It is official! I am a Utahan… sort of hard to pronounce but I dig it.

I packed all my things, put Bullet (my SUV) on a truck and moved to an entirely different state, on my own and alone… for the first time in 31 years. I can honestly say, it has been a breath of fresh air. One I needed more than breathing itself. 

It is amazing how doing somethings so bold, so out of character, so life changing can truly make you feel like a weight has been lifted off of your existence. 

I wake up each morning and I am finally awake AF. I am spiritually woken by what lies ahead of me. Each morning, I take a deep breath of mountain air and I am lifted into a mindset like no other. It is true, adventure awaits.

I am currently sitting writing this blog in Draper, a cute little city not too far from Salt Lake City Airport. I am waiting for my dad to fly in, so exciting! I am indulging in some amazing coffee and Almond Butter Toast. Literally feel like I have been transported to Denver or Portland. That is the vibe this cute little coffee shop gives off.

Meet La|Barba Coffee— The coffee is by far, some of the best I have had since being here. It is great for us strong coffee lovers, I had a 12oz Cap– reg milk. The Foam to Coffee ratio was spot on. You know some places can really F* that up.

I also had the Almond Butter & Blueberry Toast which was to tie for. The bread was not hard as a rock and it was topped off with some Cacao Nibs and some honey which really through a spin on the standard Almond Butter Toast. A great afternoon treat while I wrote this blog.

I think I will stay a while… 

While coffee shops are definitely my jam, food in general is the way to my soul so I been saving extra macros each week to explore new places to eat. This past weekend I had a girlfriend in town, and she and I together are chaos in the food department. 

We literally ate everything. 

I mean everything. 

But our favorite was our date night in Salt Lake City at The Copper Onion and our Brunch Date in Sugar House at Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade.

Let’s talk Dinner Date night first since that is what came first– if your a brunch lover scroll down then back up but we need to address this Cappuccino I had…

I am not drinking until right now. And before you say it, no it is not because I moved to Utah nor is it because I am preggers. For those who don’t know, in January, my liver decided to stop working and both Enzymes were highly elevated with no known causes. So my doctor has decided for me to go on a “liver detox” that means no alcohol. I am trying to be good at that… sometimes it slips. I am human. I haven’t kicked the bucket yet. Try me liver. Anyways, I digress.

Back to the cappuccino.

It was so foamy– again, coffee to foam ratio spot on. It was not as strong as La Barba but what is exciting is it is Stumptown coffee, so what is not to love.

Now onto the food:

Appetizers: Patatas Bravas:  potatoes & spicy aioli. A perfect blend of spice and savory goodness. I tried to not eat the whole plate and save some for Monika.

Dinner: Steak Frites:  snake river farms flank steak, bearnaise and steak fries. This picture needs to have a smell component because as soon as my plate was placed on the table, the smell of amazingness filled the air and I had less than 5 seconds to snap a picture and then I went to town. There was zero leftovers.

Dessert: House made ice cream– which you have to ask the server for the flavor options. We tried honey lavender and an earl grey rose flavor. Both were fantastic. So good we didn’t even take a picture. (Presentation wasn’t anything to brag over but the taste was FANTASTIC).

Now we have arrived at Brunch: this is Saturday morning, post 19.2 (that is Crossfit terms for I almost tied). 

My favorite neighborhood in SLC, SugarHouse is home to this cute little place called Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade. Trust me when I say, you must get a limeade.

Drinks: Limeade, try the Raspberry Limeade or Honeydew Cucumber. The Raspberry Limeade has chunks of fresh Raspberries and is a beautiful balance of tart and sweet. If you do the honey due, think a twist on a non alcoholic mojito! I am sure this is a hit in the summer but it was snowing and 29 degrees outside and we were digging both!

Food: I observed a lot of food going around that morning but I can honestly say that the hit was what we ordered. Meet the Hoss: 

Their famous biscuit topped with fried chicken breast, egg, bacon, cheddar, sausage gravy and green onion garnish. Monika did no egg and felt it was amazing. I did not do any modifications and also felt it was BOMB.com I think if I came back, I would modify with no cheese since I do not handle cheese that well but it was the best thing I ate that day… It also was the only thing I ate that day until dinner… which was this free Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie they sent us home with for using YELP RESERVATIONS! Shout out to Yelp!

As I continue to eat my way through Utah– This blog should help you determine if you

1. want to come visit me

2. Want to move here

3. Now are just really freaking hungry

Haha. Sorry, not sorry. I promise, I will continue to share all these amazing adventure and all Utah has to offer with you.

I can’t wait until Dad gets here. I wonder what we will get into this weekend!

Until next time.

Be kind, stay fearless.

Love,

Coach T