Taste: Healthy Options

Healthy Options

When the new year rolls around, and we think of setting goals, one of those is usually making healthier choices with nutrition. Nowhere is that aspiration harder to attain than when eating out. It’s so tempting to overindulge when so many decadent options stretch forth on the menu. With that in mind, some of Huntsville’s hottest eateries offer up some delightful choices to consider, guilt-free!

Murder Point Oysters, Alabama The Bottle Pink Lady Apple Honey Salad

Cocktail sauce, Cucumber Mignonette, crackers

Honey caviar, argula, candied nuts, feta cheese, house vinaigrette

Photo by Steve Babin

Pan Seared Black Grouper, Florida

Parmesan risotto, Haricot Verts, squash, carrots, crab tartar sauce

Gluten-free blackened salmon salad, gluten-free chocolate torte Main Street Cafe

Photo by Steve Babin

Beet Salad Purveyor

Beet yogurt, blood orange, mustard seed, Granny Smith, Sweet City Micros®

Photo by Steve Babin

Barbecue turkey salad Gibson’s Bar-B-Q

Barramundi has a firm moist texture and large flakes with sweet buttery flavor. Pan-seared and drizzled with lemon garlic butter and served with sautéed seasoned vegetables

Photo by Steve Babin

Barramundi Tom Brown’s Restaurant

Huntsville Happenings

Written by Judy S. Ryals, Pres./CEO

Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau Recurring events:

Every New Year brings hope, and that’s certainly the case for 2021. We’re all looking forward to much brighter days ahead. I’d like to wish you a wonderful holiday season, and hope you’ll take the opportunity to enjoy the great attractions and activities that offer our residents and visitors such a wide variety of experiences. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is offering two brand-new activities in its Underwater Astronaut Trainer: DIVR+ is a virtual reality snorkeling system with sensory feedback that provides a realistic VR experience; and Sea Trek is a fully-guided underwater walking experience suitable for swimmers and divers of all skill levels. The new offerings are in addition to the Discovery and Enterprise Shuttle Experiences also available while Space Camp is on hiatus. The Apollo When We Went to the Moon exhibit will be moving out in late January to allow a February installation of Dare to Explore: Missions to Mars which will give visitors a glimpse into the exploration of the red planet. The Huntsville Museum of Art is currently offering some fantastic exhibits including tributes to Gloria Vanderbilt and Frida Kahlo along with an outstanding compilation of Jonathan Becker’s work. If you go before January 10, you can still enjoy Skating in the Park, which would be a perfect complement to your museum visit. Even with the cooler weather of the season, this is a wonderful time to visit other attractions as well. The Huntsville Botanical Garden is an outstanding venue to enjoy the crisp, fresh air and walk while admiring the flora and fauna. Burritt on the Mountain offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic vistas of Huntsville, and this is especially true now, when the leaves that can partially obscure the view have fallen. EarlyWorks Children’s Museum has the Toys: The Inside Story exhibit which is a fascinating look into toys for the young and young-at-heart. The Von Braun Center continues to host sporting events, performances and shows, with appropriate protocols in place, for our enjoyment. The events and activities listed below are scheduled for January and February. Don’t forget to participate in our February 1-14, #iHeartHsv campaign, which is your opportunity to share what makes our community special to you, and possibly even win a prize while doing so! Please use this list as a starting point and then visit huntsville.org for updates. Stay safe, follow the guidelines, and support our local attractions, restaurants, hotels, retail and small businesses. Ongoing events: Apollo: When We Went to the Moon, through late January, Dare to Explore: Missions to Toyota Field ballpark tours, Town Madison Madison County Marker Challenge, countywide Monte Sano State Park Tour - virtual Rocket City Civil Rights Driving Tour Huntsville Botanical Garden Virtual Tour Science Never Stops, U.S. Space & Rocket Center (online) Gloria Vanderbilt: An Artful Life and Jonathan Becker: Social Work (through January 24);

The World of Frida (through February 28), Spotlight on the Collection:Buccellati, Huntsville Museum of Art Toys: The Inside Story, EarlyWorks Children’s Museum Skating in the Park, Big Spring International Park – through January 10 The Legume Room Comedy Open Mic, Salty Nut Brewery – weekly on Tues. Paint Nite, Village of Providence – every two weeks on Tues. Rocket City Rover Mixer Rides, downtown Huntsville – weekly on Thurs., Fri. and Sat. Bikes & Brews, downtown Huntsville – monthly on the first Fri. Rocket City Improv Presents, Shenanigans Comedy Theatre – monthly on the first Fri. Mars Music Hall Local Lineup Series, Von Braun Center – weekly on Fri. and Sat. Downtown Walking Tours presented by Scenethat Walking Tours – weekly on Sat. and Sun. The Market at MidCity – Sun. Burritt Folk School Workshops, Burritt on the Mountain – daytime and evening classes

available One-time events: Ice Hockey: Havoc vs Knoxville, Propst Arena, Von Braun Center – January 15 & 29 Escape to Margaritaville, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Von Braun Center – January 15-17 Black Jacket Symphony Presents Pink Floyd’s The Wall, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Von Braun Center – January 23 Ice Hockey: Havoc vs Birmingham, Propst Arena, Von Braun Center – January 30 & February 27 Ice Hockey: Havoc vs Pensacola, Propst Arena, Von Braun Center – February 4 & 13 TOBYMAC Hits Deep Tour, Propst Arena, Von Braun Center – February 9 Ice Hockey: Havoc vs Knoxville, Propst Arena, Von Braun Center – January 15 & 29 Symphony Pops Series: Eileen Ivers – Fiddle on Fire! Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Von Braun Center – February 20 Christopher Cross, Mars Music Hall, Von Braun Center – February 22 Ice Hockey: Havoc vs Macon, Propst Arena, Von Braun Center – February 26 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents Carnival of the Animals, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Von Braun Center – February 27

Mars, starting in February, U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Ashley McBryde, Mars Music Hall, Von Braun Center – March 6 n