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Benjy’s Restaurant: Lounge Around at This New American Eatery

February 26, 2015 by

Benjy’s is an American restaurant done in the style of a 1920s lounge bar, complete with round leather booths, orb-shaped chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and a handsome wooden bar well-suited to enjoying an evening cocktail. While its ambiance is retro, Benjy’s remains one of the hippest spots in all of central Houston.

Here, the focus is on farm-to-table fare. Customers enjoy artfully plated dishes like crispy chicken, ricotta gnocchi, and sake kasu salmon. Wood oven pizzas and entree salads are ideal for lunch, while the brunch menu features a selection of omelets, biscuit sandwiches, and Fresh toast entrees that will cap a weekend off the right way. Although Benjy’s is known for its food, its cocktails, locally brewed craft beer, and an impressive wine list are just as important to the dining experience!

Benjy’s Restaurant
2424 Dunstan Street
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 522-7602
www.benjys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/benjys-houston-3

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Food Canning 101: 5 Basics

February 19, 2015 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]

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Happy Presidents Day

February 16, 2015 by

Today we take the time to honor our courageous leaders and how their visions have shaped our great country.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2015 by

Wishing you a sweet day with your loved ones!

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Southside Espresso: Sip Your Daily Perk-Me-Up

February 12, 2015 by

It's easy to miss tiny Southside Espresso–it's tucked behind other shops in a Montrose plaza–but regulars say this little coffee house is definitely worth seeking out. Southside Espresso offers everything you need to start your day off right. Order a double shot of espresso, either straight up or mixed with a bit of foamy, steamed milk, then grab a chocolate croissant or blueberry muffin for the road.

Southside Espresso is also a good place to linger if you've got the time. Free Wi-Fi makes it easy to catch up on email or get a bit of work done, while the shop's specialty drinks, like the sweet potato latte or cardamom and clove spiked latte, are ideal for slow, leisurely sipping. A variety of house-made syrups complete the shop's flavor possibilities, and a line-up of beers and wines rounds out the evening possibilities at this hotspot.

Southside Espresso
904 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 942-9990
southsideespresso.com
www.yelp.com/biz/southside-espresso-houston

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Treebeards: Your Lunch Spot

February 5, 2015 by

Looking for a real southern lunch? Come to Treebeards. Located right in the heart of the downtown, Treebeards brings the tastes of the South to your table. Check out the appetizers and soups, which features Cajun fare favorites like red beans and rice, shrimp etouffee, and three different styles of gumbo: duck, chicken and seafood.

The daily specials have down home favorites like meatloaf, catfish and pork chops. Fried chicken with gravy is a special every day! Make sure that you try the jalapeno cornbread, and save room for some classic desserts. Treebeards is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a perfect place for a relaxing lunch. Catering is also available.

Treebeards
315 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-2622
www.yelp.com/biz/treebeards-houston

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Garden Kitchen: Raw Food Is Just What the Doctor Ordered

January 29, 2015 by

As a cardiologist, Dr. Baxter Montgomery had an excellent grasp on the way the human body worked. Yet at age 38, his own wasn't functioning very well. His cholesterol was far outside a healthy range, and with a family history of diabetes and heart disease looming, he knew he had to launch a preemptive strike against future health complications. His first step in doing so was cleaning up his diet. Dr. Montgomery began eating more raw, plant-based foods, and prescribing the same diet to his patients. Eventually his recommendations evolved into an eatery in Houston where his patients could find such food: Garden Kitchen.

Of course, today Garden Kitchen's reach has expanded beyond the scope of Dr. Montgomery's patient base. Anyone with a predilection for raw, healthy food will find it at Garden Kitchen. Try the popular corn chips, crafted with organic corn, sea salt, and a special house blend of spices. For the main course, dig into a salad, raw veggie burger, wrap, or pizza. Garden Kitchen even offers healthy desserts like sorbet and key lime pie.

Garden Kitchen
10480 Main Street
Houston, TX 77025
(832) 350-7534
www.gardenkitchenfoods.com
www.yelp.com/biz/garden-kitchen-houston

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Learn More About Vegetables From These Facts

January 22, 2015 by

You know that vegetables are important for your health and well being, but there are a number of facts that many people don’t know about getting your daily greens. These helpful facts from the USDA will give you some insight into the world of vegetables.

Vegetables are organized into five subgroups.
Based on their nutritional content, vegetables are categorized as either dark green vegetables, starchy vegetables, red and orange vegetables, beans and peas, and other vegetables.

You can get your daily veggies from a variety of sources.
Fresh vegetables are the most obvious choice, but cooked, frozen, canned, dried/dehydrated, and 100% vegetable juices are also valid sources.

Eating the proper amount of vegetables can prevent certain diseases.
Getting enough vegetables can help to prevent heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and may decrease kidney stones and bone loss.

Half of your plate should be made up of veggies.
While the exact recommended daily intake varies from person to person, filling half of your plate with vegetables is a good general rule.

Vegetables that are easy to prepare will help you eat them more often.
Things like microwavable frozen veggies or bags of pre-made salad greens are good examples.

Tips to Help You Eat Vegetables [USDA]

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Khon’s Wine Darts Coffee Art: A Space for Everyone

January 15, 2015 by

No matter what you’re expecting when you go to Khon’s, you will likely be surprised at what you find. The tiny, inviting space, its walls covered in art, has the ambience of a coffee shop, and the espresso drinks are top notch – but Khon’s also boasts a full bar stocked with craft brews and fine wines.

As the name promises, you can play darts, but this is not the sort of place one thinks of as a “dart bar." What Khon’s is is a family-friendly, community-driven gathering place. Whatever you like to drink when you go out, Khon’s has you covered. Whether you want to listen to music, have a meeting, play a game, or just relax with friends and family, you can do it at Khon’s!

Khon’s Wine Darts Coffee Art
2808 Milam Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-7775

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Planning a Vacation? Here’s How to Pack Lighter and More Efficiently!

January 8, 2015 by

You want to be prepared for everything from a fancy dinner to an afternoon of snorkeling on your upcoming vacation, but so many different activities on your itinerary may make packing your suitcase seem very daunting. Here are four simple ways to pack your suitcase a bit lighter on your next big trip.

  1. Become familiar with the laundry service. Sure, no one wants to do laundry on a vacation, but it’s much more enjoyable than breaking your back from lugging around an impossibly heavy suitcase or backpack. Look up your hotel or hostel’s laundry amenities beforehand, and if there are none, check for the closest laundromat.
  2. Take full advantage of the carry-on. Many travelers are intimidated by the carry-on because of airlines’ strict weight limits, but this smaller bag is a very underutilized space for extra clothes. Just weigh your bag as you pack to avoid paying extra baggage fees.
  3. Mix and match. By packing clothes in neutral shades that can easily coordinate with one another, you cut down on the need to pack separate outfits for each day.
  4. Cut down on shoes. Shoes obviously take up the most space in your suitcase, so be sure to only pack ones that you really need. After all, do you really need stiletto heels on a backpacking trip?

Packing Smart and Traveling Light [Rick Steves]
The Carry-On Challenge: How to Pack Light Every Time [Independent Traveler]
How to Pack Light: 9 Tips to Lighten Your Load [Huffington Post]

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