ML Interest Tag: hearty-breakfast

Lie Down With Lions at The Roar and Snore Safari

by kim orchen cooper

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight…and so can you. Who needs Africa and pesky mosquitoes when you can safari in San Diego? A game drive to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly the Wild Animal Park) transports SoCal visitors to the veld in under 2 hours. Their Roar and Snore overnight camping adventures, with a backdrop of roaming antelope, grazing giraffes and graceful gazelles, will bring curious campers up close and personal with all the animal action.


More Fun than a Barrel of Monkeys
Adventurers of all ages can encounter the denizens of the wild from the comfort of well-appointed tents, with delicious dinner, tasty late-night snacks and hearty breakfast all included. Trained safari guides help little kiddies experience first-hand animal’s social and eating habits, especially in the wee hours of the morning. Early risers rejoice!

Any number of ‘animal ambassadors’, from pygmy falcon to tiger cubs, may greet your brood as you set up your cozy sleeping bags in the roomy safari tents, just about the time the Park closes to the general public.

Embarking on behind-the-scenes tour after the sun disappears, check out condors and the stately Lion Camp — the furry friends can’t help taking a closer look too. Then it’s time to indulge in all-you-can eat s’mores under the stars. Morning visits to spring’s seasonal Butterfly Jungle leave pint-sized explorers floating on a cloud before departing with a groovy souvenir.

Perks of the Park
Campfire activities can be crafty, or tired tots may prefer to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa before hitting the hay. Not up for a night on hard ground? Well, glamping is an option too. Tents can be outfitted with queen beds, area rugs and electricity or stripped down to basics for ‘roughing it.’

Don’t Forget to Remember
Any food cooked on an open campfire tastes great, right? Well, not so much when hunger and sleepiness is setting in. Pack a few fave snacks, yet be sure to keep them out of the tent, unless you want to share it with curious wildlife.

If you request a spot situated on the campground perimeter, the elephants will serenade you while you sleep.  Snuggle up with warm clothing in the evening as the temperatures can plummet rapidly, almost any time of year.  And if you miss the giraffes or zebras in the evening, catch up with ’em on sunrise rounds.

Choose Your Own Adventure
Pick the perfect adventure for your family – there are special sleepy safaris for the whole family, ones that cater to tiny tots, and if you have bigger kids, there’s a super cool one where the over-10 set can get to know ‘The Park After Dark,’ practically rubbing noses with rhinos and chasing cheetahs while learning about the animals’ survival instincts. Special Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations, as well as unstructured ‘Casual Camping’ overnights are family-friendly choices catering to every and all ages.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd.
Escondido, Ca 92027
760-747-8702
Online: sdzsafaripark.org/safari/roar-snore-safari

–Kim Orchen Cooper

Photos courtesy of Kim Orchen Cooper and San Diego Zoo Safari Park website

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Pampering Mom in Tahoe 101

by Erin Lem

Instead of a store-bought card and a handful of roses, why not treat Mom to some delightful comestibles and luxurious pampering this Sunday? And what better place to treat Mother on her day than along or near the shores of Lake Tahoe?


To get a good start on the day, you need a hearty breakfast, and several area restaurants are offering Mother’s Day special brunches.

Take, for instance, the extensive Champagne brunch menu at the Edgewood golf course clubhouse in South Lake. All morning and into early afternoon, they’ll be serving up a variety of salads, seafoods, breakfast staples and a host of other entrees. The cost is $39.50 for adults and $14.95 for kids 4 to 10.

To read more about where to pamper mom in Tahoe for Mother’s Day, click here for 7×7’s full story. 

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a fantastic Date Night idea each week. Be sure to check out their blog for hourly doses of the best of SF.

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Chiles Rellenos Breakfast Strata

by scott wardell

We’re firm believers in the importance of a hearty breakfast. After all, how else will our little rascals stay fueled on all their daily adventures? For those mornings when plain old cereal won’t cut it, you need this super delicious and filling Chiles Rellenos Breakfast Strata. Karen of Kitchen Treaty says this strata is great for holiday mornings since it can be prepared the night before and refrigerated. That way while you’re busy trying to squeeze in some last minute prep work, you don’t have to worry about whipping up something for your guests to eat. Even better? Karen has options for a meat-lovers version and a half-and-half for whatever your little eaters prefer.

Ingredients
2 5-ounce cans whole green chilies (mild)
1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 c shredded monterey jack cheese
6 eggs
2 c whole milk
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp smoked paprika (plus a little more for sprinkling on top)
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed

Method
1. In a medium bowl, toss together the cheddar and monterey jack cheese. Set aside.

2. In another medium bowl, beat the eggs, milk, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.

3. Lay the chilies on a cutting board and cut them in half.

4. Grease an 8″ x 8″ baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.

5. Lay half the chilies flat in the bottom of the baking dish (about 6 chili halves). Lay four slices of bread over the chiles. Pour half the egg mixture over the top of the bread and chilies. Top with half the cheese. Repeat layers: chilies, bread, eggs, and cheese. Sprinkle evenly with a few quick dashes of smoked paprika.

6. Uncover and bake at 325 degrees for 40 – 50 minutes, until the strata is puffy, golden, and no longer jiggles in the middle.

For a chorizo-packed version, check out the recipe here.

recipe and photo courtesy of Karen at Kitchen Treaty

Combining a vegetarian diet with that of a carnivorous eater, Karen of Kitchen Treaty seeks to bridge the gap between two discerning palates and create delicious home cooked meals that satisfy everyone in her family. Her dishes are often prepared as “one dish two ways.” With a catalog of recipes that run the gamut from full-on veggie to nothing-but-meat, Karen chronicles her adventures in the kitchen on her food blog, Kitchen Treaty. 

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Irish Soda Bread Scones

by writerredtri

No St. Patrick’s Day is complete without Irish soda bread. And every little leprechaun knows that the key to a happy St. Patrick’s Day is a hearty breakfast. These scones are the perfect way to start any morning, not just on St. Patrick’s Day. Superstar blogger Alexandra Hedin provided us with this recipe that she says was a way to enjoy her favorite St. Patrick’s Day treat in the morning with her coffee. We’re positive your kids will gobble up these sweet bites, and because of their size, might even take one or two for the road.

Ingredients
1 1/2 c plain yogurt
1/2 c melted butter
1 egg
4 c flour
1/2 c sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 c raisins
3 tbsp caraway seeds (optional)
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp heavy cream

Method
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a small bowl whisk together yogurt, butter, and egg.  Set aside.  In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the rest of the ingredients until well mixed.  With mixer running, slowly add wet ingredients until mixture just barely holds together.

3. Drop dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently 10-15 times to form a 12″ disk about 2 inches thick.  With a floured knife, cut disk into eight triangles.  Place on a cookie sheet with about 3 inches around each triangle.  Whisk together egg yolk and cream and brush the tops of each triangle until completely covered.  Place cookie sheet into a preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.  Remove from oven, cool slightly on a rack and serve warm.

Recipe courtesy of Alexandra Hedin

Lifestyle blogger, Alexandra Hedin has been taking her know-how on cooking, decorating, and being the consummate hostess to the masses following the publication of her book Entertaining at Home. She’s a mom to two small kids (with another one on the way) and will be documenting the transformation of her new home into an expressions of her style on her blog.

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