Blissful Buckwheat: 5 Great Ways To Prepare This Healthy Grain

Sure, you've heard of buckwheat pancakes, but buckwheat's not just for breakfast. Ok, so this healthful crop isn't actually a grain — it's more like a fruit, and it can be enjoyed in some pretty interesting and tasty ways.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Wishing all moms a wonderful day filled with much love and happiness!

What Will You Find in the Austin Enchanted Forest?

Keep your eyes peeled for events at the Austin Enchanted Forest, an outdoor, wooded venue space in south Austin. These woods host a variety of events, from concert to art fairs. Past events include “silent discos” where you wear headphones and choose your DJ; fire-spinning parties; burlesque shows; and Art Outside, the annual spring art fair that features repurposed street art. The Forest is also known for a fearsome haunted house every October. You never know what you'll find in these woods …

Austin Enchanted Forest
1412 W Oltorf St
Austin, TX 78704
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-enchanted-forest-austin

Our new Facebook Sweepstakes has started! Enter to Win an iPad mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, Like our Facebook page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook page to enter. Sweepstakes ends June 30th, 2013. For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter http://respage.com/facebook-sweepstakes-form.html.

Have You Seen These Three Cult Classic Movies?

If you’re looking for a classic film to enjoy, why not go for an out-of-the-ordinary choice rather than one of the traditional classics you've seen a hundred times? Below are three unusual film choices certain to satisfy your appetite for novelty:
 
Bottle Rocket
This charming film from 1996 by Wes Anderson, features Owen and Luke Wilson as aspiring criminals planning a complicated book-store robbery scheme. Their plan leads them down a path of unexpected twists and turns. The movie features a host of quirky and unforgettable characters and dramatic situations that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Big Clock
This unique film noir classic, directed in 1948 by James Farrow, tells the story of a crime-magazine editor sent on a mission to obtain the identity of a murderer. The film features stunning cinematography and masterfully combines a number of different tones, ranging from serious to mystical to funny. 

Brazil
This Terry Gilliam film from 1985 has Orwellian undertones in its exploration of a British dystopia. The movie follows the story of a civil servant who falls in the love with a mysterious and elusive girl, while all around him the world is run by impossibly complicated government systems that enmesh even the most basic human activities in bureaucratic tangles. 
 
 

Baking Tip: How To Tell If Your Baking Soda Has Expired

Baking soda and baking powder both have quite a long shelf life. But they won't last forever, and The Kitchn has helpfully offered some simple hacks to figure out whether your baking soda and baking powder are still good:

Baking Powder
Stir 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder into 1/2 cup of very hot water. The soda will immediately start to bubble if it's still good.

Baking Soda
Use the same method, but add 1/4 teaspoon of vinegar to the water before adding the soda. As before, if it bubbles up, your baking soda is still good to use.

Don't see any bubbles? You'll need to buy more. A bit of fizz means there's still some life left in them. Learn more over at The Kitchn.

Central Market: “An Amusement Park for Food Lovers”

Grocery shoppers in the Austin area know that there’s a superb spot to visit when you’re looking for the best bread, produce and other edible goods, and that’s Central Market. The popular chain actually started in Austin with a mandate to bring as much fresh food from all over Texas to local shoppers as possible, describing it as “an amusement park for food lovers,” and it’s grown significantly since the early days. Now customers rave about the excellent selection and fair prices. The produce section here is absolutely enormous, featuring both the staples and some more unusual products, all kept fresh. If you’re feeling peckish, stop in at the store’s café for some excellent pre-cooked food. The tamales in particular are quite popular, but everything here is great. Some complain that the aisles are too narrow, but with the sheer volume of stuff they pack into this store, it’s kind of a necessity.

Central Market
4477 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 899-4300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/central-market-austin

Make These Easy Pasta Salad Recipes Tonight!

If the words "pasta salad" conjure up images of mayonnaise and barbecues, you're not alone. But, there are actually a variety of ways to make delicious, savory pasta dishes that won't make you feel like you're picnicking. Below are five pasta salad ideas that break from tradition to provide outstanding flavor!

Caprese Salad
Draw inspiration from the Italian caprese salad, and season your pasta, such as hearty rigatoni, with fresh basil, good olive oil, vine-ripened tomatoes, and chunks of mozzarella. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste, and you're all set!

Greek Pasta
Taking your cue from Greek Salad, add a mix of cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, tangy feta cheese, and robust olives to the pasta. Try using mostaccioli, the small, curved pasta named after the mustache, as the base of the salad so all the elements are comparable in size. Complete it a dressing of olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice.

Soba Noodles
Prepare a pasta salad an Asian cuisine feel by using soba noodles, which are made from earthy buckwheat flour. Season the noodles with soy sauce and sesame oil, and top it with slivers of carrots and diced scallions for a delicious, simple dish that offers take-notice flavors.

Mediterranean Side
For an alternative to pasta salad, make tabbouleh instead. This side makes use of kernels of bulgur wheat instead of pasta, and seasons them with a combo of finely-diced mint and parsley. It’s a wonderful option if you're tired of noodles!

The Carillon: Ring The Bells

Austin’s culinary scene has been booming in recent years, with a number of focused, motivated chefs bringing new perspectives in fine dining to grateful eaters. Chef Josh Watkins’ tenure at The Carillon began in 2008, after he returned to Texas and worked alongside famed chef David Bull at the Driskill Grill. Watkins appeared alongside Bull on TV show Iron Chef America, where he showed off his impressive skills, and not long after he was recruited to open the Carillon. Every aspect of this restaurant is top-notch. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, the décor is classy and comfortable, and the food is some of the best you’ll find in town. Frequent diners rave about the incredible spinach salad with house bacon and poached egg yolk, as well as the duck leg confit with root vegetables and white bean cassoulet. They also offer both three-course and six-course tasting menus, which come highly recommended.

The Carillon
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 404-3655
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-carillon-austin-2

Foot Care Tips for an Active Lifestyle

Your feet are one of the most important parts of your body, and you subject them to a lot of abuse every single day. Foot pain can be seriously debilitating, whether it be from strains, blisters or other issues. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your feet in good shape.

The most important thing you can do for your feet is wearing the right kind of shoe. Not only should they fit snugly, but they should also be appropriate for the kind of activity you are doing. Different kinds of shoes are designed for different things, so make sure your shoe offers the ideal combination of support and comfort.

Good sock selection is also very important. It’s important to wear socks that will wick moisture away from your feet as you exercise. Excess moisture left on the skin can result in blisters, fungal infections and more.

Toenail care is essential for healthy feet. You should always trim your toenails in straight lines perpendicular to your toes. This prevents ingrown nails and other issues. Make sure not to trim down the side of the nail.

If you feel anything unusual with your feet, you should consult a podiatrist immediately. Left undiagnosed, foot problems can lead to very significant health issues that can impact you greatly.

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