Remembering the courage and vision of past and present leaders, we honor and share the spirit of Presidents' Day together as a nation.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14, 2014 by
Wishing everyone a day filled with fun and happy memories!
Bake Your Own Bread With These 2 Recipe Sites
February 14, 2014 by
Who doesn’t love the taste of warm, crusty bread right out of the oven? Though homemade bread may seem intimidating to many at-home chefs, these simple websites offer bread recipes for cooks of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for a sweet cinnamon raisin loaf for tomorrow’s breakfast or an elaborate multigrain baguette for a dinner party, these websites have recipes for every type of bread imaginable.
All Recipes
All Recipes is a go-to website for just about any recipe you can think of, and their bread section leaves nothing to be desired. It features recipes of the day with mouth-watering photos of breads, muffins, and biscuits, as well as a variety of staff picks that are tested by the site’s knowledgeable employees. If you have a specific bread in mind, All Recipes also offers a handy search bar that allows you to search by the name, ingredient, or purpose of the bread.
Food Network
If you’ve ever watched a show on the Food Network and wondered how to make the fresh, delicious breads from your favorite shows, the bread section of the network’s website is the place to go. This page offers simple, instructional recipes for the simplest no-knead breads to the most complex bread puddings, and they’re all ranked by level of difficulty.
Enjoy Inventive Italian Fare and a Serenade at Botticelli’s
February 11, 2014 by
Botticelli's is a family-owned Italian restaurant located right in the heart of the South Congress shopping district. Owners Andrew and Matt Botticelli work hard to ensure their restaurant serves authentic Italian food with integrity and inventiveness. Menu items include ravioli stuffed with butternut squash, pansotti pasta featuring mushrooms and ricotta cheese, and duck breast with ravioli and black pepper fig sauce.
There is a wide choice of wines and a happy hour on Sundays and Mondays, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Besides the food and drink selection, customers enjoy relaxing in the idyllic beer garden, where diners can expect to be serenaded by live music Thursdays through Saturdays. Large parties are advised to make reservations and the beer garden fills up fast, too.
Botticelli's
1321 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-1315
http://botticellissouthcongress.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/botticellis-austin
Learn to Play the Logic Game Go
February 7, 2014 by
Go is an ancient board game made up of a grid-based wooden board and circular stone pieces in black and white. Opposing players each attempt to “capture” one another’s pieces by fully surrounding them with their own pieces, and the main objective of the game is to cover a larger total area of the board than the other player. While its rules are fairly simple, Go is a strategic game that is believed to improve your logical thinking and even relieve stress.
American Go Association
Like the name implies, the American Go Association connects Go players from all around the country. On their website, you can learn the basic rules of go, research its history, and research strategies before you begin to play. The site also offers a number of different ways to play the game, including online communities, computer opponents and even information about Go clubs in your area.
British Go Association
The British Go Association also offers useful information about the rules and strategy of the game, and it even features a number of video tutorials to teach new players in a more visual way. The site also includes lists of famous Go players and more information on the classic board game.
Public Domain/Openclipart.org
Grab a Bucket of Delicious Chicken at Lucy’s Fried Chicken
February 4, 2014 by
With two locations in Austin, on South Congress and Burnet, no one has an excuse for missing out on Lucy's Fried Chicken. Try fried gizzards and livers made using a secret buttermilk blend, fried chicken spaghetti, or a blackened catfish sandwich served on Texas toast with pimento and jalapeno jelly. Of course, you can never go wrong ordering a bucket of chicken at Lucy's and sharing it between the table. Regulars also tout Lucy's as one of their favorite spots to grab a plate of oysters, raw or smothered in buffalo sauce, garlic butter, or chili sauce, and wood-fire grilled. Attempt to save room for dessert, or consider taking a slice of their homemade pies home for later.
Lucy's has a relaxed, homey atmosphere and makes a great spot for a large, casual get together or more intimate gatherings. Lucy's is open Mondays through Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Lucy's Fried Chicken
2218 College Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 297-2423
http://lucysfriedchicken.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lucys-fried-chicken-austin-2
Monitor Physical Activity by Determining Your Target Heart Rate
January 31, 2014 by
Becoming familiar with your target heart rate can help you to monitor the safety of your workout and track your fitness progress. Target heart rate is different for people of all ages and fitness levels, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created these helpful tips to teach you how to find yours.
- For moderate-intensity physical activity, a person’s target heart rate should be 50 to 70% of his or her maximum heart rate.
- Maximum heart rate can be determined by subtracting the person’s age from the number 220 and labeling the resulting number “beats per minute.”
- For vigorous-intensity physical activity, a person’s heart rate should be from 70 to 85% of his or her maximum heart rate.
- During physical activity, you can monitor your heart rate by taking your own pulse using your index and middle fingers against your neck, wrist or chest.
- Count your heartbeats in a 60-second interval and compare them to the target heart rate for your age during a particular kind of exercise.
Find out more by visiting the CDC's website!
Target Heart Rate and Estimated Maximum Heart Rate [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
Public Domain/Public Domain
Kick Your Style Into High Gear With a Visit to Allens Boots
January 28, 2014 by
Allens Boots is the place for boots in Austin's South Congress shopping district. The knowledgeable and friendly staff will help you maneuver through the rows of beautiful boots to find what you're looking for. Allens carries popular brands like Frye and Tony Lama and also offers a custom made boot service through Lucchese Boot Company. There are boots that fit every budget and every occasion, from weddings to field work.
Besides the massive selection of footwear, there is Western clothing and cowboy hats for sale, too. Ladies will enjoy slipping on a new pair of Miss Me's, and there's a good selection of Wranglers as well. Allens Boots is a great place to take out of state visitors. They'll get a kick out of the cowboy styles and the staff's Southern hospitality.
Allens Boots
1522 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-1413
http://www.allensboots.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/allens-boots-austin
Start Your Physical Activity Plan With These Motivational Tips
January 24, 2014 by
You want to lose weight and begin a healthy workout routine, but going to the gym seems so intimidating. If you’ve ever felt discouraged or frustrated with working out, this motivational guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will help you get up off the couch and onto the treadmill.
Whether you’re just getting involved with a fitness routine or simply trying to get back into the habit of working out, this guide will help you to make exercising fun and approachable. By simply replacing a few nights of watching television after dinner with a walk around the neighborhood, you can greatly improve your health and lose those excess pounds.
Many people are faced with obstacles in either their lives or their bodies that prevent them from getting enough physical activity. This guide will help you overcome obstacles like not having enough time to exercise, feeling tired and worrying about injuries, and it will even show you how you can take your children with you as you work out if you’re a busy parent.
Now that you have the motivation to make time for physical activity, you’ll start to feel better about your health and your appearance.
Getting Started with Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
Expect Local Fare and Craft Beers at Snack Bar
January 21, 2014 by
Right off South Congress is Snack Bar, an intimate eatery serving up some delicious organic, local fare. Self-described as "indie", Snack Bar proudly boasts an authentic Austin vibe, from the local food to the Texas craft beers.
Here, meats and eggs are hormone free, humanely treated, and raised on pastures. The menu is healthy and offers plenty of vegan and gluten free options. Try the fried eggs with leek, cabbage, shrimp, and bacon, or go for the bagel topped with salmon, cream cheese, and dill. Other entrees include the avocado quinoa with pineapples and banana peppers, braised lamb with couscous and dates, and the goat tostadas with avocado and pico de gallo.
Wash everything down with local craft beers from Lone Star and Fireman's #4 to Wytchmaker and Scratchin' Hippo. Regulars love the relaxing atmosphere, outdoor fire, and the dog-friendly policy at Snack Bar.
Snack Bar
1224 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-2626
http://snackbaraustin.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/snack-bar-austin
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