Inspired By Travel

Meat:

Healthy Eats:

Featured Blog Posts

Recipes, restaurants, and cooking
  • 10 Tips for Snacking on Summer Road Trips

    If you are anything like me, road trips and snacking are synonymous and that can either be a fun experience for everyone involved... or like I found out a couple years ago, not so much! See, normally I'm pretty straight-edge and go for cookies or crackers, and maybe some Twizzlers Twists or other candy that doesn't melt. During a stop in Maytag, Iowa though I was overcome by how cheap Maytag blue cheese was and so I just had to buy some. Let me tell you - after a few hours sitting on the dashboard a few things happened. First - the car smelled really bad. Second - I started to feel sick (eating blue cheese in a hot car during the summer is just dumb). Third - my brand new car earned it's first "love mark" since the cheese melted a bit and the enzymes and grease ate a spot on the dashboard that two years later I still can't get rid of!

  • Hangry in Sin City: Where to Eat Well in Las Vegas

    Las Vegas has some of the best food in the entire country and whether or not you are here for a convention, a bachelor party, or simply just to partake in the thrills of "Sin City", you are sure to work up a heck of an appetite. Don't let your hunger ruin the moment though! Fortunately, Las Vegas is filled to bursting with excellent eateries ready to satisfy whatever urges you might have.

  • Anti-Aging For Men Is About Being Healthy, Not Just Looking Good

    It is no secret that men are not immune to the effects of aging. This article provides 10 tips for anti-aging techniques designed specifically for men.

  • Golden Steer Steakhouse Las Vegas

    Old Vegas may have slipped behind the curtain over the past decade to make way for hipsters and people looking for upscale luxury experiences but below the surface there are still a few Vegas treasures that will transport you back to the golden age of Vegas when being a "celebrity" meant something more than just how many Instagram followers you have. 

  • Exploring Differences Between Italian Cooking and Spanish Cooking

    Two of the most popular ethnic foods in America are Italian and Spanish, but learning how to cook them in an authentic manner often seems impossible. The range of spices and ingredients are very different, but an equal amount of effort is required to refine the skills needed to comfortably impress your next dinner guests. Below are a few of the main differences in Spanish and Italian cooking, as well as how you can develop the skills to bring these types of favorite foods to your table.

  • Ultimate Grilled Cheese Recipe: Corned Beef and Havarti on Fresh Baked Bread!

    It's national grilled cheese month and I still have some corned beef brisket left in the fridge since St Patrick's Day and I was looking for something special to make with them that was different than the corned beef and cabbage I've already had a few times. Instead, I decided to make an ULTIMATE grilled corned beef and havarti grilled cheese sandwich. 

  • Sometimes The Only Way to Try Something New is to Surprise Yourself

    I enjoy fresh produce - honestly I do, but as I have gotten older I have started to fall into a rut. I buy the same peppers, the same cucumbers, the same lettuce and I'm pretty happy. For several years now, I had heard about CSA programs (community supported agriculture) for a while now but never did anything. Essentially how these programs work is that you sign up for a weekly delivery of produce fresh from the fields and it's a bit of a pot luck special with what you'll actually get. I've just never signed up because I assumed it wouldn't be as great as it sounded. On the other hand, I'm a big fan of the monthly "box" sites. They are great for getting surprises and frankly while some of it isn't useful, it is always fun to experience something that is new and different. That's exactly what I found when I tried our Farm Fresh To You. 

  • California Pizza Kitchen Las Vegas at The Park: More Than Just Pizza

    My wife tells me that I'm weird since i don't love pizza. Unfortunately because of that, I've generally avoided California Pizza kitchen since I'd always seen it as a pizza joint. Since earlier this year though when I helped them kick off their new location at The Park in Vegas, it's become one of my favorite restaurants.

  • Foodies Will Love These Gourmet Culinary Cruises With Swan Hellenic and JRE-Jeunes Restauranteurs

    As a travel advisor specializing in culinary cruises for couples, I'm thrilled about Swan Hellenic's 2025 gourmet voyages with JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs. These MARIS cruises offer an unparalleled opportunity for food lovers to indulge in world-class cuisine while exploring diverse cultures. Unlike a single dinner in New York or Paris, these cruises foster a sense of community, allowing guests to forge new friendships with like-minded food enthusiasts.

  • Not Your Dad's Steakhouse - STK San Diego

    I love a classic steakhouse. You know, the ones with dark leather booths, heavy shadows, and classic bourbon cocktails. STK San Diego is is not that kind of place! From the moment you walk in, it is very clear that this is not your dad's steakhouse. Instead, it's hip, light, and lively. There is even a DJ on some nights furthering the lounge atmosphere and the cocktails match this chic and trendy environment. Don't be fooled though - while it feels like a cocktail bar, the menu still offers huge steaks and classic sides. There's a sense of youth and urban energy here compared to the uber masculinity of a traditional steakhouse but it hasn't lost touch with why you ultimately chose to spend hundreds of dollars on an amazing meal. This vibe perfectly matches Andaz San Diego hotel where it is located and it is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. 

  • If You Can't Go Out, Porto's Bakery Offers Bake At Home

    While many people are out and about again, others of us such as myself are still focused on staying at home as much as possible. It's tough though since frankly, I'm getting tired of the things I know how to make and sometimes you want a restaurant-quality experience that is just easy. Delivery often fails in this regard since that crispy, fresh from the oven experience just doesn't work after sitting in a delivery bag for 20-30 minutes. That's why I love these treats that Porto's Baker from Los Angeles sent us to try out as part of their Porto's Bake At Home experience.

  • The Smoking Gun San Diego: BBQ, Cocktails, And Fun

    Sometimes you just walk by a place and have no idea what you've been missing. That was the case up until a few days ago with The Smoking Gun in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. I live just a few blocks away and have walked by the place regularly, without stopping in. On the outside it looks like just any other "hipster bar" downtown but what we found inside was surprisingly good quality cocktails, a very creative menu and a great atmosphere that I can't wait to return to sometime soon.

  • A Taste of Cuba in San Diego at Havana 1920

    There are two things in life that I love the most (outside of my wife of course!) - Traveling and Food. That's really one bigger thing: exploring new cultures. That's why I love trying new restaurants that work hard to transport you to new times and places like Havana 1920 does. Havana 1920 is a new Cuban-themed cafe and bar in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter - very close to the convention center as well as most of the bigger hotels. Here's what we loved about it!

  • How To Keep A Balanced & Healthy Diet While Exploring Everything The World Has To Offer

    You're an adventurer. You're an explorer. You love discovering unknown places and obscure activities. You want an experience. If this describes your personality, it probably describes your appetite too. Of course, the challenge of living an adventurous lifestyle is trying everything the world offers while maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. While this sounds like a daunting task, it doesn't have to be difficult. There are three habits you can start right now that will help you stay fit while exploring the menus of the world.

  • Fogo de Chao Introduces New Spring Menu Items

    Fogo de Chao is hands down one of my favorite restaurants. Not only do you get a never-ending parade of meats but the place is fun and imaginative when it comes to creating seasonal updates to the menu. We were invited to check out their new Spring Menu this week, so how could I resist when it includes three new cocktails to try!

  • Craft Whiskey and Artisanal Cheese at The Pink House, Genoa Nevada

    Genoa, Nevada is a perfect town to visit for any guys looking for a taste of what the west was like before being tamed. If you venture just around the corner from the Mormon Station and Nevada's oldest bar though, you'll find one of the finest foodie spots in Nevada. The Pink House seemingly doesn't fit here but at the same time it works perfectly. Not only is the building itself one of the oldest structures in Genoa but it was about striking out into unfamiliar territory and trying new things. That's exactly what you'll find here today...

  • MERF Wines's David Merfeld on Wine, Travel, & What's For Dinner Tonight

    I love fun wines and the personality behind them, so I was excited to try MERF Wines Cabernet Sauvignon a few weeks ago. All too often I feel like wine is either stuffy and boring or kitchy product designed to draw you in with a label but ultimately lacking the quality product to make you want more. I've been a fan though of Columbia Valley wines from Washington State since they generally have a fantastic quality to them that is almost a part of the lifestyle. David "Merf" Merfeld's product continues this so we wanted to get to know him a bit more. Here's his thoughts on travel, food, and why he switched from brewing to winemaking.

  • A Guide to the Best and Most Popular Restaurants in Mexico

    When most people think of Mexican food, they imagine basic Tex-Mex dishes like tacos and burritos. While these dishes can be delicious, they don't come close to representing the true diversity of Mexican cuisine. There are many amazing restaurants in Mexico that will make you rethink your perception of Mexican cuisine. In this blog post, we will list nine of the top restaurants in Mexico, each with its own unique take on Mexican cuisine.

  • Frozen Food Made Quick Doesn't Have to Be Bad For You

    Ok, so I'm guilty of it too... I like to work hard to the point where I'm absolutely starving. I don't want to wait for delivery and I'm too hungry to cook - so I hit the freezer to see what's inside. Often times that results in pretty bad food choices but it doesn't have to. The folks at Conagra sent us a few of their latest product to check out and all of them can be prepared quickly so you can get back to work fast.

  • There's More Than Just Champagne When It Comes to Bubbles In Wine

    A Champagne toast seems to be the icon of welcoming in the New Year or really just celebrating pretty much anything. There is a sort of excitement when you pop open that bottle of bubbly and so it's no wonder that it has been the drink of choice when it comes to a celebration. However, much of what we consider in the United States as "Champagne" is really just "Sparkling Wine" and to complicate things further that's not the only bubbly wine out there for us to enjoy. Let's take a look at some different types of bubbly wines that you can enjoy during your New Years celebration!