Ben's Bread

After a fun date night last week {which I'll tell you more about later}, Christian became obsessed with the table bread from Ben's Bread, a local bakery in Phinney that sells yummy baked goods and breakfasts.  Since I had an early appointment on Saturday, C decided to come with me so that we could head to Ben's afterwards and grab some treats to take home.  The line didn't look super long when we got there but seemed to take forever and by the time we got to the front and had been staring at all the pastries, we decided to go home with a bag full of them :)  The table bread is really one of the best loaves around {and they clearly know it at $10+ each} and the Fancy Breakfast Sandwich {served weekends only} was really tasty.  I didn't get a pic of all the pastries we had, but the cinnamon braided bun below was fluffy and had great flavor and was one of our faves.  I can't wait to go back and try the weekday breakfast sandwich and maybe another pastry - I see a date with Erika in my future for that one!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Backyard Bagels

A few weekends ago we had an early Saturday appointment so I decided it was the perfect time to stop into Backyard Bagels, a place I’d been dying to try but never want to get ready and head out early to on a weekend. We got there right as they were opening and there was already a line out the door. After a little debate we decided to share the Ballard Lox sandwich on a jalapeño cheddar bagel and get half a dozen various bagels to take home and freeze. We brought everything home for breakfast and we both agreed the sandwich we shared was pretty amazing. All of the bagels we eventually ate over the week were delish {my faves were the everything and that jalapeño cheddar but be warned - there are giant slices of jalapeño on it and it definitely has a kick!} and I’m loving that Seattle is having a bagel moment. I can’t wait to go try some more!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Mas Cafe

Saturday morning after an unexpected early appointment I decided to treat myself with a breakfast burrito.  I stopped in at Mas Cafe in Northlake/Fremont, which has glowing reviews and a delicious looking menu.  I got there right as they were opening so there wasn't a line and came away with the bacon breakfast burrito which I couldn't wait to tear into.  Everyone working there was extremely friendly and smiley, and the burrito itself was gigantic and delicious, feeding both me and C for breakfast.  It was filled to the brim with tons of bacon, potatoes, eggs, beans, salsa, and something a little spicy, and it was the perfect indulgence for the weekend - I'll definitely be back!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Cafe Hagen {Breakfast}

Since it was such a beautiful day we decided to walk to the Storm game a few weeks ago, stopping along the way for breakfast.  We decided on Cafe Hagen where we've stopped many times for coffee and a pastry for the long walk back up the hill, but never for their actual breakfast menu.  We each got a yummy coffee and breakfast sandwiches to eat on their outdoor patio, and while the food was delicious and hit the spot it was pretty pricey for how small the sandwiches were {they were about $15 each, plus coffees}.  I guess with the price of bacon these days I can't be surprised :) It was still worth it for some yummy food before the game and one of my favorite chai's in the city, so if you're looking for a quick breakfast on Lower QA or just some yummy treats, definitely stop in and give it a try!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Friday & Breakfast

Happy Finally Friday!  What a week it has been - work is crazy and I'm counting down the days until our deadline at the end of the month.  I had an impromptu breakfast date earlier this week when I had to head up north for an appointment and convinced Dad to wake up early from retirement days and cook me breakfast.  Definitely the best meal I've had all week - thanks Dad!  And now, to the weekend...... Cheers everyone!  We've just about made it :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Breakfast Smoothie

Throughout this 18+ months of working from home I've gotten a bit more creative with my breakfasts {though I still love me some scrambled eggs with veggies!}.  Throughout the summer, I've really gotten into smoothies when I'm looking to use up some fresh greens and fruits that are about to go bad.  They're easy, tasty, and you can throw just about anything in them, and it's easy to keep these ingredients on hand in the freezer {I've even thrown frozen spinach in when I'm out of the fresh stuff}.  The "recipe" below is extremely customizable to whatever you have on hand - I just always try to get a good helping of greens and protein {nut butter} in there so I'm not just drinking blended juice for breakfast :)  Enjoy!

Breakfast Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup fresh spinach leaves {or any type of greens}

1 cup Kefir {or other liquid such as milk, nut milk, or juice}

1 cup fresh fruit {I usually use a banana plus a handful of berries}

1 cup frozen goodies {I use any combo of frozen berries or fruits}

1-2 Tblsp nut butter

1 Tblsp flaxseed meal

Instructions

1. Blend until desired consistency.  If too thick, add a few more splashes of liquid.  Serve with reusable straw!

Makes 2 smoothies

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Big Cluster Maple Granola

While I love my usual eggs and veggies for breakfast most mornings, I also love a quick and easy granola with yogurt or nut milk when I just don't have a lot of time.  In reading about all the extra sugars and additives in my usual TJ's granola cereal, I decided it was time to make my own so I know exactly what is going into it.  I found this recipe for Big Cluster Maple Granola in the original Smitten Kitchen cookbook and Saturday night after dinner I whipped up a batch for breakfast the next morning.  It was super simple to make and made the whole house smell like fall with the cinnamon and maple {not necessarily a bad thing} and even though my batch did not really cluster much {I think I needed more than the 1 egg white the original recipe calls for to bind the pieces together} it still tasted absolutely delicious paired with some Greek yogurt and warm coffee.  I've been enjoying it all week long {as evidenced by the sparse remains in the last picture} and plan on always having the ingredients on hand to whip up whenever I need it!

Big Cluster Maple Granola

Ingredients

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut

1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ or flax seed

2 Tblsp olive oil

1/2 tsp coarse salt

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1-2 large egg whites

1 1/2 cups dried cherries or other dried fruit {I used cranberries}

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300.

2. Combine all ingredients except egg whites and dried fruit in a large bowl.  Toss to coat evenly.  Whisk egg white in separate bowl until frothy.  Stir into granola mixture, distributing throughout.

3. Spread granola in single layer on parchment-lined baking sheet.  Bake 45-55 minutes.  Halfway through, use large spatula to turn over sections of granola carefully, breaking up as little as possible.  Rotate pan if necessary.  Once evenly browned and dry to the touch, transfer pan to cooling rack and cool completely.

4. Once cool, break up granola into desired size clusters.  Sprinkle in dried fruit.  Keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 weeks, or longer in freezer.

Makes about 7 cups

adapted from smitten kitchen

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Zucchini Muffins

After our last trip to my parent's house I came back with two gigantic zucchinis from their garden and not a lot of ideas of what to do with them.  After crowdsourcing with the girls I decided to make Sprouted Kitchen's Zucchini Muffins {from the Cup of Jo site} per Susannah's recommendation, knowing that muffins would be super easy to freeze for grab and go snacks and breakfast throughout the fall and winter.  I skipped the chocolate chips {not a huge chocolate in muffins fan}, used only all-purpose flour {because that's all I had} and doubled the below recipe because I clearly had enough zucchini and wanted to be able to enjoy these for awhile.  If you find yourself with lots of end of summer zucchini and no plans, whip up a batch {or two} of these delicious muffins and you'll be so happy you did :)

Zucchini Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup grated zucchini

2 eggs

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt {I used plain Greek yogurt}

3/4 cup almond flour

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup cane sugar

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips {I skipped these}

Instructions

1. Grate zucchini.  Put in a fine mesh sieve and press out excess water.  Preheat oven to 360 and grease muffin tin.

2. In large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, vanilla, vinegar, and buttermilk/yogurt until well combined.  Add the flours, baking soda, powder, salt, cinnamon, and sugar.  Stir until combined.  Add zucchini and chocolate {if using} and fold it all in.

3. Fill muffin tins about 2/3 full.  Bake on middle rack for 20 minutes or until golden around the edge and a little tap on the center bounces back at you.

4. Remove and cool completely.  Keep covered at room temperature for 2 days, or in freezer longer than that.

Makes about 12 muffins

adapted from cup of jo

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Breakfast Egg Bake

For lunch and breakfast at work I like to keep it simple, making the same thing every day so it's easy to grocery shop for and easy to prep.  Earlier in the summer when I got tired of my overnight oats and hard boiled egg I decided to switch it up by making a super simple {and delicious} egg bake that I could prep on Sunday and eat all week long.  I combined several different recipes from Pinterest to make this, but it can be easily customized to whatever you like or have on hand.  I switch up the veggies depending on what's in my refrigerator that week, and paired with a handful of berries or fruit it's the perfect breakfast every day of the week.

Ingredients
Several cups of chopped veggies {I like broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, bell pepper, and tomatoes - you could add sausage or bacon if you want meat}
a few tablespoons olive oil
8 eggs
a few tablespoons milk
shredded cheese
salt & pepper

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Heat olive oil in pan over medium heat.  Add veggies and cook until begin to be softened {I usually do this just until oven is preheated}.  Season with salt & pepper if desired.
3. Whip eggs with milk in separate bowl.
4. Spread veggies in 8x8 baking dish, making sure to even out the vegetables so each square will have some of each.
5. Pour egg mixture over vegetables.  Top with shredded cheese.
6. Bake until eggs are done, usually about 30 - 35 minutes.  Slice in 4 squares, let cool, and refrigerate in separate tupperware for easy transport.
7. To eat, reheat in microwave about 1-1.5 minutes.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Tofino {Rhino Coffee House & Rainforest Hiking}

Sunday morning we woke up in Tofino to a beautiful though slightly chilly morning.  We drank coffee on the patio taking in the gorgeous view {I still can't get over how beautiful it was} before walking into town to find breakfast.  David had recommended Rhino Coffee House for the best breakfast burritos ever, and while they did not disappoint at all, I was even more excited to see their selection of homemade donuts - yum!  After breakfast and a bit of shopping in town {we definitely sought out the store that made the camping mugs in our room and bought a few for souvenirs} we headed back to the room to change {and catch a glimpse of a seaplane landing right in front of our place} before heading out on an adventure.  Our first stop was the Rainforest Hiking Trail, part of the Pacific Rim National Park just a few kilometers outside of town.  The trail is actually two trails on either side of the highway, both about 1 kilometer each, and takes you on a circular path through the rainforest where you see huge old growth trees covered in moss, new trees just starting out, and green as far as the eye can see.  We took our time hiking through these beautiful pathways and basking in the sunshine every time we got a glimpse of it.  The quiet of the forests felt extra calming as we immersed ourselves in the beautiful nature.

 {seaplane!}

 {my casual pose}

 {so many attempts at jumping pictures}

 {and this is the best we got}

xoxo,
stephanie marie