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Two Day Trips From Austin, Texas

July 30, 2013 by

Austin is full of enough culture to keep you quite busy, but if you're interested in venturing outside of the city, there are a few places worth visiting just a short distance away. Take a break from the hustle and bustle with one of these great day trips. Have a little fun, and explore all that Texas has to offer. 

Splish-and-Splash
Cool off with a visit to Schlitterbahn Water Park. Kids and adults can enjoy the numerous rides like water slides and raft rides. There is even a pool with a swim up bar for grown-ups. From April to September take a fun filled day trip to this amusement park located in New Braunfels.

Enjoy Great BBQ
Treat your stomach to something delicious, and visit the barbeque capital of Texas in nearby Lockhart. Stop by each of the four famous BBQ joints for a taste test, and see which is your favorite. Digest your food as you stroll through the nearby park, or play golf on the 9-hole course. Come during wildflower season to enjoy your food with beautiful scenery. 

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4 Must-Watch Sci-Fi Films

July 25, 2013 by

The sci-fi genre has long enthralled moviegoers, who will often line up outside the theater in advance to see the newest installment of their favorite fantastical epics. If you're a fan of sci-fi, the following films are all worth seeing:

Star Wars
George Lucas changed the genre of sci-fi with these breakout films that took moviegoers to a "galaxy far, far away." These award-winning movies are equal parts heroic myth and space drama, and both trilogies delight viewers to this day.

2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick uses the sci fi genre to make a film with some artful cinematography and some interesting meditations on the human condition.

The Matrix
In this Wachowski Brothers’ film, cyperspace is the new frontier, and nothing's really as it seems.

Aliens
This sci-fi thriller combines genres to create a strikingly original movie.

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Bargain Spirits: 6 Top Bottles From Bar Experts

June 20, 2013 by

The next time you're hosting a party or looking to stock your home bar, take a tip from the experts. Instead of purchasing expensive, pricey bottles of top shelf liquor, try one of these reasonably priced options that get two thumbs up from bar experts and mixologists, alike! They're from a list of best bottles selected by experts for The Kitchn.

  • Sobieski Vodka
  • Dorado 3 Year White Rum
  • Sauza Hornitos Reposado Tequila
  • Gordon's London Dry Gin
  • W.L. Weller 12-Year-Old Bourbon
  • Canadian Club Sherry Cask Whisky

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Easy & Quick Veggie Recipes

June 13, 2013 by

Are you in a salad rut? We all end up there sometimes when it seems like the only healthy side to have with your pasta or steak are some leafy greens. If you need some veggie inspiration, check out the tasty, simple, and easy recipes below that will surely cure you of your salad boredom.

Marinated Brussels Sprouts with Lemon & Shallots

Green Beans with Almond Bread Crumbs

Asparagus Ribbons

For twelve more interesting veggie recipes, visit The Kitchn.

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Great Tips For Summer Travel With Kids

June 6, 2013 by

If this summer you’re planning a trip with your kids away from The Marquis at Canyon Ridge, you probably already know that vacation can feel more like work if their needs aren't met. If you’re thinking that you might return from vacation feeling like you need another one, check out these simple tips to smooth out any bumps along the road.

Pick a kid-friendly destination
If you’re going away with young children, be certain that your hotel has features that will make it appealing to your kids. Things such as a pool, family-friendly restaurants, and a kids’ club or kids’ room will ensure your kids will be happy too.

Don’t overload your plans
To keep your kids entertained, you may feel like you should fill your day with lots of activities to keep your family busy, but remember that kids tire easily, especially when out in the sun. Instead, keep to a slower pace, and allow for down time — it will serve you well too. Scheduling time for rest and naps will keep kids happier in the long run.

Pack some snacks
Even if you’re just heading out for a few hours, pack a few snacks and some bottled water. You never really know when your children's hunger-pangs will hit, and having something handy will keep them smiling.

Bag of entertainment
If your travels will have you in a car or plane for a significant chunk of time, pack an entertainment bag for your kids. Fill it with coloring books, crayons, playing cards, worksheets, small toys, and perhaps an iPod or iPad if you have one for your kids. The more activities the better! And, even once you reach your final destination, your kids can still reach in to find something entertaining.

Make kids part of the planning process
You may think that you know what your kids would enjoy best, but making them part of the planning will get them more invested in all the activities of the trip. If you have a free afternoon, give them a few choices – would you rather walk on the beach or go mini-golfing? – you may be surprised what they would prefer.

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Tasty, Portable Lunch Recipes

May 23, 2013 by

If you're a busy professional or a mom on-the-go, you know how essential portable lunches are. Instead of going without, or relying on unhealthy drive-thru options, pack one of these tasty, portable lunches, and take your meal with you!

Hearty Spinach Frittata

Bacon Lettuce Tomato Spring Rolls

Freezer Burritos

Find these plus seven other delightful, portable lunches at The Kitchn.

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Wonderful Wines Under $15

May 16, 2013 by

Wine can get expensive, but one of the more heartening trends in food and drink has been the rise of delicious yet relatively inexpensive wines. If you're seeking something perfect for a trip out to a new BYOB or a great dinner party gift, Food and Wine has compiled a great set of lists of some of the top wines you can find for just under fifteen bucks. Here are some of their lists:

For more guides on finding the best wines and the perfect pairings, visit Food and Wine's website.

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Five Effective Anxiety-Management Techniques

May 13, 2013 by

Anxiety is a plague that affects millions of Americans. As today’s high-stress world makes things increasingly difficult, more people are looking for ways to self-soothe and release tension. Here are five techniques that you can do at home, prescribed by experts in the field.

Breathing is widely considered the most important thing you can do to manage the onset of anxiety symptoms. Anxiety generates real physical reactions in the body, but by performing controlled, even breathing you can mitigate many of those symptoms and prevent the attack from getting worse.

Mindful awareness is another common method used to deal with the early stages of an anxiety attack. Close your eyes and slow your breath, concentrating your focus on different parts of your body in turn. This will give you the understanding that you are in control of your attentions.

Try to avoid worrying. This is easier said than done, obviously, but most doctors agree that feelings of dread or concern for the future engender anxiety attacks. A simple cognitive therapy response is to note the worry and then reply to yourself silently “That’s just my brain worrying. I know I don’t have to worry.”

Avoid recursive or ruminant thoughts on negative experiences. Getting the brain caught in a thought loop can lead to serious anxiety, lost productivity and more. Being conscious of these loops and working to stop them with mental commands can give you increased control over your situation.

Most importantly, make sure your body is getting everything it needs to be healthy. Getting enough sleep and regular, nutritious meals will help your brain functionality as well.

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5 Great Home Design Blogs

May 2, 2013 by

Are you in need of design inspiration for your space? Well, the internet is a great place to turn for ideas. Whether you're ready to overhaul your master bedroom, rework your kitchen, or re-design your family room, these blogs will provide you with all the inspiration, tips, tricks, and techinques you need to make the final product breathtakingly beautiful!

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When It’s Warm Out, Enjoy These Activities!

April 26, 2013 by

Warm weather beckons us to move outdoors. If the sunshine is calling you outside, here are a few ways to make the most of those sunny days.

Nature Walk
Head outdoors and commune with nature. Venture to the local park and take in the beauty of your environment as you fill your lungs with fresh air.

Attend a Sporting Event
Whether you get tickets to a minor league baseball game or attend your child’s lacrosse tournatment, getting outdoors to enjoy some good old-fashioned competition is what great weather is all about!

Picnic
If you find yourself graced with a lovely weekend day, pack a picnic and enjoy your meal outside. Bring a book so that after your lunch, you can enjoy some leisure reading.

Play a Game
Act like a kid and invite a friend to play a casual game of one-on-one basketball. Or grab your tennis racket and head to the court. Don’t worry about keeping score, just enjoy being outside!

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