Sunday FUNDAY "Starbucks, BBQ Bourbon Sauce, Lil' John's and waiting for the Big Game"

Big Game today, The Seattle Seahawks vs. SF 49ers. Sammi and I got up early to make Maple-Bourbon BBQ sauce for later. No coffee in the house, so we had to take a quick drive to Starbucks for a Tall Americano, then back to making BBQ Sauce.  It starts with 1 cup of ketchup. I use organic ketchup, so stop judging me! Ok, now add 2 tablespoons each of the following: brown sugar
maple syrup
Dijon mustard
apple cider vinegar
Worcestershire Sauce AND the juice of 2 tangerines, 2 shots of bourbon, and 2 cloves of garlic.  Boil, then 30 minutes of simmering and you're done! While the sauce was cooling, we went to have a little breakfast at Lil' John's. Nothing fancy, just a neighborhood restaurant which has been around for nearly 50 years and recently renovated after a kitchen fire. I have to admit, it's been many years since I have been to Lil' John's, it use to be a total dump and stale cigarette smoke from their bar use to wander into the dining area and made for a "not so nice" experience. I had the #1 and he had the Chicken Fried Steak. Not the best breakfast ever, but at $6.25 for 1 egg, hash browns, 2 sausage and toast, not bad. I didn't try the chicken fried steak, someone did not share, but no complaints from the other side of the table. Well, I am off for a little Sunday stroll, then the big game. GO HAWKS!

Agua Verde

OK, what do you do on a beautiful sunny weekend day in Seattle after going on a run and you're starving? Go to Agua Verde Cafe Paddle Club!! If you're lucky you won't stand in line too long. If you are uber-Lucky, you'll find a table. Cross your fingers and go for it. It's worth it. You need to place your order as you enter. Pay, grab your drinks and take your little plastic gourd, which tells the server where to deliver your food. Start with some chips and a trip to the salsa bar.

John ordered the Huevos Rancheros: Crispy fried corn tostadas topped with black beans, cheddar jack cheese, two eggs, Mexican salsa and fresh avocados with grilled red potatoes.
John & I met in San Diego and he use to eat huevos rancheros all the time. Is he critical? Yes, at first, then after the first bite. Memories of the "authentic" huevos rancheros came flooding in. I could tell by his face, he just tasted perfection!

Chilaquiles where have you been all my life? OK, I've had chilaquiles before, but these are YUM. I feel like the last few times I'd had chilaquiles, they were just made and didn't have time to blend all the flavors. Chilaquiles are kind of like a Mexican lasagna, layers of fried tortillas, choice of guajillo rojo or tomatillo verde sauce, sour cream , queso fresco, and fresh chopped onions with two eggs any style and refried beans. Is your mouth watering or what???!!

Vegan -4-A- Day: Breakfast

Today, I am participating in Vegan 4 a day. I am so thankful to both EatingJourney and SillyTaterTot for creating Vegan -4-A- Day, should be FUN!

First challenge, no cream in my coffee. Hmmm...I switched the coffee for a nice cup of Darjeeling.

Second challenge, I have been loosely following a low glycemic diet, but no eggs on a vegan diet. I haven't had a banana for weeks, but today looks like a banana day.

Vegan Breakfast "Ants on a log"

I sliced a banana in half, slathered with peanut butter and topped with Goji Berries. YUM.

So far so good. I'll be working out later today, so I'll pack some almonds in my gym bag. I should be fine.

Wish me luck!

Breakfast for my Baby Boy

One day he'll appreciate this. Actually, I think he already does. Of course, I am referring to my son, who is a senior in high school. He was never much of a breakfast guy when he was little, but he always appreciated a good meal. I try to make him breakfast in the morning these days.

For the last few years I have had to work very early in the morning, so I haven't had a chance to make anyone breakfast, even myself. I was the general manager for a company overseeing 3 corporate cafes and the cafes all opened at 7 am. The last 2 years I worked at an athletic club and again, worked very early, arriving to the club at 7 am, even earlier if I was working out with my trainer.

Anyway, here's my chance to be the breakfast making mom!!! I love it and I know I'll miss these early mornings when he goes away to school next year. Sigh...

Egg and Cheese Muffin with organic chocolate milk. YUM.