My $3.14-dollar-a-week Day-Off

Even in Manila, I used to take a "day-off" which means time with myself. I used to go to Red Ribbon (for ther tocino and rice meal, great coffee!))on Hemady or Figaro's (for their ham and mushroom omelette) on Tomas before going to work.

Here in the USA, I continue my small tradition, usually on Thursdays, when I start my day early with a "day-off." After bringing the kids to school, I drive around, looking for leads. I find that I am constantly led to a couple of hours to have coffee and breakfast somewhere in the area. So I budgeted $5 to find a decent place and meal.

I have tried all the donut places around. Giant Donuts in Oakley has good donuts and good coffee (not so strong but lots of flavor). Peter Piper Donuts in Antioch's donuts are a little too sweet for me and their coffee, a little thin. I also tried the discount breakfast in Country Waffles in Brentwood featuring toast, eggs, and coffee for $3.99 but the bread and eggs were ordinary, (medyo lutay nga yung bread) I could have made better at home. I also discovered a festive Oakley Mexican panaderia (bakery), similar to Philippine bakeries. Panaderia La Michoacana sells colored breads and custard or fruit-filled churros for 50c each. I tell you, the Mexican-made churros are rich and decadent.

Well but you see, aside from breakfast, I was also looking for ambience--a place to be alone with my thoughts and writings for a couple of hours, without my baby (safe with Syrel)tugging at me every 2 minutes. Country Waffles had good ambience and the smell of coffee and waffle syrup wafting around was quite inspiring.

But my latest find is Sylvia's Country Kitchen. Intrigued that it bore my sister-in-law's name, it seemed quite popular for brunch. I went in and scanned the pricey menu ($7 average for eggs, ham, toast, hash browns and coffee). When the price is above $5 here, make sure there are two of you to split the big servings.

I decided to get a small meal to fit my budget. I saw an entry "homemade muffins" in bran, raisin, raisin-nut, cinnamon-coconut. Tired of sweet donuts for breakfast, and because I can make a mean omelette, I tried a raisin-nut muffin (because it was homemade) with coffee. The muffin was surprisingly moist, almost like a banana cake but with lots of natural textures--walnuts and plump raisins--and lots of fiber. I put on some of the butter and orange marmalade tubs on hand and they enhanced the muffin in a pleasant way. Sarap!

I ate alone and savored every minute of peace and pampering as I read the used book I ordered at Amazon.com "Angels 101." I might have been alone but I felt so connected! Many people ask me how I can eat alone. I say, sometimes, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sabi nga ng credit card company, "Muffin and refillable coffee: $3.14. A couple of hours of inspiration and Me-time: priceless."