Weight Loss In Tyler

December 10th, 2010

It is that time of year again, it may be the Thanksgiving turkey or the Christmas ham but weight loss is on most everyone’s mind. Tyler has many great places that help people loss weight and lead a healthier life. Three great ways to loss weight is to first find a support group, eat healthier food, and to exercise.

Tyler has great support groups; one very popular support group is Weight Watchers. At Weight Watchers there are many great people that are in similar situations as you are. People are there to encourage you not only to loose weight, but to live a better life. They have many great books that help you eat the healthiest choice at all different restaurants and at your home. The Weight Watchers’ cook book has many great meal ideas. Some of the restaurants in Tyler, such as Applebee’s, has a Weight Watcher’s approved section on the menu. Weight Watchers has many support meetings to encourage people to continue to eat healthy and to keep loosing weight that meet the goals you set for yourself.

Eating healthy can many times can seem to be the more expensive option. The soon to be health food store in Tyler, Fresh, will be an easy, convenient place o find all your health food needs. Tyler also has many granaries. At the Tyler granaries you can get many different vitamins, health drinks and organic foods. When you are buying organic foods, they may be the healthiest choice but they are the most expensive choice of food. When shopping at Wal-Mart and Brookshire’s grocery stores it is easy to find a large selection of food full of MSG and everything unhealthy. The healthiest way to grocery shop in stores like these is to only shop in the sections around the grocery section. This way you are missing the frozen foods that are loaded with preservatives. You are also missing the sodas and snack foods. When you are shopping for healthier chooses keep in mind that it is much healthier to make things from scratch than to buy something that is pre-cooked, packaged and frozen. This is a cheaper way to shop healthier, but when you shop organic at granaries and soon at Fresh, the results are fast and noticeable.

Finding a gym should not be a hard task if you live in Tyler. There are many different gyms that are at all different locations in Tyler. There is only one YMCA in Tyler but if you have a membership there, you can also use it at the YMCA in Whitehouse. The YMCAs have many different programs that keep you accountable to loosing weight and living a healthy lifestyle. The YMCA also has many classes that make exercising enjoyable. The Zumba classes have become popular and fun. Zumba is a fast pace cardio class that works out all of your muscles. The YMCA in Tyler has a pool and many swim classes for adults and for children, starting at only a few months old. You can also get a trainer at YMCA that will keep you accountable to your workout goals. Another great place to workout for women is Curves. Curves is an all women gym that works out a women’s body to tone and loose weight. The Curves’ equipment is laid out in a circle so that women can use each machine for about a minute and then move to the next machine. If you are a mom, it is important to find a gym that has a place for young children to stay while you work out. The YMCA in Whitehouse has a great place for young children to play. It is out in the open so you are able to check on your kids while taking a break from working out. Premier Fitness also has a great child care on most days, but not Sunday. Premier Fitness has great classes to help you get in shape. One of the most popular classes is the Hip Hop dance class. These classes are a great way to workout through dance. A great way to burn calories is their Cardio kick boxing classes. Premier Fitness has many trainers that are great at pushing you to loose weight and to do the best that you can to meet goals they will help you set.

If your New Year’s resolution is to meet your weight loss goals and to live a healthy lifestyle, than you can find all that you need in Tyler. This year is as good as any to start to work for the body and health that you always wanted.

Tags: Applebee, Brookshire, Convenient Place, Cook Book, Frozen Foods, Granaries, Grocery Shop, Health Drinks, Health Food Store, Loose Weight, Meal Ideas, Organic Foods, Snack Foods, Sodas, Support Meetings, Thanksgiving Turkey, Tyler Texas, wal-mart, Ways To Loss Weight, Weight Watcher, Weight Watchers
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Applebees A Neighborhood Grill In Tyler

December 14th, 2009

Applebee’s

5502 South Broadway Avenue
Tyler, TX 75703-4355
(903) 509-4848

Applebee’s is known as the “Neighborhood Grill”. I would not ever say that I feel like I am eating with Tyler TX neighbors or feel comfortable. More times than one have I sat in frustration for much to long with no food nor drink and waiting for service.

In Atlanta Georgia the first Applebee’s was opened by Bill and T.J. Palmer in 1980. Now almost 30 years later Applebee’s is one of the largest restaurants chains in the United States. Applebee’s claims to focus on good food and great service, only a couple of the times that I have gone there and the service has been good.

The menu is full of a large selection and great prices. For the most part, you can not go wrong with the food. I have not had anything that I did not like. Pick from the many different appetizers, salads, steaks, pastas, ribs or steaks, chicken, or seafood. Also top off your meal with a delicious dessert. Try one of the three dessert shooter, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate mousse, or hot fudge sundae. Or try one of the delicious baked desserts. Let your kids choose between a kid’s size Oreo cookie sundae, or Oreo cookie shake. Applebee’s has it’s own section of the menu for Weight Watchers. Each item has less-calories.

If you want to have a place to go out with your friends watch a game or hang out and talk, Applebee’s has an large bar with all your favorite beers on tap; Miller, Coors, Bud Light, Budweiser, Corona, Blue Moon, Michelob Ultra, Heineken, and Samuel Adams. Or sit back and enjoy a Margarita, Sangria, Cocktail, Martini, or one of their other “refreshing favorites”. Enjoy a glass of white or red wines.

When you walk into the Applebee’s Tyler restaurant you will enjoy the décor of the antique pictures and fun antique pieces. Many times that I have been to Applebee’s, the servers always got something wrong; over-charged, orders came out wrong, and it took forever for drinks to be filled. It seems like the best service you get is when you call for “carside to go service”. In 2004 Applebee’s started the “Carside To Go”. This is one of the greatest ideas in the causal-dining business world. You simply call in, order, and they bring your food right to your car.

Though I do not enjoy the frustrating service and at times long waits, the food is great and prices make the food even better. If you want to enjoy food at home and not mess with the cooking, or clean the mess, call and pick up a great meal!

Tags: Antique Pieces, Applebee, Applebees Tyler TX, Baked Desserts, Blue Moon, Bud Light, Budweiser, Chocolate Mousse, Coors, Delicious Dessert, Heineken, Margarita Cocktail, Michelob, Neighborhood Grill, Red Wines, Samuel Adams, South Broadway, Steaks Chicken, Strawberry Cheesecake, Tyler TX, Weight Watchers
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Great food is not relative

November 15th, 2009

Well it’s happened. There’s a new restaurant chain in Tyler Texas that I’m excited to have here. I realize that for years I’ve complained that we need more local eateries and less corporate food. As a general rule I remain devoted to this idea, however unlike the Chile’s, Applebee’s, TGI Friday’s genre, the new establishment will fill an otherwise empty niche. The new restaurant is Einstein Bros Bagels.

Einstein took over the ailing Blockbuster video location in the French Quarter, A building that had become something of an eye sore inspite of its prime real estate. While I enjoy bagels, I’ve not had a really good one since moving home from St. Paul, Minnesota. Einstein offers a tremendous menu of breakfast and lunch time sandwiches, as well as plain bagels that are anything but. They also serve great coffee.

Admittedly the prices are a little high, (I’d say a bit higher than what you’d spend on a Whataburger breakfast), but they are not unreasonable. Look for Einstein to quickly become the favorite hangout of Tyler yuppies and Starbucks moms. I must confess I felt a bit like just another member of the local herd heading for the newest culinary curiosity, but at least this one is unique in Tyler.

The surprising thing to me is that it’s taken this long for a good bagel place to open here. Considering the quality of the food and the central location on South Broadway, expect the new establishment to do well. Einstein is more than worth checking out. For more information on Einstein Bros Bagels, see their website at www.einsteinbros.com, or walk into the new location. They can be found at 4500 South Broadway in Tyler.

Tags: Applebee, blockbuster video, Central Location, Corporate Food, Einstein Bagels, Einstein Bros Bagels, French Quarter, Great Coffee, Hangout, Inspite, Lunch Time, Moving Home, Plain Bagels, Prime Real Estate, South Broadway, St Paul Minnesota, Tgi Friday, Tyler Texas, Tyler Texas Breakfast, Tyler TX Bagels, Video Location, Yuppies
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Daniel Boone finally comes to Texas

October 29th, 2009

Ok I realize it’s nerdy but one of my first thoughts upon hearing about Daniel Boone’s “Texas Tavern” was, why name a “Texas Tavern” after a man who never set foot in Texas. I can see how in many ways, the man embodies the values which appeal most to Texans, but why not call it “David Crockett’s Texas Tavern?” Well I’ve since discovered that Dan Boone is the owner and operator of the not- so- misnamed establishment.

I recently had a pleasant visit to D.B’s. The burger was good, the beans tasty, and plentiful, and the Blue Bell ice cream refreshing. They also have a pretty nice bar, although it’s a little cramped back there and the service was good, considering I was part of a huge crowd.

The funny thing about Boone’s is, first off there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground when it comes to people’s opinions. Some swear by it as the absolute best eatery in Tyler, a claim I find a bit unrealistic. Others say the food and service were terrible and vow never to eat there again. This is also an extreme reaction I think. Personally I find myself undecided about the restaurant. This is a rare occasion for me, but I simply can’t make up my mind. The rustic decor is similar to that of the Texas Road House, but it’s not really a steak house. It clearly bills itself as serving Texas style dishes, but they don’t serve barbeque. So what kind of restaurant is Daniel Boone’s?

In terms of the casual atmosphere I’d probably compare the place to Chilies or Applebee’s without the institutional trendiness. The menu is simpler, but the burgers and portions are similar. I can already hear the Boone’s apologists ramping up, so let me say the food is better in my opinion, but the prices are compatible. The thing I do really like about D.B’s. is the hometown, locally owned pride of the place. I typically do everything in my power to avoid the monster Tyler Texas restaurant chains. If I want microwavable food, I’ll go to Sam’s Club. But Boone’s is definitely not one of those. While I remain undecided on how to classify it, the Texas Tavern is definitely a better choice than another faceless franchise.

On a scale of one to five, I personally would give Daniel Boone’s a three and a half, out of five stars. Ultimately, since no seems to agree, the reader will have to pay a visit and decide for his or herself. Boone’s is located on the loop, next to Albertson’s and across from Hobby Lobby.

Tags: Apologists, Applebee, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Burgers, Casual Atmosphere, Chilies, Daniel Boone, Daniel Boone Restaurant, Daniel Boones, David Crockett, First Thoughts, Funny Thing, Rare Occasion, Restaurant Chains, Rustic Decor, Steak House, Style Dishes, Texas Road House, Texas Style, Trendiness, Tyler Texas, Vow
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Cheddar’s in Tyler

October 5th, 2009

If you love causal dining, you are probably familiar with this decision: do I choose Chili’s, Applebee’s, or TGI Fridays? It’s a difficult call. All three have a bar inside, have exciting food choices, and are chock full of pep. They each have good food, and are fun places to go. So let’s be honest: they are essentially the same restaurant.

Between these three titans stands Cheddar’s, a national chain with a location on South Broadway in Tyler. Unlike its 3 older brothers, Cheddars is not decorated with Elvis vinyls, shiny hub-caps, or posters of the cast of Friends sharing a malt. Whether you’re eating outside next to the classy fountain or inside in the elegant decor, Cheddar’s actually allows your senses to relax while you eat. That’s a novel concept for casual dining fans who are used to sensory overload.

Wherever you choose to sit down, you simply must have some chips and salsa. They will come complimentary, but you would pay for them even if they didn’t. What you need to pay for is the cheesy Santa Fe Spinach Dip, as long as you know when to stop. It is creamy and intoxicating. You won’t regret it. The only downside is you might not have room for any other appetizers, like the Chicken Fajita Quesadillas or fabulous Texas Cheese Fries.

The main menu, while not earth-shakingly original, is filled with delicious options. The soups and salads are fresh, and the burgers are terrific. Their Great Plates menu is full of cant-misses, like the Grilled Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, which would make the Olive Garden proud. But for this customer, it’s Cheddar’s sandwiches that set it apart from its competitors. Whenever I go, I struggle mightily between the Monte Cristo and the Philly Cheese Steak. I’m not going to tell you that the Philly is better than anything on the east coast, but it is plenty authentic enough for me, and I’ve had a Philly in Philly. And the Monte Cristo–a perfectly concocted blend of batter, meat, cheese and raspberry preserves–is one of those meals you feel you can’t go wrong with.

There are better restaurants in Tyler than Cheddars, but there is no better meal for your money. The portions are large, and the prices are alarmingly small. You can easily get filled up on a very nice meal for less than $10.

When I took my friends from out of town to Cheddars, they wanted to bottle up their salsa and take the whole restaurant home to Minnesota. It’s a well-run establishment, committed not to flair but to value. The only gimmick you’ll find is a great meal at a small price.

Tags: Applebee, Cast Of Friends, Casual Dining, Casual Dining in Tyler, Cheddar's, Cheddars in Tyler, Cheese Steak, Chicken Fajita Quesadillas, Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, Chili S, Delicious Options, Elegant Decor, Food Choices, Grilled Chicken, Hub Caps, Monte Cristo, Novel Concept, Olive Garden, Sensory Overload, South Broadway, Spinach Dip, Texas Cheese Fries, Tgi Fridays, Vinyls
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