Weekend in The Woodlands

The Lazy River winding through The Woodlands Resort. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Resort

The Lazy River winding through The Woodlands Resort. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Resort

You don’t have to leave the Lone Star State for quality R&R. In fact, in some cases a great getaway is practically in your backyard. For Houstonians, such an escape is closer than you think.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an action packed family-friendly weekend, The Woodlands offers one of the areas best staycations. Even though it’s just around the corner, you’re still going to need to pack a bag and hire a dog-sitter, so you might as well make the best of it.

Sleep & Stay

The Woodlands Resort

For a family-friendly getaway (or really anyone who loves the water and golf), you’ll want to book a stay at The Woodlands Resort. Tucked away a few turns off Interstate 45, the resort completed a $75-million plus expansion and renovation at the end of 2014.

If you’re a golfer, a treat is in store for you. Golf Digest ranked The Woodlands Resort a Top 75 Best Golf Resorts in America, with access to two 18-hole championship golf courses (Panther Trail and The Oaks). If you’re lucky, you might even get a room right outside hole 18, which provides a glorious view to wake up to each morning.

A lazy river winds through the resort and the Forest Oasis Waterscape features two-story spiraling double water slides, lagoon-style pools, 10-foot waterfall, underwater music and more. It’s the absolute perfect place for kids — all of them. And, yes, parents, you can order drinks and food from the poolside grill so you too can relax while keeping an eye on the family. Alternatively, you can take a few hours and escape to the full-service spa.

Summer activities include nightly dive-in movies by the pool, s’mores, and more, and there are more than 194 miles of hike and bike trails along with bike rentals on property.

Robard’s Steakhouse and the amazing pool are probably tied for the best features of the resort. Robard’s is a 156‐seat high-end restaurant and lounge adjacent to the 18th hole with a private wine vault and outdoor patio. There’s a chance this might be the best steak in and around Houston — you be the judge. (Thrillist voted it one of the best steakhouses in Houston.)

Book a new reservation for a June, July or August weekday stay (Sunday-Wednesday) by May 31st and save 50% off your second night with discount code: Bookearly.

The Westin at The Woodlands

The brand new 302-room hotel is situated in the heart of Town Center walking distance to the

Inside a room at the new Westin at The Woodlands. Photo: The Westin at The Woodlands

Inside a room at the new Westin at The Woodlands. Photo: The Westin at The Woodlands

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, the Woodlands Mall and upscale Market Street. Many of the modernly designed rooms of The Westin at The Woodlands overlook a popular public plaza (with synchronized fountains), known as Waterway Plaza.

Be sure to try the on-site signature restaurant Current, a concept by the Howard Hughes Corporation, with seasonal and regional menus from rising star chef de cuisine Nathan Friend. The sleek, second-level lounge SideBar, just outside the glass-wall of the gorgeous infinity pool, is a great place to start the night and kick it off with a happy hour of unique cocktails and appetizers. Sidebar’s pineapple margarita is a must try (Avion Reposado Tequila, Tepache Pineapple Liqueur, house agave simple syrup, pineapple juice and house sour).

The hotel lies within walking distance of pretty much any and everything there is to do in The Woodlands and is definitely a spot to be in on all the action this planned community offers. Bonus — fantastic people watching!

Eat

After you’ve checked out Robard’s and Current, there are still plenty of exceptional options for food. In fact, you might even want to implement a four-meals-a-day rule for your stay.

A foodie favorite (especially for brunch) is Hubbell & Hudson featuring some of the most creative and delicious dishes around. If you’re a pizza lover, don’t miss out on world-famous Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. Bonus: if you’re feeling super lazy and relaxed, order it online and pick it up to eat in your hotel room.

Play

We’ve got the championship golf and the lazy-river at The Woodlands Resort covered, but there’s still so much more to do in the area. Check out the luxury shops of Market Street or take the kids to discover unique fun at The Woodlands Children’s Museum. Stop by any of the fun restaurants and pubs along the way and grab a few drinks.

Don’t forget to catch a throwback concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion — take a blanket and make an entire evening of it. Most have probably ventured to The Woodlands for a concert, and for good reason. This summer alone, the pavilion is featuring concerts from Dave Matthews Band, Dixie Chicks, Florence & the Machine, Jimmy Buffett, Dixie Chicks, Blink 182, and many more. Pro tip: Download a friend-finder app to make locating your group on the lawn easier than ever before.

If you’re ready to plan a getaway to The Woodlands and need that extra push, check out the concert event calendar and plan it around your favorite show.

If you’re into good beer, head over to Local Pour in Hughes Landing on Lake Woodlands for hundreds of craft beers to choose from. Oh, and don’t forget all the million activities you can do on the lake!

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Houston Summer Running Tips

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Wings for Life World Run starts in Houston at 6 am Sunday with 34 cities worldwide participating. Photo by Marv Watson for Wings for Life World Run

Wings for Life World Run starts in Houston at 6 am Sunday with 34 cities worldwide participating. Photo by Marv Watson for Wings for Life World Run

Avid runners in the Houston community have likely heard Calum “Cal” Neff’s name before. Neff has a number of running accolades credited to his name. To name just a few, he is the Guinness World Record Holder for Fastest Half Marathon pushing a stroller (which he dominated in Katy for a time of 1:11:27), he came in 23rd overall in the 2016 Houston Marathon, and he won the 2014 North American Wings for Life World Run.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Wings for Life World Run (WFLWR), it is a global run taking place at the exact same time in 34 locations this year across the world. The purpose is to raise funds for research in finding a cure for spinal cord injuries.

As Neff gears up with hopes of adding another title or personal record to his stat card, he is encouraging other runners, of all levels, to join him for the Wings for Life World Run Selfie Run this Sunday, May 8th. Houston’s official timeslot for this virtual groundbreaking Selfie Run is 6 am –  plenty of time for Mother’s Day celebrations and brunch afterwards!

Runners can sign up for free, and run anywhere at their own pace. The Selfie Run, which uses the all-new Wings for Life World Run app, is perfect if you want to train for the big day, set your own course, race at exactly the same time as everyone else worldwide and share the experience with real time results, right down to a virtual Catcher Car. Like all things, running is enjoying new trends to keep it fresh and exciting; this is just the next in a long line of unique races.

“The World Run is my way to help raise awareness and funds for this special cause, and the unique race format keeps my racing interesting too. The ultra-marathon distance on fast roads plays really well into my area of specialty right now as a runner,” Neff shares of his love for the WFLWR.

The Houston heat is here to stay so we asked Neff to share a few tips to keep your running game strong for the Selfie Run and all summer long:

Embrace the heat! High humidity and heat training have a physiological response similar to altitude. At altitude, your body makes more red blood cells to adapt to less oxygen; in heat, your body creates more blood volume (therefore, more red blood cells). So when the cooler weather comes around you have the performance advantage of carrying more oxygen.

Run with others to stay motivated. You will find someone running at Memorial Park at any hour of the day, even when it’s hot.

Scale back your pace and distance. Don’t expect the same performance as in cooler temps and don’t be unmotivated by how you feel. Running in the heat can have the same symptoms of being out of shape but don’t confuse the two.

Gatoritas. Blue Gatorade powder, ice, and water-blend. Ice slushy mixes are proven to be absorbed faster than room-temp or iced water, keeping you cool and hydrated. Use an insulated bottle or flask like the ones you can find from Nathan.

Dawn Patrol. This is a term given to weekend warriors trying to squeeze in adventures before work. It’s still going to be hot at 5 am but at least the sun won’t be beating down on you. We could all use a few more sunrises in our life too.

Cryotherapy. My indoor escape from the heat is the Chilled Cryospa in Katy. This full recovery spa has all the tools to keep your body happy including the cryo tank where you stand for 3 minutes at -220 degrees!

Listen to your body. No different than any other time of year but especially important in the heat. Some days you just don’t have it, don’t fight it. Your heart will thank you later. Pay attention especially if you notice you are not sweating or have chills.

Head inside. Yes, the dreadmill.

Travel. It’s a good time to get away!

Instructions for signing up for the selfie run:

Download the “Selfie Run” app on your iOS or Android mobile device App Store.

Connect with Facebook or create an account.

Sign up for the Selfie Run and set your location for May 8 in Houston.

Log on and run with the world at 6 am.

(Click here for video help to sign up)

This article originally ran on Culture Map. Click here to see the original piece. 

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Dinner: Chicken Avocado Burgers

Chicken Avocado Burger Recipe | Photo: Yummly

Chicken Avocado Burger Recipe | Photo: Yummly

Y’all know I’ve been trying to cook more – trying to up my wifey status and all. I recently came across an app, Yummly! (download it NOW, trust me!).

One of the recent dinner recipes I tried were these Chicken Avocado Burgers – seriously one of the tastiest and easiest things I’ve ever made, so I wanted to share the recipe.

Chicken Avocado Burger Recipe:

Serves: 4 Burgers
Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 large ripe avocado – cut into chunks
  • 1 chopped clove of garlic
  • ⅓ cup Panko crumbs or Almond meal (to keep it Paleo friendly )
  • 1 minced Poblano or Jalapeño pepper (optional but recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and toss gently.
  2. Shape into desired size patties and grill inside or out!

My modifications: We added cheese on the burger after we took them off the grill (we made them outside on the grill for extra flavor!). Also – I had seriously never heard of ground chicken and I felt like a weirdo asking someone in the grocery store where to find it – but it’s in the meat section) obviously – and in mine it was a small section (like two options) next to the ground beef.

Since it is chicken, I recommend cutting into the burger before pulling them all off the grill.

Enjoy!

If you have any tasty recipes to share, please leave me a comment below!

 

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Texans Jonathan Grimes

Texans Running Back Jonathan Grimes | Photograpy by Max Burkhalter

Texans Running Back Jonathan Grimes | Photograpy by Max Burkhalter

SPORTS | TEXANS JONATHAN GRIMES SAYS WE ARE IN A “TURN UP” MUSIC ERA

Most of our talents come to us by way of our parents. For JONATHAN GRIMES, that story is no different, not just on the football field in a Houston Texans uniform but when it comes to music. And particularly behind the piano.

Although the William & Mary graduate only has one official start under his NFL belt, last season Grimes became the third player in Texans history to score a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game. The 26-year-old has talent for sure, hopefully more of which we’ll continue to see on the field, but his talents go beyond the field. Grimes started playing the piano about the same time he got into football, which was part of a deal he made with his dad. “I started playing football when I was 7 and started playing piano at the same age because my dad said ‘if I let you play football this year, you have to promise to play the piano,’ Grimes shares. “I wasn’t really that excited to play the piano at first. I just wanted to play football so I agreed to it, but I would say I started really liking it once I started playing songs I knew and other people knew.” He liked it so much, he actually got a degree in music, while playing football. Talk about making your dad proud.

If you see the similarities in Grimes and former Texan Arian Foster, you’d be paying him a compliment. And be spot on. The two are incredibly close and make music together often. Both are running backs and both are incredibly artistic and deep and spiritual guys, finding meaning in things so many of us overlook. “He’s not on the squad but he will always be my boy,” Grimes says of his friendship with Foster. “Music is a message that you constantly hear in your mind all the time over and over again – it can really affect the way you go about things, the way you think without even realizing it,” Grimes says on the importance music plays in his life. “Music is about bridging gaps and just relating to other people. My love for music has been growing, even just this past year. I’m realizing how important music is just in life in general. I feel like the things you eat and consume and everything else is just as important as the things you hear, like music,” he says. Grimes says music is what keeps him sane right now.

Originally from New Jersey, he loves the concert and karaoke scene here in Houston. “I love Houston, but, man, it gets scary hot,” he says. “I don’t come outside unless I have to.”

At just 5’ 10” and a little over 200 lbs., Jonathan Grimes has enough personality to fill an entire team’s roster. Starting with a White Men Can’t Jump quote to playing the keys and sharing his favorite Pandora stations (D’Angelo or Michael Jackson are his choices for being stranded on an island with only one station), he can talk about music all day. “It’s going to be hard to keep me off the piano if I see it,” he warns.

If he had a walk-up song like baseball, Grimes said it’d have to be Finna Get Loose by Diddy and Pharrell.

Best quote of the interview: I’ve sat with Bruce Springsteen before and, yeah, he’s a beast.

WE ASKED GRIMES TO FILL IN THE BLANK: I wish more people in the world would love.

This article originally ran in the May print issue of LOCAL Houston Magazine. Click here to see the online version. 

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Win Houston Symphony Tickets

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Win 2 Houston Symphony tickets to check out an unforgettable night

Win 2 Houston Symphony tickets to check out an unforgettable night

GIVEAWAY!

Who wants 2 tickets for the Houston Symphony Friday night to see three decades of classic folk rock (i.e. Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”; Don Henley’s raspy “Hotel California”; Fleetwood Mac’s retro hit “Landslide”; and soul-rock duo Hall & Oates hit “Sara Smile”).
 
I’ll be out of town so I’m giving my tickets away.
To enter on Facebook:
1. Simply LIKE The Blonde Side AND Houston Symphony on Facebook
2. Tag who you’d take with you and mention your favorite song from the 60’s, ’70’s or ’80’s
*If you’re not on FB, you can enter in the comments section of this post.
 
One random winner will be selected Wednesday (tomorrow), 12p CST.
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May: 5 Things

Marfa, Texas (photo: Instyle.com)

Marfa, Texas (photo: Instyle.com)

Here are the five things I’m going to aim for this month (May) – who’s in to join me?

  1. Plan a Texas getaway. I’m super guilty of telling people that I like Houston but I love Texas, but it’s the truth. I’ve visited quite a few places in Texas that I love (Austin still has my top vote), but I know there is so much more to venture out into and Texas has some of the damn cutest bed and breakfasts, so that’s my mission for May. The tricky part is that my boyfriend doesn’t get much vacation time, so it needs to be within 2-4 hours of Houston. Any suggestions? (My last real Texas getaway was this trip to San Antonio.)
  2. Buy two new books. Here’s the thing as a writer myself: I read so much (and I’m not afraid to put down a book I just can’t get into, my time is too precious and there are too many good reads out there) that it gets expensive. The writer in me wants to support other writers by buying more books, but it’s tough. Then I realized this. I’m not afraid to spend $35 every 2-3 weeks on a mani/pedi or get a new pair of sandals from Target (because, I literally think anything I guy at Target is deemed as a necessity), so why not spend that same amount on reading and bettering my mind and myself? Boom – now hit me with your book suggestions.
  3. Buy an outfit or piece of clothing outside my norm. This month sounds like I plan to spend a lot of money already (oops!) but I notice that my wardrobe is all pretty much the same. I have a ton of amazing workout clothes and some great party dresses for special occasions (like a wedding or social event), but I don’t have anything that is cute and fun for a Friday night dinner date or just an afternoon.
  4. Make money selling what I have. In a way to declutter, simplify life and hopefully make a few extra bucks, I’m going to try to find stuff already in my apartment that I can sell (or at least donate). It was initially prompted by this theeverygirl.com post, but also by how much crap I have just laying around. One of the great perks I have in this line of work is getting sent a ton of stuff to review, wear for social media, test out, etc. That means I have way too many *barely worn* running shoes, headbands, bluetooth speakers, gym bags and more. So stay tuned for my eBay account or follow me on social media to see it.
  5. Crunch the numbers. I typically only assess how much money I make and spend at the end of the year or when it comes around to tax time (PS – I do not like doing taxes, at all, but who really does?). The month of May means we are five months into the year, and that’s a great time to look at the numbers – see where my money is going (is it being wasted anywhere, are there stores I should avoid, etc.) and what kind of money is coming in. As a business-owner, I am responsible for invoicing my clients, but I’m also responsible for keeping track of them. Often times my outlets and sponsors forget to pay or a check gets lost in the mail – doing a number crunch in May will help me stay on top of all that.

Here’s a look back at my April: 5 Things and March: 5 Things.

Got an idea for June: 5 Things? Shoot me an email (jayme@theblondeside.com) or leave a comment below. 

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FREELANCE + SPORTS + TRAVEL + FITNESS
COPYRIGHT 2019, THE BLONDE SIDE
CREATED BY JAYME LAMM