It is always a struggle for me to find a restaurant to eat at with my family that offers healthy alternatives for weight conscious people.  Fortunately companies like LongHorn Steakhouse have realized that this is important and have created the “Flavorful under 500″ menu.

“Flavorful under 500” is a new menu section LongHorn has introduced as part of our ongoing commitment to providing our guests with greater choice and variety. We’re committed to providing our guests with a broadly appealing menu featuring a variety of fresh steak, chicken and fish entrees. Our “Flavorful under 500” entrees include a:

• ·         7-oz. Flo’s Filet
• ·         6-oz. or 8-oz. Renegade Sirloin
• ·         7-oz. LongHorn Salmon
• ·         8-oz. Grilled Fresh Rainbow Trout
• ·         6-oz. Sierra Chicken

All entrees are paired with steamed vegetables or green beans and a side salad, and the complete meal is less than 500 calories. (Paired with steamed vegetables or green beans only at lunch.)

I recently went to our local LongHorn and ordered the 7 oz. Flo’s Filet and it was great.  I also got green beans and a side salad.  It was a nice change to eat out with my family and not beat myself up over how bad my meal might be for me.  I didn’t feel hungry afterwards (actually I couldn’t eat it all) and I didn’t feel like I was being robbed of a flavorful meal.  I think LongHorn did it right.

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#BKTenders Rockin' #Atlanta!

A group of fantastic Atlanta bloggers were recently invited to spend the day with the King trying their new BK Tenders and going to see HOP at the theater.  Everyone loved the new tenders – they were easier to dip (no long shaped like a crown) and much crunchier!  Here is a photo post of our yummy day….

James, James, Lisa, Ethan, Emily (my niece)

My Nephew Chris, Annabell, and Trinity

@AskWifey & Her Children

@Sojournerruth & Her Family

@JaMonkey & Her Daughter with @RenderMeMama & Her Son

@SeriousKrystyn, her daughter & mom

Disclosure: My family was invited to join other fabulous Atlanta Bloggers for lunch at Burger King and to view the movie Hop.  Our meals and movie were paid for by Burger King.

Hoping you will share you Wordless Wednesday post with me & check out Mandy’s WW post at Atlanta Military Mom!

Yes, you heard that right – CHOCOLATE!

I have not experienced this, but have heard rave reviews…now I’m hoping for my personal invite.

Disclosure: This is a courtesy post.  There has been no compensation.

Now is the time to give back to our Veterans and national and local area restaurants and other retailers are offering great deals.  Here are some of the military appreciation specials going on November 11th (unless otherwise stated):

The annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner is on Monday, November 15th from 5pm – 9pm featuring a Free Dinner for any previous or current military personnel.  Click the banner above for more information.

Applebees is offering a limited menu for a FREE dinner for active or past military personnel.  Please click the banner above for more information.

Outback is giving a FREE Bloomin’ Onion and beverage to their military customers for Veterans Day.  Click the banner above for more information.

Select UNO Chicago Grills are giving one entree or individual pizza with a purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value Thursday, Nov. 11.  This offer is for all Military Veterans and Active Duty.

Click the banner above for more information.

Chilli’s is honoring Military Veterans and Active Duty by offering a partial menu for your choice of a FREE meal.  Click the banner above for more information.

All Active Duty and Military Veterans can stop into their local participating Hooters for their choice of new specialty item from their menus.  For more information click the banner above.

Today Only (November 11th)

Texas Roadhouse specials vary by store and location.
Many Subway shops are offering a free 6 inch sub, check your local store.
Participating Krispy Kreme shops are giving a free donut to all Veterans, check your local store.

Live in Atlanta?

Click the banner above for FREE Atlanta Thrashers tickets.

Click the banner above to call your local SportClips for your FREE haircut.

Please add to our list any specials you know about…

Thank you to all the men and women who have served in our military.

Last night I went to Genki to spend some time with Cooking Light magazine’s Chef Allison Fishman to learn more about this cook-off.  First let me tell you she is such a sweet person and so were the reps who sponsored our meet up.  Also, the food we ate at Genki was super fabulous.  Have you ever had deep fried seaweed?  If not, you are so missing out.  If this is a glimpse into this weekend’s Taste of Atlanta – you don’t want to miss it!

Thought I would share this info from Cooking Light:

COOKING LIGHT

HOSTS COOK-OFF TO FIND THE

“HEALTHY COOK OF THE YEAR” AT TASTE OF ATLANTA

—

Four Finalists Compete in Live Cook-Off for $10,000 Prize Package

Cooking Light will host a live cook-off event at Taste of Atlanta on Saturday, October 23, 2010. Four finalists, chosen by readers and online users of Cooking Light, will compete in two rounds for the title of “Healthy Cook of the Year” and a prize package valued at $10,000. The first round of competition begins at 11:45am on the main stage of Taste of Atlanta.

In ordered to be considered for this competition, entrants submitted a three-minute prep-to-plate video of a healthy, original recipe on which they were judged.  At Taste of Atlanta, the four finalists will prepare this original recipe in round one of the cook-off. In round two, beginning at 1:15pm, the finalists will prepare their own version of lightened up macaroni and cheese. The winner will be announced at 2:15pm on the main stage.

The finalists will be judged by Cooking Light Chef Allison Fishman, Atlanta-based Chef Marvin Woods, and Good Day Atlanta co-anchor Suchita Vadlamani.

Taste of Atlanta is a two-day outdoor food festival, taking place on October 23 and 24, 2010, in Technology Square at the 5^th Street Bridge in Atlanta, GA.  For ticket information, please visit www.TasteOfAtlanta.com.

Next week we will be posting pictures and information about the upcoming Taste of Atlanta.  In the meantime we wanted to share information from the press release with you so that you don’t miss out on the event.

GO AHEAD…TAKE A LOOK INSIDE, INSIDE THE FOOD STUDIO

Go Behind the Scenes With Taste of Atlanta’s Inside the Food Studio

ATLANTA – Seasoning, skill, cooking technique, passion…all of these elements are part of creating the ideal dish.  But, what is the chef’s secret that takes food to the next level?  His or her culinary weapon of choice?  If you’ve ever watched a chef whip up a masterpiece and wished you knew his tricks of the trade, then you won’t want to miss Inside the Food Studio – the newest addition to the 9^th Annual Taste of Atlanta festival Oct. 23-24, 2010 – designed to give guests an insider’s look into all things culinary.

Experience, taste and discover in a series of sessions – hosted by Star 94’s Tom Sullivan – with renowned chefs from Atlanta and the Southeast, prepared to impart their cooking wisdom on everything from Southern food traditions, chocolate and America’s Best Burger.  For $25, patrons can enjoy a variety of hour-long lessons, both Saturday and Sunday, in an intimate theatre-style setting from master chefs who will offer cooking tips, suggestions and demonstrations.  (Only 50 spots available for each session!)

To purchase tickets, visit www.TasteofAtlanta.com.   The session menu includes:

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24, 2010

12:30PM – 1:30PM

• French Cooking from the Lowcountry: Master French Chef Nico Romo, FISH (Charleston, S.C.)

Master French Chef Nico Romo will prepare and serve one of his most popular dishes from his restaurant, FISH. He will discuss the importance of sustainability and buying from local fisheries. Jodie Battles, general manager of Fish, will discuss the beverage and wine program and offer a wine pairing with the bouillabaisse sampling.

2PM – 3PM

• Southern Food Traditions: A New Take on the Old South with Marie Nygren, Serenbe & Hugh Acheson, Empire State South & Five & 10

Enjoy Southern food at it’s finest as you learn about the South’s rich culinary history and traditions.

3:30PM – 4:30PM

• Chocolate Academy with Taria Camerino, Highland Bakery

Join us for an exploration in single origin, small batch chocolate.  Learn flavor profiling and fun interesting facts while eating chocolate.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 25, 2010

12:30PM – 1:30PM

• Joe Truex’s Louisiana Kitchen with Executive Chef Joe Truex, Watershed and John Kessler, Atlanta-Journal Constitution Dining Critic

Parish (“French Louisiana”) native Joe Truex will teach guests about the culinary traditions of his homeland, including its annual “cochon de lait” festival and charcuterie. He will also discuss his French Louisiana roots with Atlanta Journal-Constitution food writer John Kessler.

2PM –3PM

• Israel: The Oldest Newest Wine Region of the World with Jose Yosef Vinas , Yarden Wines and Don Hacket of Sherlock’s

Enjoy wine tasting and Mediterranean nibbles such as baba ghanoush, pita bread and assorted olives from Gilbert’s as you learn about one of the oldest wine regions in the world.

3:30PM – 4:30PM

• The Secret Behind America’s Best Burger with Executive Sous Chef Jason Paolini, Holeman & Finch Public House
  Since opening in 2008, Holeman & Finch Public House has received tremendous praise and acclaim, much of it focused on their ten o’clock burger.  The Food Network even named Holeman & Finch Public House’s burger “The Best in America.”  Getting your hands on one of these delicious treasures is not always easy to do since the pub only serves twenty four burgers a night – and only at ten o’clock.

Here’s your chance to learn how to replicate the delicious Holeman & Finch Public House 10 o’clock burger at home.

Stay connected to Taste of Atlanta 2010:

• Sign up for the Taste of Atlanta newsletter at www.tasteofatlanta.com
• Follow Taste on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tasteofatlanta
• Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tasteofatlanta

Note: The giveaway is open to all US entries, regardless if you are located in Atlanta or not.

Come join me at The Olive Garden at 905 Holcomb Bridge Rd in Roswell for a series of complimentary wine tasting events.  I’ll be there on 10/5,  but you are welcome to come on 10/6, 10/12 and 10/13 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in honor of the Italian farmhouse-inspired interior design refresh if you can’t make it on the 5th.

Led by Olive Garden’s Wine Specialists, these events will further educate guests on Italian wines including their origin, body style, aroma, flavor/finish and food pairings. The wines featured are from around Italy and will be paired with some of Olive Garden’s delicious food.  Why?  Well you have to check out the new digs!  Select locations have gotten a Tuscan-inspired interior design change inspired by the timeless warmth of farmhouses in Tuscany, Italy.   Although design changes differ from restaurant-to-restaurant, some interior updates include new décor, tables, chairs and booths that emanate the warm, rustic tones of a Tuscan Farmhouse.

Another update includes a refreshed bar area that reflects a true, Tuscan-inspired space, with a more modern and sophisticated feel.

I don’t know about you, but what better way to experience Tuscany, Italy than to break bread with friends and experience different wines of the region.  Will you be there?

Giveaway

Do you want your chance to see the new interior design of your local Olive Garden?  One winner will receive a $25 GC to Olive Garden! Tell me where your closest Olive Garden is for your mandatory entry.

Additional entries can be earned by (please leave separate comments):
2. Follow my blog or if you are already following – tell me who you are. (1 entry)
3. Blog about this and link back to me or email 5 friends about this giveaway copying me on the email. (10 entries)
4. Follow me on twitter @lisasamples and tweet this contest leaving me a link. (1 entry per tweet/2 tweets per day) Please leave time between tweets.
5. Subscribe to my email feed. (2 entries)
6. Connect via Facebook with my blog Life with Lisa. (2 entries)
7. Favorite me on technorati, digg, or stumble leaving link. (1 entry per fav)
8. Vote for @lisasamples as a Top 50 Twitter Mom and get one entry per vote http://www.babble.com/mom/work-family/top-50-twitter-moms-nominate-favorites/index.aspx. (1 entry per)
9. “Like” Olive Garden on Facebook and learn about the Never Ending Pasta Bowl contest. (1 entry)
10. Leave a comment on any post on Mobile Massage Atlanta. (2 entries)

This giveaway will end October 15th 2010 th at 11:59 pm EST. Winners will be determined by Random.org or through random selector installed on my site and will have 48 hours to send contact information to lisa(dot)samples@gmail.com.  US entries only. This listing is compliments of  Olive Garden and I was compensated for my time, but my opinion is 100% mine and honest!