Charleston Grill
We arrived yesterday to Charleston, SC for my baby sister’s wedding. My inlaws decided to make the 5 hour drive and meet up with us for a long weekend from Georgia, simply because we were on this side of the country. We started off the weekend together at the Charleston Grill a few blocks from where we were staying.
The atmosphere was incredible. Beautifully designed setting, live music, and smiling helpful staff. A true perfect balance of attention to their customers without being bothersom. We were a bit underdressed from our travels (most people were in jacket and tie) and we had our two kids however it did not seem to matter.
After being seated and given our menus I was pleasantly suprised at the layout of the menu alone. The items were sectioned into different categories. I was told that the menu changes constantly depending on the season and what is available locally. There was just such amazing and unique selection of items it was hard to decide.
I ended up with the Roasted Oysters and split the Prime Beef Tenderloin with my daughter Zoe. Others in our party chose to get Roasted Cauliflower, Salt Roasted Beets,Butter Poached Lobster, Seared Flounder and Shrimp, Collection of Vegetables over Risotto.
Because Zoe and I split our dish they were able to cook our pieces just the way we like it. I like mine medium but Zoe prefers her meat rare. She says it brings out the flavor more, definately my child. I have to sa the presentation of the food was beautiful. And the dish was the best tenderloin I have ever had in my entire life! I can totally say that with 100% conviction. Our pieces melted in our mouths. There was the factor of course of the tenderloin being local but you could really tell the talent of the person who cooked the piece to perfection.
We finished off our meals with some yummy dessert and coffee.
The meal took about three hours to savior. It was truly one of the best meals I have had in my entire life. It was just the perfect combination of atmosphere, service, attention to detail, the food, and the company. If you ever get a chance to visit the beautiful city of Charleston I would highly recommend the Charlestom Grill for an elegant evening of perfection.
Charleston Jog
I got up this morning and decided to take a jog and get to see some of downtown area where we are staying. As most of you know I am not a runner. I say jog cause my pace is super slow and easy, usually 11-12 minute mile pace. I don’t run regularly because it doesn’t fit my body and I often end up injuring myself. But every once in awhile I love a good jog. It is always very meditative for me, gets my body pumped and always a great way to get to know my surrounding when I am on vacation. Charleston is beautiful and super clean. It was so quiet during my run and it really has set a great foundation for the day.
Charleston Jog
I got up this morning and decided to take a jog and get to see some of downtown area where we are staying. As most of you know I am not a runner. I say jog cause my pace is super slow and easy, usually 11-12 minute mile pace. I don’t run regularly because it doesn’t fit my body and I often end up injuring myself. But every once in awhile I love a good jog. It is always very meditative for me, gets my body pumped and always a great way to get to know my surrounding when I am on vacation. Charleston is beautiful and super clean. It was so quiet during my run and it really has set a great foundation for the day.
Take a Moment and Just Breath
Just dropped the dogs off at the boarding ranch getting ready to leave for my sister Anna’s wedding in Charleston, SC. Saw this view. It’s mid 60s and a bit cloudy today. I have a 100 things to get done in preparation for the trip and running around like crazy. But looking at this view and seeing the snow topped mountains makes me feel more at peace. It reminds me, no matter how busy I am to take a moment and just breath.
Garlic Shrimp & Spinach over Cauliflower Purée
This satisfying and light dish tastes as good as it looks. The best part is that it took only about 10 minutes to put together.
Chicken Green Chili
I was at my favorite local coffee shop a few weeks ago during the afternoon to get some work done. They happened to be serving Chicken Green Chili as their soup of the day. It was a particular chilly afternoon and it just sounded like the perfect thing to enjoy. I sat down to eat my soup and I was in love! I had never had Chicken Green Chili before. It was warm, full of favor, and had a bit of a kick.
I was happy to find a local Boulder company that makes green chili at Whole Foods. So of course I had to buy it and try to recreate the one I so enjoyed.
The recipe is simple and took less then 10 minutes to whip up.
Serves 2
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 boneless chicken thigh chopped
1/2 jar (1 cup) of Green Chili
2-3 cups of chicken broth
Simply saute chopped onion in a bit of olive oil. Add chicken and continue to saute until fully cooked. Add green chili and chicken stock. Simmer until all the flavors blend nicely together.
I served mine with a spoon full of sour cream cause it sounded good to me. Remember that using the best quality ingredients yields the best flavors.
This was truly a simple recipe. Simple ingredients, quick to make and so enjoyable to eat.
The Adventure Begins, super early!
It’s currently 3:21am and I am on the bus heading to the Denver airport to catch my 6am flight to Costa Rica for my Kundalini yoga retreat. So excited to be spending my 40th birthday with meditation, yoga and reflection.
I am excited to get away by myself but feel strange at the same time going on a vacation without the kids or hubby. It’s a first for me.
Getting away like this was something I felt I needed to move into my next decade. I am so grateful to my husband and kids for convincing me to go on this trip. And grateful to have the opportunity to do a trip like this for myself.
Las Vegas Landing
I just arrived for my first visit to Las Vegas for my sister’s bachelorette party. Weird to see slot machines right off when I got out of the gate at the airport. Staying at The Signature MGM. I am sure it is going to be a memorable weekend. Is it true, “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”?
The view out of my balcony.
The slot machines at the airport.
My beautiful suite at The Signature MGM.
Bridal Shower Invitations
My lovely sister is getting married in May and I have the opportunity to host a bridal shower for her in March. The theme will be Wine and Chocolate, two of her favorite things. It has been a long time since I have thrown a bridal shower so I was at a loss of how to even start. Then once I got the idea for the theme I had a start and the ideas just came rushing in.
I knew I had to get the invitations out so I can actually have people know that there is a bridal shower. I spent time designing and shopping around town getting all the necessary supplies. Then I hunkered down in the basement for two days getting the invitations out. They turned out just the way I wanted and I hope that my sister is happy with them.
I started with making little wedding dresses out of of some lace, glitter paper, ribbon and a gem. Then I wrapped bars of lovely chocolate bars made by a local company in Boulder with silver wrapping paper and some vellum. Finally I finished off the invitations using the wedding dress in the front and attaching the details of the bridal shower in the back.
It was so much fun making these for my sister. I think the hardest part was putting them in envelopes, addressing them and mailing them out.
Big Bertha
I had a lovely lunch with my friend karen today at a new resturant in Boulder called Zeal. It’s a great place to eat offering the freshest menu of fresh pressed juices, salads, veggie bowls.
I had the miso bowl and my friend had a juice flight. While we shared some great things to eat, drink, and conversation we couldn’t take our eye’s off their mega juicer called X-1. It’s affectionately called Big Bertha by those working at Zeal. It’s the biggest mega juicer I have ever seen. It is kept in it’s very own room and stands over 5 feet tall. It takes 100 pounds of vegetables and fruit turning it into great smooth fresh pressed juice. I thought my Norwalk juicer was big but this was mega big.
Oatmeal Bar
It’s a bit chilly this morning in Boulder and the streets are covered in a bed of beautiful white snow. When ever weather is a bit cold the kids and I crave some warm oatmeal for breakfast to start off the day. I like to serve my oatmeal plain (made with oats, hempseeds, flaxmeal, and water). Then I put out some different toppings to meet everyone’s taste buds and what they are in the mood for that morning. I like mine with a bit of milk, nuts and raisins. Ty usually loves his with peanut butter and banana but loves to toss in others toppings depending on his mood. Zoe loves hers with just a touch of milk. Setting an Oatmeal bar meets everyone’s desires and allows them to customize their breakfast. Not to mention that it gets everyone in my house warm, satisfied and ready for the day.
