Although some bookstores are having problems in this age of Amazon delivery and e-readers, there's still a place in this world for high-quality retail establishments like McKay Used Books. This Manassas staple has built a legion of devoted customers by offering excellent prices and a staggering selection of used books. This is an awesome bookstore to explore, with bargains hidden around every corner. Book fans rave that the values here are better than anywhere in the country, with a wide selection of rare and out of print books on sale at excellent prices. Sellers love the fact that they will give up to 40% of the sale prices on books, CDs, DVDs, and games. You don’t need to make an appointment to bring in merchandise, as they take it whenever the store is open.

McKay Used Books
8345 Sudley Road
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 361-9042
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mckay-used-books-manassas

Cutting meat out of your diet is an admirably healthy choice, but it can be difficult to find meatless recipes. If you’re growing bored of standard tofu, these exciting vegetarian recipes will help you mix things up.

Caribbean Casserole
Full of spicy, tropical flavors, this Caribbean Casserole is a unique alternative to regular vegetarian dishes. Though many Caribbean recipes include meats like jerk chicken, this one contains no meat and gets its protein from flavorful black beans.

Lentils With Brown Rice and Kale
Kale is a superfood beloved for its numerous health benefits, and it has become a staple in many vegetarians’ diets. This hearty recipe combines kale with protein-rich lentils and flavorful onions, and then places them over brown rice to create a nutritious and filling meal. With 21 grams of protein and only 9 grams of fat, this dish provides vegetarians with everything they’re missing from not eating meat in a much leaner way.

Three-Bean Chili With Chunky Tomatoes
It may seem impossible to eat chili as a vegetarian, but this completely meatless recipe is an almost indistinguishable alternative. The protein-packed blend of three different types of beans makes a sturdy base, while the variety of spices gives this dish the zesty flavor that you love from a good chili.

To browse even more healthy vegetarian recipes, check out the NIH website here.

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If you're craving authentic Thai food, one place to find it nearby is Siam Classic in Old Town Manassas. Tucked away on a side street, this place may be a little unassuming from the outside. On the inside, this cozy eatery is usually busy with delighted diners. Visit and you’ll be greeted by Siam Classic's friendly, attentive waitstaff. You may even meet the owner, who'll likely ask how you're enjoying the food.

Siam Classic's extensive menu offers a huge number of options, and fans suggest that there isn’t a bad dish on it. They take spice seriously here (they have a 1 to 10 scale of spiciness) and the staff is happy to guide you through the menu if you're new to Thai cuisine. Noodle dishes are popular here (especially the Drunken Noodles) and guests sometimes order two or three appetizers to share.

Put it all together and this might just be one of the best Thai restaurants you'll find near The Courts at Historic Manassas. Visit Siam Classic's website to learn more!

Siam Classic
9403 East Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 368-5647
http://www.siam-classic.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/siam-classic-manassas

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/mimolag