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An Investor’s Education: Five Essential Books about Business and Finance

October 23, 2012 by

Whether you’re looking for personal investment tips, advice on running your business, or trying to understand the current global financial situation, these readable books on economic issues will help make an often confusing subject more clear:

On the Brink: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System by Hank Paulson
You can’t get closer to the 2008 financial crisis than this account by former Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson. This no-holds-barred book lays bare the panic and desperation of the Fed in the face of a potential meltdown of our entire financial system.

Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd
This 1934 classic originated the concept of value investing, which is employed with great success by investors like Warren Buffet. Both the updated and original 1934 editions are available and offer advice that still applies today.

The Alchemy of Finance by George Soros
The Alchemy of Finance is a fascinating look into the thought processes of one of the most successful investors of our time. Soros’s unique investment strategies stand to change the face of finance as we know it.

This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly by Kenneth S. Rogoff and Carmen Reinhart
This very readable book finds the commonalities across centuries of financial crises, including the 2008 crash.

My Years with General Motors by Alfred P. Sloan
Bill Gates's favorite book on business, this 1963 tome offers insight into business management and what makes a successful business, directly from the manager who helped make General Motors great.
 

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Way South Philly: Eat Authentic Cheese Steaks

October 16, 2012 by

With the cheese steaks available at Way South Philly, you don't have to head to Pennsylvania to grab a bite of this rich and juicy comfort food. The cheese steak sandwiches here are made with fresh bread and loaded up with hefty portions of delicious meat. Way South Philly then tops it off with a generous amount of tasty Cheese Whiz to make for a wildly tasty treat. There are a number of different cheese steak options on the menu, too, that add other ingredients like mushrooms, peppers, and hot sauce. Cheesy tater tots, grilled cheese, and italian sausage sandwiches are also available. It's a true Philly food experience. There are even authentic Philadelphia Tastykakes for dessert! The awesome sandwiches at Way South Philly are something that shouldn't be missed. Authentic and delicious, it's like having a little corner of Philly right in downtown Austin.

Way South Philly
6th and Waller
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 771-6969
http://www.yelp.com/biz/way-south-philly-austin

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Banger’s: A Classic Beer Garden and More

October 9, 2012 by

Central Texas has a powerful German influence, as waves of immigrants from Europe were among the first to settle the area. If you want to sample the experience of a classic Tyrolean beergarden, grab some friends and head to Banger’s. Proudly advertising the largest sausage selection in Austin as well as over 100 beers on tap, this temple of comfort food is a one-way ticket to good times. The sausages come in a huge range of flavors, from traditional brats to more adventurous currywurst and seriously out of the box options like duck, bacon & fig. They’re all prepared to perfection, served in fresh-baked pretzel buns and ready for a beer to wash them down. The libation selection is unbelievable, and the staff is great at recommending new beers to try based on your personal tastes. Sure, this may or may not be the best spot for a first date, but for a casual night out with the guys Banger’s can’t be beat.

Banger's
79 & 81 Rainey Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 386-1656
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bangers-sausage-house-and-beer-garden-austin

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Gumbo’s of Round Rock: Petit France

September 25, 2012 by

Enjoy amazing Cajun in surroundings worthy of the colorful characters who made the cuisine famous. Gumbo’s is located in an atmospheric stone house built in 1848; surrounded by lush gardens, during its time as a stagecoach inn it played host to people like John Wesley Hardin, the fastest gun in the West. It’s since been remade into an upscale Cajun eatery that recalls the old Bayou maison of your imagination, with low lights, coolly decadent artwork, and a breezy patio that resembles the green courtyards of Fauborg Marigny. The gumbo is often called the best in Austin, and we think it’s a contender; we’ve also heard it favorably compared to the famous Galatoire’s. Crab cakes are outstanding, meaty, and rich, with hints of cayenne, thyme, sweet basil, and bay leaf in every bite. As they say in New Orleans, Gumbo’s is a place where lunch hours become lunch afternoons, but with a generous drinks list, competitive prices, and live music on the patio every Friday and Saturday night, you just might stay all night, too.

Gumbo’s of Round Rock
901 Round Rock Avenue
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 671-7925

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Titaya’s Thai Cuisine: Taste Thai Flavors

September 18, 2012 by

For some of the most flavorful Thai food in Austin, you'll want to stop at Titaya's Thai Cuisine. Here, you'll find authentic and delicious Thai cuisine that's of the highest quality, made with the freshest ingredients. All of your favorites are here in style, from a killer pad thai to an array of perfectly spiced curries. You'll also want to consider some of Titaya's great special dishes, such as the spicy catfish and the sumptuous mixed seafood dish called "Treasure Island." Top it off with a thai iced tea, or wait and get a mango mousse for dessert! You may have to wait a little bit for a table, but know that it will be absolutely worth it once you sit down to amazing food and attentive service. Titaya's Thai Cuisine is a popular choice for anyone craving southeast Asian cuisine at its finest.

Titaya's Thai Cuisine
5501 N. Lamar Boulevard
Suite C101
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 458-1792
http://www.yelp.com/biz/titayas-thai-cuisine-austin

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Tenderland: World Famous Tenderloin

September 11, 2012 by

The burgers at Austin's Tenderland are great, of course. But you don’t go to a Philadelphia cheesesteak stand and choose the pork roll sandwich, and you might get some funny looks if you drive all the way to this food truck without choosing Tenderland’s eponymous, famed dish: the tenderloin sandwich!

Tenderland’s gargantuan tenderloin is properly approached without guilt and without fear. If you’re planning to begin a diet, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Until then, enjoy this oversized slap of deep-fried pork smothered in pickles, onions, and your choice of condiments. It's all barely contained by the delicious jalepeno-cheddar bun. Tenderland's fries are hot and crispy. If you can finish both them and the sandwich, you owe yourself a pat on the back… along with a trip to the gym.

Tenderland
2406 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 230-8167

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Support Local Farmers and Sustainable Foods at Austin Farmers’ Market

September 5, 2012 by

Support local farmers and small businesses while buying the freshest produce and gourmet foods at Austin Farmers’ Market. Opened in 2003, the Market has since become the place to go for sustainable food in Austin, with numerous vendors offering organic goods—many eagerly offering samples to try! Besides fresh foods, Austin Farmers Market holds a number of events and programs, from cooking classes by master chefs to seasonal festivals and celebrations. The markets also strive to environmentally conscious by placing compost bins for visitors to bring their trash from home, as well as water stations for filling up bottles with clean water for a few cents ($2 to start). Austin Farmers Maret is open year-round; for locations, days, and times, visit the Austin Farmers’ Market website at www.austinfarmersmarket.org.

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The Bodypump Fitness Craze: What is it and is it Right for You?

August 28, 2012 by
If you’ve been hearing the buzz lately about a popular new exercise trend called Bodypump, you’re probably curious to know what it entails. Read on to learn about the essentials of Bodypump so that you can decide whether or not it’s a good fit for you: 
 
Overview of Bodypump
Bodypump is an exercise method invented by Les Mills, one of the leading fitness companies in the industry. It is a barbell-based class that emphasizes a combination of cardio work and weight lifting, designed to sculpt, tone, and strengthen your entire body. Les Mills promotes Bodypump as one of the fastest ways to get in shape because it challenges all of your major muscle groups through movements like presses, squats, and lifts. Many gyms offer the class with certified Bodypump instructors and it has become a phenomenally popular fitness trend all over the country. 
 
The Rep Effect
One of the distinctive features of Bodypump is what Les Mills calls “The Rep Effect.” The Rep Effect is a method of resistance training that places a focus on low weight loads and high repetition movements. These kinds of reps are designed to maximize an exerciser’s success with burning fat, gaining strength, and rapidly building lean muscle mass. Since lean muscle mass burns calories, proponents of Bodypump tout its ability to transform your body into a lean and fat-burning machine by helping to replace your body fat with calorie-burning muscle. 
 
Bodypump Class
A typical Bodypump class features an instructor specifically trained in the Bodypump methods. He or she leads the class through a series of specific exercises and choreographed movements designed to hit all the body parts in a highly effective sequence. The class is accompanied by a playlist of chart-topping music that is kept constantly fresh based on what’s hot on the radio at the moment. The classes are usually large but not overwhelmingly so, and they are an ideal forum for you if derive motivation, inspiration, and energy from working out with a group of people. In a typical Bodypump class, you’ll perform 70-100 reps per body part for a total of up to 800 reps in one workout session. 
 
Additional Benefits of Bodypump
If you’re concerned about building bulk through weight lifting, Bodypump is a great option because the low-weight-high-rep approach will allow you to tone without adding significantly visible mass. It is also a good option for you if you’re looking for a low-impact form of exercise that will not put a significant amount of pressure on your joints. Bodypump has been designed to protect your bones and joints from injury. The class emphasizes proper form and posture so that you don’t tax your knees, shoulders, or other vulnerable areas. 
 
Other Bodypump Options
If you don’t think you’ll be able to commit to a full fifty-five minute class multiple times a week, many gyms also offer a 45-minute class that omits two of the smaller muscle groups (biceps and triceps) but still makes sure to include all of the major muscle groups throughout the class session. There has also been an upsurge in Bodypump Express Classes overseas and the trend has starting coming over here. The express version is a 30-minute long class that omits the biceps, triceps, and cool down session. Les Mills also has an at-home exercise DVD in the works that will soon be available for people who would rather do Bodypump at home than in a class setting.  
 
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Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: Classic American Food With a Twist

August 21, 2012 by

If you’re looking for high-quality New American food in a great setting, Moonshine is one of Austin’s most popular restaurants. Moonshine is located just a short strip from tree in the Waterloo Compound, which includes some of the oldest commercial buildings in Austin. The restaurant opened in 2003 to rave reviews and has been racking up the accolades ever since. When you sit down for your first meal, you’ll understand why—the menu here takes traditional favorites and reinterprets them impeccably. Regulars recommend the spectacular roasted garlic bulbs and the unusual corndog shrimp, which is way better than it sounds. The green chili mac and cheese is also a favorite, packing the perfect amount of heat. Entrees get great reviews across the board, with an amazing pork chop and rainbow trout stuffed with cornbread and sweet potatoes garnering raves. The restaurant also offers an amazingly popular brunch. Lines can get really long, so make a reservation if you don’t want to wait.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
303 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-9599

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Five Great New Board Games

August 14, 2012 by

It can take some digging to discover new board games other than your worn-out Scrabble or Monopoly boards. For kids and adults alike, board games are great to have on hand for rainy days or small gatherings. Here are some fun new games to try:

Settlers of Catan
Now in its fourth edition, this incredibly popular strategy game pits players against each other in a fight for control of the island of Catan. Accrue resources and create settlements to achieve dominance. Settlers of Catan has a fun trading dynamic that makes interaction between players a must, and fun.

Blokus
Blokus is akin a hands-on, multi-player game of Tetris: players place tiles of different shapes on the Blokus board. This game of strategy can be molded for beginner to advanced players. 

Risk: Legacy
The new version of the classic divide-and-conquer game seeks to drag out your competitive campaigns for even longer. One round of Risk: Legacy can continue for several nights, or even weeks, but with increasing changes to the rules to drive on your curiosity. 

Angry Birds: Knock on Wood
This board game takes the addictive smart phone application and turns into a physical, kid-friendly game. This version takes the same basic premise but employs Jenga-like dexterity and added challenges along the way.

7 Wonders Game
Another strategy game, 7 Wonders Game can be completed in less time than similar games  while retaining a fun and addictive competitive element. A group of up to seven players build competing civilizations.
 
  
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