Art fans in the Houston area love visiting the First Saturday Arts Market, a family-friendly event that features works from some of the area’s best visual artists. This outdoor market is held in the charming Historic Houston Heights neighborhood, and it features live music, food trucks, and grassy areas for lounging before or after you explore the stunning works of art.

Wander through the market and you’ll find white, tented booths filled with works by almost 50 different artists, including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and even handmade artisan crafts. All of these items are available for purchase at reasonable prices, so this makes a great place to visit if you’re looking to fill you walls with local art. Stop by to have an affordable lunch, check out live, local music and maybe even bring home a new painting to hang on your wall.

First Saturday Arts Market
540 W. 19th Street at Lawrence Street
Houston, TX
(832) 273-4798
www.firstsaturdayartsmarket.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr kjarrett

Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches are beloved all over the world for their crave-worthy combination of marinated meats, pickled carrots, and cilantro on freshly baked French bread. Nguyen Ngo 2 is one of the best places to enjoy casual Vietnamese fare in Houston, and it has a colorful, modern design and convenient ordering system that appeal to all types of customers.

The restaurant’s expansive menu is where it really shines. Nguyen Ngo 2’s wide assortment of banh mi sandwiches in styles like seared pork belly and meatball are made with premium ingredients. Regulars recommend adding a fried egg to any of the sandwiches on the menu, as the runny yolk perfectly complements the crusty bread. Although its strip mall location isn’t exactly atmospheric, Nguyen Ngo 2’s comfortable, stylish interior and authentic menu makes it well worth the trip.

Nguyen Ngo 2
14015 Bammel N Houston Road
Houston, TX 77014
(281) 895-8998
www.facebook.com/pages/Nguyen-Ngo-2-Vietnamese-Sandwich/168956649833256
www.yelp.com/biz/nguyen-ngo-2-houston-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Stacy Spensley

Teenagers may seem like they don’t need your help with anything, but as a parent, you know that this simply isn’t true. When it comes to proper nutrition, your growing teen needs you more than ever. Here are a few smart tips to help ensure that your teenager is eating the right foods and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

1. Have regular meals together. Eating together doesn’t just bring you closer as a family, it also ensures that your son or daughter eats a well-balanced dinner every evening. Prepare meals with lots of whole grains, lean meats and fish, and fresh vegetables.
2. Prepare more food. As your child becomes a teenager, his or her appetite will begin to increase dramatically. Keep teens energized by serving larger portions at mealtime and keeping lots of healthy snacks on hand.
3. Limit saturated fats and sugars. Even if your teen loves to snack on potato chips and chocolate candies, these things can contribute to certain diseases later in life. Try to limit the foods that contain saturated fats, sugars, and sodium in your household.
4. Increase calcium intake. Because teenagers typically go through growth spurts, they require much more calcium than children and adults. Serve low fat milks, yogurt, or even calcium supplements. Ask your child's doctor for advice.

Nutrition for Children and Teens [HelpGuide.org]
A Teenager’s Nutritional Needs [HealthyChildren.org]
Do Teens Have Different Nutritional Needs Than Adults? [SF Gate]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Kathy