Hiking Mount Si and Jak's Brunch

Today is the perfect morning for a hike so my beau and a few of our besties decided to hike Mount Si. We knew heading into it that Mount Si was going to be a lot more difficult than our previous hikes. So in order to prepare for this hike I had a huge greel yogurt parfait with lots of fresh strawberries and mangos topped with granola!

As we approached the trailhead we all were full of energy and ready for our 8 mile roundtrip hike that has an elevation change of almost 4,000 feet... big gulp.

This trail is no joke from the very beginning you climb uphill... my booty was feeling the burn at mile marker 1. The weather was fantastic today and I definitely recommended hitting the trail early to avoid lots of traffic on the trail. The trail is very well kept but beware of all the rocks and roots, they can be dangerous. At about the 2 mile point I recommend taking a break and sipping on some aqua and a energy bar of some kind. The rest of the trail is quite challenging and you will burn tons and tons of calories which is wonderful. The scenery is dark until you hit the marker of 3.5 miles and then you begin to see the light and begin to reap the benefits of the hike. After 2 hours we finally were at the top and it was beautiful and wonderfully peaceful... check out some of the wonderful shots we were able to capture.

Mt. Rainier was breathtaking!

 The Sunday hiking crew!

Posing as always!!

Tim and I decided to hike up a bit further to get the full view!

I suggest hiking Mount Si to everyone because the views are truly beautiful but be prepared to sweat and get a kick butt workout. It was a wonderful day to hike with the boys and I can't wait to do it again in a couple weeks. :) Now its time for brunch...

We decided that the best way to reward ourselves was to eat our faces off at Jak's brunch in Issaquah. Their brunch runs until 2pm and I suggest going later because there was no wait at all. We sat down immediately and ordered almost as fast. Let's just say we ordered enough food for 10 people. Take a peek at the table below. :)

Let's see we had a greek and chop chop salad to begin that were super fresh and hit the spot... now it was time grub on some amazing breakfast dishes (I didn't eat to much of the community salad because I was waiting for the carbs). I ordered the Belgian Waffle, Tim ordered the french toast, Ben and Dave each ordered egg scrambles. Let's just say that we didn't talk for a good 10 minutes because we were enjoying our food so much.

The Belgian Wafflewas topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries came with 2 eggs and bacon. I mean it was the most delicious breakfast I have had in a long time. I totally recommend this dish but the Baja scramble was equally tasty and it came with tortillas and Jak's potaotes. Life is great today!

So tasty... you have to try Jak's for brunch!

Jak's has an amazing brunch! The service is great (servers are very witty), the food was to die for, good value and the portions are huge so I recommend coming hungry so you will leave as happy as I did. TWO THUMBS UP... I can't wait to go again ASAP!

Review: Vons Roasthouse

After waking up and hitting the gym bright and early today I am convinced that today is going to be a great day. At the gym I did 30 minutes and the elliptical and hit the bike for 10 minutes to cool down. I wish I could say that I enjoyed this workout, but I have become accustomed to working out outside because of the great weather... so being locked in a gym just wasn't that great.

I did feel much better after hitting the gym and decided to make myself a delicious and healthy open-faced breakfast sandwich before heading to catch my bus. I fried an egg, microwaved some bacon, sauteed some spinached and piled it on top of a sandwich thin... all those ingredients together equal the best breakfast sandwich ever. :) Look at how happy it made me.

 

I was running a little late today but I had to paint my toenails because I wanted to wear some really cute peep toe heels. But I just didn't have time to paint all ten toes... so I only did four because they are the only ones that were visible... has anyone ever done this before? I feel super tacky doing it but I did it anyways... check it out! :) Apparently I have no shame, my mom would be mortified if she saw this toe job. :)

Its a BEAUTIFUL day in Seattle and I am so excited to have a date night with the beau! We decided to eat at Vons Roasthouse... we have walked past this place so many times and today we deciced to try it. The main reason being they had outdoor seating so we could enjoy the weather and some pretty fantastic people watching. Apparently there was a gaming conference near by so we saw so many superheros I felt really safe walking the streets. :)

Vons is known for their martini's so I decied to order a Lemon Drop! I never drink martini's... but I have to say I really enjoyed this sweet drink.

We decided to split a bacon burger and order a signature side salad. The signature side salad was only $3.00 and topped with blue cheese crumbles, walnuts, craisins and a great vinegarette. I was really surprised at how tasty this salad was. 

The patio seating was just perfect for this evening! Next up the bacon burger... this was delicious. The burger was so juicy, the secret sauce was tasty and all the topping were delightful. The moment I tasted the burger I was wishing I didn't have to share it. And the french fries had a great seasoning on them too.

I highly recommend Vons, the service is pretty good, they shout out drink special over an intercom, the drinks are good and the food as you can see is yummy. Their location is convenient for anyone travelling to Downtown Seattle. Again look it how happy this Vons made me.

Food Coma!

I wish everyday was sunny in Seattle because dining on a great patio just makes life a bit better! 





Review: Pie & Pints and Peaks Frozen Custard

Thank goodness its Wednesday because I have a date with my friend Tassoula. She has planned a fantastic date in the Roosevelt neighborhood to try some great spots. We met at Pies and Pints for dinner. Little did I know that this is a rustic palace... served savory pot pies and pints of beer I mean who could want more. Take a peek at their signage below... this place exudes personality and a perfect place to drink and eat comfort food.

The service was great and the food was fantastic.The menu was filled with comfort pot pies... I guarantee that the menu has something for everyone. They have so many options for sides its crazy... you can't make a bad decision. Don't forget to ask the servers for their specials... everyday they have a special pot pie and mac & chesse.  I ordered a savory beef and potato pot pie and french fries to go with my pint of delicious amber and Tassoula ordered the mac & chesse special with a side salad. :)

I refused to share any of my fries... :)

Pot Pie HEAVEN!!!

The food was fantastic and the price was just right for me... $9.95 for the pie and $4.75 for a pint. The servings are huge so come hungry, the service is laid back and again the food is great. You have to try this local favorite. After a filling dinner we didn't stop we headed straight to Peaks frozen Custard right down the road for dessert.

I had never even heard of frozen custard before so I excited to try a new dessert. I didn't know what to expect but I knew Tassoula would never have me try something disgusting. :) As we were standing in line I was trying to decided what to have... they had such delicious flavors. I went with the Strawberry Creme Ribbon... and I was in total amazement on how delicious this frozen custard was. It was so creamy, smooth and flavorful I couldn't believe it. As I was finishing my last bite I turned to Tassoula and said "I am so happy right now!" My belly was full of great food... and that made me so happy and smiley.

Look at those scoops... so delightful!

I totally recommend Peaks to anyone that loves ice cream, sorbet or gelato. You definitely won't be disappointed with frozen custard as your desert... it is so yummy. Peaks is a great little spot that offers both indoor and outdoor seating. They even have a children's seating area and then a loft for adults. I love this place and can't wait to try more flavors.

Pie & Pints and Peak Frozen Custard are two places that are definitely worth trying. Check out their websites linked above and if you go on a nice day they both have outdoor seating. :) Thanks Tassoula for planning such a fabulous date. :)

REVIEW: Pegasus Coffee

Thank god it's Friday is all I can say! I woke up early and ran 4 miles to get my morning started off right and it felt great. Working out in the morning is definitely challenging at times but everytime I do it I feel 10x better throughout the day.

After getting ready I decided to spurlge and make myself an open face egg and bacon sandwich. Here's what you need an egg, 1/2 of an whole wheat sandwich thin, and two slices of bacon... its pretty much a little taste of heaven.



I decided to try a new coffee place in Seattle, so I decided on Pegasus Coffee near Pioneer Square. I didn't have very high expectations for this little coffee place but I was soon blown away by all the character  it had inside. As soon as I ordered my signature Tall Americano with room, I saw a magnet on the espresso stand that made me love this place "Saracasm is just another free service we provide." Instantly I recognized these baristas have tons of personality. :) The service was great and the speed of delivery couldn't have been faster. They also had lots of options for all tea drinkers... actually a full wall dedicated to unique teas, they also had bagels, pastries and a full menu of tasty coffee drinks. My americano was fantastic but next time I am going to try the "Frio Micei," blended coffee beverage mixed with ice. Yummo!!!!

I would definitely recommend this coffee shop to everyone. They have wonderful service, great coffee, a great spacious loft to enjoy. You gotta try it... I guarantee the baristas will make you smile.

Now off to work... today is going to be a challenge because of the 80 degree weather!

REVIEW: Hiking Little Si

Today's hike was Little Mt. Si which is 2.2 long in distance. The beginning of the hike is quite steep, then mellow, then steep again as it scrambles up the mountain to the 1576 foot-summit. This is a beautiful hike and offers you phenomenal views of Snoqualmie Valley after navigating through forests and over rocks. As you are nearing the top of the summit the hike begins to get a bit rocky and you have to take big steps... if you are a midge like me. This hike is pretty challenging but the top is a really nice payoff.

I killed this trail... okay maybe it killed me.

Check out the views!

I love this pic... look at all the green! It makes me happy.



I would say that this hike is moderate to challenging! But I recommend it to every type of hiker because you can go at your own pace. I also recommend that you get to this trailhead early because it is very busy with families and large hiking groups.

FYI beginning on July 1, 2011, the new Discover Pass is required to park at all Washington State Parks. If you don't have one you get a ticket... and nobody wants a ticket. Here is the information on the Discovery Pass.

If you are in the mood for other hikes in the area, check out my previous posts:

West Tiger Mtn Trailhead
Rattlesnake Lake Trailhead

More hikes to come!

REVIEW: Museum of Flight

Today my beau and I took his 10 year old niece to the Museum of Flight because she wants to be a pilot! We showed up around 10:45 am and the place was packed because the Blue Angels were flying today. I haven't been to the museum in probably 10 years but I have to say it was and still is an incredible place.

The museum is a little pricey so please check out all the discounts that are available before visiting. I used my AAA to get $2 off each adult tickets and $1 off childrens tickets. As we entered the museum we saw that every 10 minutes they had a different video playing in their theatre so we enjoyed a presentation on the Blue Angels that was really interesting and made us all excited to enter the actual museum. As we entered each of us just looked up in AWW of all the airplanes and the history.

The museum is an incredible experience for all ages. They have a great kids section that has weekend crafts for families. They also have flight symulators for all flights to enjoy and just tons of incredible exhibits. I guarantee that everyone comes out of the museum learning at least a couple handful of things. My favorite part was the flight simulator, rendezvous in space exhibit and of course the incredible Blue Angels. Check it out the 10 year old is almost taller than me... :)

Phew... I made the height requirements!

This museum can take either an hour or 5 hours to get through it all depends on your love of learning about aviation. It definitely is a must see in Seattle and worth the admission even if aviation isn't your thing, I guarantee at least one of the exhibits will catch your attention. The best part of the day is seeing Dave's niece smile from ear to ear and experience the museum she has wanted to visit for months.

Go enjoy the museum!

REVIEW: Lot No. 3

Tonight I met my girlfriend Tassoula for dinner at Lot No. 3 in Bellevue. I had heard that this place had a great menu and atmosphere, so I was so excited that Tassoula wanted to meet here. As soon as I arrived I think I fell a little bit in love. The atmosphere was super laid back, all the doors were open to enjoy the beautiful weather and it wasn't super crowded which made me happy. The restaurant had a vintage feel to it and it was very inviting.

Tassoula and I on a previous date!

Now let's get to the good stuff... the menu was full of comfort food and so many drink options it was overwhelming. Isn't that a great problem to have! The menu included a BLT, Bratwurst, Chicken & Waffles, Mac & Cheese, PB&J Sliders (umm... w/ bacon) and sloppy joes to name a few items. I decided to go with a nice wheat beer and a bratwurst. It felt like the right decision because its summer and my night out so measuring calories and eating healthy is a moo point. :)

As soon as I saw my meal I knew I had made the right decision. I saw a perfect bratwurst on a pretzel bun with dijon mustard and a little sauerkraut.

Umm... pretty freakin amazing!

I have to tell you the pretzel bun is the best type of bun ever created! The dijon was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy and the brat was cooked to perfection... and washing it down with a nice and cold beer made this the most amazing meal I have had thus far in August. :) This was also served with a side of cole slaw that was okay but nothing to great.

I was pretty full after housing my brat, but I still felt like I needed something sweet. So I bullied Tassoula into splitting a Spiced Jar Cake... I mean how can you go wrong with something described like this: cinnamon-pudding cake with a maple glaze served in a jar!

I have to tell you that this dessert did not dissapoint it was a cross between a sticky bun and the most moist spice cake I have ever tasted. It was delightful and I would recommend it to anyone, that wanted to try a little bite of heaven. :)

Dessert makes every meal better!

I would recommend Lot No. 3 to anyone... they have everything on their menu! Next time I am going to be sure and order the PB&J Sliders. I rate the service, food, presentation, options and overall dining experience an A and almost an A+. :) 

Tis the Season of Salads

It's officially summer in Seattle! We have had almost an entire week of sunshine and tank tops. :) So I have been enjoying lots of different salads that are light and filled with fresh produce. Check them out below I promise you won't be disappointed.

I love having a light and healthy lunch and salads are usually a pain to make in single servings. I found the perfect solution to this problem... Trader Joes! They have the best premade salads I have ever seen. They are the perfect portion, fresh ingredients and healthy!

Chopped Italian Salad

This salad is super filling and delicious. I love all the ingredients especially together. I think my favorite part of this salad is all the protein mixed with the fresh produce.

Crunchy Slaw w/ Chicken & Peanut Sauce

This salad is to die for.. I love the cilantro, crunchy noodles and creamy peanut dressing. This salad has quite an asian flavor to it that makes you want more.

When I get home from work and the weather is super nice, I just want to enjoy it! So salads for dinner are the perfect meal. Below you will see some of my favorite with links to the recipes.

Grillled Scallop Salad

I found this recipe in my newest Cooking Light! I absolutely love scallops, watermelon, mint and avocado I just never thought of adding them all together. Once I did mix them altogether and added the lemon vinegarette it really was the perfect summer salad. I completely recommend this salad to everyone that loves trying new flavors!

Massaged Kale Salad w/ Apples and Gorgonzola

I never thought I would say this but I really do enjoy kale and massaging the kale really makes a difference. By massaging salt into the kale, the bitterness disappears the leaves become tender. The dressing is super simple just combine apple cider vinegar with EVOO and salt and pepper and you have your dressing. Add apples, currents, toasted sunflower seeds and gorgonzola (I omit because I am not a huge fan) to the kale and dressing and you have a nice, fresh and light salad that will hook you on kale.

Asian Chicken Salad

 I found this premade salad kit at Costco and it is simply amazing. All you do is mix the dressing, almonds and crunchy noodles to the cabbage mix and top with the salad packet. I add chicken to it to make it more filling and add a little protein. This salad is super easy and idiot proof! Check it out at Costco and you won't be disappointed.

Herbed Shrimp and White Bean Salad

This salad is another Cooking Light gem! I used raw red peppers instead of roasted and it turned out spectacular. The arugula, white beans, shrimp, basil, parsley and lemon vinegarette really make this dish tasty. I never was a huge fan of arugula until it was mixed with all these ingredients.

Tasty Beet Salad

My beau created this recipe and I love it. The ingredients of this salad are 1 avocado, 1 grapefruit, packaged beets (already peeled) and goat cheese to taste. The grapefruit really sweetens up the beets and the goat cheese brings all the flavors together. This is a perfect side or main course!

I hope this post makes everyone want to make more salads. Get creative with the them and put together ingredients that you would never think of and you will never say "I don't want another salad!"