It may seem difficult to change how you eat. But if you'd like to begin eating a more healthful diet, one of the best ways to do it is to start with some small, incremental changes. These tips from the NIH can help simplify the process of making positive changes to your daily diet.

Here's just some of the site's advice:

• Make a grocery list before you shop. It may seem obvious, but planning meals in advance can prevent you from becoming frustrated and reaching for frozen meals.
• Buy a new fruit every time you go to the grocery store. Have you ever tried papaya? If not, it can be a fun way to discover a new favorite fruit!
• When you go out to eat, share entrees! Portion sizes have become increasingly larger in recent years, and sharing helps to cut calories and avoid overeating.
• Change your cooking techniques. Often it’s not the foods you prepare that are unhealthy, but the ways you cook them. Instead of frying chicken, grill or bake it. Instead of using heavy oils, cook with olive or coconut oil instead. Seasoning with herbs and spices instead of heavy sauces also helps to reduce the fat in your meals.

To find more simple tips for eating more healthfully, visit the NIH website.

Public Domain/Public Domain

You don’t have to go to New York or Paris to window shop top international designers. Just spend an afternoon at Houston’s Galleria. As one of the largest malls in the country, this mall is filled with high-end stores like Burberry, Cartier, Chanel, Coach, Ermenegildo Zegna, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Tiffany & Co., and more. Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and two Macy’s anchor the mall.

There are plenty of options for those with a more limited wardrobe budget too. Popular favorites like American Eagle, Banana Republic, Express, and J. Crew have stores here. You can shop Apple, and Microsoft, as well as Brookstone, Sony, and LEGO. There are even Porsche Design and Tesla stores. Looking for a Texas-themed gift for an out of state friend? Stop by Gifts of Texas for a unique souvenir.

Many come for the indoor skating rink and to stroll around the seemingly endless complex. Grab a gelato from Café Dolce Gelato and stroll the mall window shopping and people watching. The Galleria is the hottest mall in Houston, and it’s crowded compared to other area malls, so be prepared. For those that don’t want to drive around looking for a parking spot, the paid valet and express parking may be solutions.

The Galleria
5085 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-0663
http://www.simon.com/mall/the-galleria
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-galleria-houston

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/twobears2

Café Brussels is a cozy neighborhood bistro that’s quickly become a favorite dining spot. Fans of Belgian beer love the fact that the café has the largest selection of the country’s beers on tap in Houston. Chimay Blanche, Hoegaarden, and Stella Artois are just a few of the brews you can nestle up to at this warm, friendly spot. The food menu features classic Belgian dishes like Moules Marinieres – mussels steamed in white wine, Le Lapin aux Pruneaux – rabbit leg with prunes, and Le Cordon Bleu – chicken stuffed with ham & swiss cheese. Be sure to save room for a luscious dessert like Dame Blanche – vanilla ice cream with warm chocolate sauce & whipped cream.

Cafe Brussels is open Mondays through Saturdays for lunch and dinner, Sunday brunch.

Cafe Brussels
1718 Houston Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 222-6996
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-brussels-houston