Smoothie King, now an international franchise, grew from humble roots. Back in the 1960s, founder Steve Kuhnau ​set out to mix up a smoothie that would ease his allergies and low blood sugar. Equipped with just some fresh fruit, other nutrients and proteins, and his home blender, Steve eventually found the perfect balance. His health started improving, and in 1973 he decided to share his discovery with the masses at his first nutritional smoothie shop.

The lone shop evolved into more than 650 Smoothie King locations that, today, serve the same nutritional smoothies to customers in the continental U.S., Korea, Singapore, and the Cayman Islands. That includes a location on West Holcombe, where customers note that the staff is especially friendly and the owner often personally oversees operations.

Many of the smoothies can replace an entire meal, with anywhere from 7 to 45 grams of protein in each serving of 20 ounces. Try a Lean1 chocolate smoothie with bananas and almond. It packs 27 vitamins and minerals and 22 grams of protein into a mere 293 calories, staving off later cravings and helping your body burn fat. Or nourish your body with a fruity snack in between normal meals, such as the apple kiwi kale smoothie—it's full of illness-fighting vitamin C and antioxidants.

Smoothie King
2617 W. Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77025
(713) 661-1663
www.smoothieking.com/stores/store.php/134
www.yelp.com/biz/smoothie-king-houston-15

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr jessica mullen

If you haven’t updated your ‘do in a long time, make an appointment at cutLoose in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. Here, expert stylists get to know your hair and your preferences before picking up the scissors. They specialize in innovative styles and have the training and technique to do your ‘do right. You’ll walk out with a style that works for your hair type, face shape, and lifestyle, rather than an unflattering or sad attempt you might get elsewhere.

Despite the salon's excellent reputation and loyal client base, it’s easy to get a quick appointment here. Prices are steep, but you get what you pay for; most clients return time and again for years.

cutLoose
1711 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 520-7401
www.cutloosetx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cutloose-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Maria Grazia Montagnari

The backbone of traditional Italian is meat, so you might not expect to find vegetarian options at an Italian restaurant—let alone an entire menu. But Prima Pasta in Houston values only one thing above Italian tradition, and that is its clientele. So the eatery offers a vegetarian-friendly menu that still captures the spirit of Italian fare with dishes such as fettuccine Alfredo (a favorite among regulars), spaghetti with marinara, and veggie lasagna.

Of course, Prima Pasta also serves a meat-laden menu to its customers with some similar options. Try the Alfredo with grilled chicken or shrimp, the spaghetti with meatballs, or the lasagna with its classic ingredient, beef. No matter what you order—pizza, pasta, or classic entree—it will always be fresh, since chefs craft everything in-house every day. And the menu changes every week to incorporate a few new dishes, so while your tried-and-trued standards are always offered, so are some fresh options every time you visit.

Pasta Prima
6811 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 666-4047
www.primapastarestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/prima-pasta-houston-3

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr dno1967b