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Food Canning 101: 5 Basics You Need to Know

September 4, 2014 by

Your grandmother may have been on to something with all of those canned fruits and vegetables. Canning is a great way to preserve the lifespan of fresh produce, and it creates a number of unique new ways to eat your favorite veggies. If you want to start canning in your own home, here are 5 things that you need to know.

  1. Do not use overripe produce. Although canning helps you to extend the lifespan of produce, it won’t reverse the ripening process if it has already happened. Be sure to use only crisp, fresh fruits and vegetables.
  2. Sterilize cans before starting. Because your produce will be sealed tightly inside of the glass jars, you want to make sure that there is no bacteria inside of there as well. Wash each jar with hot, soapy water and soak them in a boiling water bath for at least 10 minutes before you begin.
  3. Research acid additions. Many types of fruits and vegetables require ascorbic acid or citric acid to prevent browning or maintain pH levels, so do your research before canning.
  4. Do not fill the jars completely. Your produce will expand during the boiling process, so be sure leave an inch or so of space at the top of each jar.

More Canning Tips and Do's/Don'ts [Pick Your Own]
Canning 101: The Basics [Simple Bites]
USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, 2009 revision [NCHFP]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Caffe di Fiore: A Fusion Menu in The Woodlands

August 28, 2014 by

Caffe di Fiore serves up a fusion menu in The Woodlands. The emphasis may be on Mexican cuisine, but the restaurant's menu also features a selection of pastas and pizza.

Breakfast is a great time to stop in and fuel up for the day on hearty fare like Chilaquiles Con Pollo with tortilla chips, shredded chicken, cheese, refried beans & sour cream, Huevos Con Chorizo with spicy sausage, cheese & refried beans, and Vegetarian Eggs Benedict with spinach & tomatoes. Later in the day, you can try Tacos de Barbacoa with beef, onions & borracha salsa, Green Enchiladas with tomatillo sauce, and Tampico Style Carne Asada with refried beans & guacamole.

Caffe di Fiore is open Monday through Saturday in The Woodlands, Texas.

Caffe di Fiore
10110 Woodlands Parkway
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 298-1228
http://www.caffe-di-fiore.com/ordereze/default.aspx
http://www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-di-fiore-the-woodlands

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Check Out the Major Renovations on These HGTV Shows

August 21, 2014 by

There’s something so entertaining about watching skilled carpenters and designers take an old, outdated house and, with a few coats of paint or some new cabinets, turn it into something entirely fresh and modern. Follow along with some of HGTV’s most popular home renovation experts on these immensely entertaining shows.

Property Brothers
Hosts Jonathan and Drew Scott are some of HGTV’s most beloved hosts for their quirky personalities and the always-entertaining bond between twins. On their HGTV show, Property Brothers, realtor Drew convinces potential homebuyers to buy a fixer-upper instead of the overpriced home of their dreams. Over the course of an hour-long episode, designer Jonathan completely renovates the more affordable (if less admirable) home into something even better than the house they originally imagined.

Cousins Undercover
On this equally entertaining HGTV show, cousins Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri are on a mission to reward do-gooders in a community with a well-deserved home makeover. The show’s recipients include selfless teachers, single parents, and dedicated doctors, the stories of whom will surely tug at your heartstrings. If you’re a fan of happy endings and beautiful home renovations, Cousins Undercover is for you.

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

August 14, 2014 by

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

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

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

August 7, 2014 by

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

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

2 Helpful Websites for Luxury Car Enthusiasts

July 24, 2014 by

The combination of speed and beauty makes luxury car brands like Bugatti, Maserati, and BMW covetable among car enthusiasts around the world. Whether you own one of these priceless automobiles or you’re simply a luxury car admirer, these informative and image-heavy websites will provide hours of eye candy for gear heads of all ages.

Motor Authority
Just like the name implies, the Motor Authority website is a respected authority for every type of luxury car on the market today. This site is filled with the latest news about new automobile models from Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini, and more, and it also features detailed reviews to give readers the most information possible before purchasing a new luxury vehicle. Motor Authority is a great resource for locating auto shows around the country as well, and the site’s Spy Shots section even allows visitors to take a sneak peek at prototypes of car models that haven’t been released yet.

U.S. News Rankings and Reviews
If you’re simply looking for detailed rankings of the world’s leading luxury cars without all of the extra features, the U.S. News’ Car Rankings page is one of the very best resources. This informative website ranks cars priced at $60,000 or more in order based on a consensus of the top automobile experts in the country and other safety and reliability data. The rankings take into consideration each car’s handling, braking, comfort, cargo space, critics’ ratings, awards, and many other features that might help car owners decide which model is best for them.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library: Get Lost in the Stacks of This Community Library

July 17, 2014 by

The George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library is housed in a 30,000-square-foot brick building conveniently located in the Woodlands area of Montgomery County.

This community staple contains 102,500 books and other resources, including the latest fiction and nonfiction releases, classic works of literature, educational books, and children’s books. The computer lab offers 30 computers equipped with Internet access, Microsoft Office, and many other resources, and there are also printer stations and photocopiers for public use. A meeting room, conference room, and two study rooms are ideal for study groups or other gatherings, and the library also offers many book clubs for fellow readers in the area. With a valid library card guests also have access to the numerous children, teen, and adult programs hosted at the library.

The George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The library is closed on Sundays.

The George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library
8125 Ashlane Way
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(936) 442-7728
www.countylibrary.org/mitchell.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/george-and-cynthia-woods-mitchell-library-the-woodlands

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Let Your Kids Play at the Woodlands Children’s Museum

July 10, 2014 by

When you need to occupy young children on a hot or rainy afternoon, head to the Woodlands Children's Museum. Although a bit of a misnomer, this indoor play area is full of fun for youngsters. There are Lego stations, arts and crafts activities, and dress-up and make-believe areas, all with the goal of encouraging children to play, explore, and imagine.

Staff is hand to help direct the kids, allowing parents a bit of a breather. Admission is affordable at $5 for children and adults. If your child enjoys the museum, consider signing up for dance classes and art lessons. Check the online brochure for details.

Woodlands Children’s Museum
4775 Panther Creek Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 465-0955
www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/the-woodlands-childrens-museum-the-woodlands

Public Domain/Freeimagescollection
Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Forest Cafe and Bakery: Tasty Treats in The Woodlands

July 3, 2014 by

Forest Café and Bakery opened eight years ago and the family-run business has steadily built a faithful clientele. In addition to bakery cases layered with delectable pastries, they serve up a flavorful menu of breakfast and lunch items.

Stop by this eatery in The Woodlands, Texas in the a.m. to get your day started with hearty fare like Country Fried Steak & Eggs, Buttermilk Pancakes, a Breakfast Quesadilla, or a Breakfast Burrito. Stop in at lunchtime to curb your hunger with a tasty selection of sandwiches, salads and wraps. Options include a Grilled Cheese & Tomato Sandwich, a Garlic Mushroom Burger with Swiss cheese, a Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad, and a Veggie Quesadilla. Save room for a yummy dessert like a Triple Fudge Brownie, or a Vanilla Butter Cream Cupcake.

Forest Cafe and Bakery
3091 College Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77384
(936) 271-4518
www.forestcafeandbakery.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/forest-cafe-and-bakery-the-woodlands-2

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

The Blue Mug Cafe: Casual Dining at Its Best

June 26, 2014 by

The Blue Mug Cafe is a fast-casual eatery serving breakfast and lunch. You place your order at the counter, and you're given a beeper that will alert you when your food is ready. Regulars note that the owners of The Blue Mug also own the poplar Black Walnut Cafe, so you can expect the same high-quality food and service.

One of the top dishes is the bruleed French toast, and once you taste it, you'll see why. The bread is extra thick sourdough, and it's grilled and then baked until it's golden brown. It's topped with powdered sugar, a medley of nuts, and the cafe's house-made bourbon amber maple syrup. The French dip sandwich also gets rave reviews. Diners note that the portions are generous, so you should expect to have some food to take home to Avana Sterling Ridge.

Blue Mug Cafe
30420 FM 2978
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 292-2583
bluemugcafe.com
Read the reviews on Yelp.

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,
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