Well, we had two brilliant days of sunshine out here on the coast and then today is the foggy NorCal weather we all know and love. It’s okay though…perfect weather for reading under blankets! 
This morning I woke up incredibly early and made a yummy bowl of oatmeal:
I used 1/2 cup oats, 1 cup water, 2 egg whites, 1 banana and 1 T almond butter. The egg whites made the oatmeal extra fluffy and added protein…this might become a new standard!
I read for a couple hours while my oats digested and then did another 90 minute yoga podcast. And, while in forearm balance saw another WHALE! I love whales! I think seeing whales (and sea lions!) has made my entire trip. I mean, what’s cooler than a whale? Really now.
I snacked on some unpictured almonds + an apple and then went to this cute local sandwich shop with my parents for lunch.
This had cucumbers, pickles, roasted red peppers, avocado, jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and olives on soft whole wheat bread. All it needed was some HUMMUS! I ate the whole thing.
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
A gray day + reading under the covers = my version of a perfect day
Gotta love us English majors 
That sandwich looks awesome! Glad you’re enjoying your family “retreat!”
Are you still working now as well Jenna??
I don’t know how you get time to write, read, work-out, entertain…oh my – I waste tons of time and always feel so bad about it. Life isn’t simple is it?
Take care girl.
That’s so exciting that you’ve seen whales!!! Also your sandwich looks fantastic! I love veggie sandwiches!!
Looks like you’re having fun! How did you incorporate the egg whites in to your oatmeal without them turning in to scrambled eggs?
Laura H,
I just add the egg whites with the water when I cook the oats on the stove.
i need to try egg whites in oats asap!
sammie looks delish!
Hmm I will have to try the egg whites in the oats very soon, great idea! Looks like you are having a lovely break. I love whales too, we see them quite often in Australia
.
I’m convinced I need to invent a hummus flask, so that I can take it with me wherever I go.
yay for a successful veggie sammie!! your so right though – they are usually hits or misses.
Good thing it was a good one, but that shop looks like it probably know what it’s doing
Lucky girl, getting to see all of those whales! Last time I saw one was on Maui, and that was 3 years ago!
Yesterday was beautiful, now today is foggy, drizzly on Monterey Coast, too. Tomorrow sun is to return. Love the window seat/ cute photo! Whales, dolphins, sea-gulls etc so cool. Sea Otters are very interesting, too. There are a lot of them here. When their populations threatened, eco-systems are too because they eat sea urchins and keep those populations under control, otherwise the urchins eat all the kelp and underwater becomes a desert that can’t sustain other forms of sea life and fish. A great walk here is from the Monterey Aquarium towards Pebble Beach…can walk forever on the coast and the environment constantly changes, esp in Spring lots of wildflowers and parts very rugged. Here’s part of the sea otter pup rescue program:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MontereyBayAquarium#p/u/19/Pt46EHqJXu0
I love how much reading you have been doing, I need to get motivated to spend some time reading. I always love to do it but it’s hard to make time.
I also love your adorable hair styles lately
What do you do with the egg yolks?
Yay for reading underneath some covers. It is quite easily one of my favorite things to do. It’s good that you are enjoying your holiday! Run all over that fort tomorrow!!!
Jenna,
I have loved looking at all of your pictures from this trip! It sounds absolutely amazing – calm, peaceful, and beautiful. It makes me very much want to book a trip out to the NW coast PRONTO! Enjoy the rest of your trip and a late Merry Christmas!
I was wondering what yoga podcasts you have been doing. I love dave farmer but I am looking for a new, but still challenging podcast.
That sandwich looks delicious!
Reading under blankets on drizzly days is the best! I just finished A Strong West Wind – loved it
Glad the veg sammie was a good one!
Mmm veg sandwich! Yum!
I can’t believe you keep seeing whales while doing yoga. That is incredibly cool
Good luck on finishing your book!! BTW- that sandwich looks GREAT! I will have to try to make one. Enjoy the rest of your trip…
How long do you get to stay at this house? It seems like such a perfect place!
That sandwich looks sooooooo good. Everything looks extremely fresh!
Jenna,
I love egg white fluff. Adding them to anything and everything these days.
Happy to hear you had a good Christmas and that you’re enjoying your time your with your parents.
You scored on the veggie. Nothing worse than a “veggie sandwich” consisting of lame-o bread with cheese, and iceberg!
Hi Jenna! Looks like a an awesome holiday break and I’m sure your folks are loving their time with you too.
Quick question: what town is the house you’re renting in? i’ve been looking for a coastal get away for the Spring. Last year, we spent it in Fort Bragg/Mendocino, but we’re looking for something new.
You can email if you prefer!
Dana,
I have a tattoo of a cross in the waves on the wrist that i got for my brother, who passed away last spring.
Woman&warrior:
The Sea Ranch on the Mendocino coast…its gorgeous here!
Legalstyle:
The grass is always greener on the other side, I promise you!
daintyvegan,
we are leaving tomorrow morning!
Chloe,
Still doin’ Dave Farmar…he never gets old in my book and always kicks my booty!
Foy,
Toss ‘em.
Eatmovelove,
I’m working on my book/blogging as my full time job and work at the winery about once a week
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I want your life, Jenna. Looks like the absolute perfect day.
Somedays cloudy days are a welcome day to relax
I’ve heard that about adding egg whites to oats all over the place! Still haven’t gotten around to tryin’ it…
Have a great evening Jenna!
Jenna, I am super jealous. This looks like absolute PERFECTION.
And whales are just amazing.
The scenery there is so beautiful, and I’m made even more jealous by the whale sightings! I’ve visited Maine every summer of my life, and have never seen one!
Also love the idea of eggs in the oatmeal…am going to try this tomorrow
Jenna,
Do you have a tatoo on your wrist?! if so, what is it/
your pics look absoultely amazing!
happy holidays!!!
That bowl of oats looked really good and the veggie sandwich looked even better. I know what you mean about them though…being a vegetarian lets you in on those little secrets that most people don’t know! Happy December 26th…
I adore good veggie sandwiches – nothing better. Glad you’re having such a great time with the family.
I adore good veggie sandwiches – nothing better. Glad you’re having such a great time with the family.
soo, I basically want to live in South California. It looks soooooo beautiful! simply breathtaking. you are very lucky
Wow…I think seeing a whale while doing yoga would be about the perfect thing. I was thinking how lucky I was to watch the snow falling outside during my morning yoga class…I can only imagine staring out into an ocean, let alone see a whale in the ocean.
That sounds so nice!!
And I like whales too. =D
It looks so relaxing & nice! I like your nails from what I can see of them in the sandwich pic
!!! Really! Amazing – I guess they (publishers??) give you an “advance” or something so you have money to live off of?? Otherwise, how would you do it? Sorry…I have to figure out the pragmatic in everything don’t I…;)
Wow! It seems like you just announced the book deal and now you’re already almost done!? Congrats!
I love drizzly days solely for the excuse of bundling up in blankets, reading, and blissing out while doing a whole lot of nothing.
That veggie sandwich looks divine!
I am so happy for you. Please enjoy this Christmas season and your family. You truely know what joy is.
I am always apprehensive about a veggie sandwich too. Sometimes it’s just lettuce tomato and cheese. Not my idea of filling. But that sandwich looks great.
I just have to say that those pictures of you are adorable and you look so cozy in your blanket!
I always wonder what books you are talking about when you say you’re reading. You should share more often!
The veggie sandwich looks amazing! So glad it was one of the great veggie sandwiches and not one of the bad ones – those always stinks!
The vegetarian sandwiches offered in SF are RIDICULOUSLY large fresh and delicious!!! Glad you having a relaxing time with your ‘rents.
I love catching up on all of your posts
The rocky coastline and water looks so amazing there.. a lot different that the water in the gulf! Glad you had a wonderful Christmas with your parents.. that veggie sandwich sure does look yummy. Roasted red pepper and avocado are my fave 
yummy oatmeal and veggie sandwich. “Enjoy” the bad weather…haha that sounds funny!
You look really pretty in those pics Jenna!
I’m from Cali originally, and we always would go up to North Cal instead of South. SLU, Morro bay, Cambria… I miss the cold beaches and foggy weather (which I used to HATE when I was younger. Where’s the sun?!)
Hope you’re having a great time.
totally agree about veggie sandwiches being either really good or really bad. unfortunately, usually they are really bad. glad to hear you found a good one!
With you on the veggie samiches for sure! Egg whites in oatmeal??? Genius!
Hahaha it cracked me up when you said that sandwich needed hummus. I would have said the same thing! I feel like most veggie sandwiches need hummus. But that looks delicious. I’m jealous of all this reading time you’re getting!
Hi,
I’m so glad your enjoying the Pacific. I grew up in Oregon (no live in Maine) and loved the coast and sea animals. Your pictures bring back memories.
I have a quick question. Do you only use Xanthum in your protein ice cream because that is all I can find. I can’t figure out the difference guar gum would make or if you just need one to “turn it into ice cream”. Any thoughts. Keep enjoying your family and holidays.
B
Hi,
I’m so glad your enjoying the Pacific. I grew up in Oregon (no live in Maine) and loved the coast and sea animals. Your pictures bring back memories.
I have a quick question. Do you only use Xanthum in your protein ice cream because that is all I can find. I can’t figure out the difference guar gum would make or if you just need one to “turn it into ice cream”. Any thoughts. Keep enjoying your family and holidays.
B
I agree with you — veggie sandwiches are either hit or miss…most the time misses — at least in my experience. Glad to hear that yours was good..it looks it!