It’s Always Taco Time at El Taquito

Head to South Austin's El Taquito for amazing tacos. Regulars rave that this little taqueria is one of the best in town. The meats are moist and well-seasoned, and the salsas are perfectly spiced. The menu is mostly tacos and enchiladas, but there are some breakfast options as well.  The Barbacoa and Al Pastor tacos are big favorites. The salsa bar provides many options to top your meal — make sure to give the roasted red pepper salsa a try. El Taquito offers authentic mexican beverages too, like La Fresca and Horchata, a cinnamon rice milk. They're open well past midnight every night so you can enjoy tasty tacos after a night on the town. Just don’t expect fast service — this place is quite laid back.

El Taquito
1713 E. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78741
(512) 851-8226
www.yelp.com/biz/el-taquito-austin

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Wishing you a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day full of luck and laughter.

Five of the Planet’s Healthiest Foods

As a New Year swings into motion, many people make resolutions to lead a healthier lifestyle. Whether or not you’ve put “better health” at the top of your resolutions list this year, you’ll benefit from adding some of these nutrient-dense superfoods into your diet:
 
Kale
Kale is a dark green leafy vegetable that is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with Vitamins K, C, and A, as well as many other health-enriching vitamins and minerals. It is noted as a particularly strong food source in the prevention of cancer, due to its antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Kale is easy to grow, wash, and prepare, and can be used in a variety of dishes. 
 
Blueberries
Blueberries continually land on the top of healthy food lists, known for having one of the highest antioxidant capacities among all fruits, vegetables, seasonings, and spices. Many studies have shown that their unique phytonutrient content has a positive effect on the human cardiovascular system. They can be delicious when eaten in pies and other cooked dishes but are particularly beneficial to one’s health when consumed raw.
 
Garlic
Garlic is an undeniably scrumptious and aromatic enhancement to countless dishes and it has the added benefit of being one of the healthiest foods you can consume. Studies have shown that garlic can lower blood triglycerides and total cholesterol while also protecting blood cells and vessels from inflammatory stress.  
 
Spelt
Spelt is a highly nutritious grain with a rich nutty flavor. Think of it as wheat’s much healthier cousin. In fact, it can often be used as a smart alternative for wheat in products such as pasta and bread. Packed with manganese, protein, copper, and zinc, spelt can help with lowering cholesterol, protecting against heart failure, contributing to cancer prevention, and even combatting childhood asthma, among a host of other notable health benefits.
 
Beets
Beets possess a unique phytonutrient content that makes them strong providers of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. Beets help protect against heart disease, certain cancers, and birth defects, and recent studies have shown that the lutein and zeaxanthin in beets make them particularly effective at maintaining eye health. Beets can make tasty and colorful additions to salads and main dishes.

Regal Ravioli: Fit For a King

Don’t let the food truck fool you — South Austin's Regal Ravioli is fit for a king.

It serves homemade ravioli and gnocchi made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.  The small menu is packed with flavor, like roasted beet caramelized onion and orange zest ravioli, or spicy sausage and bell peppers ravioli.  Their sauces won’t let you down either; lamb bolognese, pecan pesto … it's all fresh, it's all good. The individual raviolis are huge, but they're so good that you'll be left wanting more!  Food is made to order — even the ravioli stuffing — so the wait might be a bit longer than a typical food truck. But it's worth it. Oh, it's worth it.

Note: Regal Ravioli only serves dinner. And it does so well.

Regal Ravioli
504 West Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 364-9752
www.yelp.com/biz/regal-ravioli-austin

Remember! Daylight Savings Time!

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour this Sunday at 2:00 AM!

New Facebook Sweepstakes! 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 April 30, 2013.

Our Ipad Mini Winner!

Meet Scott! He is our new resident who won an iPad Mini just for leasing an apartment. Hope you enjoy your new toy!

What Are The Best Hybrid Cars?

As the price of gas continues to rise, hybrid cars have become one of the fastest-growing markets in new car sales in the United States. As you have probably seen, a number of manufacturers now have hybrid models on the market — ranging from compacts to trucks. Below we'll share some of the most popular hybrids available, and see how they stack up for efficiency, comfort, and utility.

Ford Fusion Hybrid
Ford’s newest modification of their Fusion sedan has won it a number of prestigious awards. This hybrid offers higher fuel efficiency than many other hybrids out there, however, several models had to be recalled due to software errors, so do your research.

Toyota Prius
The Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The Prius now has had over a decade to develop into the poster child for hybrid vehicle. This compact is surprisingly roomy and very comfortable, and gets excellent mileage and has great performance, making it the best all-purpose hybrid car.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
This fabulous family sedan is a new contender on the market, and it delivers great performance, remarkable fuel efficiency and a lengthy warranty. The one complaint some drivers have is that it lacks headroom for very tall people, so be sure to test drive and see for yourself.

Chevrolet Volt
The Volt has had a rougher start on the market, as it combines a pure electric drive with an optional gas engine. Unlike the other cars on this list, it has a plug-in battery that’s good for about 40 miles, then the internal combustion engine recharges it beyond that. Some complain that the required premium fuel is annoying and costly.

Lincoln MKZ
This luxury hybrid is a step up from some of the other more economical cars on this list. The MKZ boasts an impressive powertrain, plenty of passenger space, and is an excellent value for the money. It has a very smooth ride and unbeatable fuel economy.

The Institution Theater: A Laugh Factory

Get in touch with your funny bone at The Institution Theatre, which teaches the art of improvisation, sketch writing, and comedic acting. Their classes are fun and focus on a difficult thing — being yourself! Whether you're an actor looking to hone your chops or a doctor looking to let off steam, there's a place for you here. Instructors have impressive comedy credentials from around the country, including Chicago’s Second City. And if you just want a laugh, the school features weekly performances at just $7 a ticket. 
 

The Institution Theater
3708 Woodbury Dr
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 895-9580
www.yelp.com/biz/the-institution-theater-austin

 

Flipnotics: Live Music Daily

Flipnotics is a laid-back coffee shop in South Austin's Barton Springs neighborhood. This little cafe has a legion of fans that enjoy the comfy atmosphere and reasonably-priced drinks. In addition to caffeine, Flipnotics makes a mean milkshake — try the moonquake with a double shot of espresso in vanilla ice cream blended with bananas. Light snacks include pastries, pie, breakfast tacos, and empanadas. The cafe is surrounded by decks, so you can enjoy your coffee and relax in the sun. Need distraction or inspiration? There's live music every night of the week.
 

Flipnotics
1601 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 480-8646
www.flipnotics.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/flipnotics-coffeespace-cafe-austin

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