Billy Bob's Dairyland

I decided to post today about this favorite restaurant of ours in Branson, MO.

It's called Billy Bob's Dairyland and it is heavenly.

We first stumbled upon it about 8 years ago during a weekend get-a-way.

We'd started going to Branson to celebrate our anniversary 2 years prior to that and had had a terrible time finding good places to eat.  Some of you might think that is crazy talk because of all the restaurants in this town but we must be picky (not really).  However, since this was our anniversary celebration, we were looking for something like Ruth's Chris to eat.  We spent the first two years eating at every restaurant that looked nice/good.  Disappointed every time.  We found ourselves twice at Sonic because there you at least knew what you were getting.  We also ate a few meals at Cracker Barrel (which we love but we can eat there anytime).

So, this one lonely night of looking all over for a place to eat, we stumbled upon this little diner on the corner of the strip and another street.  The parking lot was packed (a good sign).  We knew there was no place like Ruth's Chris and thought maybe good diner food would be suffice.  We had to wait to find a seat and wait to get our food (they make it fresh).  While we waited two different important looking people came in to get food to go.  Upon further eavesdropping, we learned they were picking up food for big name performers.  Must we pretty good, we thought.

We both ordered the cheeseburger basket and chocolate shakes.

Every burger is made by hand and is 1/2 pound.  They are cooked on a griddle, the buns are toasted on there as well.  The fries are wavy cut and perfect.  The shakes are made old-fashioned.  We were in heaven.  We ate there twice that weekend.

Now, ever since that night, we eat there at least twice every time we go to Branson.

Usually lunch both days.  We started taking our kids with us about 4 years ago.  They love it too.

They like to order the chicken strips, foot-long hot dogs, onion rings and grilled cheese.  They also love the sundaes and twist cones.  

We go there often enough, the regular workers are beginning to remember us (always a good sign).  We have "our booth" too.

I have a shirt that says Billy Bob's (I'm a dork).

About 5-6 years ago, Branson changed the path of the Strip and Billy Bob's was set to be torn down so they moved their little joint.  Now it sits more toward the north end of the Strip, same side of the road as Dixie Stampede, next to a Phillips 66 gas station.  

Please visit the next time you go, you won't be disappointed!

(and they don't take credit cards...only cash or check).

Clean Blueberry Muffins

So...I'm not really what you would call a "clean eater."  I'm more of a healthy-when-I-want-to-by kind of eater. But lately I've given more thought to what I put into my body.  A friend of mine has started a clean eating website and posts recipes that she's tried in her home.  I'm not quite there where she is, but I've taken a few baby steps.

This morning I used Ina Garten's recipe for blueberry coffee cake muffins.  I subbed in a few things:

Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins

1 1/2 sticks softened butter (I used one stick salted ((all I had)))
1 1/2 cups sugar (I used organic pure cane sugar)
3 extra large eggs (I used 4 of our farm fresh)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream (I used one cup FAGE)
1/4 cup milk (I used 1/4 cup almond milk)
2 1/2 cups flour (I used organic whole wheat)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (I used kosher)
2 half-pints blueberries (I used some that we picked earlier this summer)

Pre-heat oven to 350.  Use muffin liners or spray with cooking spray.  Using electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time.  Then add vanilla, sour cream (FAGE), and milk.  Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Slowly add that to mixer bowl.   Fold in blueberries.  Scoop batter evenly into muffin pan (mine made 16).  Bake 25-30 minutes.  Mine took 25 and then I let them cool about 10 minutes.

And guess what?  Not only were they delish, I didn't have to feel very guilty about eating one!  My kids loved them (though I avoided the word "healthy" as my boys tend to categorize that word up there with shots and homework).

**These were about as "clean" as I could get for my household.  I'm sure there are cleaner routes but as I've said before, baby steps.


Here's Misty's website:

www.cleanformyking.blogspot.com

http://clean4myking.blogspot.com/