Why is it that every time friends and family come to Austin, I find myself on a Mexican and BBQ food tour? All the sudden I'm eating the famous cookie from "so and so's", and before I know it, I feel like I've sabotaged all my hard work for the week. Finally, I had to draw the (County) Line <--- that's a BBQ joke for you. I've created this list of healthy things to do and places to eat so you can save yourself the diet sabotage of the dreaded family visits!

• Barton Springs: even if it's too cold to swim, it's super cheap and fun just to go look at it.
  
• Walk/shop South Congress (get an almond milk latte at Jo's, take pics, look at all the strange trinkets)

• Bowling but you should refuse to wear the shoes.. for so many reasons.
• If they're into crafts, check out these workshops.
• Town Lake: I always take people here to walk the lake with a juice, stand up paddle board, or see the bats.
• Thai Fresh for dessert (all gluten/dairy free... still lots of sugar but a completely improved choice)
• Movies: Alamo obvi (get the Turkish tea - it's good, they give you a teapot and you can still get the hand to mouth motion during the movie. If you want a free meal, eat at a restaurant afterward so you're not eating in the dark!); Violet Crown (nice small popcorns!), or the Blue Starlite (drive-in in south Austin -- super fun, lots of classic movies, BYO snacks and drinks so the ball is in your court!)
• Hiking (Google this - there are a million trail entrances that are fun and easy)
• Cooking Class: Whole Foods, Sur la Table, Thai Fresh all do classes!
• Peter Pan Mini Golf: super fun, also BYO snacks and drinks (Topochico for you!)
• Comedy Show: Cap City comedy has a 2 drink minimum (but tell them you're not drinking and they'll just charge a small fee) but there are open mics all over the city every single night
• Farmers Market: go get ingredients and make a big healthy meal/stay in and catch up?
• Blanton Museum: super fun and certainly worth seeing! You might even want to check out the Texas History Museum you are into it.
• University of Texas games: see if you can catch a basketball, hockey, football game?
• Round Rock Express: super fun minor league team... great for when the weather is warm and they are playing at home
• Austin Library: I haven't been yet but it's downtown and sooo pretty! I want to go walk around and explore.
• City Bikes - rent bikes at the little stations downtown and cruise around and explore!
• Book People: funky bookstore guests love checking out...
• Whole Foods Flagship store: again, might be lame to us but a lot of people are super impressed from out of town. They do goat yoga there on the rooftop too!
• Axe Throwing: It's pretty new and looks like a blast - haven't done it yet but it's walk-ins during the week and BYOB. Again, bring what you want!
• Do512.com is a great resource when you're looking for specific dates.
• If you want to check out a spa day at Travassa, it's pretty amazing... you get access to the pool/sauna for the day as well.
• For healthy restaurants, I love to take my people to True Food Kitchen, Perla's, Fresa's, and Josephine House.

If you try anything of these activities or restaurants, let me know how you like them!!