2-Minute Pumpkin Pie

If you need a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth, whip up this 75-calorie pumpkin pie for one. This simple recipe, pared down to the most basic and common ingredients, only takes 2 minutes to make, but the end result tastes as delicious as traditional, calorie-packed pie. Ingredients:
1/2 c. pumpkin puree
1/4 c. egg whites (from an egg or carton)
Sweetener
Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
Directions:

Mix together all the ingredients. If you prefer a flan-like texture, add more pumpkin; if you prefer a cake-like texture, add more egg whites. Microwave for two minutes. Use a mix of Greek yogurt, hazelnut cream cheese, and pumpkin pie spice for the icing. Top with toasted pecans.
Makes one serving.
Recipe provided by Live Laugh Eat

Ancho Chili and Chocolate Goat Cheesecake Popsicles

Taking a bite out of this creamy goat cheese blend is like feasting on a slice of rich cheesecake—in popsicle form! With a spicy kick of ancho chili powder and a dose of antioxidant-rich cocoa, each low-fat treat amounts to approximately 75 calories. Ingredients:
4 oz. low-fat goat cheese, softened
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. cocoa powder
2 eggs, separated
1 tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. ancho chili powder
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine goat cheese, sugar, and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add egg yolks two at a time. Fold in flour, cocoa powder, and ancho chile. Whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold into mixture. Spread into buttered and sugared parchment-lined baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool. Remove from pan by picking up parchment. Use 1 in. cookie cutter to make individual circles and insert skewers to create a "lollipop.”
Makes about eight servings.
Recipe provided by Chef Chris Santos of Beauty & Essex and The Stanton Social

Occoquan River

The tidal Occoquan has white perch, striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, flathead catfish, and channel catfish. Herring and shad provide plenty of action for dip-netters and hook-and-line fishermen each spring.
Several public boat ramps off Route 123 provide access.

Occoquan Reservoir - Fishing Opportunities

The main species of interest at Occoquan are largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie, but opportunities exist for anglers to catch channel catfish, flathead catfish, northern pike, and white perch. No matter the skill level, technique of choice, or time of year, the tastes of all anglers should be satisfied while fishing at Occoquan.
Largemouth Bass
The largemouth bass fishing is exceptional at Occoquan. Currently, the population is diverse, with bass found in all size classes up to about 21 inches. Good numbers of fish are available in the 4-6 pound range with an occasional larger fish mixed into the bag.
Routine population sampling conducted by fisheries biologists provides the Department with information pertaining to the status of the fishery. Comparisons can be made between electrofishing samples conducted during different years, which allows biologists to assess changes to the fishery. One index used by biologists is the CPE-P or catch per effort of preferred fish. The CPE-P for largemouth bass is the number of fish 15 inches or larger that are collected per hour of effort. Occoquan Reservoir was last sampled in 2007, and based on those numbers and rankings, it was the best place to fish for big bass in the District. This is even more noteworthy considering its large size and its comparisons to many reservoirs that were much smaller (catch rates are usually higher in small water bodies).
Heavy fishing pressure with ample habitat and abundant forage may make it more difficult to consistently catch fish. Patience is the key; anglers willing to try different techniques and lures to match the prevailing conditions should find success. Largemouth bass typically are found in transition areas between different habitats, particularly around heavy cover. Anglers should concentrate their efforts in these areas, fishing with a variety of lures such as plastic worms, jigs, spinner baits, or crank baits.
Black and White Crappie
Occoquan Reservoir has a very good crappie fishery and anglers should concentrate on areas with structure during the early spring. Anglers consistently catch fish around boat docks, fish attractors, or brush piles. Crappie can be successfully caught by a variety of methods ranging from small jigs, spinners, or flies fished with ultra light spinning gear or anglers may desire more traditional tactics such as fishing small minnows with a cane pole and bobber. Remember that crappies are a schooling fish, and once a fish is caught it is likely that several more will be caught with in close proximity. White crappie typically run larger; and, with the closure of Lake Manassas, Occoquan is the only District lake to offer white crappie.
Bluegill
The bluegill population has dropped considerably since the early 1990's, but the population remains in balance. Fair numbers of bluegill are found in the 5-7 inch range at Occoquan, which provides anglers' ample opportunity to fish for this delightful pan fish. Bream fishing does not have to be complicated. Anglers may use live bait such as worms or crickets with hopes of enticing a strike. Some anglers prefer to use ultra light spinning gear or fly fishing gear to present small lures or flies. Pound for pound, there's not a fish that fights any harder than a scrappy bluegill. Bream are easy to catch which makes them ideal for introducing young children to the sport of fishing.
Channel Catfish
Occoquan provides a good channel catfish fishery for anglers living close to the Beltway. Channel catfish were first stocked into Occoquan Reservoir in 1964 and were stocked annually afterwards until 1978. Stocking of channel catfish occurred on alternate years between 1981-1991. A good fishery has developed since those initial stockings and the channel catfish population is self-sustaining. Channel catfish are not currently stocked into the reservoir since there is adequate natural reproduction. Anglers can expect to catch fish in the 14-20 inch range, with most fish averaging about 2 pounds.
Flathead Catfish
Twelve flathead catfish were stocked into Occoquan Reservoir in 1965. Since that initial introduction a fantastic fishery has developed which produced the state record flathead catfish catch of 66 pounds 4 oz., caught and released by Mike Willems in May 1994. Anglers may want to concentrate their efforts in areas around rocky bluffs in close proximity to deep water. Live bream are the bait of choice and are often fished on the bottom with a slip sinker rig.
Northern Pike
Northern pike were stocked into Occoquan in 2001 at a rate of 0.5 fish per acre. Anglers should expect to encounter these fish in 2-4 years. Northern pike were stocked to prey on the abundant alewife and gizzard shad populations present with in the reservoir and should provide a trophy element to the fishery.

Upcoming Events!

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http://www.madiganswaterfront.com/restaurant-northern-va-calendar-entertainment.php

Important Boat Safety Considerations

• Make sure all safety equipment is onboard (life jackets, flares, first aid kit,
  lights if out after sunset). 
• Wear your life jacket at all times.
• Have you been checked out for the boat you are using? (If not, contact the
  BSO, David Duggins, Pema Kitaeff, or Craig Staude.)
• Is there an anchor onboard? If the engine quits and you are close to shore,
  deploy the anchor. All anchors should have floats attached to the end
  of the line. If you cannot retrieve your anchor, just throw the line and
  float overboard and we’ll retrieve it later. Always anchor by the bow
  (front) of the boat, NOT the stern.
• Give way to all other boats in close passing situations. Do not assume
  others know (or care about) the Rules of the Road.
• GO SLOW. Give the boat enough throttle to keep it “on plane” but no
  more. This will save gas and be a safer, more comfortable ride than
  running wide-open throttle.
• Look ahead. Avoid patches of kelp, debris, and logs. When encountering a
  large boat wake: warn passengers, slow down, and approach nearly
  perpendicular to the wave front.
• If unfamiliar with the area you’re in, USE THE CHART included in the
  boat’s emergency bag to check for submerged rocks, reefs, and shoals.
• If you aren’t sure how to read a chart, check with the BSO or a Marine
  Tech before your trip.
• Look astern occasionally to check for:
  - a strong flow of cooling water from outboard motor (if cooling
  stream halts, STOP motor immediately).
  - a ferry or another fast boat overtaking you. As the overtaken boat,
  you should maintain course and speed but prepare to be tossed by a
  wake.
• Carry a cell phone and emergency phone numbers

Alarms going off:

Either overheating (see above) or low oil pressure (check reservoir
and fill if necessary). If you are certain that oil is full and
cooling water is strong, motor slowly back the dock and remove
key from ignition and bring it to the office. DO NOT
OPERATE a motor with cooling or oil problems. Call for help,
or wave down a passing boat for a tow.