Having Everyone Over to Watch the Big Game? Check Out These Football-Themed Recipes!

The only thing better than seeing your team score the winning touchdown? An excuse to indulge in some utensil-free finger foods! These game-changing recipes promise to keep mouths happily snacking during the big football game—when they're not busy yelling at the TV, that is!

Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread [browneyedbaker.com]
Requiring only a loaf of bread, some cheese, garlic, and scallions, this quick and easy recipe is good in a pinch. Simply cut a grid pattern into a loaf of bread, drizzle a garlic-oil mixture over top, then pop it into the oven. After the bread has toasted, remove it from the oven, tuck cheese into all of the crevices, then continue to bake until it's golden-brown. Your guests will get a kick out of pulling the gooey, cheesy bread bites away from the loaf.

Homemade Pretzel Dogs [thefoodcharlatan.com]
This recipe creates the quitessential party snack: pigs in a blanket. These pigs, however, are tucked into made-from-scratch soft pretzel dough for a salty, savory snack your guests will love. Serve them with a bowl of yellow mustard for dipping.

Peanut Butter Football Dip [crazyforcrust.com]
For the football fanatic with a sweet tooth, this dessert dip doesn't disappoint. Cream cheese, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips are combined to create a decadent dip, which is then molded into a football shape. Serve the dip with mini pretzels for a salty-sweet treat.

Ben’s Beans: Bona Fide Brews and More

The funky atmosphere of Ben’s Beans in downtown Houston provides patrons with an extra mood boost to go along with their cup of joe. Brightly colored walls covered in local artwork enclose this cozy coffeehouse, giving it a warm touch not found in sterile, overly hip cafes. The welcoming attitude of Ben’s is just one reason to love this cafe, but the large selection of locally roasted brews are another.

Java enthusiasts will appreciate the knowledgeable baristas at Ben’s, while casual coffee drinkers will love the many different flavor options, teas, and hot cocoas available. Also serving food, Ben’s is a great place to pick up a hot or cold sandwich for lunch or treat yourself to a freshly baked pastry. The spacious parking lot and free Wi-Fi make Ben's location a convenient choice for patrons needing a workspace for the day.

Ben's Beans
1302 Dallas Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 654-8856
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bens-Beans/130312383728807
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bens-beans-houston

Enjoy a Smoothie in Houston at Smoothie King

Smoothie King, now an international franchise, grew from humble roots. Back in the 1960s, founder Steve Kuhnau ​set out to mix up a smoothie that would ease his allergies and low blood sugar. Equipped with just some fresh fruit, other nutrients and proteins, and his home blender, Steve eventually found the perfect balance. His health started improving, and in 1973 he decided to share his discovery with the masses at his first nutritional smoothie shop.

The lone shop evolved into more than 650 Smoothie King locations that, today, serve the same nutritional smoothies to customers in the continental U.S., Korea, Singapore, and the Cayman Islands. That includes a location on West Holcombe, where customers note that the staff is especially friendly and the owner often personally oversees operations.

Many of the smoothies can replace an entire meal, with anywhere from 7 to 45 grams of protein in each serving of 20 ounces. Try a Lean1 chocolate smoothie with bananas and almond. It packs 27 vitamins and minerals and 22 grams of protein into a mere 293 calories, staving off later cravings and helping your body burn fat. Or nourish your body with a fruity snack in between normal meals, such as the apple kiwi kale smoothie—it's full of illness-fighting vitamin C and antioxidants.

Smoothie King
2617 W. Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77025
(713) 661-1663
www.smoothieking.com/stores/store.php/134

www.yelp.com/biz/smoothie-king-houston-15

Happy Labor Day!

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day!

Hubcap Grill: Burgers, Fries and Bottles of Root Beer

Affectionately referred to as a "hole in the wall," the Hubcap Grill in downtown Houston is a bar and grill that wins hearts through the all-American combo of juicy burgers and crispy fries.

Don’t let the plastic patio furniture or tiny dining area fool you; Hubcap is an elitist when it comes to grilling a patty. Ordering it rare or well-done is serious business, whether you ask for the Guacamole Swiss Burger or the Triple Meat Cheeseburger. If beef isn’t your thing, try the Muffaletta Grilled Chicken Sandwich for a taste of what’s good in life, and be sure to wash it down with a bottle of icy cold root beer.

Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, Hubcap Grill's downtown Houston location is cash-only, so come prepared to slap down a few bills to get what you deserve: a thick, delicious burger and fries served with a smile from one of the best grills in the city.

Hubcap Grill
1111 Prairie Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 223-5885
www.hubcapgrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hubcap-grill-houston

Sweet Recipes for Tres Leches Cake

If you haven’t heard of tres leches cake before, you’re in for a real treat. This traditional Latin American cake combines a simple sponge cake with evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream to create a moist, delicious cake that’s unlike any other type of dessert. Here are two delicious ways to prepare a unique tres leches cake.

The Pioneer Woman’s Tres Leches Cake [The Pioneer Woman]
The Pioneer Woman’s Tres Leches Cake recipe involves a homemade sponge cake that’s already moist and delicious. She recommends drizzling the three milk mixtures all over the entire cake once it’s cool, and she even proposes the option of adding rum to give the cake an even more distinct flavor.

Tres Leches Cake [Allrecipes]
With three layers— cake itself, the filling, and the topping—this Tres Leches Cake uses a traditional recipe that makes it taste just as sweet and delicious as the original. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top to add a bit of extra spice to the rich, creamy flavor.

Break a Sweat at New Heights at Texas Rock Gym

Get climbing at Texas Rock Gym, Houston’s indoor rock climbing gym. The large space features 42 rock wall stations, five with auto-belay, as well as a designated bouldering area. Whether you are an experience climber or newbie, all skill levels are welcome here. Patrons find it a fun yet challenging activity to try when the weather forces you indoors. But unlike the mall, here you’ll get in a great workout. The friendly staff puts a lot of effort into maintaining the gym; everything is well-kept and the routes are changed regularly so the climbs don’t get too easy.

Customers can get all the rental gear necessary, a class, and all day access for just $30. If you really love rock climbing, consider becoming a member and you’ll benefit from unlimited access to the rock gym as well as yoga, Kung Fu, and Tai Chi classes. The "School of Rock" program is designed just for kids with after school and school break camps. Texas Rock Gym also offers private and group lessons for those who want to hone their skills. Try to visit on a weekday as it can get crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.

Texas Rock Gym
1526 Campbell Road
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 973-7625
http://www.texasrockgym.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/texas-rock-gym-houston-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jeffwilcox

Top-Notch Sushi Doesn’t Break the Bank at Oshii Japanese Restaurant

Located near the Greenway Plaza is Oishii Japanese Restaurant, where Houston can enjoy their favorite Japanese dishes without breaking the bank.

Stop by for lunch or dinner and select from sashimi, sushi rolls, noodle dishes, and crispy tempura plates. Favorites include udon noodles with vegetable tempura, grilled salmon smothered in teriyaki sauce, and the chef’s choice sashimi and sushi plates. There is a decent selection of maki, including Philadelphia and rainbow rolls, and it’s relatively inexpensive. You can also opt to order sushi or sashimi by the piece.

Regulars rave about the happy hour specials and casual atmosphere, claiming that Oishii is one of their favorite places to gather with friends for sushi or a bento box. The area is quite small, so expect parking to be tight and consider walking if you can. There is often a wait, but table turnover is quite quick.

Oshii Japanese Restaurant
3764 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77046
(713) 621-8628
http://www.oishiihouston.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oishii-restaurant-houston

Train Your Brain With These 3 Apps

When trying to get healthy, there are countless smartphone apps to help keep us on track. These apps let you track your calories, workouts, and even give you healthy alternatives to junk food. While it's important to keep our bodies in shape, it's also important to keep our minds in shape. Check out these great apps to help keep your mind sharp.

Lumosity
Enhance your memory and attention to detail with Lumosity. This app designs a training program just for you to improve your brain function through games. You'll feel like you're just playing a game, when in reality you're exercising your mind.

Clockwork Brain
Improve your problem solving skills with the wonderful games designed by Clockwork Brain. Sprocket the Robot guides you through creative games with a steampunk design. Have fun while enhancing language, memory, logic, and more.

Math Vs. Brain
Keep your brain sharp by solving a few math problems a day. For every problem you solve, you earn a star. When you can't figure out a problem, just use a star to unlock the answer. You can keep playing and challenging your mind.

Expect Shopping With Elbow Room at Memorial City Mall

If you haven’t been to Memorial City Mall in Houston lately, you’re missing out. This large mall has recently gone through a renaissance, transforming it from a rundown to a favorite in town. Many shoppers prefer this mall over the Galleria for its convenient location, parking, and fewer crowds. Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears and Target are anchor stores, but there is a wide range of contemporary shopping options, including everyday favorites like Ann Taylor Loft, Express, and Foot Locker. The mall boasts plenty of specialty stores, like Apple, Build-A-Bear, Pandora, Sephora, and Teavana.

The food court has been recently updated, too, with numerous selections for a quick bite to eat. Options range from good ol’ American Chick-Fil-A to Sarku Japan. If you need a full service spot to refuel, California Pizza Kitchen and The Cheesecake Factory are shoppers’ favorites. Kids love the whimsical play area that includes a carousel and train that takes little shoppers on a ride through the mall.

Memorial City Mall
900 Gessner Road
Houston TX 77024
(713) 464-8640
http://www.memorialcitymall.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/memorial-city-mall-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/www.bluewaikiki.com

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