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Two Great Websites for Muffin Recipes

If you’re growing tired of the usual blueberry muffin recipe, it might be time to switch things up in the kitchen. Put your baking skills to the test with these wonderful muffin recipes from two of the best recipe sites from around the web..

Cooking Light
Cooking Light’s list of Healthy Muffin Recipes is the perfect resource for the health-conscious baker. Muffins don’t need to be packed with calories in order to taste great, and there are a number of simple ingredient substitutions that can help to make your muffins a bit more nutritious. The Tuscan Lemon Muffins are made with olive oil and fresh lemon juice instead of sugary sweeteners or phony flavors, and even the seemingly indulgent Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Muffins are a bit healthier than the store-bought kind.

Martha Stewart
For truly creative muffin recipes, Martha Stewart’s website is one of the best resources. Beautiful photos provide endless inspiration, while the easy-to-follow recipes are simple enough for even the amateur home baker. Try the easy Applesauce Muffins with light, fluffy icing, or bake some Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins for a thicker consistency and sweet, spicy flavor. Whether you prefer something dessert-like or a muffin that’s a bit more savory, Martha Stewart has a muffin recipe for everyone.

Wellness Event

Discover Wellness! Saturday, January 31st 10:00am-11:00am in our club house theater. Join us and see how nature and science can change your life style. Call 512-743-0373 to RSVP.

Tap Your Foot to the Beat at The Roost in Austin

Many music lovers say that few things in this world are better than an evening of foot-stomping, hand-clapping live music, and that's just what The Roost delivers. Once you visit this Austin club, you'll likely understand exactly why it’s such a local hotspot. Shows range from blues performers to rock bands, small local acts to internationally-known musicians, so there's something to suit just about everyone's taste.

With professional lighting that creates a concert-like atmosphere, several bars located throughout the venue, and a lively, dancing crowd, The Roost cultivates a festival-like atmosphere. Yelp reviewers say that sight lines and acoustics are top-notch, and there's plenty of seating available for music aficionados who prefer to sit and relax. The Roost does not serve food, but patrons are welcome to bring in snacks from the neighboring taqueria or crawfish shack.

Check the website for a current calendar of shows and to buy your tickets before they sell out.

The Roost
2113 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 394-5727
theroostaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-roost-austin

How to Care for Fresh-Cut Flowers

You just received a colorful bouquet from a sweet admirer, and you want to make the beautiful flowers last for as long as you can. There are a few tips for caring for fresh-cut flowers that will help you to keep that bouquet looking fresh for as long as possible, and they’re actually surprisingly simple.

  1. Place them in water quickly. This one may seem like a no brainer, but every second counts when it comes to preserving the life of your fresh-cut flowers. Be sure to place the flowers in a vase as soon as possible.
  2. Cut flowers under water. It is fairly common knowledge that cutting the lower portion of the flower’s stem will help it to absorb water, but many experts agree that cutting the stem while it is submerged will help it even more by ensuring that no air enters.
  3. Always use a preservative. If your fresh flowers come with a small sachet of powder preservatives, be sure to add the powder to the water before placing the flowers in the vase. Alkaline-heavy water can reduce the lifespan of flowers, but preservatives help neutralize the water.
  4. Store flowers in a cool spot. Although you likely want to keep your flowers on display when you are at home, place them in the refrigerator when you leave the house in order to lengthen their lifespan.

Cut-Flower Care—How to Make Your Fresh-Cut Flowers Last [Brooklyn Botanic Garden]
Keeping cut flowers and flowering plants [University of Minnesota]

The Stonehouse Wood Fire Grill: Al Fresco Dining in Austin

In January 2012, The Stonehouse Wood Fire Grill brought the newest outdoor dining concept to Austin. The restaurant serves up a variety of American, Mediterranean, and Spanish fare flavors. Visit the outdoor picnic area and dine on Mediterranean fare such as veggie pitas or fire-grilled kabobs of tender lamb, marinated chicken, or spicy garlic mushrooms. There’s also a selection of burgers made with seven-ounce patties hand-formed using fresh-ground Angus beef and set atop a locally baked bun.

Every third Wednesday, stop in for SteakNights, one of the many monthly events at The Stonehouse Wood Fire Grill. Other events may have you enjoying your meal with live music or yard games. If you want to take the party to your own special event, try the restaurant’s catering services!

The Stonehouse Wood Fire Grill
5400 Balcones Drive
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 769-6478
www.thestonehousegrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/stonehouse-wood-fire-grill-austin

How to Tackle Stubborn Coffee, Wine and Ink Stains

Your morning cup of coffee is a beautiful sight for weary eyes—but not when it's spilled down the front of your go-to work shirt. Keep these stain-fighting tips handy so you can meet common household stains with a plan of attack.

To remove coffee and tea stains:
Coffee and tea are categorized as "tannin" stains. These types of stains should be treated with detergent as opposed to soap. If the fabric is washable, you'll want to pre-treat the stain with a stain remover, then toss the garment into the wash with an enzyme detergent on the hottest water temperature permissible for the fabric. If you prefer, you can pre-treat the stain with a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts water, then wash.

To remove wine stains:
Also a tannin stain, wine stains are easier to remove when fresh. First, blot the stain using a lint-free towel to remove as much of the wine as possible. Before the stain can dry and "set" into the fabric, soak the garment in a solution of water and oxygen-based laundry booster. Afterwards, wash the garment in a regular laundry cycle of hot water.

To remove ink stains:
Place a towel underneath the stain, then blot the ink with another lint-free towel that's dampened with rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will transfer the ink to the towel that's underneath the shirt, so don't use your favorite bath towel for this method!

17 Easy Stain Removal Tips [Lifescript]
Stain Removal Tricks and Shortcuts [Real Simple]
Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal [Ohio State University]
6 Easy Recipes for Removing Nasty Stains [Wonder HowTo]

La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights: Macarons, Coffee, and More

The French know how to do dessert, from their decadent pastries to their delicately flavored macarons. La Patisserie offers all of these French delicacies and more right in the heart of Austin’s Pflugerville neighborhood, and the bakery features a stylish interior that’s equally as sweet. Glass display cases show off La Patisserie’s colorful baked goods, while hardwood floors, antique bookcases, and gleaming chandeliers offer a touch of charm.

The shop’s brightly colored macaron is one of La Patisserie's most popular desserts, but regulars also adore the pain au chocolat and the cream puffs. La Patisserie serves traditional French quiches and croissants for breakfast, as well as a few American breakfast dishes. For lunch, the menu comprises hot sandwiches like croque monsieur and croque madame, simple cold sandwiches, and fresh soups to go along with them. Don’t forget to grab an espresso on your way out!

Note that La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights is closed on Mondays.

La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights
602 W. Annie Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-0033
www.lapatisseriepfl.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-patisserie-austin

Where to Shop Apartment-Friendly Home Decor Online

Not all home furnishings are created equal, something apartment dwellers know all too well. Finding furniture and accessories that have dual functions and won’t take up too much space can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look. There are a few great retailers who specialize in just this type of decor, so you can buy with confidence. Here are three websites to shop for apartment-friendly home decor items.

1) Muji
Find simplistic yet functional items at Muji. This home decor website offers something for every detail of decorating, from furniture to cleaning tools.

2) West Elm
This catalog of home furnishings draws inspiration from the mid-century modern aesthetic, giving you stylish options for any sized space.

3) Urban Outfitters
The apartment living section of this hip, youthful retailer has a great selection of home decor items for renters. Find colorful tapestries, rugs, and wall art that will make your apartment feel unique and chic.

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