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Popular Vegetarian Restaurants in Austin, Texas

September 18, 2014 by

Austin is quickly becoming one of the most buzzed about food cities in the country, and its growing vegetarian restaurant scene is a major part of that growth. Here is just a sample of the area’s favorite meat-free restaurants.

Mother’s Cafe
With a casual atmosphere and convenient take-out and delivery services, Mother’s Cafe is one of Austin's go-to eateries for fast and affordable vegetarian and vegan food. One vegan and one vegetarian soup option is prepared daily, and the menu also includes a variety of fresh, colorful salads to choose from. Enchiladas and sandwiches are just as hearty and delicious as their meat-filled counterparts, and Mother’s Cafe also offers a weekend brunch that’s very popular among locals.

Mr. Natural
This impressive restaurant includes a bakery, juice bar, health food store, and even a yoga studio all in one place. The bakery offers cakes and pastries in gluten-free, vegan, and sugarless options to suit any diet, and the restaurant’s regular menu features creative vegetarian dishes for its weekly lunch specials, weekend brunch, and any other time of the day.

Swad Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
Indian restaurants are already popular among vegetarians because of their many meat-free options, but Swad Indian Vegetarian Restaurant is one of the only ones in Austin to offer an entirely meat-free menu!

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Plant 101: What’s the Difference Between a Cactus and a Succulent?

August 21, 2014 by

Fun to collect and easy to care for, succulents and cacti are popping up everywhere, from home decor blogs to the pages of interior design magazines. In fact, you might even have a few of these trendy plants on your windowsill right now! But what exactly is a succulent, and what differentiates a succulent from a cactus?

In short, a succulent is a plant that stores water in its tissues. This unique system of water storage enables succulents to survive dry, drought-like conditions. Examples of succulents include aloe, agave, and some bromeliads. That said, all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti are set apart by the possession of an areole, an organ that resembles white, fluffy lumps on the body of a cactus. It's from these areoles that a cactus's flowers, spines, and branches sprout.

Cactus and Succulent Care [Lowes]
What are Succulent Plants? [Young's Garden Center]
How to Grow Healthy Succulent Plants [About]
What is a Succulent, Anyway? [Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society]
What is the difference between a Cactus and a Succulent? [Fickle Prickles]

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How to Style a Coffee Table Like a Design Pro

July 24, 2014 by

When styled correctly, a coffee table can have a positive impact on the overall aesthetic of a space. However, there's a fine line between a chic display and a cluttered mess. Here are three tips to help ensure your table is making the right statement.

1) Only display items worthy of displaying.
That is to say, if you're not proud of the item, then said item doesn't deserve a spot on your coffee table–even if it is your favorite weekly tabloid! Stash keys, spare change, stray papers, remote controls, and mail elsewhere. Or if you prefer, a decorative box can provide storage for these items.

2) Display items of varying heights.
Use an eye-catching tray and stacks of hardcover books to create the bottom-most layer of your display. Shorter candles and bowls can complement taller pieces, like oversized hurricane vases and flower arrangements. Just be sure to edit your display so that the table doesn't become cluttered.

3) Make it yours.
Your table should reflect your personality. If you have a favorite quirky collectible or a treasured family heirloom, this is the place to show it off!

How to Style Your Coffee Table Like a Pro [House Beautiful]
How to Style a Coffee Table [The Everygirl]
Styling a Coffee Table With Kimberly Hughes [West Elm]
How to Style Your Coffee Table [Style Me Pretty]

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Learning These Culinary Terms Can Help You Become a Better Cook

June 19, 2014 by

In order to create the perfect dish, you first have to understand the proper terminology. If you’re unsure of the difference between slicing and dicing, these helpful definitions will make you feel like a professional chef the next time you’re in the kitchen.

  1. Julienne. To julienne fruits or vegetables means to cut them into very thin strips. This technique is often used when you want a dish to look more attractive.
  2. Mince. When a recipe calls for mincing, it means that the food should be chopped into the tiniest possible pieces. Many chefs achieve this by using a machine like a food processor with revolving blades.
  3. Pare. This means to remove the skin from a fruit or vegetable. Using a paring knife or other peeler, you simply peel the skin away.
  4. Puree. Pureeing is often used on vegetables in soups or fruits for desserts. It means to mash the food until it’s smooth and thick, often using a blender, food processor, or even your hand.

Glossary of Basic Cooking Terms [Les Petites Gourmettes]
Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [UMN]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Better Homes & Gardens]
Culinary Terms [About.com]

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No Time to Keep a Journal? Try These 4 Apps

May 14, 2014 by

Diaries seems to be becoming a thing of the past, but keeping track of what happens during your day-to-day can prove useful later on when trying to recall memories. Plenty of smartphone apps are now available to help you track your life while on the go. Use these great apps to keep a journal on your phone, and don't worry about anyone finding your dairy under your bed!

STEP
Track where you've been, what you did, and how you felt with this private journal app. Self-described as a "smart journal," users can add pictures, express feelings with emoticons, and add text. It's easy and quick to use.

InFlow
We spend a good portion of our lives trying to figure out what makes us happy. InFlow lets you track your emotions during different times of the day. When the automatic reminder pops up, record your feelings. You can then see when you're happiest and commit more time to those activities.

Chronos
Let your phone do the journaling for you. Chronos will record your everyday activities, like when you wake up, travel to work, go to the grocery store, and any other activities you participate in. Look back to see exactly what you did during the day and mark favorite activities.

Everyday.me
This app collects all your social media activity in one place. Updates from Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, and Instagram are stored so you have a complete picture of what happened during your day. You can add thoughts directly to Everyday.me along with smiley faces to record your mood.

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3 Creative Uses for Plastic Baggies

April 17, 2014 by

Reclosable plastic baggies are great for storing just about any type of food, but did you know that baggies can be used for much more than just that? From homemade packing cushions to DIY pastry bags, here are three great ways to use baggies.

Baking
Want to make a beautifully frosted cake but don't have a pastry bag? Just use a baggie to pipe on that frosting. Fill the bag with frosting, zip it shut, then snip off one of the corners. You now have a cheap, disposable pastry bag. Baggies can also be used to break cookies for pie crusts or crackers for breading without making a mess. Place what needs to broken up in the bag, close the zipper, and smash the bag with a rolling pin.

Packing
Can't find bubble wrap? Just head to your pantry for some plastic bags. Insert a straw into the bag and close the zipper. Blow air through the straw to inflate the bag. Quickly remove the straw and close the zipper the rest of the way. Now you have homemade packing material!

Traveling
Going on vacation? Place soap, shampoo, and conditioner into a zipped baggie. This way if one of the bottles starts to leak, your clothes won't be ruined. You can also keep items like cell phones and cameras from getting sandy at the beach by packing them in a plastic bag before placing them in your beach bag.

101 New Uses for Everyday Things [Real Simple]
12 Clever Uses for Ziploc Bags [SavingStar]

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How to Organize Your Bedroom in 4 Simple Steps

March 20, 2014 by

The bedroom is supposed to be for sleeping, but for many of us, it’s also where we eat, where we work, and where we lounge around with the whole family. You bedroom takes a lot of wear and tear, but these four simple steps will help you to organize it with ease.

  1. Make your closet work for you. If your closet is overflowing with clothes and shoes, reassess what you need it to do. Add extra shelving if you have an abundance of sweaters, or invest in higher quality hangers if things are always falling on the floor. Having an organized closet takes a major weight off your shoulders.
  2. Keep furniture free of clutter. If your nightstands are covered in decorative knick knacks or personal items, minimize them. Keep only a few functional items on these surfaces, such as a bedside lamp or a jewelry box for storing rings and bracelets.
  3. Update your bed. Invest in a matching sheet and comforter set, or use a simple quilt for warmer weather. Having a full set that functions properly eliminates the need for lots of blankets and pillows that don’t match.
  4. Maximize storage potential. If you still need extra storage space, look in unexpected areas. Purchase a headboard with built-in shelves, or add rolling storage bins underneath your bed.

    Organizing 101 [Style at Home]
    Bedroom Organization Tips [House Beautiful]

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Tips for Hosting a Successful Dinner Party

February 20, 2014 by

Hosting a dinner party? While this may seem like a daunting task, the perfect dinner party is achievable with a little planning and preparation. Make your next dinner party a smashing success with these four tips.

1. First thing's first: Invite people you believe will get along amicably. While the food might be brilliant, the conversation should be equally enjoyable.

2. Background music is a great way to fill in the gaps at a party when mouths are busy chewing. Make a killer playlist ahead of time, and watch how it inspires the evening.

3. Ask a friend you trust for help. Put them in charge of picking up extra bags of ice or stocking up on supplies you don’t have time to run out and purchase yourself.

4. Planning ahead is essential to a perfect dinner. Familiarizing yourself with recipes, preparing dishes beforehand and having a flow to the meal will keep everyone, and you, happy.

6 Rules for a Successful Dinner Party [My Home Ideas]
101 Party Dos & Donts [House Beautiful]
How to Host a Dinner Party so Everyone Enjoys It [Lettuce Eat Kale]
Do’s and Don’ts of Hosting a Dinner Party [Rue Magazine]

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Happy Presidents’ Day

February 17, 2014 by

Remembering the courage and vision of past and present leaders, we honor and share the spirit of Presidents' Day together as a nation.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2014 by

Wishing everyone a day filled with fun and happy memories!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous
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