Counting Calories? Here’s How to Stick to a Diet When Dining Out

It can be difficult to eat healthy while dining out, but that doesn’t mean you have to sabotage your diet. Here are a few smart tips for finding healthy, low-calorie meals at any restaurant.

  • Look up the menu online. Most restaurants today upload their menus to an online site, which means that you can research the healthiest options and even check the nutritional content before you leave the house.
  • Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your server what type of oil a meal is cooked in, which sides it comes with, and if it’s topped with any decadent sauces. Then, feel free to make modifications as you see fit.
  • Steer clear of the appetizers. If you’re out with a group of friends, don’t fall victim to snacking on nachos before the meal. This can add hundreds of extra calories to your meal.
  • Know some key words. Stay away from dishes with descriptions like “pan-fried,” “cream-based,” “au gratin,” or even “sautéed.” Instead, opt for dishes that are grilled or baked.
  • Moderate your alcohol intake. Enjoy 5 ounces of red wine or 12 ounces of light beer instead of cocktail to add only 150 calories to your meal.

13 Rules for Dining Out On a Diet [Today Health]
How to eat out while sticking to your diet! [Vedonis]
How to eat at a restaurant on a diet – How to survive without blowing your diet! [What’s Cooking America]

Collins Park: Outdoor Fun for Everyone

Collins Park is a 55-acre green space in northwest Houston that is especially popular with locals. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a variety of facilities. Lighted softball and baseball fields offer plenty of space to play and are often used by local leagues, while a roofed basketball court makes it possible to shoot some hoops even if the weather's not ideal. A sand volleyball court is great for impromptu games, and a grassy, well-maintained soccer field provides the space to practice kicking some goals. Collins Park also hosts a skate park, with plenty of ramps and rails for young skateboarders to hone their skills.

Additionally, the park offers biking and hiking trails, a canoe launch, and access to Cypress Creek where you can fish for white bass, crappie, and catfish. Kids will enjoy the playground equipment, which is divided into two separate areas for younger and older kids, and everyone will appreciate the shaded picnic pavilions and barbecue areas.

Collins Park
6727 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 353-4196
www.hcp4.net/Parks/collins/index.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/collins-park-spring

Track 21 Indoor Karting & More: Start Your Engines, 2411 Washington!

If you consider yourself fun-loving and perhaps a bit competitive, you’ll love Track 21 Indoor Karting & More. This indoor go-kart facility hosts well-maintained tracks for both kids and adults, complete with sharp turns and thrilling straightaways where the race gets really intense. Visitors of all ages can rent their own go-karts, or if you’re a more experienced driver, you can even see what it feels like to be a professional racecar driver on the F-1 track.

Once your group is all tapped out from car racing, hop on over to the full laser tag course for even more fun. With 8,000 square feet and two stories of futuristic fun, this laser tag course might be one of the most impressive in the area.

To book a private party at Track 21 Indoor Karting & More, visit the facility’s convenient website.

Track 21 Indoor Karting & More
4815 Highway 6 N
Houston, TX 77084
(281) 200-2600
www.track21houston.com

Steamboat House: A Houston Steakhouse

Steamboat House is much more than a Houston steakhouse; it's an homage to Houston's history. Owner Charlie Fogarty personally leads tours of the steakhouse during its off hours, explaining the premise behind Steamboat House. The name is actually borrowed from the home of legendary Texan Sam Houston, which still exists today in a state park. Steamboat House was inspired by the hero's home, as evidenced by the statue of Sam Houston out front. Inside, you'll find paintings of Sam Houston and George Washington, both nearing 100 years old, as well as murals of Texan battles and a collection of vintage Texan flags. Owner Charlie shows fourth-graders and senior citizens around during the tours, and ends them with a serving of chicken fingers.

However, chicken fingers are hardly representative of the entire menu at the hybrid museum-steakhouse. When the doors open for lunch or dinner, guests can order USDA prime steaks with popular sides such as fried green tomatoes or mashed potatoes. Even the menu pays homage to Houston's history with steaks named for Texan figures.

Steamboat House
8045 N. Sam Houston Parkway
Houston, TX 77064
(832) 912-1845
www.steamboathousetx.com

www.yelp.com/biz/steamboat-house-houston

Where to Shop Quirky-Cute Kids’ Lighting Online

You don’t want your little ones to feel afraid of the dark every night at bedtime, which is why every child’s room should contain a fun and functional light that chases away the monsters that live under the bed. Here are three great places to shop for quirky-cute kids’ lighting online.

The Land of Nod
This mega-popular kids’ online retailer offers modern furniture and home decor items that will make your kids’ rooms look a whole lot more stylish. Their selection of kid-friendly lighting sources includes lamps in the shapes of clouds, nightlights with cute faces, and colorful floor lamps that channel classic mid-century designs.

ModCloth
If you’re looking for lights that even quirkier, ModCloth is your online go-to for all things sweet and silly. Check out updated versions of the usual light socket nightlights and retro-inspired wall lights, as well as twinkling string lights that add a festive flair.

HearthSong
From plasma ball lights that produce bolts of electricity wherever you place your fingers to funky, miniature chandeliers and machines that create shooting stars indoors, this unique online retailer offers one of the most creative selections of quirky kids’ lighting.

Cherry Blossom Yoga: Watch Your Yoga Practice Blossom

With a variety of different class packages from which to choose, Cherry Blossom Yoga is ideal for any type of yogi in the Houston area, according to regulars. This family-owned and -operated studio offers more than 25 different yoga classes each week, which makes it convenient for just about anyone’s busy schedule.

Cherry Blossom’s knowledgeable teachers have completed a minimum of 200 hours of training in order to teach students at any skill level, from the most novice to the most experienced. The studio also frequently hosts workshops taught by some of the most renowned yoga instructors from around the world.

The studio itself is clean and spacious, with hardwood floors lining the practice space and soothing, beautiful decor to inspire your practice and meditation. Visit Cherry Blossom’s website for a full class schedule.

Cherry Blossom Yoga
15816 Champion Forest Drive
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 257-4245
www.cherryblossomyoga.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cherry-blossom-yoga-spring

Call Out Your Order at Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar

Dining at Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar is a unique experience that you won't want to miss. This Houston restaurant is arranged like a ship, with seats surrounding a central kitchen and wall-mounted tables around the room’s edge. When you arrive, don't look for a hostess to seat you; just take your place in line and wait for a seat to open up. (Regular customers say you should be prepared to wait for a few minutes; this place is popular and it's rare that there's no line at all.) Once you're seated, don't wait for a server to take your order, either. Instead, just call it out yourself to the guys in the open kitchen.

Make no mistake, however: Despite the restaurant's quirky vibe, the staff at Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar is very serious about serving only fresh, high quality seafood. The gumbo is a customer favorite, with its hearty, flavorful base, as is the breaded and fried catfish, served with crispy fries and hush puppies.

Captain Tom Seafood & Oyster Bar
9651 FM 1960 Road West
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 890-8334

www.captaintomsseafood.com
www.yelp.com/biz/captain-tom-seafood-and-oyster-bar-houston

Happy Independence Day!

We hope everyone enjoys a fun and relaxing time with family and friends as we celebrate America's freedom.

Kabob Korner: International Fare in Houston

Kabob Korner’s slogan is “food with no boundaries,” and the restaurant’s eclectic mix of food from a number of different ethnicities certainly fits that description. Although the menu does include the eatery’s namesake kabobs, it also offers a variety of other grilled dishes from Mediterranean and South Asian countries. Freshly baked naan bread comes with just about every meal, while vegetable samosas and hummus appetizers are a great addition to your kabob or shawarma. Kabob Korner also offers a few American dishes for less adventurous eaters, including grilled burgers and sandwiches for affordable prices.

The quick and convenient ordering system features a large menu board posted above the ordering counter, and guests can choose to either dine in at one of the small cafe tables or take their food to go for lunch or dinner. Grab a quick lunch that’s more interesting than most with a visit to Kabob Korner.

Kabob Korner
12228 Antoine Drive
Houston, TX 77066
(281) 880-0786
www.kabobkorner.com
www.yelp.com/biz/kabob-korner-houston

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father's Day! We hope all of the Dads out there have a great day with loved ones! Let us know how you plan to help Dad relax today!

Pin It on Pinterest