One of my favorite things about traveling is food. Ok, one of my favorite things about LIFE is food…. During our last trip to London we found a few resturants that we absolutely loved and I was excited as we started planning our anniversary trip to London and Scotland to find more places that we’d talk about for the next couple of years.
Historically the UK gets a bad rap for cuisine. Baked beans, mushrooms and meat, everything is brown and beige. While thats usually true of an English breakfast the rest of the day is a stark contrast from what we are accustomed to in the US.
Instead of aimlessly wandering with the hope of stumbling across good food we signed up for the East End Food Tour with Eating Europe. Lasting four hours the walking London Food tour starts at Spitalfields Market and covers a history of both the cuisine and the development of the area.
Historically the East End has been a hub for immigration, starting with the Huguenots fleeing France in 1685 to to the Jewish community from the 1880s and beyond. As a result the area is a melting pot of cultures, making the options for dining out endless. We visited this area on our last trip as part of a Jack the Ripper Tour (the East End also home to his hideous crimes), we didn’t get a chance to experience the rich culture that you see during the daytime.
Our London Food tour group met up at the Huguenots Gate and started off the day with a Bacon sandwich from St. JOHN Bread and Wine. Know for their ‘nose to tail’ cooking style, we enjoyed a traditional Bacon Sandwich. Served up on thick fresh made bread with house ketchup the simplicity of the dish showcased the rich flavors of the bacon without overshadowing it through additional toppings.
After learning the history of the area and the market (Spitalfields coming from the word Hospital) we were off to around the corner for a morning ‘pudding’ at The English Restaurant. This was one of the few locations we sat inside to enjoy our dish and the interior is cozily decorated to feel like you were invited into a friends house for a bite. In England most desserts are considered puddings and served with extra custard this individual serving treat did not disappoint. Made using a thick bread and soaked heavily in a rich flavorful custard I could have eaten both mine and Drew’s dish if he had let me!
We continued our walk around the corner where we learned about council funded living before stopping for a bit of cheese and bread at Bedales. Thick crusty french bread was the perfect compliment to blue cheese and cheddar. Unique from the bright orange ‘American Cheddar’ we are used to in the states this cheddar cheese was more of a light yellow and didn’t have the sharp edge of flavor that you might find state side. Blue cheese is always my favorite so I had both my portion and those belonging to the other guests who don’t understand how mold can taste so good. The creamy texture and edge of flavor is everything I look for in a blue cheese.
A quick walk took us back through Spitalfields and over to Poppies Fish and Chips. Open since 1952 the interior of the restaurant evokes the feeling of a classic 50’s diner and each serving came wrapped in Poppies own food safe newsprint. While Fish & Chips were served in newsprint for decades food safety and the predominance of lead and other chemicals has changed the presentation of this iconic British dish. We enjoyed our portion with a serving of mushy peas, intended for dipping the chips in. Fried up with a fluffy yet not heavy batter the fish needed only a bit of vinegar to pull out the full flavor of the fish.
Our next destination took us through conserved block of 17th century architecture, including a quick whispered point toward the home now occupied by ‘High Sparrow’ of Game of Thrones fame. This area was once occupied by large families and considered low-income housing but today is home to multi-million dollar renovations and properties.
As the walk evolved the path changed from well manicured historic homes to a more modern art experience as we entered the block known as Brick Lane. Famous for being the home of the best Bangladeshi food in London, we enjoyed a wide array of street art as we made our way past countless resturants each calling themselves the purveyor of the best curry on the street.
Our journey stopped at Aladin Indian Restaurant where we journeyed inside for a serving of three incredibly flavorful dishes. Here we enjoyed the London made tikka masala alongside a spicy lamb and vegetarian veggie curry. The lamb option was my favorite and I could have happily swung back by here for an early dinner if I had any room left to eat after the end of the tour [I did not].
We continued down the block where the road transitioned to a more modern and hipster spin. Here we walked past several ‘Beigel’ shops until we made it to our intended destination ‘Beigel Bake’. For those wondering about the difference between Beigel and Bagel the item is the same, but the word itself has become Americanized. Baigel is derived from the Yiddish word Bajgiel.
These Baigel’s were similar to what you expect [round with a hole in the middle] but that was where the comparison stops. Freshly made each morning these were light and fluffy and not at all the carb-gut-busting heavy you expect in the United States. Our portion was served as a salt beef sandwich (corned beef) and the combination was amazing. This was Drew’s favorite stop on the tour and we did strongly consider coming back here more than once throughout our trip.
What floored me the most was the price point. A dozen bagels (no flavoring) came to just 3.60 sterling or roughly $4.25. A salt beef sandwich would have been 5.00 sterling / $6.00. Even with the extra cost of being in a big city this was a steal!
While we didn’t have any room left for more food there was one more stop on the tour. We took the scenic walk back around the Brick Lane area and landed at Pizza East for dessert. We each received a slice of salted caramel tart alongside a pot of english tea to help wash down the day’s delicacies. The last time we visited London I learned that salted caramel is the best thing ever created so I knew I was going to be a huge fan of this dessert.
Each slice was on the smaller side, making it perfect for enjoying after an already full day of eating but what I really loved about this stop was the tea. Tea is not something you have a hard time finding in London, but this tea was really really good. It could be that it had steeped a bit longer or it was the tea leaves themselves that made the tea the ideal rich compliment to the sweet creamy texture of the tart.
After five stops I couldn’t possibly havent eaten anything else so we called it a day and headed back through the Spitalfield’s Market to explore before heading back to our hotel in Westminster for the night.
This London Food tour was hosted by Eating Europe and we experienced the East End Tour. Eating Europe has two other London Food tours and offers similar experiences in Italy, Amsterdam and Prague. I loved getting to check out places I would have never found on my own and enjoying the day alongside other tourists provided the opportunity to make new travel friends at the same time.
If you are interested in booking a London Food tour (or any other city tour) with Eating Europe our amazing guide Josie provided her discount code to pass along for 10% off your booking! Use JOSIE at checkout and the discount will be applied automatically,
Disclaimer: I received a discounted experience to facilitate the writing of this review. All opinions and photography are my own.
Interested in other travel tips? Check out my posts on how to travel to London with just a backpack or vacationing in London as a couple.
Growing up just north of Denver summer the highlight of the season was always heading to the water park owned by the city. As a child I assumed that every town had a local water park for the kids to play at. Once I realized that wasn’t the case it became obvious how lucky my community was to have such an amazing parks and recreation team creating attractions like Water World for us to enjoy.
Water World is a 70 acre park featuring 48 attractions throughout the park. This summer the park celebrates 40 years and of those, I’ve probably experienced 15-20 summers as a park goer.
One of my best friends father’s worked as an EMT at the park during the summer, so as soon as we were old enough to explore on our own we were able to spend long days in the sun getting tan while floating around the lazy river. Once I was a bit older my friends started working at Water World, meaning on their days off we’d again spend hours hauling tubes up hills and snacking on dip’n’dots.
As an adult getting to spend a day at Water World is a special occasion that makes reliving childhood a real and tangible experience.
My favorite way to start the day is by heading directly to the Voyage to the Center of the Earth. This ride opened around the time that I was first allowed to visit Water World by myself with friends. I love the dark tunnels full of animatronic dinosaurs and the surprise of water falls just as you float around the corners of the ride.
After Voyage the next stop is Storm. Storm opened a few years after Voyage and the line is never as long. Fully enclosed, your raft goes through fast-paced twists and turns while water comes from every angle.
When these two rides are through I like to go back to the Thunder Bay for a snack and to reapply sunscreen. Thunder Bay is the large wave pool with a single tidal wave that floods the area every 15 minutes or so. As a child there was a video on PBS that showcased exactly how the wave worked. I honestly can’t remember the details, but I do remember watching the video over and over again so apparently the partnership worked!
Thunder Bay is surrounded by lounge chairs and areas to lay out on a towel for a rest. I like to set up my towel in this area because it’s centrally located. One of the best things about Water World is being able to pack in a picnic for the whole family to enjoy. I like to fill up a cooler with snacks, sodas and water with the plan to pick up lunch at one of the concession stands.
After filling up on treats there is no better time to float the day away in the Lazy River. This is always one of the most popular areas in the park so it might take a while to snag one of the communal tubes floating by.
Following Lazy River I like to head to river country where tube rides for both family rafts and individuals can take up a huge chunk of the day! Each ride requires picking up the corresponding tube at the bottom of the hill and bringing it up to the top to start the ride.
Once my calves are burning from the hills it’s time to head back to Thunder Bay to snag lunch from one of the concession stands. Water World is known for their affordable concessions so it’s easy to feed the whole family for less then $20.
With 72 acres of rides, its nearly impossible to see them all before it’s time to head home but after lunch I like to grab a ride on the Gondola out to the Fun House. With several areas for clowning around in the water the best part about the Fun House is if the Gondola gets drenched on it’s ride in. This is the furthest south area of the park and there are more slides before walking back up towards the rest of the park to call it a day.
I love that this amazing amusement park is just in my own backyard and something I can share with family and friends when they come to visit. Summer just isn’t complete without a trip or two to Water World!
Disclaimer: I received complimentary park tickets to facilitate this review. All writing, photos and opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: Product samples were provided as inspiration for this post.
The smell of the freshly cut grass, the sound of bat to ball, the brightly colored jerseys and hats, and dust flying in the air. Those things can only mean one thing, it is little league baseball season. For so many kids, baseball is a rite of passage. When your child joins a baseball team, the whole family actually joins. Your child’s teammates become like your own children. You and the other parents become a fan club, cheering on the team’s every move. It is an incredibly fun time in the life of a family but you definitely need to be prepared for how it will take over your schedule in an instant. Here are some tips for surviving the little league baseball season.
Baseball season is hectic. There are lots of practices and once the games start, you can end up at the ballpark almost every day. If you have more than one child playing, you might spend an entire Saturday on baseball between multiple games. Keep everyone in your family on a schedule together. Using a scheduling app or program that updates everyone at the same time is helpful. Google calendar is easily shared between family members. Dad can add his work meetings, Mom can let everyone know when she can leave the office, and all games and practices should be added as soon as they are scheduled. Using a single family schedule will allow you to make sure no one misses a commitment and keep the stress to a minimum because you all know what to expect.
Showing up to a little league baseball practice or game with just a small purse and your child’s baseball gear is a rookie mistake. You need a high quality, large bag and you need to fill it with the right stuff to keep you and your all star comfortable no matter what this season throws your way.
The Cathy Zip tote from Baseballism is the perfect size. This bag easily holds a small first aid kit, a water bottle, a planner, snacks, sunflower seeds, a hat, sunscreen and more. It is made with real glove leather making it the coolest bag ever for a baseball game. The zip top keeps all your stuff in place. Inside you will find an insulated spot for your water bottle and a total of 9 different pockets. The straps fit comfortably over your shoulder. You will have everything you need and will look amazing carrying this bag.
During the week, games and practices are all held after school and work. Avoid hitting the drive-thru every night by meal planning. Take advantage of cooking with a slow cooker or instant pot to save time. Here are some great recipes:
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Recipe
Instant Pot Roast Chicken Recipe
Salads prepared ahead of time are a perfect dinner to go. Bag up healthy snacks in advance so you can throw a couple in your Baseballism tote on the way out the door. Don’t go hungry this baseball season!
You are proud of you little leaguer and want everyone to know that you are a baseball mom! This Mom shirt from Baseballism will instantly become your favorite shirt to wear to the ballpark. The design is adorable and it is so soft and comfortable. You are not a regular mom, you are a cool baseball mom!
Don’t leave your kid out when you are shopping for the little league season. Baseballism has great options for kids too. This little Sandlot obsessed kid loves his Beast shirt. He tucks it into his baseball pants for practice or pairs it with shorts to wear to school. It is just as soft as the adult shirts.
Dad can also rock some Baseballism gear and you are without a doubt, the coolest family at the ballpark.
Let the coaches coach and let the parents parent. Unless you are actually coaching your child’s baseball team, don’t act like the coach. Kids are leaving youth sports more and more and part of that is because parents yell at them too much and ruin the fun. Cheer your child on. Let him know you are always proud of him. Instead of criticizing or critiquing, encourage your child to always try his best. Ask him if he learned anything new. Ask him how he felt about the game or practice. Just listen. Don’t always feel like you have to say something. Follow the old rule of only saying something if you have something nice to say. The Yankees aren’t recruiting your 8 year old so quit acting like it. Enjoy this special time as a family in a positive way.
Know your schedule, be prepared, get the right gear, and act like a mom, not a coach. Let the memories of little league baseball be some of your favorite. Don’t miss out on the fun. Cheer, laugh, take photos, and just soak in the moments together on the baseball field this spring and summer.
Disclosure: Product samples were provided as inspiration for this post.
The major league baseball season is in full swing and already the action on the field has been incredible. Baseball fans around the country are ready for a summer full of excitement. Make sure you make the most out of this season with these tips!
As much as we all want season tickets to be in the stands for every home game of our favorite team, that is just not the reality for the overwhelming majority of fans. However, even ball fans on a budget can’t watch every game thanks to the viewing packages from MLB.tv. Pay one annual fee to watch every regular season game from the comfort of your home. Unfortunately, if you live near your favorite team, blackouts may still apply but this subscription is a great way to watch games all over the country all season long at home or on your smartphone.
Every stadium has its own rules for getting checked out and to your seats before a game. Here are some tips to make sure you are on time and ready before the first pitch is thrown.
A good rule of thumb is to arrive one hour before game time. There will be a wait to park, a line to get in, lines for the bathroom and concessions and that is all before you find your seats. Give yourself plenty of time. Most stadiums open at least an hour early.
Have a plan for parking or avoid it completely. Look at the parking information on the stadium website. Know where the lots are located and how much they cost. For lots of stadiums, you can pay for parking in advance. You pull up to your designated lot with your parking pass in hand saving you time and hassle. Avoid parking by taking public transportation or a rideshare program. Chances are there is a designated spot for Uber or Lyft at the stadium for drop off and pick up.
Each stadium has specific rules for what is allowed and what is not allowed inside the property. Don’t wait in line to get your bag checked and then have to go back to the car to put your handgun and bottle of tequila away. Weapons are not allowed in any MLB stadium and if you want to drink, you have to buy that inside from licensed vendors. You can check the rules for what you can bring to your next game on the stadium website.
Baseball jerseys or hats are always a good option and shows you are a fan. However, not everyone loves team gear. You may not feel comfortable in baseball jerseys. They are pretty expensive and you don’t end up wearing them anywhere else. So many baseball fans love more than one team and just have a deep love for the game in general. Buying baseball jerseys for multiple teams is not cheap! My favorite baseball brand is Baseballism. When you are rocking clothing or accessories from Baseballism, people know you love baseball and you never have to wear baseball jerseys.
Baseball can be a little complicated. Show off your baseball math skills with the 6432 shirt from Baseballism. Instead of impractical baseball jerseys, Baseballism has cleverly designed tees for fans that you can wear all the time. Their tees are extra soft with a comfortable fit. Can you do that baseball math on this shirt? It is a great conversation starter with other baseball fans.
A lot of women are huge baseball fans but they are not crazy about wearing baseball jerseys. Fear not! You can carry your love of the game close to your heart every single day whether you have a game to go to or not. Baseballism has a gorgeous line of necklaces that come in silver and rose gold. The Baseball Bat Bar Necklace is sweet and subtle and something true baseball fans will notice. Wear your favorite outfit to the ballpark paired with this necklace and you are set for the day. Baseball jerseys are not the only option if you shop with Baseballism this season.
Don’t miss a game. If you are attending a game live, have a plan on how you will arrive. You can show off your love of baseball any day with the right clothing and accessories. For true fans, baseball is life. Live your best baseball life this season!
