Hi guys!
Hope everyone had a fantastic Friday. Mine was buuusy! In a good way though. Lots of new wine club members over at Michel Schlumberger! 😉
My appetite hasn’t been ravenous today…might be a combo of my rich meal last night and the fact that I haven’t exercised in a few days. I honestly didn’t even have time to eat much though so it worked. I ate my lunch in big spoonfuls over the course of an hour—
(~1/2 cup yogurt + 1/2 cup granola)
And then ate a pure protein bar in the same stage-like manner later in the afternoon.
Now dinner was interesting. Jim, don’t yell at me, but I’m going to just throw it out there that our Deux Terres (a niiice $100 bottle of Cab) goes really well with roasted butternut squash. (sometimes you just have to say it with authority).
Yes. Yes, it does. But what doesn’t go with butternut? I have a Heather-like love affair with squash and like it that way. Tonight all I did was roast one up with sliced parsnips, tossed with a little olive oil, sea salt, cayenne and maple syrup at 375 for about 30 minutes at it was perfecto. I also roasted some brussels sprouts and layered my plate with the brussels, the squash, the parsnips…cottage cheese (??) and figs. Guys, I wanted to be all gourmet and use some fancy cheese instead of just plain cottage cheese but sometimes you just gotta work with what you got. And don’t forget the Deux Terres.
After dinner I got ready and met Hardy, Eric and Sydney for a glass of wine downtown. We started out at John and Zekes, which is the AWESOME college-ish dive bar in Healdsburg and then we worked our way to Ravenous. I met Sydney two weeks ago at the winery when she was helping out with Zin during one of our Harvest Luncheons….and she might just be my long lost twin. Get this: we both have undergraduate degrees in writing, lived in France for a little while, and then went to culinary school for baking and pastry. It’s crazy!
At Ravenous, I became quite ravenous (dinner was a little light!) and we split the cheese plate. Good call.
Soooo good. I inhaled that walnut bread with apricots. So.much.good.food. It went perfectly with my one glass of zinfandel that I sipped all night. Speaking of zinfandel, Eric brought me a present!
So, I totally fell in love with this zin last weekend at TACOctoberfest. It seriously rocks and is everything a zin in my mind should be….lots of fruit and blackberry jam. Thanks, Eric! 🙂
I’m off to bed…excited to check out my first California farmer’s market in the morning!
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Check out Ange’s Amazing Grass promo! The coupon code is OSG40%….stock up now! 🙂
Suzanne de Cornelia
October 16, 2009 at 11:38 pmThat hair-band looks really cute, and you looked rested. I like cottage cheese it’s one of the ‘superfoods.’ California Farmer’s Markets ROCK! Esp at the Ferry Building in SF, downtown Los Altos, Santa Barbara, too many….all good. Have fun!
Diana
October 16, 2009 at 11:59 pmI have yet to try butternut squash. I even have one at home but haven’t had time to try it!
Diana
October 16, 2009 at 11:59 pmI have yet to try butternut squash. I even have one at home but haven’t had time to try it!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
October 17, 2009 at 12:00 amI’m so jealous of your fresh figs! Despite my love for dried figs I have yet to taste a fresh one!
ellen eats beets
October 17, 2009 at 12:24 ammmm that cheese plate looks delish girl!!
Sarah (LovIN My Tummy)
October 17, 2009 at 12:34 amI love that you are a W. Coaster now and have these late night posts for me to enjoy!!! 🙂
Jenny @JennyLikesToRun, on a mission to run a marathon for charity!
October 17, 2009 at 1:40 amYummm Butternut is amazing. i have this delish recipe for butternut soup and it is by far the greatest soup I have ever tasted IN MY LIFE 😀
I haven’t tried butternut squash though. I really need to get my booty into gear and print out some yummy recipes, I keep reading about these amazing foods on blogs, time to try some out!
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)
October 17, 2009 at 3:28 amMmm, I love cheese plates. In the past 2 weeks I’ve devoured: gouda, brie, and a hunk of blue cheese. What do parsnips taste like? I’d like to try them, but I’m worried they will be bitter!
Fitness Fabulous
October 17, 2009 at 3:35 amOoh granola & yoghurt – I love that!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
October 17, 2009 at 3:46 amI have to say, I’m quite envious of the all this great wine 😉
Cheese plates is my all time favorite thing to eat!! It’s the perfect meal to me 🙂
Gina
October 17, 2009 at 4:41 amI tried my first amazing grass this morn(green superfood mixed with water)and no offense but almost threw up!
What is the trick?I have seen you chug it with water but do you taste something else right after to get the foul taste out of your mouth or what?
Also what are your thoughts on these powder type supplements anyways?I have been reading some of Natalie Rose’s blog and she really advocates getting these nutrients through real foods….
Really would love your thoughts Jenna(when you are not so busy?)!Thanks!
Erin
October 17, 2009 at 4:43 amJenna, I’ve been reading your blog for a while and have seen it go through many incarnations. The current one is definitely my favorite! I love your stories and pictures of your foodie life in California – I don’t think I’ve ever been more jealous of a blogger’s daily existence and food consumption than I have been of yours in the past couple of weeks!!! 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
October 17, 2009 at 4:54 amMore figs! I love it.
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter)
October 17, 2009 at 5:21 amJenna,
There is nothing wrong with having a love affair with squash. Nothing at all. Your dinner looked perfect to me – love all the variety of roasted goodness.
Looks like you are having a blast in CA. You and Sydney sound like a good match. I love making new girlfriends. Guys are so fun to hang out with, but it’s always nice to have some girls in our lives!
Rebecca
October 17, 2009 at 5:22 amWalnut bread with apricots sounds so fallish and good! Glad you made a friend that you have so much in common with!
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
October 17, 2009 at 5:46 amOh my gosh, a California farmer’s market sounds awesome! I can’t wait to her about it 🙂
I have never tried Zinfandel but I really need to! Have a great day.
Andee (Runtolive)
October 17, 2009 at 5:48 amI can’t believe I’ve never had butternut squash before! I’m going to try to make a butternut squash apple soup this weekend. California Farmers Markets are amazingg have fun!
Lauren
October 17, 2009 at 5:49 amWhat a great way to unwind from a stressful week. I’m so sorry about your ankle dear! Maybe this is a sign that you’ve been working so hard and need to take a little time off from the chaos. Moving across the country, starting a new job and running a 1/2 marathon…..Holy cow! That is way too much for one person to handle in one week.
Take care darling. You’ll be back to yourself in no time.
X0X0X0
Susan
October 17, 2009 at 6:09 amButternut squash is my fave!!! It really does go with everything!! Although, my favourite way is mushed up with some PB 🙂
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
October 17, 2009 at 6:10 amSuch a neat dinner combo Jenna! Oddly enough, all those ingredients sound perfect together. Even the cottage cheese sounds like it would go well in the mix!
Glad you enjoyed your night out. That’s so weird how similar you and Zin are! I bet you had a lot to talk about. 🙂
Stephanie
October 17, 2009 at 6:17 amGorgeous cheese plate. What is it about cheese, bread and wine that is just so darn good? 🙂
Courtney
October 17, 2009 at 6:17 amOMG on that cheese plate…it looks so good. Nothing like some good quality cheese…I think I’m going to check the selection at Trader Joe’s today!
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
Jana
October 17, 2009 at 6:18 amIt looks like you are having so much fun in Cali! It is wonderful that you found someone to bond with and who has so much in common with you 🙂 God always puts those people in our life right when we need them the most!
Daria @ Daria Can Cook
October 17, 2009 at 7:11 amGirl, you are living the life!
Meghan@traveleatlove
October 17, 2009 at 7:16 amButternut seriously goes with everything! I love that you make it with maple syrup. Do you put the syrup on at the end so it doesn’t burn? I find that I always burn stuff like that!
Erin
October 17, 2009 at 7:18 amI’ve never tried figs, only Fig Newtons. 😉 But now I want to try some! 😀
emily
October 17, 2009 at 7:22 amI think I’ve had food envy over ever single thing you’ve eaten since you’ve moved!
Tina
October 17, 2009 at 7:27 amOh that walnut bread sounds delicious! Before I moved here, I got a loaf of Walnut Flax Whole Grain bread from this bakery in Seattle and it was freakin deeeliciousss
Jen(eatmovelove)
October 17, 2009 at 7:35 amoh my – cheese and myself are dangerous – pair in some good bread/crackers and wine and it’s trouble…and yet we continue our love affair and meet on a nightly basis :). I’ve just tried goat cheese and am pleasantly surprised – yum!
Becky
October 17, 2009 at 7:42 amCottage cheese can’t taste bad with ANYTHING. 🙂 Especially squash. The cheese plate looks yummmmy…. I go a little crazy with cheese and bread…and wine 😉
Krissy - Single Serving
October 17, 2009 at 7:59 amAll your talk of figs lately made me try them last night and they might possibly be the best things I’ve ever tasted. Thanks for giving me a new obsession!
Jenna
October 17, 2009 at 8:21 amgreat night!!
jenna
Evan Thomas
October 17, 2009 at 8:45 amCan’t wait to see pics of the Farmer’s Market!
If you like Chobani’s Pineapple, you should try the TJ 2% Greek yogurt. The touch of cream makes it really decadent with a spoonful of jam
lena
October 17, 2009 at 9:16 amHey Jenna! saw your little ‘article/interview’ in Self mag!!! so cool!!! way to go! congrats!!!:) hope your ankle’s better!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
October 17, 2009 at 9:28 amSometimes really decadent ingredient taste best with simple. It looks like you had a really good meal 🙂
BethT
October 17, 2009 at 9:36 amIn my opinion, wine goes with EVERYTHING!
Stacey
October 17, 2009 at 10:17 amGlad you had a good night! Have fun at the farmers market in the morning 🙂 Can’t wait to see the pics!
Jil
October 17, 2009 at 10:24 amI have a tendency to eat in shifts almost. haha It def keeps me filled up longer I guess. Have fun at the farmer’s market — love themmm! And that cheese plate looks amazing…in Paris, I ate that on a constant basis. haha
Whitney @ Lettuce Love
October 17, 2009 at 10:56 amI wish I could be drinking all of that amazing wine! Delish
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries
October 17, 2009 at 12:09 pmCheese plate is always a good call! And that apricot bread-OMG. Enjoy the farmer’s market!
MarathonVal
October 17, 2009 at 12:49 pmI love that you love squash 🙂 I get angry when I go to the grocery store in spring/summer and they tell me they don’t carry squash anymore… if only it was sold year round!