How to Grow Cacti and Succulents—Green Thumb Not Required!

Equal parts attractive and easy to care for, cacti and succulents are just the thing to to dress up a sunny windowsill. Learn how to keep your cacti and succulents beautiful and healthy with these tips—green thumb not required!

  • Place your plant where it will get a lot of bright light, such as a sunny windowsill. Cacti and succulents grow best with four to six hours of sunlight a day.
  • Cacti do best in porous pots, which tend to allow the potting soil to dry quickly. Glazed pots don’t dry out as fast, which can lead to root rot. Opt for terra cotta pots.
  • A good soil mix is also important. You want equal parts of coarse sand and all-purpose potting mix.
  • The worst thing you could do for a cactus is to water it on a regular basis. You only need to water them when the soil is bone-dry. Sometimes this occurs once a week or sometimes it occurs once every three weeks.
  • You should repot your cactus or succulent every three to five years. This involves the removal of most of the soil from the roots and replacing the plant in the same sized pot, or larger if need be.

Cacti And Succulents Inside Your Home [Gardening Know How]
Cultivating Cacti and Succulent Plants [HGTV]
Growing Guide-Cactus [Cactusland]

Local Talent Takes the Stage at The Long Center

There are very few places in Austin that offer the variety of entertainment options provided by The Long Center, a non-profit that serves as a creative resource for the community. More than 80 percent of performances hosted here showcase the talent of local artists. Whether you’re interested in seeing ballet or the symphony, a local singer or flamenco guitarist, children’s theater or Shakespeare, The Long Center truly offers it all and then some (including one of the best views of the city skyline!).

Comprising multiple performance spaces, the building has been renovated over the years to keep with the times. The most impressive space within The Long Center is the grand hall, which seats more 2,400 people over three levels and features flawless acoustics. Most patrons seem to agree that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Be sure to visit the website for a calendar of upcoming performances!

The Long Center
701 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 457-5100
www.thelongcenter.org

Savor a Taste of Italy at Gelateria Gemelli

A bite of authentic Italian gelato from Gelateria Gemelli might be the shortest distance between Austin and Rome. The owners established Gelateria Gemelli after taking a tour around Italy to learn the time-honored craft of making gelato, which many refer to as the Italian equivalent to American ice cream.

At Gelateria Gemelli, gelato is made in small batches using organic milk and locally sourced ingredients. Staple flavors remain on the menu year-round, but most changing out seasonally. Try a decadent Valrhona chocolate or a refreshing pineapple-mint sorbetto if you’re looking for something dairy-free. After your gelato, try a signature Italian negroni or a sip of Amaro, an herbal infused Italian liqueur used to cleanse the palate. They offer a full list of cocktails, beer, wine, and prosecco if you want to sit and linger.

Gelateria Gemelli is open noon to 11 p.m. daily. If you find a flavor you can’t live without, you can take a pint of it home with you!

Gelateria Gemelli
1009 E. Sixth St
Austin, Texas 78702
(512) 535-2170
www.gelateriagemelli.com

Chow Down on Farm-to-Table Fare at Café Josie

Cafe Josie is a standout restaurant in Austin’s culinary scene, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for a relaxing business meeting or an intimate dinner with friends. White tablecloths cover the antique wooden tables throughout the dining room, while the bar is comfortable and the outdoor patio area is decorated with string lights perfect for a dinner al fresco.

Cafe Josie's menu includes farm-to-table dishes made with ingredients sourced from the Austin area, including small plates, entrées, and desserts for both lunch and dinner. Try a Wagyu burger and fresh green salad, or if you’re feeling especially hungry, opt for the Tagliatelle Primavera or goat ribs with tamarind mole. Desserts include both homemade crème brulee and a Mexican Coke float, and the beer and wine list equally impressive.

Cafe Josie
1200B W. Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 322-9226
www.cafejosie.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-josie-austin-3

Safety First! Essentials for Your Home First Aid Kit

Safety is a major concern in just about every household across the country, but you might not know exactly what to keep on hand to prevent against illness and injury. From minor cuts to major bumps and bruises, these first aid kit essentials will keep you (and your family) safe against all kinds of ailments.

  • Assorted bandages. Be sure to choose a box with a variety of shapes and sizes for all kinds of cuts.
  • Gauze bandages. To wrap arms and legs in case of a larger cut or burn.
  • Adhesive cloth tape. To securely fasten gauze bandages and wraps.
  • Instant cold pack. For soothing bruises and reducing swelling.
  • Aspirin. To reduce headaches and ease pain from minor injuries.
  • Oral thermometer. All households should have an adult thermometer, but families should also keep a children’s model on hand.
  • Non-latex gloves. For safely cleaning and dressing wounds.
  • Antihistamine. Brands like Benadryl help to reduce allergic reactions, such as bee stings.
  • Antibacterial creams. For disinfecting cuts, burns, and scrapes.
  • Antiseptic wipe packets. To quickly clean cuts and burns as soon as they happen.
  • Tweezers. To remove splinters and other small debris.
  • Rubbing alcohol. To sterilize your tools.
  • Sharp scissors. For cutting bandages, gauze, and other supplies.

First-Aid Kit Essentials [Parents]
First Aid Essentials [Healthy Essentials]
Anatomy of a First Aid Kit [American Red Cross]
First Aid Essentials [Real Simple]

Sip a Craft Beer at South Austin Brewery & Taproom

Craft beer is one of Austin’s specialties, and you’ll find it in spades at South Austin Brewery & Taproom. This cool and creative brewery offers its own distinctly Austin brews, which come complete with musical pairings in their descriptions.

The brewery recommends sipping its Six String Saison while listening to Kris Kristofferson and rocking out to Jerry Jeff Walker with a cold Kol’Beer, but it also notes that any of its well-made beers taste great while checking out a local band’s set in South Austin Brewery’s spacious taproom. Here, you’ll find a comfortable wooden bar, a red curtained stage, and even an outdoor barbecue grill that occasionally churns out juicy sausage wraps and other barbecue fare.

Beer aficionados in particular will enjoy taking a tour of the brewery, but just about everyone will enjoy sampling flights at the fun, lively bar area.

South Austin Brewery & Taproom
415 E Saint Elmo Road
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 354-BEER
www.southaustinbrewery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/south-austin-brewery-austin-3

Banh Mi Tacos Meet Habanero-Infused Margaritas at The Peached Tortilla in Austin

The Peached Tortilla is a fusion in both make and menu, as this unique business operates a food truck and a brick-and-mortar location here in Austin. The food is expressive of the restaurant's personality: an eclectic mix of Southern- and Asian-influenced dishes, like bahn mi tacos for dinner and brisket hash with kimchi miso corn for brunch. Locals say you need to return regularly to ensure you taste a bite of every dish on the list.

The Peached Tortilla's hours vary during the week, so be sure to check the website before popping by, but don’t miss happy hour, offered 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily. (Make sure you try one of the specialty cocktails, particularly the habanero-infused margarita or the Wasabi Mary, which is garnished with Thai peppers.) Another popular time to visit is during the Sunday Brunch, served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekly.

The Peached Tortilla
5520 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 222-8781
www.thepeachedtortilla.com

Bite Into Fresh Seafood at Turf N Surf Po’ Boy in Austin

You’ll discover a whole lot more than just po’ boy sandwiches at Turf N Surf Po’ Boy, a casual seafood favorite in the Austin area. This nondescript local spot may not look like much from the outside, but experienced locals know that it’s one of the best places in town for fresh and tasty fried fish.

You’ll find jalapeno hush puppies served alongside fried catfish po’ boys, and if you’re in the mood for something a bit lighter, you can also order your po’ boy topped with blackened mahi mahi or other grilled fish. All of the shrimp, lobster, and fish selections are priced at market values that change from day to day, but no matter which style you order, everything at Turf N Surf Po’ Boy tastes better when paired with the cilantro French fries.

Enjoy it all inside the colorful, bar-style eatery, or even order through the window if you’re looking to pick up food to go!

Turf N Surf Po’ Boy
407 Lavaca St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 276-2763
www.yelp.com/biz/turf-n-surf-po-boy-austin

How to Keep Leafy Greens Fresher Longer

Don’t you just hate it when you attempt to buy a healthy batch of vegetables at the grocery store, only to have them go bad before you can even eat them? By using these simple tips, you can learn how to prolong the lifespan of your veggies and keep your greens fresher for longer.

  • Don’t leave leafy greens on the counter. While many types of produce (such as apples and potatoes) are okay when left out in the kitchen, leafy greens are much delicate and require cooler temperatures for safekeeping.
  • Wash them. As soon as you get your greens home, wash them with an all-natural vegetable cleanser and dry with a salad spinner to remove any chemicals, dirt, or pests.
  • Remove bad leaves. If you notice any brown spots on your greens, carefully remove them to prevent them from spoiling the whole bunch.
  • Don’t store them on a shelf in the refrigerator. Because everything in your refrigerator is not created equally, greens cannot by stored in the same way as, say, Chinese food leftovers. Instead, place them in the designated crisper drawer.
  • Plan how you’ll eat them. To prolong their lifespan further, plan to eat fresh salads using greens first and sauté or stir fry them once they near their wilted phases.

Leafy Greens [FreshDirect.com]
How to Store Leafy Greens in the Fridge [The Sprouting Seed]
How to Store Your Leafy Greens to Make Them Last Longer [Eat Local 365]

Hop in the Saddle With Help From Austin’s Bicycle Sport Shop

Whether you’re looking for your first bike or your tenth, a rental or repair, a pair of shoes or bike shorts, you should check out Bicycle Sport Shop on Lamar Boulevard. Locals say the service is top notch, and even someone looking to try their first ride will feel welcome here.

The sales floor hosts a wide range of bicycles, components, and accessories, from road bikes and kids' bikes to bib shorts, jerseys, helmets, locks, shoes, wheels, bike racks—the list goes on. All of the top brands are represented, as well, including Specialized, Surly, Electra, Trek, Bontrager, and Thule. What's more, the employees at Bicycle Sport Shop are trained in bike repairs, bike fitting, and maintenance and repair.

If you’re looking to meet new people or trying to log more time in the saddle, the store hosts group road rides, sorted by beginner, intermediate, or all-level riders. Bicycle Sport Shop also offers annual Bicycle Club Membership options that offer perks like free access to speakers and clinics, club gear, rental coupons and more.

Bicycle Sport Shop
517 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 477-3472
www.bicyclesportshop.com

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