Why? Blogiversary!

Every year on this day, I throw myself a little party to celebrate Why CLE? getting one year older. What started as an outlet for me to share my love of Cleveland and have a way to write creatively has lasted for NINE years and grown to encompass social media accounts and readership I never could have imagined.

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Photo Credit: Nick Brilla 

I say this every year and every year it is even truer: I am so grateful for your readership and, in so many cases, your genuine friendship. On the list of things I never would have expected to come out of writing a blog is the real and awesome community that I get to be a part of.

This all started from and continues to be about a crazy love for Cleveland; a desire to celebrate it’s awesome people, places, and things; and a need to express myself in a creative and authentic way.

This last year has brought some new amazing adventures:

And so much more…

As always, I want to give something back to all of you to thank you for your readership. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I will randomly select one winner to get a $25 gift card to the Cleveland restaurant of their choice and one winner to get a $25 donation to the Cleveland non-profit of their choice.

I am humbled at the things I get to do, the stories I get to share, and the chance to ever grow my love for Cleveland and share my life with you.

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Photo Credit: Nick Brilla

Here’s to what will certainly be an incredible ninth year of Why CLE?

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Why? Allison Rose Foundation Rascal Flatts Giveaway!

When Michael and Rebecca Suhy lost their daughter, Allison, to a food allergy reaction in 2017, they turned their tragedy into purpose by founding the Allison Rose Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to changing the lives of food allergy families through education, awareness, research, and advocacy.

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I had the opportunity to attend the inaugural ARF Founder’s Event, which drew more than 600 people and raised over $100,000.

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It was a powerful evening seeing the community come together to support the Suhy family and help make the Allison Rose Foundation’s goals a reality.

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In the past year, the Allison Rose Foundation has had national reach and is now educating teens and young adults in high schools and colleges, as well as school staff, on food allergy severity, signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to manage a food allergy emergency—especially as teens begin to transition to their own independence.

The Allison Rose Foundation has also granted a scholarship to an Independence High School senior who is starting her freshman year at Ohio University, begun work on changing legislation and created a video guide on how to set up and access the Medical ID on smartphones.

On Saturday, January 25, 2020, the Allison Rose Foundation will be holding its second annual fundraising event at the Embassy Suites in Independence: The Yellow Brick Road Celebration. You won’t want to miss this inspirational and fun evening. Stay tuned here for more details!

As a supporter of Allison Rose Foundation, I have the opportunity to give away two pavilion seats to the Rascal Flatts concert at Blossom Music Center on Friday, September 20! Here’s how to enter (you can do one, two, three, four, or all five entries, just leave a separate comment here for each):

1. Leave a comment here telling me your favorite Rascal Flatts song (mostly because I cannot decide which one I love the most).

2. Visit Allison Rose Foundation and Why CLE? on Facebook and leave a comment here letting me know you visited both pages.

3. Follow @allisonrosefoundation and @whycle on Instagram and leave a comment here letting me know you’re following both.

4. Follow @allisonrosefdn and @WhyCLE on Twitter and leave a comment here letting me know you’re following both.

5. Tweet the following phrase and leave a comment here letting me know you tweeted:

I want to win @rascalflatts tickets from @allisonrosefdn and @WhyCLE #giveaway https://whycle.com/2019/08/23/why-allison-rose-foundation-rascal-flatts-giveaway 

You can tweet once per day for additional entries, just leave a separate comment here each time you tweet.

The giveaway will close on Wednesday, August 28 at 11:59pm and the winner will be notified the following day. Good luck!

***Disclosure: I was asked to help promote the Allison Rose Foundation. In exchange, I will receive two tickets to the Rascal Flatts concert for myself and two tickets to give away. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

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Why? Chefs Unbridled!

As thoughts start to turn toward fall, one of my favorite annual foodie evenings is just around the corner: Chefs Unbridled presented by the Harrington Family Foundation on Saturday, September 7.

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This event not only brings together some of Cleveland’s finest chefs, but it does so in a beautiful setting at the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club Polo Field.

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Stroll around the decorated tent and enjoy the food and drinks, wine pull, and live auctions or pop outside for food and dessert trucks, a bourbon tasting from Tom’s Foolery, and horse-drawn carriage rides with Cleveland storyteller Dan Ruminski.

Of course, the stars of the evening are the chefs who will create delectable dishes to enjoy.

Scott Kuhn 2018 Chefs Unbridled

This year’s Chefs Unbridled chefs are:

  • Scott Kuhn and Chris Hodgson of Driftwood Restaurant Group
  • Matt Mytro of Flour Restaurant
  • Arnaud Berthelier of The Union Club
  • Will Burke of Revival Social 216
  • Vince Thomascik, Brett Sawyer, and Nolan Tidwell of Good Company
  • Brett Zubek of Sol
  • Joe Pinzone of Forno Wood-Fired Catering
  • Demetrios Athenos of Bold Food and Drink
  • Mike Schoen of Tinman
  • David Kocab of Black Pig

Chefs Unbridled is a fundraiser for Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, which serves over 1,000 special needs children and adults by connecting them with horses for care, lessons, and friendship. Some of the horses make an appearance at the event, too!

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Last year’s event raised nearly $300,000 and this year promises to be even bigger and better!

Tickets are currently on sale for $140 and can be purchased online. You can also purchase Golden Ticket raffle tickets for $100, which puts you into a drawing for a 5-course meal for 20 people with wine pairings, prepared in the winner’s home by Chefs Kuhn and Hodgson. These tickets are available now and will not be sold at the event. Winner need not be present to win.

I hope to see you under the tent and under the stars at Chefs Unbridled!

***Disclosure: I was asked by Fieldstone Farm to help promote Chefs Unbridled. In exchange, I will receive two complimentary tickets to the event. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

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Why? Cuyahoga50!

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the infamous Cuyahoga River fire, which captured national attention, despite being the 13th documented time the river had caught fire.

This anniversary and the subsequent transformation of the Cuyahoga River are being celebrated by Cuyahoga50, a local nonprofit putting on the largest series of public clean water events in the country, with more than 25 events over 5 days.

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The June 22, 1969 fire was covered in Time Magazine and became a symbol of environmental decay across the country and made Cleveland a laughingstock for years to come.

Both locally and nationally, that fire on the Cuyahoga River sparked an environmentalism movement that created the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 and the Clean Water Act in 1972.

The Cuyahoga River has made amazing strides since then, becoming a clean, beautiful destination for sightseeing, water sports, and more.

Cleveland Waterfront tour with Mayor Jackson on the Goodtime III

But Cuyahoga50 also recognizes the environmental threats that still exist, such as algal blooms, climate change, plastic pollution, and invasive species. Cuyahoga50 hopes to combat these with local action and strong policy.

Cuyahoga50 is hosting a series of events from June 19-23, including beach cleanups, lectures, art exhibitions, Fred Walks CLE events, a lighted boat parade, free admission at the Great Lakes Science Center, and much more.

Get involved by learning more about how we worked our way from a national joke to a leader in environmentalism and then attend some of the events celebrating the mighty Cuyahoga River!

***Disclosure: I was asked to help promote Cuyahoga50. In exchange, I received a complimentary Cuyahoga50 swag bag. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

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Why? American Cancer Society ResearcHERS!

This May, the American Cancer Society is harnessing the power of women supporting women for a new fundraising campaign: ResearcHERS.

ResearcHERS directs funds specifically to women doing research that could lead to the next breakthrough in fighting or even curing cancer. Women tend to be underrepresented in research leadership and this program seeks to help level the playing field and support the next generation of female researchers.

ResearcHERS is a nationwide campaign, but the funds raised in Ohio stay in Ohio, at institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, and the Ohio State University.

I am honored to be a ResearcHERS ambassador, which means that I, along with a group of other women, am representing the campaign, fundraising, and getting others involved in supporting this very worthwhile cause.

One in three Americans will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. From my grandmother, who died from colon cancer when I was just a baby, to my own recent brush with cancer, the disease has a deep and personal impact on my family. And I know that many of you have similar impacts on your families.

While each ambassador has a personal fundraising goal, all of our efforts are toward supporting the greater campaign in Ohio and fueling the research that will lead to potentially life-saving breakthroughs in fighting cancer. The ultimate goal, of course, is to reduce the impact cancer has on all of us.

How can you support ResearcHERS?

  • You can donate online to the campaign.
  • You can join me at Johnny Mango World Cafe & Bar on Monday, May 20 for a Fundraiser Monday. From 11am-10pm that day, 20% of your food and beverage total will be donated to ResearcHERS. (Click on the Facebook invite and make sure you bring the flyer in the invite)

Together, we can help fund the next generation of breakthrough, female-led research and help combat the impacts of cancer.

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Why? Taste of the Tee!

Last night, Matthew and I attend the Taste of the Tee event to benefit The First Tee of Cleveland.

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While strolling food and wine events are common, this one had two unique aspects that made it stand out: the chefs for the evening and partnership with other non-profits.

First, our chefs for the evening were students in The First Tee of Cleveland’s Fit to a Tee program, which teaches children healthy eating habits, cooking skills, and life skills.

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Obviously, Cleveland’s weather is not conducive to a golf-based program year-round. So, Fit to a Tee allows The First Tee of Cleveland to offer impactful programming, even when it’s too cold to be on the course.

The Fit to a Tee students paired with students from Tri-C’s Culinary Arts – Hospitality Management program to prepare delicious dishes on an event scale.

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We enjoyed avocado fries, grilled shrimp…

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Japanese vegetable pancakes, bison meatballs, veggie skewers, Asian lettuce wraps and two kinds of tacos (mahi mahi and cauliflower and chickpea).

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For dessert, there were banana cupcakes and chocolate avocado mousse, served in a meringue shell (to everyone who didn’t get any, I’m sorry I ate so many of those).

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How often can you go to a strolling food and wine event and actually feel like you made healthy eating choices?! Even Dr. Mark Hyman of the Cleveland Clinic, who specializes in functional medicine, addressed the attendees and praised the healthy cooking skills taught by The First Tee of Cleveland.

The food was expertly paired with wines selected by Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute and Brandon Chrostowski.

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There was also a delicious charcuterie and cheese table from Edwins, as well as a raffle for a personal cheese and wine tasting at the restaurant.

The whole evening was set to beautiful music by students from The Music Settlement.

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Taste of the Tee harnessed the power of four non-profits to come together to make an amazing event. But more than that, it illustrated the impact the programs at The First Tee of Cleveland have. Our young chefs not only made delicious, healthy food, but they showed poise and politeness throughout the entire evening.

If The First Tee of Cleveland’s programs and philosophy sound like a great fit for your child, there will be an open house tomorrow, Saturday, April 6 from 10am-12pm at all four of the First Tee of Cleveland locations. You will learn more about the programs, meet staff and coaches, play fun golf games, and enjoy refreshments. Check it out!

***Disclosure: I was asked by The First Tee of Cleveland to help promote their upcoming events. In exchange, I received two complimentary tickets to Taste of the Tee. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

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Why? Northeast Ohio Big Wish Gala!

Have you ever wanted to help make a child’s wish come true? Then, the Northeast Ohio Big Wish Gala to benefit Make a Wish Ohio/Kentucky/Illinois is the event for you!

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Taking place at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown on Thursday, April 4, the Big Wish Gala features a cocktail hour, delicious sit-down dinner, silent and live auctions with incredible prizes, and even some special surprises.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet and hear from Wish Kids and their families, whose lives have been forever impacted by Make a Wish.

The Big Wish Gala special guest is Vanessa Bayer, Wish Kid, Emmy-nominated actress, and former Saturday Night Live star.

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In 1999, Make a Wish Ohio/Kentucky/Illinois granted Vanessa’s wish to travel to Hawaii with her family.

Tickets are currently on sale online for $400. The Big Wish Gala is a truly inspiring and impactful evening, so consider purchasing tickets today!

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Why? Perfectly Imperfect Produce!

There’s nothing I love more than when a person not only recognizes a problem, but comes up with an innovative solution. That’s exactly what Ashley Weingart did when she launched Perfectly Imperfect Produce.

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Ashley’s family has been in the produce business for four generations. Ashley saw that the industry had a lot of food waste due to buyers’ shifts in demand or desire for “perfection” in the product.

Perfectly Imperfect Produce rescues produce that would otherwise go to waste, but is perfectly good for consumption. The items are unique in size, shape, or color, as well as those considered surplus crops.

Not only does Perfectly Imperfect Produce help to reduce food waste, they also help improve access to healthy food. For every box purchased, a donation of produce is made to local food pantries through the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland.

We got to hear about Perfectly Imperfect Produce’s mission, as well as taste some of their delicious produce last night at Prep Kitchen CLE, which is a gorgeous space that is available for rent for meetings, social gatherings, and the like.

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Aubrey of That’s What She Eats, who works with Perfectly Imperfect Produce to create recipes with their produce, created some delicious nibbles: sweet potato slices, roasted cauliflower, curry hummus, and butternut squash mac.

We also got to fill our own box of Perfectly Imperfect Produce, with items like apples, pears, ginger root, squash, and mango.

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You can get in on your own Perfectly Imperfect Produce box with various options, such as organic, all fruit, and all veggie. You can also pick your size and frequency of delivery. Yes, I said delivery. All this great produce is delivered right to your door! Click here to see your options and order.

Perfectly Imperfect Produce is available in Cleveland and Columbus. Rescue some produce and do something good for you, for the food industry, and for those in need!

***Disclosure: I was invited by Perfectly Imperfect Produce to attend a complimentary influencer event. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

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Why? HaylieStory in Motion!

Awhile ago, I met up with Haylie from HaylieStory and Zak from Zak Films to film a City Surge video all about Cleveland.

From the West Side Market, to East 4th Street, to Playhouse Square, we checked out some of the best that Cleveland has to offer.

I tried to pick places that really highlighted the culture, food, and people that make Cleveland so awesome!

And now, I’m so excited to share the final product with you.

For more awesome City Surge videos, along with thoughts on travel, life, and fun, follow along with #HaylieStory! Thanks to Haylie and Zak for spending such a fun day with me around Cleveland!

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Why? Yoga Roots Fall Challenge!

Over the last month, I took part in the “Get Rooted” Fall Challenge at Yoga Roots. I always enjoy these challenges as a fun opportunity to take some different classes and win some cool prizes.

For some reason, I went all in on this particular challenge and decided to take 30 straight days of classes. So, here is what I learned from taking 30 yoga classes in 30 days:

1.I feel great! And I felt great throughout the entire challenge. The consistency of the practice really worked for my body. And even the vinyasa classes had enough chance for restorative poses and stretching that I never felt overwhelmed or overly tired.

2. Which leads me to: Consistency is the key in a yoga practice. I’m not saying you have to go every day for 30 days. But yoga is a practice and the more consistent you are, the more you will grow your practice.

3. Yoga is about more than just the poses, it’s about the breath. I found myself coming back to my breath more and more in my daily life because it was so ingrained from practicing so often. It helped me be less stressed and find moments of peace in my day. There were also times when I lost the breath in my everyday life and the only place I could reset and find catharsis was on my mat.

4. Yoga practice is also about community. I made more friends at the studio from seeing each other so regularly and I deepened my connections with the amazing teachers there, too. And since it’s Yoga Roots Teacher Appreciation Week, I’ll just say a big thanks to my teachers in this challenge: Katie, Aimee, Julz, Jennie, Tamsin, Justine, Cat, Heather, and Sharon!

5. I am stronger and more capable than I thought was. And I’m pretty sure I’m stronger and more capable than when I started. I wasn’t sure I could accomplish this challenge and I am so proud that I did.

6. The doing of the thing is the thing. The prizes were great and I will be enjoying my hoodie and water bottle and t-shirt for some time, but the point of the Fall Challenge was to do it, to grow and strengthen both my asana practice and my connection to the Yoga Roots community. That’s the real prize.

Have you ever done any fitness challenges? What did you learn from them?

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