The Bolder Life: Variety is the Spice of Life

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from living in as unique a place as Boulder—it’s that everybody is different. From the crazy clothes we wear, to the culinary delights that make our taste buds shimmy and shake, to the ways in which we seek out good health.

We’re all different.

I’m currently finishing up a mid-calf boot phase right now, but I’m still not sure how I feel about those awkward-looking barefoot running shoes. I can’t stand the taste or smell of chocolate, but I could eat an entire bag of black licorice. (Nom, nom, nom). Bikes make me happy, but yoga petrifies me.

Aside from fashion, one of the biggest avenues on which our personal taste shines through is in the tasty world of food and beverage. Some of us can name all of the ingredients used to make our favorite beers and some of us can pronounce (correctly) every menu item on Pizzeria Locale’s Italian inspired menu. Some of us are picky eaters and some of us prefer a cold PBR over a locally produced beer. (If this is you, I want you to know that I did just judge you a little. But only little, and I’m sorry).

It’s cool. Variety really is the spice of life.

Although I can’t name all of the ingredients in all of my favorite food and drink items, and prefer to point to things that I can’t pronounce in an attempt to stall until the waiter does the dirty work for me—I can tell you what makes my taste buds and my tummy happy.

Here’s what I’m digging on lately.

A cold Kinda Blue, straight from the source at Boulder Beer

Summer might be the only time that I can make decisions in a timely manner when it comes to ordering beer. I love the subtle wheat taste of this beer topped off with just the perfect hint of blueberry flavor. At a low 5.2% ABV, it’s the perfect beer for this half pint to enjoy a full pint and still be able to hold conversations with strangers at the bar. I’m warning you though, this is just a seasonal. I can’t be responsible for the heartbreak that you’re going to feel when you find out for the first time in the fall that there’s no more.

The Karen’s Special with Two Scoops of Turkey Salad and Extra Pickles at Café Food

In my opinion, Café Food is one of the most underrated lunch stops in Boulder. Tucked in that weird shopping center on the east side of Target, this “hole in the wall” is pumping out killer sandwiches, truly amazing soups, (you have to try the clam chowder), huge, freshly baked rolls that are served on the side of just about everything, and my favorite—the turkey salad with pickles. Chunks of turkey breast, roasted in house, and snuggled in mayonnaise and topped with diced up pickles. It’s so good—and it’s served with a side salad so it makes you feel pretty good about yourself. If you haven’t been, I highly suggest that you check this place out.

The Sausage, Egg and Cheddar Bagel at Big Daddy’s Bagels

It’s not a secret that I’m not much of a morning person. I loathe mornings. If for by some reason I have to wake up while it’s still dark out—you better hope you don’t have to see me until after noon. Like, that bad. But I’ll pull myself together pretty quickly if there’s something good in it for me. As of late, that something good has been the toasty, gooey, slightly greasy Sausage, Egg and Cheddar Bagel at Big Daddy’s. Be sure to wash it down with a strawberry and apple juice smoothie with a scoop of protein powder– it’ll make you feel better about the little drops of grease running down your chin.

Bhakti Chai (Usually consumed at Ozo Coffee house when I can find a seat!)
I promised someone last week that I would give up coffee. I’m a total liar. I’m laughing right at how ridiculous the very thought of giving up my favorite drink is to me. I gave it the ol’ college try and decided that I’m so much more fun and productive when I have a cup of caffeine in my hand. On my hour long hiatus from lattes, I got bold and curious and decided to order a Bhakti Chai. It was a good a decision. The spicy flavor surprised my taste buds so much that they melted under the pressure and gave up on boycotting anti-coffee drinks.