close to home, meaning less exposure to potential drunk drivers.

If you’re closer to Palm Beach, the Palm Beach Post posted The Best New Year’s Eve events in Palm Beach County with a whole host of choices.

Miami

If you’re lucky enough to be in Miami, where they have been practicing for New Year’s Eve for 364 days with a bustling night life, it is going to be a tough choice.

It would seem to be a hard decision to make between Downtown Fort Lauderdale and the City of Miami Beach New Year’s Eve Celebration, where you can enjoy free fireworks at Midnight in the heart of South Beach, but have you heard about Pitbull’s New Year’s Eve Revolution 2015?

If you have, then it might be a no-brainer.

PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S EVE REVOLUTION 2015

“Start planning now to ring in the New Year with Mr. 305 himself, as Pitbull’s New Year’s Eve Revolution returns to Bayfront Park for a live, FOX television broadcast! This is the place to be for the largest FREE New Year’s Eve party in South Florida!”

Bayfront Park for a live, FOX television broadcast while dancing in the New Year?

Scratch that, I might end up in Miami after all.

Good luck deciding.

One thing you should know is to prepare and plan for a safe and fun night.

Happy New Year, South Florida!

Jingle Bells – The Florida Remix

December 14, 2015 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

Let’s face it, Florida is a special place. Sometimes, that makes it rather easy to create our own special version of things, especially songs! As an example, check out this Florida rendition of “Jingle Bells,” one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time:

While the original author is unknown (graphic courtesy of I Love South Florida), the lyrics were obviously crafted by someone familiar with the area – most likely a long-time local.

Lyrics

If you are having trouble viewing the image, the lyrics are as follows:

“Dashing through the sand, in a rented mini-van. Driving by the bay, laughing all the way. Tourists drive too slow, everywhere you go. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. Jingle bells, coconut shells, dolphins in the bay. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. Orange juice stands, Mickey Mouse land, gators in your way. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. Crowded shopping malls, lotto and bingo halls. Sunshine that’s too hot, a football team that’s not. When Santa hits the shores, he finds jellyfish galore. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. ”

Perhaps after a few glasses of eggnog, you’ll be singing it with your family and friends this year!

Review: House of Caviar and Fine Foods in Fort Lauderdale

December 5, 2015 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

I finally had a chance to try something I’ve never had before – caviar.

This opportunity was provided courtesy of Bemka – House of Fine Foods and Caviar, a Ft. Lauderdale-based purveyor of caviar and fine foods.

The taste of caviar is interesting, refined, acquired, if you will. There are numerous varieties of caviar from a variety of different species, each one unique in texture and flavor.

I was invited to the 2015 Art Basel Kickoff event in Miami Beach by UIC Marketing and as I arrived to the venue, SuitSupply, I saw something I will never forget – a table full of free caviar samples.

As I walked up to the table, I noticed it was being sponsored by a company headquarted in Ft. Lauderdale called “Bemka – House of Caviar and Fine Foods.”

After a short introduction, I learned they sell caviar and fine foods all over the country (for 30 years now!) through their websites CaviarLover.com and HouseofCaviarandFineFoods.com and locally in South Florida by van delivery.

If you are already in Ft. Lauderdale, you can walk right in to their headquarters located by the airport and have your order ready in 10 minutes.

Paddlefish, Hackleback, Herruga, and Salmon Roe

My first taste of caviar was of a species called Paddlefish, and it was delicious. My first portion was on a Mother of Pearls spoon, and I had seconds on a blini topped with creme fraiche, which complements the caviar for extra flavor.

I tried three other varieties, including Hackleback, Herruga, and Salmon. I thought all were unique and delicious, but none as good as my first taste of Paddlefish.

The Hackleback was my second favorite, and more mild. All I can remember about the Herruga hybrid selection was that the eggs were larger and more firm, giving it a different experience when consumed.

The Salmon roe caviar tasted just like Salmon! There isn’t much more to say about it than that. It is bright orange, and if you like the taste of salmon, you will enjoy the taste of Salmon Roe.

After indulging me for my first caviar experience, the staff at Bemka offered me “foie gras torchon,” which I learned after eating it is another word for duck liver. Despite it’s exotic source, it was rather good, with a soft texture that would be great as a spread on crackers or even served alone.

You can learn more about Bemka – House of Caviar and Fine Foods by visiting their website, Bemka.com, and following them on Facebook and Twitter.