Blog Posts

2018 in Review

Welcome back to The Lenore Blog. In today’s post, we’re taking a look at all the topics we blogged about in 2018. Join us as we take a snapshot of our memories of the past year! “Best TED Talks” Kicking off our blog for 2018, we shared our favorite TED talks. What’s your favorite TED talk? “It’s Time to Decorate!” There’s never been a better time than now to introduce unique decor into your apartment home! “Dinner Conversation Topics” Dinner with friends and family is great, but sometimes the conversations can lull or turn controversial, especially if you have visitors. These conversation starters are sure to help keep things interesting and peaceful at the dinner table. “Spring Sweets” We featured five of our favorite sweets for spring, including this delicious Cannoli Poke Cake . “How to Grow Your Instagram Following” Did you know that the right set of hashtags can mean the difference between a failing and succeeding Instagram account? “Summer Movie Marathon” We shared a short list of the best and worst movies of the previous year. Movies like Lady Bird, Coco, and The Shape of Water topped our list as favorites! “Simple Ways to Save Energy in July” Three simple ways to save energy: turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth, turn off the light when you leave a room, and air dry your dishes. “The Amenities of The Lenore Apartments” Here’s a short list of our high-quality amenities: resident coffee bar, mezzanine game room with billiards table, boardroom media lounge, and cyber cafe “Sweet and Savory Coconut Recipes” Culinary adventures don’t have to happen outside of the apartment. In fact, the kitchen is where it’s at if you’re looking for a cheap passport to destinations around the world. Dishes like Coconut Baked Onion Rings, Avocado Chicken Corn Chowder, and Coconut Crusted Mahi Mahi Nuggets are sure to transport your taste buds on a whole new level of adventure. “Trending Board Games to Play This Month” Looking for something fun to play this month? We highly recommend Villainous, Century: Eastern Wonders, Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game, and My Little Scythe. “How to Build a Healthier Thanksgiving Plate” Putting together a healthier Thanksgiving dinner plate sounds harder than it really is. It’s as easy as changing the color of your plates. No kidding! From our apartment community to your home, we thank you for your continued support. We hope you have a great holiday season in Baltimore, MD, or wherever you might be!

How to Build a Healthier Thanksgiving Plate

It’s November, and that means you can plan for a big meal on the 22nd of this month. At The Lenore, we love Thanksgiving! And we’re pretty sure that residents of our Baltimore, MD apartment community do, too. Today we’re sharing two tips on how to give a healthy spin on your Thanksgiving dinner plate. Why would we want to do that? Well, knowing that the average American consumes well over 2,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day , thinking a little healthy is not a bad idea. Our first tip is to change the color of your plates. Did you know that changing the color of your plates can drastically change how much you eat? Dr. Brian Wansink and Dr. Koert van Ittersum discovered that it can . As they explain, “If your goal is to eat less, select plates that have high contrast with what you plan to serve for dinner. Want to eat more greens? Try serving them on a green plate!” Avoid serving turkey and mashed potatoes on white plates to avoid eating too much. Think it’s a trick? Test it out by giving it a try! Our second tip is to pay attention to portion sizes. With a big meal like Thanksgiving, Portion control is crucial. The following information comes from Huffington Post , Food Network , and MD Anderson : — Turkey: 1.5 pounds per guest. — Gravy: “¼ cup gravy per guest, and have about one extra cup for every six people.” — Potatoes: ½ cup (about the size of a tennis ball cut in half). — Stuffing: “Stuffing is one side dish you don't want to run out of, so assume each guest will eat about ¾ cup (cooked). If you know you’re feeding a crowd that especially loves stuffing and might want seconds — or thirds — bake an extra batch out of the turkey to have on hand just in case. You can always use any leftovers for sandwiches the next day.” — Salad: 1 cup serving (about the size of a baseball). — Rolls: “In order to keep your guests from filling up on bread before dinner even begins, serve rolls as a side dish with the main meal instead. For a heartier variation, substitute cornbread or popovers for regular dinner rolls.” Did we miss any of your favorite holiday foods? Check the links above to find out about the recommended serving sizes. Do you have any tips on giving your Thanksgiving plate a healthy makeover? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading. Happy Thanksgiving!

Trending Board Games to Play This Month

Welcome back to The Lenore Blog! Planning on hosting game night this month? We have a few suggestions. Check out some of the most trending new board games as found below. Which ones will you be playing inside of your Baltimore, MD apartment? The following titles and descriptions were found on boardgamegeek.com : Villainous This game is available at all Target and Walmart locations! “In Villainous , each player takes control of one of six Disney characters, each one a villain in a different Disney movie. Each player has their own villain deck, fate deck, player board, and 3D character...” 2 to 6 Players, ages 10 and up Century: Eastern Wonders One of the most talked about games of 2018, Century: Eastern Wonders is the follow-up game to 2017’s popular game, Century: Spice Road. “Designed by Emerson Matsuuchi, Century: Eastern Wonders invites fans to return to the exciting world of spice trading as players take to the high seas in the role of merchants seeking to prosper in the exotic Indonesian islands…” 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game “ Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game brings classic, card-based, puzzle-solving gameplay into the 21st century with the introduction of online elements. You will gain access to the online Antares database that contains data about suspects, witnesses, and documentation from arrests and trials related to your case. Use every tool at your disposal to solve these crimes - consult the Internet, check the facts and constantly discover new clues. You are not playing a detective; you ARE a detective!” 1 to 5 players, ages 16 and up My Little Scythe “ My Little Scythe is a competitive, family-friendly game in which each player controls 2 animal miniatures embarking upon an adventure in the Kingdom of Pomme. In an effort to be the first to earn 4 trophies from 8 possible categories, players take turns choosing to Move, Seek, or Make. These actions will allow players to increase their friendship and pies, power up their actions, complete quests, learn magic spells, deliver gems and apples to Castle Everfree, and perhaps even engage in a pie fight.” 1 to 6 players, ages 8 and up

Sweet and Savory Coconut Recipes

It’s incredible that when done well, one taste of something delicious can transport you to a destination around the world. Talk about a cheap passport! The Lenore Blog invites you on a culinary adventure as we take you to a world of tropical islands. That’s right. We’re cooking with coconuts. Who says Baltimore, MD can’t be the next Hawaii? Step into your apartment’s kitchen and show everyone that it can be. In this first dish, sweet meets savory on a whole new level. We’re talking about Coconut Baked Onion Rings . Have you tasted coconut shrimp? These are very similar to those, without the fryer and shrimp. If you’re searching for a low-carb, gluten-free option, these Coconut Crusted Mahi Mahi Nuggets could be just what you’re looking for! Just a few of these and you’ll forget about the challenge of eating healthy — we guarantee that these are the perfect fast-food alternative. Avocado Chicken Corn Chowder is another great dish, this time offering the perfect blend of avocado, coconut milk, corn, and chicken. If you’re looking for a great way to start your day, why not try digging into this delightful Coconut Breakfast Pudding with Sauteed Nectarines ? The oats are soft and flavorful, and the taste of coconut simply shines. Said one reviewer on the website, “This recipe is awesome! I made the almond milk that is included in the magazine and iPad emag and love it. The oats and coconut is so creamy and then the nectarines caramelize and make the dish so fabulous. I can see using peaches or plums as well. I also love the maple syrup touch.” Of course, it’s hard to ignore the classic Coconut Cream Pie . With sweetened coconut flakes, half-and-half, and whipped cream, you’ll find lots to love with this delicious treat. You can also try Hawaiian Fruit Dip , an easy-to-make treat made with pineapple and coconut — a classic tropical pairing! To finish off the list, try these Instagram-worthy Raspberry Coconut Magic Bars . Are you ready to go on a culinary adventure without leaving your apartment? Make it possible with these coconut recipes that are sure to be favorites for years to come! Thanks for reading today’s post.

The Amenities of The Lenore Apartments

Welcome back to The Lenore Blog! This month, we’re focusing on the amenities offered at our apartment community in Baltimore, MD. Take a moment to scroll through the following list to see what features we offer our residents. Not a resident yet and like what you’re seeing? Contact us today to learn more about how you can benefit from our apartment community. Apartment and Community Amenities Grand lobby and lounge Resident coffee bar Mezzanine game room with billiards table Boardroom media lounge Mezzanine cyber cafe Fitness center Yoga studio with fitness on demand WiFi in amenity spaces Terrace with grilling station and al fresco dining Outdoor bark park Guest suite available Overnight concierge Dry cleaning drop off/pick-up through Urban Hanger Package services Controlled access buildings Online payments Online work orders Open floor plans Kitchen island or breakfast bar Granite countertops Ceramic tile bathrooms Enormous arched windows Wood flooring throughout living area Stainless steel Energy Star appliances Washer & dryer Harbor and city views Up to 20' ceilings in select apartments Cable ready A Little More About Our Management: Professionally managed by Dolben , The Lenore has benefited from great people year after year. Here’s a little more about those who manage us and their goals (as found in the above link): “The Dolben Company, Inc. was founded in 1929 to fulfill the property and investment needs of a wide array of businesses. Since then, we’ve evolved into a respected industry leader known for developing and managing multifamily housing with integrity and an ongoing commitment to providing honest, personal and exceptional service… “We attribute our legacy of success to the highly talented members of our team – friendly, loyal people who are experts in their field and truly care about providing the absolute best to our clients. “To our residents, this means we are committed to creating and maintaining communities that they are proud to call home. We will consistently provide prompt, professional service with attention to even the smallest detail…”

Simple Ways to Save Energy in July

Welcome back to our apartment community blog! This summer, make a difference in The Lenore apartment community by taking steps to conserve energy. Today, we’re sharing three simple tips to help you save energy in Baltimore, MD. Watch that water. With the hot summer weather, it’s easier more than ever to waste water. Here are a few tips: Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth or washing your face. Use water settings on your dishwasher that don’t use as much water as double-rinse cycles. Avoid taking extra long showers, and if you want to go the extra mile, turn off the water as you wash. Stay energized yourself and drink plenty of water by keeping a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day. Turn off your appliances. Make it a habit to always turn off lights and fans when you leave a room and to unplug things like irons or chargers for your electronics when you’re finished using them. All of these things save you energy and improve the safety of your home! Also remember to turn off things that continue running in standby mode, easily draining extra energy, like Blu-ray and DVD players, gaming consoles, computers, and printers. Minimize indoor heat. “Run the dryer and dishwasher at night on hot days and let your dishes air dry. Avoid heat-generating incandescent lighting and use a microwave, toaster oven or outdoor grill instead of the oven. It's best to avoid the use of major appliances between 2 and 8 p.m.” Learn more about 10 biggest energy-wasting habits to better save energy. We hope you see results in how you feel and in the efficiency of your apartment while doing these things in July and after. Thanks for reading! We wish you a fantastic summer in Baltimore, MD.