Tiny Boxwood’s: Classy & Casual Dining

At Tiny Boxwood’s restaurant, it’s about the whole package: the food, the ambiance and the service. Together, they make the whole dining experience memorable. Located in Highland Village, you’ll find cuisine with a French flair, any time of the day. You’ll like the clean, classic dining room, or dine on the patio. Come for breakfast or brunch and try the grilled bread plate with homemade jam, eggs, quiche or morning cheese. The lunch menu includes tasty soups, salads and sandwiches, and check out the chef’s seafood special or any other dinner course, and you’ll be satisfied. Mid-afternoon, come in for a nice respite with cheese and wine! Tiny Boxwood’s is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

Tiny Boxwood’s
3614 W. Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 622-4224
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tiny-boxwoods-houston

Use This Calculator to Find Your Recommended Fruit and Vegetable Intake

How many fruits and vegetables should you eat each day? It’s a common question, but many people don’t realize that there is no right answer. The recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake varies from person to person, and it depends on factors like age, gender and physical activity level. This simple online calculator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can help you find yours.

Enter some simple info into the calculator, and it will estimate how many servings of fruits and vegetables you should be eating each day. It will also suggest staying active by undertaking a certain amount of exercise each day.

Once the calculator determines your recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake, it explains the best ways to meet those goals. For example, one small apple counts as one cup of fruit, and only 6 baby carrots count as 1/2 cup of vegetables. If the calculator recommends that you eat 2 cups of fruit per day, you can easily meet that goal before lunchtime!

How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Need? [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Public Domain/Public Domain

Hermann Park Conservatory: Pack a Picnic

Plan a date or family outing at Hermann Park Conservatory, a Houston favorite for couples and families alike. Its location in the Museum District makes it ideal for an afternoon relaxing after visiting the zoo and museums. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy in the Japanese Garden. There are numerous water features throughout this large park, including a reflecting pool, fountain, and McGovern Lake. Weekend paddleboats provide a fun activity, as does a train that traverses the park. Joggers enjoy the exercise trail shaded by live oak trees. The park is a favorite setting for special occasion photographs, so bring your best camera and snap away.

Throughout the year, the park hosts numerous events, including a Kite Festival in the spring. There are regularly art installations throughout the park, which provide interesting and contemplative backdrops for an afternoon picnic.

Hermann Park Conservatory
6201-A Hermann Park Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 524-5876
http://www.hermannpark.org
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hermann-park-conservancy-houston-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/hummymummy

Vinoteca Poscol: Good Wine, Good Food

Vinoteca Poscol is the place to go for classic Italian food, complemented by a great selection of wines. Located near Cherryhurst Park, Vinoteca Poscol is actually named after the chef’s hometown street. When you come in, you’ll like the subdued décor and quiet ambiance. Folks rave about the service, too. The chef makes all of his “small plates” with specific wines in mind, so ask your server for recommendations. There’s a great selection of cheese and meat trays, finger sandwiches, flatbreads, pastas and risottos to enjoy and share. What a great place to go for happy hour, dinner or a late night bite!

Vinoteca Poscol is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Vinoteca Poscol
1609 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-2797
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vinoteca-poscol-houston-2

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today.

Enjoy Eggplant Parm and People-Watching at Empire Cafe

Located on busy Westheimer Road is Empire Cafe, a romantic little spot to grab your morning coffee or brunch with a couple of your best friends. The decor is distinctly European, while the friendly, laid-back service leaves you feeling right at home.

Pick from coffee served with a variety of syrups (or perhaps a splash of Bailey's Irish Cream and Kahlua), or select from teas like blackberry sage and cinnamon plum. The breakfast menu boasts a number of delicious egg dishes, while lunch offers eggplant parmigiana, goat cheese and mushroom ravioli, and a delicious variety of pizzas big enough to share with a friend or take home for later.

The patio at Empire Cafe is a must when the weather is nice and makes a great spot for people watching. Empire Cafe is open Sundays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Empire Cafe
1732 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 528-5282
http://empirecafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/empire-cafe-houston

Public Domain/Public Domain

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 30th, 2014.

For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter!

Track Your Exercise With These Running Logs

If you love running and constantly try to beat your own best time, online running logs are incredibly helpful tools. Even if you’re a beginner runner, these handy logbooks can help you to keep track of your runs and praise yourself for a week with no days off. Here are two online running logs to help you find the motivation to keep on running.

LogYourRun
If you’re simply looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense running log, this one is for you. LogYourRun offers an exercise log where you can enter your runs, track your weekly times, distance, and pace, and even keep track of your weight. It offers maps of the best running routes in your area, and the impressive import feature allows you to import data from your mobile device or other websites.

MapMyRun
Specifically tailored toward your area, MapMyRun is a mobile app and online website that helps you train for an upcoming race or simply compare your personal runs. It allows you to create a challenge and alerts you once you’ve met your goal, and it also includes pre-made training plans that act just like a running coach. With a simple interface and a handy mobile platform, MapMyRun is a great tool for any tech-savvy runner.

Catalina Coffee: Nice Pours from Locally Roasted Beans

For quality coffee without the chain atmosphere, try Houston’s Catalina Coffee, a simple cafe that focuses on quality beverages. Customers rave about the well balanced flavors from the locally roasted beans. If you are looking for a pour over, you can find one here, along with all the espresso drink standards.

Whether you judge a coffee shop by their regular cup of joe or a latte, you’ll be impressed with Catalina’s, and they are reasonably priced at $1.95 for a cup of coffee. Fresh pastries are delivered daily. Bring a book since they don’t offer Wi-Fi. This cafe features simple rustic-modern decor with indoor and outdoor seating.

Catalina Coffee
2201 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-8448
http://catalinacoffeeshop.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/catalina-coffee-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/wordridden

Local Pour: Fine Food and Fine Beer in Houston, Texas

Houston's Local Pour is a primo spot for enjoying a fine beer while you catch the big game on the big screen. It’s also a great place to get down with some live music.

Go there to enjoy one of their huge roster of draft and bottled beers. Local Pour's weekend brunch is a great time to stop in for Eggs Benedict Florentine, St. Arnold Belgian Waffle, Mushroom & Arugula Quiche, Shrimp & Grits, or Breakfast Tacos with charred corn salsa.

Tasty sandwiches are also on the menu.  Choose from Chicken & Avocado, and Bavarian Black Forest Ham, among other options. Local Pour's entrée menu features taste pleasers like Sirloin Beef Kabobs, Grilled Scallops & Roasted Leeks, Wild Mushroom & Shrimp Risotto, and Herb Roasted Grilled Chicken.

Local Pour
1952 West Gray
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 521-1881
http://www.localpourhouston.com/

Pin It on Pinterest