Ready for some fun in the Sun!

Just thought I would visit some happy photos while I sit in my office on a rain soaked day.  Please enjoy!

Travel with Style

My birthday was earlier this month, so I decided to treat myself to something nice...real nice.  I saw this bag at Brooks Brothers, and I had to make a move to add it to my luggage collection. This is genuine football leather, double handle, detachable shoulder strap, brass hardware with luggage tag and with a pinstripe lining, 18.5 x 10 x 15.7.  This is one of those things that I consider a "lifetime purchase".  This bag is well made and has the highest quality of craftsmanship.  Another reason I purchased this bag is that is meets the airline standards of 45 inches for a carry-on.    

Kitchen Equipment #1

A couple of years ago my neighbor's son stopped by selling CUTCO knives, at the time I had never heard of these knives.  Since he had great sales pitch, I purchased a chefs knife and a pairing knife.  At the time, I thought that this was quite expensive, but once I used the knives...I fell in love.  The knives made cooking a joy, so I recently purchased the vegetable knife from CUTCO...it is a great knife.  I highly recommend CUTCO knives...they are a lifetime investment.

Only In Vegas

Only in Vegas can you run into Elvis and have a good time.  I met this Elvis impersonator, and he turned out to be a very interesting guy.  He had a great sense of humor and new how to work a crowd.  Vegas is a great town to unwind and let your hair down.

Asian Glazed Drumsticks

I got this recipe from http://www.skinnytaste.com/, and tried it last night.  It turned out really well.  I highly recommend this dish...give it a try tonight!

Asian Glazed Drumsticks
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 2 drumsticks • Points: 5 ww pts
Calories: 213 • Fat: 4.7 g • Protein: 27.5 g • Carb: 12.7 g • Fiber: 0.4 g

8 medium chicken drumsticks, skin removed
Pam spray oil
1 cup water
1 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce (more or less to taste)
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup lite soy sauce
4 tsp agave nectar (or sugar)
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp ginger, grated
2 tbsp chives or scallions, chopped
1 tsp sesame seeds

In a heavy large saucepan, brown chicken on high for 3-4 minutes with a little spray oil. Add water, balsamic, soy sauce, agave, garlic, ginger, hot sauce and cook on high until liquid comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for about 20 minutes. Remove cover and bring heat to high, allowing sauce to reduce down, about 8 minutes until it becomes a thick glaze, turning chicken occasionally. (Keep an eye on glaze, you don't want it to burn when it start becoming thick) Transfer chicken to a platter and pour glaze on top. Top with chives and sesame seeds and serve.

Travel Essentials #2

As I travel the world, I can only say that a great pair of shoes are essential, one must be comfortable at all times.  These are my Johnston & Murphy 2008 Chukka boots, and I must admit they are my favorite footware to date.  So if you are a traveler please consider what you put on your feet.

Mexico - Cancun - Chichen Itza

Cancun, Mexico is more than a spring break destination.  Cancun has much more to offer than Senior Frogs and Party Buses, one can find the history of a the place by taking a good look around.  My wife and took a visit to the ancient city of Chichen Itza.  Chichen Itza which means “at the mouth of the well of Itza “, is the 2nd most visited archeological site of Mexico today. The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen-Itza which known as “El Castillo” (the castle), is one of the new seven wonders of the world elected in 07.07.2007. It is exactly 24 m. high considering the upper platform. Apart from the Kukulkan Pyramid, in Chichen Itza there many other archaeological sites to visit, all carrying traces from Mayan Culture in many ways. One of the main reasons that I travel is to become more educated about the history of a place.  I was blown away by Cancun and Chichen Itza. 

St Martin & St Johns, VI

St. Martin & St. Johns is a great place to vacation.  The people are great and the islands are beautiful.  If you ever get a chance to visit, please take your time an soak up the food, culture, and traditions of the Virgin Islands.

Pack Light

I purchased the Samsonite Silhouette 11 20" Spinner a few months ago, and it has turned out to be a solid little travel companion.  Since the airlines started raising their baggage fees, I travel only with carry-on luggage.  Depending on the length of my trip, I pack about 3 days worth of clothing, and I find a local laundromat to wash a load in order to make through a long trip.  The Samsonite Silhouette 11 20" Spinner meets the international standard for carry-on luggage, it is light weight, and the wheels are fantastic for navigating around the airport.  Here are the specifications for this great travel bag:

-Tri-Core Nylon Treated With Dupont Teflon Nanotechnology To Resist Stains

-Four, multi-directional spinner wheels for easy mobility

-Features 3-1-1 bag which aids in expediting security checks

-Expands 2" for additional packing capacity

The Best BBQ Chicken

I have spent a large amount of time perfecting BBQ Chicken, and here is my simple recipe.

Ingredients:

4 cups apple cider
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons black peppercorns 
2 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
8 cups dark beer
1 (4 to 5 pound) roasting chicken, well rinsed and patted dry
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ Sauce
1 shot any type of Tequila
1 lime zested and juiced

Combine the apple cider, brown sugar, salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, cinnamon, and cloves in a large pot or bowl. Stir to dissolve the sugar and salt.  Combine the mixture with the beer in a plastic container. Place the chicken (cut in half) in the brine and, if necessary, weigh down with a heavy dinner plate to completely submerge. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Pour BBQ Sauce in small pot and add Tequila, lime zest, and lime juice, and bring to a boil.

Take chicken out of the brine and pat completely dry, then lightly salt and pepper the chicken.  Put chicken on a 250 degree grill (using the indirect heat method) until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees (approx. 2 hours), then brush BBQ sauce all over the chicken for the last 5 minutes of cooking.  Take chicken off the grill and cover with foil for about 15 minutes, to let the juices rest.

The Big Green Egg

This is one of the greatests purchases I have ever made...The Big Green Egg (BGE) has been in my family for the past 6 years, and still going strong.  This purchase is for a lifetime...if you can afford to buy one...just do it, you will not regret the purchase.  I have added some information from the Big Green Egg website http://www.biggreenegg.com/

The EGG is a unique barbecue product, with unmatched flexibility and capabilities that surpass all other conventional cookers combined. It is a smoker, a grill and an oven and you can cook literally any food on it year around, from appetizers to entrees to desserts.

Here are some of the benefits of the Big Green Egg:
•Fast lighting -- ready to cook in 10 minutes with no lighter fluid
•Ceramic walls retain heat with accurate temperature control and no hot spots
•Fuel efficient so there is no need to add more charcoal while cooking; unburned charcoal can be reused
•Constant tending not required; with enclosed cooking there are no grease flare-ups
•Withstands temperature extremes from below 0° to 1800°F
•Can be used year around, even in freezing temperatures and rain
•Surface stays cooler and is safer around children than metal grills
•Weatherproof ceramics won't rust
•Handsome, decorative and unique design
•Produces the juiciest, most succulent food you'll ever taste

Tailor of Panama

Ariel and his shop.

Behind the scenes at the shop.

My man Jorge working on my actual suit.

The front of the shop.

The shop.

While researching for my trip to Panama City, Panama, I heard about the Tailor of Panama. I contacted the owner Ariel Abadi ariel@lafortunapanama.com in advance, and setup a time for me to have a suit tailored. I arrived at his shop, which is called LaFortuna, I sat down with Ariel and discussed what type of suit I wanted. Ariel speaks English so that helped things go smoothly. My suit was made in about 4 days, and within those 4 days I had to go back to the shop several times for fittings. Ariel's staff was great, and I really had a delightful time. The suit cost $400 US, and I was a very happy camper. When I wear the suit...people notice, so at least once in you lifetime, I suggest you have a suit tailored...it is well worth it.

Panama City, Panama

I recently traveled to Panama, City Panama and fell in love with the country of Panama. This place was amazing in every aspect. It has a great traditions, community, and most of all I fell in love with its people. It was a very safe and inexpensive city, and very easy to navigate even for a non Spanish speaking person like myself. The food, the sites, and the style of the city was something I did not expect...it blew me away. If you ever get the chance to visit Panama...this country will welcome you with love.