Increase Your Physical Activity with These Motivational Tips

Exercise seems like a great idea, but it can be hard to break the inertia when your couch seems so comfortable and there’s that great movie marathon on television. It can be difficult to motivate yourself to get up and go work out, but these tips from the USDA can help you to stop making excuses and finally to go for a run or visit the gym:

  • Choose activities that you can do regularly and that you enjoy. It’s easier to stick to an exercise schedule when it’s convenient.
  • Even small activities start to add up over time. Take a brisk walk every day at lunch or commit to a gentle yoga class once a week to get into a workout routine.
  • Keep your exercise shoes and clothes in your car. If you have them with you, you’ll be ready when that burst of energy strikes.
  • Join (or start!) an office softball team or lunchtime workout class. You and your co-workers can motivate each other.

For more tips on how to stay active, visit the USDA website.

Tarka Indian Kitchen: Indian Cuisine in Austin’s Allandale Neighborhood

Tarka Indian Kitchen is a quick and inexpensive to satisfy an Indian food craving from Biryanis to Kabobs, Curries to Lassis.  Run by the same owners as popular Clay Pit, there are three area locations, including in north Austin’s Allandale neighborhood.  The casual Indian cafe with counter ordering is popular even among Indian cuisine experts.  The menu offers traditional items like Tikka Masala as well as innovative twists like the “Naaninis” – a panini style sandwich made with naan.  Pair your favorite dish with soft and fluffy garlic naan and a mango lemonade with free refills.  Everything on the menu is under $10; you can dine in, take out, or have delivery through Dine on Demand.  Check out their iPhone app for online ordering.  Tarka has even been recognized as a “Green Restaurant” by the City of Austin for their environmentally friendly practices – just another reason you can feel good about giving in to that craving. 

Tarka Indian Cuisine
2525 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 323-0955
www.tarkaindiankitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tarka-indian-kitchen-austin-2

Tips for Healthy Snacking

Your little ones love sugary cookies, while you just can’t resist a savory snack every now and then. If you’re looking for healthier snacks for the whole family that still tasty and satisfying, these tips from the NIH can help you find them.

  • Create healthier versions of your favorite snacks. Instead of your usual cheese and crackers, substitute low-fat cheese and whole-grain crackers. Instead of buttery, salty movie theater popcorn, make some fat-free or low-fat popcorn.
  • Make healthier dessert choices. Instead of your usual homemade milkshake, blend a banana, ice and low-fat chocolate milk for a chocolate smoothie that’s still delicious.
  • Choose smarter condiments. Sauces and other toppings can add fat and empty calories to an otherwise healthy snack. Instead of cheese, choose salsa, and instead of regular ranch dressing opt for a fat-free variety.

For more healthy snacking tips, visit the NIH website.

Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts: On Stage in Austin

Expand and elevate your entertainment options with a trip to Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts. The theatre began its incarnation as the Majestic in 1915, offering the era’s favorite form of entertainment, vaudeville. Its stage graced the likes of famed magician Harry Houdini. In 1930, it was refurbished as a classic movie palace and rechristened the Paramount. After falling into disrepair in the 1970s and 80s, the Grand Old Dame underwent an extensive facelift to restore her to her former magnificence.

Today, the theatre offers an exciting roster of entertainment, featuring performers and shows like STOMP, Penn & Teller, Steve Earle, Lily Tomlin, Ramsey Lewis & John Pizzarelli, the Second City, Joan Rivers, and Craig Ferguson. See their website for upcoming shows and ticket information.

Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts
713 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-2901
http://www.austintheatre.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/paramount-theatre-for-the-performing-arts-austin

Public Domain/Public Domain

Our New Facebook Sweepstakes Has Started! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, Like our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends February 28th, 2014.

For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter!

Explore the Library of Congress’s ‘Today in History’ Site

If you’re a history buff, you'll probably enjoy this fun and exciting webpage from the Library of Congress. Today in History is an online tool updated each day to recount one important historical event that happened that day. You’ll get a mini history lesson every day, and it also make for a great conversation starter.

For example, November 16, 2013 may have just been an average Tuesday for all of us, but on that date in 1863 Abraham Lincoln delivered The Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches in American history.

Today in History allows you to go back and read what you didn’t see, and it also lets you skip forward to future events, too. You can browse events by key words like “battle” or “speech," jump to a specific day in the archive, or just browse the archive by month to see every post. If you're interested in history, the Library of Congress's Today in History site is worth bookmarking!

Today in History [The Library of Congress]

Public Domain/Public Domain

Try the Salted Caramel Gelato at Teo

Whether you come for a coffee in the morning or a gelato later, you’ll get a treat at Teo. Located directly across from the hospital on West 38th Street, Teo brings a little bit of Italy to the streets of Austin. Make Teo a morning stop for a terrific coffee drink. You know that it will be good, because every barista who works here is trained in Italy! The café, decorated in bright, inviting colors, is a nice spot to enjoy your cup. There are even daily newspapers on the wall for your reading pleasure. The outdoor patio is also nice, with a fireplace when the weather gets cold. The fresh made gelato is the star here There is always a nice selection of flavors, but regulars like the Peanut Butter Nutela and Salted Caramel. With the free Wi-Fi, it’s a nice way to end your day.

Teo
1206 W. 38th Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 451-9555
http://www.caffeteo.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/teo-austin

Find National Historic Landmarks with This Online Tool

National Historic Landmarks are buildings, sites, structures, objects, or districts that epitomize something important about U.S. history or culture. There are currently over 2,500 National Historic Landmarks, and they each have their own fascinating stories and, oftentimes, beautiful architecture or natural scenery. If you'd like to find a few near 3500 Westlake to visit, the National Historic Landmarks Program’s search tool is a great browsing feature.

This search menu on the National Historic Landmarks website allows you to search the program’s database of landmarks broadly by city or state. If you’re searching for a specific landmark, the website also offers an advanced search with features like name, priority, year, resource type, themes, and type. This makes it easy to find — for example — Historic Landmarks related to agriculture nearby.

Even if you're not planning a trip soon, the Landmarks database is a great way to learn more about history online!

National Historic Landmarks Search [National Parks Service]

Public Domain/Public Domain

The Steeping Room: Terrific Teas

Any time is tea-time at the Steeping Room. Located in a little shopping center on N. Lamar Boulevard, the Steeping Room is dedicated to not just serving tea, but the art of brewing and leisurely enjoying the drink. Come in and you will immediately like the cozy ambiance, with high ceilings that keep the noise low and lots of window seating. You might have had tea, but there are so many different teas to choose from, don’t be afraid to ask your server for suggestions. In the morning, try your tea with a freshly baked scone, or go for one of the breakfast entrees. The lunch and dinner menus are also good, with many vegan and gluten-free options — try the breakfast sandwich or the soup and tea sandwich combo. 

The Steeping Room
4400 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 102
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 467-2663
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-steeping-room-austin-2

Taco Shack: Try the Shack Burrito

What’s a Shack Taco? Come to the Taco Shack and find out! Located in Austin's Rosedale neighborhood, the Taco Shack is the place to go for a quick and tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Shack Taco is the perfect way to kick start your day; it comes with your choice of eggs, potatoes, cheese, and meat on a soft flour tortilla. Just walk up to the counter and the friendly servers will help you. Not in the mood for a taco? There are regular breakfast plates, too. The dining area doesn’t have many tables, but there is always lots of outdoor seating. For lunch and dinner, the favorite is the Shack Burrito, and don’t pass up the filling and affordable combo plates. And big orders to go are no problem – just call ahead!

Taco Shack
4412 Medical Parkway
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 300-2112
http://tacoshack.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taco-shack-austin-6

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