Have an Interest in Home Renovation? These HGTV Shows Are for You!

If you have an interest in home restoration—while watching other people do all the work!—you’ll love HGTV’s hours of programming dedicated to home renovations. Here are two of the network’s most popular home makeover shows.

Beachfront Bargain Hunt
While beachfront properties can be very expensive, the budget-savvy homebuyers on Beachfront Bargain Hunt get the most bang for their buck by purchasing fixer-uppers and, well, fixing them up. Watch as dingy old beach huts are transformed into glamorous getaways right along the shore, and you’ll find yourself dreaming of the ocean yourself.

House Hunters
To someone who loves home design, there are few things more fascinating than getting a sneak peak at someone during their home buying process. HGTV’s House Hunters is the network’s cornerstone program—and for good reason. The show follows a very vast variety of different types of people as they search for condos, single-family homes, apartments, and even old firehouses turned into industrial city lofts in just about every city across the country.

Shag Spa and Salons: A Cut Above the Rest in The Woodlands

When residents of The Woodlands need to beautify, they head to Shag Spa and Salons, a one-stop beauty shop for hair, skin, and nails. This full-service salon even offers advanced cosmetic procedures, such as laser hair treatments that promise thicker-feeling tresses.

Stylists use such products as TIGI, Moroccan Oil, and Kerastase to cut, color, condition, or smoothen hair, while skin specialists slather skin in Dermologica products during facials, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion. Meanwhile, massage therapists promote relaxation and detoxify the body using fluid strokes and kneading, and nail technicians tend to hands and feet with cuticle trimming, skin softening, and nail painting.

The Shag Spa and Salons team boasts employees with more than 20 years of experience each, and many of employees here hold special certifications and training in New York, London, and Scotland.

Shag Spa and Salons
4747 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 296-7424
www.shagspaandsalons.com
www.yelp.com/biz/shag-spa-and-salons-the-woodlands

Old Town Spring: A Historic Experience for the Whole Family

Founded by settlers in the early 19th century, Spring began as a hub for railroad development and industrialization in Texas. As the economy flourished, Spring also became a destination for trade and business. Much like the rest of the United States, Spring was hit hard by the Depression in the 1930’s and took time to rebuild. The town subsequently reemerged several decades later and grew into a hotspot for festivals, events, and tourism in Texas. Today, Old Town Spring is recognized as one of Texas’ leading attractions. Visitors can wander the streets to feel history or visit the local Spring Historical Museum to learn more of the town’s journey.

These days, Old Town Spring is most well-known for its quaint, welcoming storefronts and businesses that maintain an old-timey feel along Main Street. It also garners attention for annual gatherings, including the popular Texas Crawfish & Music Festival and PetFest, an adoption event that places furry friends with loving families.

Old Town Spring
405 Main Street
Spring, TX 77373
www.oldtownspring.com
www.yelp.com/biz/old-town-spring-spring

What Do You Put in Your Stir-Fry Bowl at Genghis Grill?

Picky eaters in The Woodland find solace at Genghis Grill, where you can build your own stir-fry bowl with more than 80 available ingredients. In five easy steps, you will create your own meal before handing it off to grill masters who cook it atop a sizzling, circular grill. The five-step process includes choosing a protein, spice, veggies, sauce, and a starch. Depending on what you create, your meal may consist of Asian fusion, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, vegan, or Korean fares.

If you can’t choose what to make, you can build one of the restaurant’s signature bowls. Choose from such house creations as pineapple teriyaki chicken, steak and broccoli, firecracker scallops, and spicy Thai tofu. If you don’t wish to participate at all, you can order a chef-made bowl from your table. Along with signature bowls, Genghis Grill serves infamous, signature cocktails in fishbowls!

Genghis Grill
9300 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX
(281) 363-4745
www.genghisgrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/genghis-grill-the-woodlands

How to Keep Raw Meat Fresh Longer in the Fridge

Meat is an important part of most people’s diets, and it can take up quite a large chunk of your grocery budget. Unfortunately, meat is also difficult to store and has a shorter shelf life than other groceries. Here are a few tips that will help you to store meat properly and make it last longer!

  1. Keep your refrigerator at the proper temperature. In order to store meat in your refrigerator, it should be kept at or below 40 degrees. If you plan on freezing meat, the freezer should be kept at or below 0 degrees.
  2. Timing is everything. In order to safely store cooked meat, you must refrigerate it within two hours of eating. If you’re storing it raw, be sure to refrigerate or freeze it immediately.
  3. Store it in the proper containers. Be sure to refrigerate or freeze meat in a shallow container that is barely bigger than the meat itself. This will ensure that it becomes cold as quickly as possible and isn’t exposed to any air.
  4. Be cautious about freezing. Freezing meat is a great way to make your meat last longer, but you need to be cautious about freezer burn. Be sure to wrap meat thoroughly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or wax paper before storing the meat in the freezer.

Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer [Foodsafety.gov]
Meat in the Refrigerator: How Long Does It Last? [Foodsafety.gov]
How to Store Food Properly in the Freezer and Fridge [Lifehacker]
Food Storage 101: Where and How Long to Keep Your Favorite Foods [Lifehacker]

Bear Branch Park: A Day of Play for the Whole Family

When you think of the ideal park for all of the members of your family, you likely envision something that looks a lot like Bear Branch Park. This well-maintained park features more amenities than you can even count, starting with the colorful play area meant for the little ones. Play equipment for children young and old is kept in safe working order, and there are also a number of bucket swings and belt swings for the kids to swing on.

Basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts are ideal for community leagues and pick-up games, and the recreation center offers an indoor space for athletic events. Bear Branch Park also contains a large swimming pool to help beat the Texas heat, plus picnic tables and barbecue pits for afternoon lunches outdoors.

Bear Branch Park
5200 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 210-3800
www.yelp.com/biz/bear-branch-park-the-woodlands
www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/Facilities.aspx?Page=detail&RID=33

Mooyah Burger: Tasty Tasty

Skip the drive-thru burger joint and give Mooyah Burger in Spring a try. This national franchise makes a quick gourmet meal simple and straightforward. Fill out an order form to customize your beef, turkey or veggie burger with high quality ingredients like fresh, in-house baked buns, veggies and sauces.

Premium toppings like avocado and bacon have an extra charge, but standard toppings like sauteed mushrooms and grilled onions are free. Try their special “Mooyah” sauce, a creamy and tangy alternative to mayo and ketchup. Choose from sweet potato or seasoned fries, and over a dozen shake flavors including Caramel, and Snickers. Service is quick and the price is affordable: just under $10 for a burger, fries, and soft drink.

Mooyah Burger
2115 Rayford Road
Spring, TX 77386
(832) 585-0300
www.yelp.com/biz/mooyah-burger-spring

Perry’s Steakhouse and Grill: Toast a Special Occasion at This Upscale Chain

If you’re looking for the perfect spot to host a birthday dinner or other special occasion in the Woodlands area, Perry’s Steakhouse and Grill makes the ideal backdrop for important events. The Woodlands location of this eclectic, upscale chain features artistic light fixtures, glamorous furnishings, and comfortably large tables to accommodate any size party. There are also a number of private dining rooms that can be reserved for large groups, including an incredibly spacious Banquet Room.

The menu consists of high quality cuts of beef, creative seafood dishes, and entree complements like sherried mushrooms, Sriracha Brussels sprouts, and rich macaroni and cheese. Paired with a glass from the impressive wine list and a gourmet dessert, a meal at Perry’s is one that you won’t soon forget.

Perry’s Steakhouse and Grill is open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The eatery offers longer hours on Fridays: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Perry’s Steakhouse and Grill
6700 Woodlands Parkway
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 362-0569
www.perryssteakhouse.com
www.yelp.com/biz/perrys-steakhouse-and-grille-the-woodlands

Afraid of Heights? These Tips Can Help You Overcome Your Fear!

Avoiding roller coasters or mountain peaks may not seem very difficult, but when your fear of heights starts to affect areas in your everyday life, it can become a hindrance. Here are some simple ways to eliminate your fear of heights—or at least learn to manage it.

  1. Think logically. Your fear of heights is likely so engrained in your mind that you don’t even consider it anymore. In order to overcome this fear, you need to think logically about it. Tell yourself how unlikely it is that a skyscraper or a longstanding bridge would ever collapse. If it helps, research statistics about the likelihood of the events that you fear actually happening. Once you realize how slim the chances are, you’ll start to take the edge off of your phobia.
  2. Relax. It’s easy to work yourself up before encountering heights, and that’s when you usually lose your nerve. By relaxing your mind, taking a few deep breaths, and willing yourself not to get upset, you can start to feel more rational about heights.
  3. Face your fear. The only real way to overcome a fear of heights is to face it. Don’t immediately run to the top of the nearest skyscraper, however; start gradually, like at a small bridge in your neighborhood. By slowly encountering heights you’ll become more used to them, and over time you won’t feel the need to panic.

How to Overcome Your Worst Fears [Lifehacker]
How to Overcome a Fear of Heights [wikiHow]
Overcoming Fear [Essential Life Skills]

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts: A Community Art Gallery

One of the most delightful art spaces near Avana Six Pines, the recently renovated Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is a museum that's always in transition. Because there are no permanent exhibits, there are always different things to see at the facility. The late Pearl Fincher was a local community leader, and this museum is a great tribute to her legacy. There are three major galleries that so far this year have brought amazing exhibitions, and the Community Gallery features exhibitions from local elementary, middle, high school, and college students. With upcoming exhibits that focus on local art and architecture, there’s always something interesting around the bend. The museum is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but a $3 donation per person is suggested.

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts
6815 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 376-6322
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pearl-fincher-museum-of-fine-arts-spring

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