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Aside from sandwiches and bagels, tacos are by far one of my most favorite foods. While I am (surprisingly) of Hispanic heritage, I think it was my early childhood devotion to Taco Bell that cemented my love. Thankfully since then my taco taste palette has matured and I’ve grown accustomed to a more authentic variety of tacos.

Recently, however, I’ve been on the search for the next best taco. Working in the West Lawn community presents itself with many opportunities, but it can be difficult to know which taqueria to try first.

My first stop was at Indio, a local restaurant along 63rd and Pulaski, that always seems to be packed. While they were definitely yummy,they didn’t quite have the wow factor I was looking for.

Next on my list: Tacos Villa, based on a recommendation from someone who knows the area well, and Zacatacos, which is supposed to have delicious char-grilled fillings.

Where do you go in Chicago when you want tacos?

I died when I saw this.

[images via pinterest]

Before this past Saturday I hadn’t ridden my bike in years. I had gone a brief ride around Lake Mills, Wis. a few weeks back but I borrowed a bike that wasn’t my own. So when I found out that my company was one of the sponsors in the third annual 15th Ward Bike Ride through Chicago Lawn, I knew I wanted to participate.

I found my old bike that my mom hadn’t been using, including a fab purple helmet, and discovered a new fun-filled activity. I took it to a new level today after work when I somehow convinced my pooch to jog alongside me while I rode. We made it around the block before he had to quit. I guess you really don’t ever forget how to ride a bike.

Yep, this is pretty much what we looked like.

[image courtesy of getty images]

I have a newfound respect for event planners. The amount of planning, talking on the phone, looking at Excel spreadsheets, ordering treats for goodie bags (yes, birthday party style), speaking with local restaurant owners, placing ads and designing flyers is enough to make anyone crazy.

For the past few weeks I have been planning a series of community tours for the West Lawn and Chicago Lawn communities in Chicago. Check it out here. I’m hoping for an uneventful tour with no mishaps, which should say a lot considering a rather large portion of those who RSVP’d are senior citizens and they seem to have something to say about just about everything. I dread getting old.

Have you ever had to plan a big event?

Just one of the stops on our tour.

[image courtesy of www.examiner.com]

Lately I’ve found myself fueling a once non-existent caffeine addiction. Until recently, I’ve never been a huge coffee drinker. The combination of being back in IL where there is a Dunkin’ Donuts on just about every corner and the fact that everyone in my office drinks coffee so I feel like I should too, has changed that. Not only has my newfound addiction begun to stain my teeth, but it has also given me an unnecessary urge to stop at DD every time I see one.

This morning, however, I made a conscious attempt to get through the day without any coffee, and while I found myself feeling crabby and lagging just a bit throughout the afternoon, I successfully did it. I’m also going to chalk my crabbiness up to the countless seniors I’ve had to communicate with on the phone in the past few days. With my now depleted DD gift card and a will to think of coffee only as a twice or thrice weekly treat, I think my cravings will subside.

Now how to squelch my craving for a DD reduced fat blueberry muffin, I don’t know. Either way, I’m not sure if my true addiction is with caffeine itself or maybe just Dunkin’ Donuts.

What’s your go-to morning treat? From now on mine is going to be Frosted Mini-Wheats.

…especially when you order it in a salad and it’s hidden between the applewood smoked bacon, white cheddar, corn, avocado, red onion and ranch dressing. There was lobster in my salad? Never would have guessed it, and that’s just the way I like it.

Last night I ate dinner at Devon, a trendy seafood restaurant a few blocks from Michigan Avenue, in honor of my cousin’s birthday. The ambience was warm and inviting, the dinner rolls were delicious and even though the waitress forgot our appetizer, she more than made up for it with the free carrot cake.

What restaurants are you dying to try?