Seeking Healthy Dessert Recipes? These Pinterest Boards Are for You!

If you have a major sweet tooth that just can’t be contained, you’re likely always looking for delicious recipes that aren’t too much of an indulgence. Pinterest is a great resource for discovering new, healthy dessert recipes, as the online bulletin board’s thousands of recipes contain quite a few sinfully sweet dishes that you’ll love to try. Browse these Pinterest boards filled with Paleo, gluten-free, or just low-fat dessert recipes and get to pinning your own.

Ripped Recipes
The Ripped Recipes dessert board isn’t just filled with delicious desserts; it’s actually filled with desserts that won’t ruin your diet. Each of these recipes is made with protein-rich ingredients, sugar substitutes, and all natural, nutritious foods combined in such a way that they taste just as decadent as your favorite chocolate cake. Browse single serving chocolate chip cookies, birthday cake protein pancakes, and hundreds of other deceivingly healthy dessert recipes from Ripped Recipes.

Healthy Recipes
If you want to indulge without going overboard, you’ll love the artfully photographed recipes on Healthy Recipes’ dessert board. Many of these recipes adhere to vegan or gluten-free restrictions, but they’re still all downright delicious. Just click on the photos and you’ll be redirected to the simple recipe instructions on the Healthy Recipes website.

Salon Sovay: A Salon Experience That Is Uniquely Austin

Salon Sovay may look more like a small, bungalow-style house than an upscale salon, but on the inside the talented team of stylists works their magic on even the most unruly tresses. The salon specializes in taming curly, frizzy hair, but they also provide a number of other hair services that range from basic trims and highlights to impressively realistic hair extensions. Salon Sovay also offers a full list of beauty services in addition to its hair services, including manicures, pedicures, waxes, and brow tinting.

Its homey interior is quaint and cozy, and it is furnished with comfortable leather sofas in the waiting area, floor-length mirrors and eclectic art on the walls near the styling stations—and a Farrah Fawcett mural outside that is sure to inspire your desire for great hair!

Salon Sovay is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Salon Sovay
2444 S. First Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 519-9937
www.salonsovay.com
www.yelp.com/biz/salon-sovay-austin

Ramen Tatsu-Ya: Japanese Soul Food

Ramen Tatsu-Ya co-owner (and half of its namesake) Tatsu Aikawa describes ramen as "the soul food of Japan." He should know, given that he's lived in Japan. He's also lived in L.A.—that's where he cultivated his culinary talents as a chef at a sushi bar—but Tatsu still considers Austin his hometown. He met Takuya Matsumoto, the other half of the Tatsu-Ya equation, when they were both working as DJs in Austin. After each DJ did some soul-searching, they ended up on the same culinary path. So when Tatsu moved back to Austin from Los Angeles, it didn't take long for he and Takuya to debut their ramen restaurant.

The duo is serious about crafting authentic, perfectly presented ramen—that's why they don't allow takeout. In the time it takes you to travel from the restaurant to your home, the noodles could get soggy and the broth could separate. No, it's best to dip your spoon into a piping-hot bowl of noodles within the walls of Ramen Tatsu-Ya. From original pork to soy-based vegan ramen, none of the soups disappoint. However, Yelp reviewers do recommend adding some heat with a Spicy Bomb mix-in (it consists of spicy red pepper paste) and some flavor with fried Brussels sprouts on top.

Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
ramen-tatsuya.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ramen-tatsu-ya-austin-2

Pass Around Shared Plates With Your Pals at Barlata

If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by a menu and unable to make a decision about what to order, Barlata might be a great place to dine — especially for a large group.The dining experience here is tapas-style. You can order several dishes and share with the table.

Some of the standout dishes include the octopus with fingerling potatoes and adobo and the house-cured salmon with crema and red onions. One of the most inventive snacks in town might be the papas bravas at Barlata: exquisitely fried potatoes served with spicy tomatoes and aioli. The cocktails are assembled with a delicate eye for balance and flavor.

The atmosphere is also well regarded, with large communal tables helping you get to know your fellow diners. Visit Barlata's website to learn more about this Austin restaurant!

Barlata
1500 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-2211
www.barlataaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/barlata-austin

Happy Memorial Day!

Wishing everyone a happy Memorial Day as we remember the many heroes who have served our country.

Plan Your Dream Wedding With Help From These Two Websites

The wedding-planning process is an exciting time in the life of any bride or groom, but it can difficult to know exactly where to start. Whether you're planning backyard nuptials or an elaborate affair on a tropical island, these two image-heavy websites can help point you in the direction of your dream wedding.

Style Me Pretty
Arguably the most popular wedding blog out there, Style Me Pretty posts user-submitted photos from newlyweds. Each post tells the story of the bride's day through beautiful photos, which are supplemented with wedding planning advice and tips from the bride.

Once Wed
Similar to Style Me Pretty, Once Wed is eye candy for brides-to-be. Ooh and aah over images of real brides' gowns, bouquet, and shoes, then scroll down to learn how she coordinated her bridal party, decorated her tablescapes, and decided upon invitations. Borrow some of her ideas for your own wedding.

Caffeinate Your Morning at These Two Austin Cafes

Although Austin is probably better known for its barbecue, the city's gourmet coffee scene is rapidly catching up. For those who love to treat themselves to a premium cup of joe in the mornings, you have more than a few options from which to choose. Here are just two of Austin’s best coffee shops to fuel your morning.

Epoch Coffee
If you’re searching for the hippest coffee shop in Austin to people watch, surf the web, and get caffeinated, Epoch just may be it. Epoch features the rustic, urban decor that Austin is known for combined with a menu of strong brewed blends and simple espresso drinks. While you won’t find a sugary, blended coffee here, you will find great roasts for coffee purists.
221 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, TX 78751; (512) 454-3762

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
Mozart’s offers your morning cuppa with a stunning view on the side. The cafe’s outdoor patio overlooks a crystal clear lake, while inside friendly baristas create elaborate flavored lattes, seasonal coffee blends, and iced espresso drinks in a wide variety of styles. Although Mozart’s is best known for its sweet beverages, the shop offers more traditional cappuccinos and brewed coffees, as well. Order a coffee and a housemade pastry and enjoy it all while watching the sunrise over the lake outside.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX 78703; (512) 477-2900

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother's Day! How are you planning to celebrate mom today?

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company: Craft Brews and Bites in Austin

Funky and energetic, Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company (ABGB) is a popular local gastropub and brewery in South Austin. The brewery always has more than eight beers on tap daily, in addition hard cider and wine.

To complement your brew, the menu touts appetizers such as charcuterie boards with cheese and meat, prosciutto-wrapped melon, deviled eggs, and house-made habanero-bacon-wrapped asparagus. Refreshing salads include a yellow watermelon with sunflower sprouts and fresh mozzarella with an olive oil balsamic reduction and a spinach salad with fresh plums, onions, almonds, and goat cheese. The restaurant also bakes a mean pizza (regular or gluten-free), with an abundance of toppings from which to choose. Overstuffed sandwiches and subs are also on offer.

ABGB is open daily, and take-out is available.

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company
1305 West Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 298-2242
www.theabgb.com
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-beer-garden-brewing-company-austin-2

Home Slice Pizza: Authentic New York Pizza by the Pie or the Slice

Pizza is one of the foods that New York City is best known for, and Home Slice Pizza brings that authentic, New York-style pizza experience to the Austin area. The shop has an eclectic, stylish interior furnished with exposed brick, funky wall art, and mouthwatering pizzas sitting atop metal tiers on every table. There’s also a spacious outdoor patio for those customers brave enough to face the Texas heat.

This independent pizzeria makes all of its pies by hand, tossing the dough high into the air, just like you see in the movies. For guests who are over 21, the restaurant serves a basic selection of beer and wine to accompany your meal. Home Slice Pizza is available either by the pie or by the slice for smaller appetites, but no matter how you slice it, this is one Austin’s most beloved pizzerias.

Home Slice Pizza is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. The shop is closed on Tuesdays.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 S. Congress Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437
www.homeslicepizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/home-slice-pizza-austin

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