Summer is here. It’s time for going to the beach, laying by the pool, vacations, cookouts and my favorite activity binge watching tv shows. Since all the regular primetime shows are on hiatus. Summer is the perfect time to catch up on shows you missed or to re-watch some of your old favorites. Instead of sharing a summer reading list, I am going to share with you my summer tv binge watching list. I am sure you’ve heard of most of these shows. If you haven’t watch them by now, summer is a good time to find out what all the fuss is about.

Dramas:

• Breaking Bad – Netflix
• Sons of Anarchy Netflix
• House of Cards – Netflix
• Mad Men – Netflix
• Halt and Catch Fire – Netflix
• Game of Thrones – HBO
• The Black List – Netflix

Comedies:

• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Netflix
• Orange is the New Black – Netflix
• Frankie and Grace – Netflix
• Louie – Netflix
• Silicon Valley – HBO
• Portlandia – Netflix
• The League – Netflix

Throwback (revisit some of your all time favorite shows):

• Friends – Netflix
• Sex and The City – HBO
• Entourage – HBO
• Freaks and Geeks – Netflix
• The Wonder Years – Netflix
• The Office – Netflix
• Twin Peaks – Netflix
• Friday Night Lights – Netflix

This list could go on and on, but I think this is a good jumping off point. I am sure there are some really good shows that I missed, so feel free to comment on shows you recommend for a good binge session.

Happy Summer Everyone!!! Remember to Binge responsibly.

Blue Star Donut Shop

Happy National Donut Day!!! I could not let this day go by without taken the time to tell you about the single most amazing donut experience of my life. Last summer Cory and I took a vacation to Portland Oregon, which is a beautiful city and a great foodie destination. So it’s not surprising that I would have the BEST donut of my life the in Portland. What is surprising is where I got the donut from. If you ask most people about donuts and Portland, they automatically mention Voodoo Donuts. Voodoo Donuts is known throughout the country for its kitschy style and outrageous donut flavors and toppings. People can wait more than an hour in line for a donut at Voodoo. Luckily for me and Cory we went in the middle of the week at night and didn’t have to wait in line. I am so happy we didn’t have to wait, because I would have been really disappointed to wait that long for a donut that was just okay.

Don’t get me wrong, the donuts were good, but not wait in line for hours good. Not carry them on my lap on the plane to take them home good. They were it’s nice donut good, in my opinion nothing to really write home about or have to go back and try again good. I am glad I had a first hand Voodoo donut experience for myself. It had been on my foodie bucket list for years. It just didn’t measure up to all the hype for me.

However we did find donut nirvana at a little shop downtown called Blue Star Donut. Blue Star Donut in downtown Portland is small store front on the bottom floor of a highrise building. You could literally walk right passed it and never notice it. When you step inside this small shop all you see is clean lines and very minimal decorations, the donuts are the “star” here. The music in the background has just the right beat to get your day started of right, and the staff is friendly and knowledgable. Immediately upon entry, my senses were delighted with the sight and smell of these amazing donuts!

My life was never the same after my first bite of the blueberry bourbon basil donut.The blueberry glaze is the perfect mix of tart and sweet with just a hint of basil to add complexity. Then you bite into this rich butter brioche donut dough that is fried perfectly and I just wanted to cry it was that damn good! Their donuts range from the gourmet like Cointreau creme brulee to the every day buttermilk old-fashioned donut. And, I am not ashamed to say that I tried at least six different donuts over three days and loved every single one. I don’t know if I’ve ever eaten donuts three days in a row, but Blue Star is that good. If you are ever in the Portland area I highly suggest you run not walk to Blue Star you will not be disappointed.

Blueberry Bourbon Basil Donut

I must mention Blue Star opens at 8am and closes when they run out of donuts so get there early to be sure you get the best selection. I seriously think about this donut shop at least once a week. Blue Star earns five stars in my book. I hope you have a great National Donut Day and are able to celebrate with your favorite donut.