Bumblekiss

A new dining spot was discovered today, Bumblekiss. Located on 46th and NE Freemont, the restaurant is an old bungalow that has been converted. This translates into a limited yet creative space. One of the little kids breakfasting with her family couldn't understand why she couldn't just walk back into the kitchen to get what she wanted which expressed how un-restaurant the place feels.

The menu features lots of creative combinations but some classics as well. The ingredients are as local and as organic as possible and no hydrogenated oils are used, just homemade goodness. Bumblekiss strives to support people with food intolerances, just ask the waiter and they'll review the options. Gluten free bread is available for breakfast dishes and sandwiches. There are also gluten free and vegan pancakes on the menu.

I took my dad visiting from Spokane. We shared a black forest ham and pear sandwich that came with a side of soup and apple coleslaw and the bacon tacos that came with a side of garlic roasted potatoes. We both agreed the sandwich was good but not impressive, that was also the consensus about the coleslaw. The bacon tacos were another story however! A tasty mix of bacon and citrus salsa scrambled into eggs topped with pepperjack and served in soft corn tortillas. The potatoes were roasted to perfection with whole cloves of garlic roasted with them. DELICIOUS!!! So, if you are looking for a unique dining experience Bumblekiss could be your spot. Besides, who can't like a place with a name like that?

Spring Cleanse

Tis the season for clearing out clutter and deep cleaning everything in sight. This year I decided to add my body to the list and have commenced a two week cleanse: no dairy, gluten, soy, sugar or grain with limited fruit. This is going to be interesting. I've become more adjusted to the no dairy and gluten, but the no grain is a first. Be prepared for some different recipes!

Tonight the meal was entirely plant based making it full of nutrients and easy to digest. Dinner was a fennel, avacado and beet salad to start and pesto 'pasta' as the main. I used ribbons of zucchini I cut using a mandolin. After a very quick blanching in boiling water I tossed the zucchini with vegan pesto, chopped tomato and sliced green onions. Finished with a bit of sea salt and voila! A delicious grain free entree. You can also make this dish a raw one omiting the step of blanching. Let me know what you think if you feel adventurous some night and try this dish.

Product Review

Some days I just don't have the time to make every single meal, especially lunch. However, I'm then left with the dilemma of finding something I can safely eat. The other day while grocery shopping I saw Amy's brand frozen burritos. To my surprise and delight two gluten free varieties have been added to the line, a bean and cheese as well as a dairy free bean a rice version. I bought a dairy free one and took it for lunch on a busy day. Though I was excited I was also hesitant as I have been hard pressed to find good gluten free tortillas. Surprisingly it was quite good. The filling had good flavor and the tortillas had great texture. The burritos aren't cheap at about $3.50 a piece but excellent when you're in a pinch. I've seen them in New Seasons, Whole Foods, Zupans and Fred Meyer.

Farmers Market Treat

PSU Farmers Market is brimming with tasty treats making it nearly impossible to resist. I tried to pass by the Petunia stand but the Dulce de Leches cupcake was calling my name load and clear. It was so pretty I almost couldn't eat it, almost. The treats are gluten free and vegan the only downfall being the sugar content, but everyone needs a sweet once in awhile. Petunia is a local bakery. I hope you get a chance to visit. Let me know what you think if you do!

Final Mexio Post

Most nights we ate at the resort in The Bistro or visited the sister resort in town. The food was always great; clean, fresh, expertly seasoned. It also helped that the wait staff were fluent in English making it very easy for me to express my dietary needs. However, I rarely had to as there were always so many options. I followed the saying, "When in Rome, do what the Romans do" and made a point to eat guacamole and pico de gallo every single day I was there; it was an excellent decision. My favorite dishes while there were the chile rellenos (best I have ever had) and the enchiladas. I couldn't get enough of the chicken enchiladas with refried beans and rice. The mole sauce was a real treat, but the ranchero sauce continues to be my favorite. I treated myself to a margarita while there. It

paired excellently with my chips and guacamole. I had salad a couple times while there and was quite pleased as I had been very hesitant about eating fresh produce due to my condition. One salad in particular got a '10' for presentation. All I ordered was the mixed green salad (you'll see a picture of it below).

The trip to Mexico was amazing in so many ways. One way in particular is that it encouraged me that I really will regain a normal life even with my illness and severe food restrictions. I went to a foreign country and not only was able to find food to eat, but savored and enjoyed it tremendously. We all need those moments and experiences when we realize it really is going to be ok. Mexico did that for me. I hope you enjoyed sharing a bit of my adventure. Hope adventures to talk about are all in our near futures. Salud!

Mexico Part III

Now to review the luxurious experience of breakfast in Mexico. Half way through our trip we discovered the breakfast buffet, all you can eat for 1500 hundred pesos (approximately $13.50). It was a deliciously affordable way to go. The buffet had extensive options with a wide variety of items even I could partake in. An omelet and quesadilla station as well as a fresh fruit smoothie station were highlights. Aside from the smoothie station there was also a juice bar. All the juices served were fresh squeezed and included orange, apple, grapefruit, watermelon, cantaloupe, guava and pineapple. Prepared items (that I could enjoy) included refried beans, chiliquiles (corn chips sauted with enchilada sauce topped with cojita and onions), tamales, breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, freshly made salsas, as well as fresh fruit and yogurt. What a feast! Having breakfast with my man was definitely one of the more enjoyable times of the day though every moment on vacation in Mexico was tremendously enjoyable.

On days we didn't eat at the buffet we either made a meal out of food we brought from home, which also worked out well, or ate at a restaurant enjoying fruit kabobs and huevos rancheros. All the egg and corn products were excellent. The eggs had bright orange yolks with a rich flavor. The corn tortillas and chips had depth, not full of the fried overly processed flavor so many of the corn products in the states have. The tortillas were especially moist. I could actually fold them over without the expected cracking down the middle. Ever since my return to the states breakfast just hasn't been the same. I guess I can't expect much from a humble bowl of oatmeal though. Here's to good eating and even better living!

Mexico Part II

My boyfriends parents visit Mazatlan, Mexico every year. Fortunately for us it meant that they had already scoped out some not to miss places. Casa Loma is one of the not to miss places for an elegant and fabulous dinner if you ever visit. Casa Loma is off the main drag, an old house that has been converted into a restaurant. The atmosphere is classic and calming. The wait staff at Casa Loma are excellent, so is the food (affordable as well). The four of us had dinner there early into our trip, my boyfriend and I loved it! We celebrated our two year dating anniversary while we were in Mazatlan. His parents treated us to dinner as part of the celebration allowing us to pick any restaurant we wanted; we chose to go back Casa Loma.

Amongst the four of us we tried four different dishes; chipotle chicken (chicken breast served in a chipotle cream sauce), ajillo chicken (chicken breast served in a butter, garlic, herb and medium spiced pepper sauce), seafood enchiladas (covered in a chipotle cream sauce) and the fish special (prepared in a white wine and caper sauce). All were excellently prepared and flavored perfectly, evident in the fact that there was never

leftovers. The table next to us ordered a spanish coffee which was quite an impressive spectacle. It was the most elaborate presentation I have ever witnessed. It was the type of dining experience that encouraged you to take your time savoring every bite and soaking up the atmosphere. Casa Loma is a must and we will definitely be visiting again, maybe even twice.