For love of all things, Breakfast

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Breakfast for Champions

Granola, blueberry quinoa, yogurt, coconut covered bananas
Yum!

Yes, it is true I love food, but I love breakfast food the most. The aroma of coffee, cinnamon, and bacon in the air makes my stomach happy. There are a couple of places in Raleigh that I highly recommend; Another Broken Egg, The First Watch, and Duck Donuts.

 Another Broken Egg, recommendations;
-Cinnamon Roll
-Bacon
-Granola-quinoa bowl (pictured above)
-French Toast

-What I really want to try is their benniets, and their nutella latte.

Duck Donuts, recommendation:
-Glaze
-Maple bacon
-Chocolate glaze
-Bare

The First Watch, recommendations:
-Belgian Waffles
-EGGS -they are the best here

Asheboro Zoo

Asheboro Zoo

Over the weekend Travis, his nieces, and I went to the North Carolina Zoo, in Asheboro. We have been wanting to go, and it was great to take his nieces on the adventure. We entered at the Africa entrance, and decided to see as much as we possibly could. Inside they had a ropes course (which would be cool to do on a cooler day), and at different times of the day the people at the zoo would exhibit the animals. 

We trekked for hours! The animals are so very pretty. I loved seeing the polar bear, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and other animals like; owls, ocelots, seals, bears, elk, bison, and chimpanzees. The polar bear was the biggest hit between me and the girls. It got up off the rocks and dove into the water. We stood right at the edge of the water and could look over. The bear would swim up out of the water with its face, facing us, and then he would push off the rocks and go back under. It was cute. 

I have only been to one other zoo, in Portland, OR...and my family went on a rainy day. I remember having to wear my Northface jacket, it was so cold. Well it wasn't cold this weekend!! It was 88 degrees but my phone said that it really felt like 95. After about ten minutes of walking, the girls were asking for water. We tried to stay hydrated. We made a pit stop at a burger shop, and ate hamburgers and hot dogs, french fries, and dip and dots ice cream. :) At the end of the day we had seen just about everything at the zoo! It was a great experience! The heat zapped us, and the girls fell asleep on the way home. 

**It was a light way to end the week, as it was a sad week in America, and I found myself getting angry watching the news, and reading people's posts on social media. This is all to much a bigger issue than people know. So in the midst of my deep thought about what America is coming to and what the future generations will attest to, I was happy to be around loved ones. It filled my heart with joy to see the look on Travis's nieces faces, as we saw some of the animals.** 

Fourth of July Weekend

**Hello July**

Month of Fun

Independence Day, Myrtle Beach, SC, Birthday 

Saturday we woke and I made breakfast:: toast, grits, omelets, bacon. We went running at Shelly Lake. This is a trail that is a 2.2 miles long that we like to run or walk on. This was the first time I wanted to try and run the 2 miles all the way through. I successfully ran the whole thing without stopping, and it took me 21 minutes. It was a small success. I have been trying to work my running stamina up, because we want to run 1.5 miles while we are at Myrtle Beach. I think I can handle it now. After our run, we went strait home to clean our tennis shoes. While on the trail there was some flooding that caused a lot of mud. I was so mad while running, because I had worn my new Nike shoes. The toes of my shoes were covered in mud, but thankfully a little 409 helped the mud come off. 

Shelly Lake - Tree Tops

Travis treated me to some shopping at Target just across the street from our apartments. Then he took me to Cameron Village. I LOVE this part of Raleigh. It has restaurants and shopping, and is really close to downtown. We ate at my favorite restaurant, Cameron Bar and Grill. I always get the Black Bean burger and sweet potato waffle fries, it is so good. It's a place I would definitely take my parents, if they ever come visit. We sat outside, for the first time... and of course we had to switch tables because there was a storm coming in. Thankfully we finished before the rain started.

Travis took this picture of me while at Cameron Bar and Grill

 

Sunday, a very relaxing day. Starting with my amazing eggs, toast, and grits breakfast:) We did a heavy duty leg workout and then hit up Buffalo Wild Wings. Yes, yes, we eat out on the weekends. I cook everyday during the week and by Friday and Saturday I love to eat out. As long as I'm choosing the healthier options I don't see the harm...(portions are everything). Travis and I have been wanting to go the movies for a while now, but nothing too interesting was out; however we decided to go see, Independence Day Resurgence, and I really enjoyed it. I hadn't seen the first one, and that didn't matter, the story line was pretty good. "It didn't play up the alien portion of it," as Travis said, and I agree. The plot was great, and I really enjoy the movies now because the recliner seats!

The Fourth

I spent the 4th of July with Travis and his family. (Can't forget the pit-stop at Waffle House) It was so fun. With great conversation, food, and fireworks! Hot dogs, burgers, baked beans, pasta salad, deviled eggs! Fireworks in the front yard, and they were beautiful! I can't wait for family vacation at Myrtle Beach! We are all going to have a blast. 

North Hills

North Hills

Dancing. Restaurants. Music. 

A spontaneous trip to North Hills was just what I needed last night.

North Hills is an innovative part of town where the working district meets urban living, shopping, and dining. Across the street from large banking buildings sits North Hills. There is an underground Target and a parking deck for a Harris Teeter. Apartments sit above chic shopping stores and high class restaurants. Travis and I have gone there to eat at Yard House and Cow Fish (which I highly recommend), but we had heard there was live music on Thursdays, and thought we should see what it is all about. 

Surrounding the cinemas and Starbucks, was a gated off portion- courtyard- for the community to sit or stand. A live band and lots of people dancing. It was fun to get out and see life; young and old. 

"Fox and Hound," a pretty great sports bar, is where we stopped in at. The atmosphere was everything and more. 

I can't wait to go back, I hardly wanted to leave.  

If you're interested in knowing more about this area check out North Hills blog. 
http://visitnorthhills.com/live/