I am a breakfast fan (pancakes, waffles, french toast or anything you put syrup on).  The Eat Clean Diet seems to have a lot of pancake recipes, so I’m working my way through them slowly.  My husband isn’t a huge pancake fan or I would make a different one each day to try.

The ingredients in this recipe are a far cry from sounding like it will make something amazing, but I assure you, it does.  These pancakes are really good (and extremely healthy).  I added a bit more cinnamon than the recipe called for and afterward thought that it would be a good idea to add some vanilla extract (for added flavor).  I’ll have to try that next time.  The pancakes were a good size and the portion size is two pancakes.  YUM!

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I’m all about bread (aka…crust), so I was hesitant about this recipe and really wanted to make it with a crust, but I’m glad I didn’t.  It tasted really good!  I will definitely make this again.  I might even try substituting the asparagus for broccoli next time to change it up a bit.  The flavor was incredible and it cooked to perfection.  It doesn’t look too appetizing, but I’m sure that’s just the way I layered everything.  Certainly worth trying if you like Quiche.

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I’ve been on a roll making eat-clean meals and this is our least favorite of the bunch.  I think it was the thyme that was bugging me.  The recipe originally called for mushrooms, but since neither of us are mushroom fans, I substituted chicken for the mushrooms.  Had I made it per the recipe, the thyme might have complimented the mushrooms.  Either way, I will not be making this one again.

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How sad to have it be our last morning here.  We both decided this felt like retirement and we liked it.  We feel so secluded from the world, yet we’re minutes away from everything.  This truly is a perfect location.  It also helps that someone is taking care of making our breakfast each morning and we don’t have to clean one bit (although I guess that would be called a Maid and a Cook and with the right price, we could have that in retirement too…of course we’d be living in a shack and the view wouldn’t be exciting, so I guess I’ll take what I can get when retirement comes and stick to doing the cooking and cleaning myself).  *sigh*

Breakfast this morning was just as expected….AMAZING!  I don’t know where she comes up with these recipes, but they are top of the line.  For our first course, she served a mini Gingerbread Loaf with Orange Juice.  The loaf was amazing!  It was cooked to perfection.  It melted in your mouth and was still warm inside.  Truly a work of art!

For our main course, she made Eggs Benedict.  I’ve never had this before, because I didn’t think I would like it.  I was wrong.  The flavor was outstanding!  I was so impressed.  I would actually order this out now.  I’m not sure what kind of sauce she used, but it was so good.  She always seems to amaze me.  Even the coffee tastes exactly how we like it (not too strong, but not too light…just perfect).

We’re sad to be leaving today.  It has been one of the most amazing trips away.  Just so relaxing and peaceful here.  I’m finishing our stay just how it started…sitting in the chair by the bay window looking out at the lake.  The ducks are starting to arrive (they’re usually here around 10am and so fun to watch).  I keep having the story of the Ugly Duckling in my mind.  There are several geese, some mallard ducks, and one single white duck (yes, it’s no swam, but still has the effect of “which one doesn’t belong”).  It’s my favorite.  I find myself looking out the window trying to see where it is.

We’ll be heading back to Raleigh soon…back to “reality”. We’ll miss you Anita and Twin Lakes Lodge. Can’t wait to come back.

I honestly thought there would be no way to top yesterdays breakfast, but this mornings was just as good, if not better.  Anita sure knows how to make a mean breakfast.  Our first course was simple, yet sophisticated.  She made Stuffed Mushrooms with cream cheese and sausage and a Fruit and Yogurt Parfait with vanilla yogurt, cut up apples, and pecans, served with Apple Juice.  She left us to enjoy our first course and came back shortly after we finished with the main course.

Armed with our carafe of coffee, she poured each of us a cup and placed our breakfast plates in front of us (oh so beautiful).  She made Apricot French Toast.  The French toast was made from French bread (now that’s how French toast should be made…not with a loaf of regular sandwich bread).  It was drizzled with the juice from the apricots (and I’m sure something else mixed in with it, but it was a tasty syrup).  Each piece of French toast was topped with a poached apricot (warm and juicy).  On the side were three sausage links (cooked to perfection) and a dollop of sour cream, which really complimented the breakfast well.  It all tasted so amazing!

Again, I can’t wait to see what’s for breakfast tomorrow.  Too bad it will be our last day here.  We’re really enjoying our time away.

I’m not one to travel.  I would much rather stay home in the comfort of our own home.  I have it decorated just so (so that I would rather be there).  I’m always ready to go home just as soon as I leave our house…but not when I visit here.  I could stay here forever.  It’s so peaceful and calm.  It’s decorated with soothing colors and modern amenities with the most beautiful view.  We’re taken care of so well when we’re here.  You really do leave rejuvenated.  I never thought I’d find a place I enjoyed more than just being at home.

I am a HUGE fan of cheesecake, so when I found a place named Cheesecakes by Alex, I knew I had to check it out.  I then did a little researching online to read a million positive reviews, then read the background story about how Cheesecakes by Alex came about, followed by all the different cheesecake flavors they offered, along with other goodies (since my husband isn’t a cheesecake fan…I know, something is seriously wrong with him…how could someone not like cheesecake, right?).

After reading so many positives about this place and knowing that they offered something that the both of us would enjoy, I knew we had to make a visit there.  We stopped there after lunch today and I will say that I was not disappointed.  I’ve tasted many cheesecakes in my life and this was by far the best I’ve ever tasted.  The texture and flavor were so incredible!  I can’t believe I ate a whole piece (especially after a large lunch to begin with).  I just couldn’t control myself.  I’m ready to go back and this will also be a planned stop for our next Greensboro visit.  YUMMY!

Last night we took Anita (the Innkeeper’s) recommendation and made reservations to eat at a local Italian restaurant, Biancas.  We were told it was a “hole in the wall”, which we would have to agree with, but don’t let that stop you from checking it out (if you’re ever in Greensboro, NC).  The restaurant is amazing!  It’s a four- or five-course meal (depending on what you get), all averaging about $15 a piece.  It’s only open for dinner and reservations are needed as it’s packed!  We didn’t get in until 8:30pm.  It was well worth the wait though.

As soon as we were seated, we were greeted by the sweetest waitress ever, Cary.  She took our drink orders and soon returned with them and asked if we had any questions.  We placed our order and then she was back with our appetizer (fried green tomatoes with the most amazing homemade tomato sauce).  Next came a tossed salad (eat your heart out Olive Garden) and garlic bread, followed by the main course (whatever you chose…I had Fettuccine Carbonara and my husband had Veal Parmesan with a side of spaghetti).  It was followed by dessert (the best tasting Tiramisu ever!).  Everything was spaced out perfectly and the portions were perfect!

The service and food were outstanding!  The atmosphere (even though it was a “hole in the wall” was somewhat quaint and romantic).  We both plan on visiting Biancas each time we visit Greensboro.

I have to say that there are a ton of positives about staying at The Twin Lakes Lodge, but what I look forward to the most is the breakfasts (oh, and having time with my husband…guess I should mention that too).  Just kidding.  I’m not kidding about the incredible breakfasts though.  They are amazing!  Anita (the Innkeeper) really needs to make a recipe book and publish it.  I think all B&B owners need to have her recipes (they would increase their business just by serving her breakfasts).

This morning, we had a knock on our door promptly at 9:00am (our specified time for breakfast to be served).  Anita brought in our first course.  She made homemade Apple Turnovers that were out of this world and Mango Orange Juice.  They complimented each other well.  She asked if we wanted coffee and said she’d be back with breakfast (the main course) in 6 minutes.

On the dot, she was back at our door with a carafe of coffee and our breakfast.  She made an amazing Quiche (I can’t even describe the flavor, but it’s better than anything I’ve ever made), toasted an English muffin and made homemade fig preserves (very tasty!) to go with it.  There were three cute little heart shaped butter pads too.  So adorable!  We also had a side of mixed fruit which included one of the best cantaloupe I’ve ever had (very juicy), kiwi, and banana.  The presentation was great too!

I can’t wait to see what’s for breakfast tomorrow.

We’re here right now! I’m writing, sitting in a comfy chair in The Penthouse, looking out the large bay window, watching ducks and a beautiful Blue Heron sitting beside the lake. Yesterday the Heron flew right past the bay window. It felt like it was in slow motion. It was so beautiful! I feel blessed to have seen such a sight.

This is my husband and my third visit to the Twin Lakes Lodge. This feels like a home away from home for us. Such a comfortable atmosphere and the most amazing hospitality. I’ve never stayed at a more wonderful place.

We live in Raleigh, so we’re only about 1.5 hours away. We usually visit here in May to celebrate our anniversary, but decided to take a long weekend away (Friday – Monday) to get away during the winter months and we’re so glad we did. It’s such a different view here (this time of year) with no leaves on the trees. It’s still magnificent! I’ve concluded that any time of year is the best time of year to be visiting here.

The Twin Lakes Lodge feels so secluded, yet you’re right off the highway and near shopping, a movie theater, and a ton of food places. It’s very conveniently located!

Anita (the Innkeeper) is the most hospitable person I’ve ever met. She is truly gifted to be in this line of work. She’s so personable and makes your stay here even better than expected. She makes the breakfast and serves it to your room each morning at your specified time. Her food tastes so incredible (pictures coming soon)! I’m thrilled to stay more than one night just so I can have more breakfasts.

This is our second time staying in this particular room (The Penthouse).  We have also stayed in the The Lakefront Suite (the last time we were here) and loved that as well.  Both are so different, but both offer similar amenities and both very romantic, although this isn’t a romantic getaway for us this time…we’re working on catching up on things we need to get to (sad we need to get away to do this, but we couldn’t have thought of a better place).  We feel so relaxed here (and somewhat distracted by the beautiful view).

If you’re in Greensboro, this is definitely the place to stay!

Tonight I made one of the best tasting pizzas I’ve ever had (and it was “clean”).  It took a little while to get everything prepped and cooked, but it was well worth it.  I’m not a big meat lover when it comes to pizza, but the meats chosen for this pizza complimented the veggies very well.  I would definitely make this again.  I thought it was better than any supreme pizza I’ve gotten at a local pizza chain (no grease either).

We opted to use the pre-made Boboli whole-wheat crust (saving time).  I did put the garlic powder on it before adding the sauce and the rest of the ingredients.  I had the turkey sausage on hand, but opted not to use it for this recipe (instead I’ll save it for another recipe).  I did use the ground beef and turkey pepperoni.  Yum!  We also opted to forgo the mushrooms (as we’re not fans…bleh).  I also added a red pepper to the veggie mix.

Once all of the ingredients were cooked, it was very simple to make and then you just pop it in the oven for a very short time and it’s ready to go.  It tasted outstanding!  Definitely worth trying.  What’s great is that you can modify the ingredients to your liking. Enjoy!

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