Boccalone

I've talked about it before...my love for pig fat and pork products. Here the story continues...

I found out a few months ago I would be spending a week in San Francisco in August for work. Of course I was super excited because after visiting this wonderful city last October I realized how amazing it is. At the time however, Brian and I were spending several days of our vacation in Napa and in Oakland to visit some of Brian's family. Therefore, I spent the bulk of my restaurant research on Napa making sure to hit up Michael Chiarello's Bottega, wishing to go to Thomas Keller's French Laundry, and so on...I did ask around to a few friends who had been to San Fran where to eat, so we ended up at some amazing places. However, it was not until the past several months that I realized I had missed out on experiencing Boccalone. Lately, I have learned more and more of Chris Constantino and his true obsession with the pig. The Whole Pig. Boccalone. Tasty Salted Pig Parts.

You can begin judgement now. This IS a total man place. A guy's fantasy of delicious salami, pulled pork, mortadella, etc. and I cannot wait to stand in line for my sandwich.

Tickets are bought, hotel is booked...we are bound for Mexico in 11 days. Brian and I researched the heck out of every possible beach vacation and landed on the Riviera Maya at an all-inclusive adult only resort. I know it may not sound super fancy...it's not. We weighed the time we had with the money we had and this was the best fit. We are super excited to do nothing for 6 days except relax...we may read some books...we may not. We may leave the resort and do something active...we may not. The goal is to do nothing...

I am super glad I booked this trip when I did. Work is getting quite busy for the summer and it looks like I will be traveling A LOT in the next few months. I am re-dedicating myself to the blog though. I am making it a priority to bring you delicious dishes.

For the next 11 days, Brian and I are in beach-body diet mode. (Whatever that means) We are basically on strict diets to shed a couple of extra flabby pounds that I seem to have grown accustomed to carrying around. I have thought about this whole "diet" off and on today. Why do we do this? It seems like everyone I know goes on some form of a diet before a vacation or other special occasion...is it to off-set what we eat on vacation? I guess. If feeling a pound or two lighter now makes me feel less guilty later about a week's worth of indulgences while I am living it up in Mexico...than so be it.

However, for the past month or so we have been enjoying wonderful fruit smoothies for breakfast. They are extremly healthy and delicious and have kept me full until lunch while also making me feel energized. Try it...you might like it.

Energy Smoothie - Makes 2 smoothies (recipe by the Bischoff's)
1 cup Almond Milk (I buy unsweetened vanilla almond milk by Blue Diamond)
1/2 cup Coconut Water
1 1/2 cups fruit (fresh or frozen) I like to use the combination below
1 Small Banana
1/4 cup Blueberries
1/4 cup chopped Pineapple
1/2 cup Ice
1 tbls Almond Butter
1 tsp Cinnamon
2 tsp Agave Syrup
(If you workout add your protein powder)

Combine everything into your blender and puree until smooth. Enjoy!