Hi guys!
How is everyone’s Monday goin’ so far? Short week ahead!! I’m getting more and more excited about going to Madison on Friday—mainly because I mapped it all out and it looks like this unbelievable farmer’s market that so many of you have emailed me about is only two blocks from the hotel I’m staying at! You better believe I’ll be going for a run then hitting the market early on Saturday morning! 
The only problem is that Ryan can’t go! I’ve been online all morning searching for cheap last minute airfares but no luck. Does anyone have some secret website they go through to get cheap fares? The fact that its a holiday weekend really isn’t helping much.
Breakfast was a toasted ezekiel muffin with almond butter and raspberry preserves with a rather unripe kiwi on the side—
We seriously go through so much food at a rapid pace in this house. We are out of spinach, kale and bananas so no green monster today! I need to make a Publix pit-stop!
Later in the morning I chomped on some grapes while on a conference call—
And made a light, early lunch because I’m headed to the gym in a few! I had a falafel Sunshine Burger (cooked on the stove for maximum crispiness!) smothered in hummus & hot sauce with a baked garnet yam on the side
I do love my Texas Pete!
I loved the flavors and textures of this meal; it satisfied me perfectly!
This afternoon I’m headed to the gym for some stairmaster action then back here to write a few articles and clean. I need to go to the store at some point, too!
Murphy-Goode Fact of the Day:
Though some people generalize “snake eyes” with bad luck, at Murphy-Goode it simply means extraordinary wine. Snake Eyes is the name of Murphy-Goode’s Zinfandel, characterized by black fruit flavors and silky smooth tannins. Try it with grilled meat, blackened fish and good ol’ baby back ribs.
{ 65 comments… read them below or add one }
whats a garnet yam? is it just like a sweet potato? i made my own hummis over the weekend and added too much garlic. not good. i would have never thought to put it on a burger, good idea. i’ll have to skip the hot sauce though, you’re nuts. lol j/p
ashley,
Yep–its like a special kind of sweet potato. Very yummy!
Where did you find the falafel burgers?
Jess,
Found ‘em at Whole Foods!
Hi Jenna,
For airfares, try the following sites:
http://www.hotwire.com
http://www.lastminute.com
http://www.orbitz.com
http://www.kayak.com
http://www.expedia.com
Good Luck!
Jenna –
That yam looks so yummy! As for flights – I used to use Orbitz a lot – but my brother has had a lot of luck using http://www.kayak.com/.
You can compare their prices to other sites when you do your search.
Hope that helps!
I LOVE THE MADISON FARMER’S MARKET! make sure to check out the honey stand (with live bees!). Also, there’s a great cafe/ bakery across the street. i forget what the name is, but they have these incredible cinnamon swirl things called Spice Girls.
I usually try Orbitz or Priceline for last minute flights – good luck finding a ticket for Ryan!!
Your lunch looks delicious and I’m sure it’ll be great fuel for your workout. Enjoy!
Hi Jenna,
Try http://www.sidestep.com. It’s a great site that checks all of the airlines plus all of the travel sites like Orbitz, Travelocity, etc. to give you the best rates. Always works for me. Good luck!
Lunch and breakfast both sound absolutely delicious! We (well, I) have the same problem with groceries – I eat through the fresh veggies SO FAST that I feel like I’m always at the store!
Jenna! I love the blog – I just told Kath this morning how much you and Tina and her have inspired me to start my own! Definitely check it out if you get a chance
http://caitsplate.com.
Keep up the awesome work and good luck with Murphy Goode!
The burger+hummus+hot sauce combo sounds amazing, especially with the yam on the side. Yummm! The breakfast looks good too, even thought it’s not a green monster
. Haha, ever since I’ve been drinking those green monsters, we’ve been restocking on spinach continuously!
Someone already posted these but I second Sidestep.com and Kayak.com. Both are great and do the same thing.
Great eats today! Enjoy your workout!!!!
We run through food SO fast too! I have a list of things I’m stopping at Publix for today too
I still haven’t tried falafel yet and really want to. Your lunch looks super yummy
i always use kayak.com for airfares – they go through every single website out there for you. i hope you find a flight! holiday weekends are tough.
your breakfast looks so pretty.
Try Travelzoo.com – they have AWESOME last minute fares!
I’ve finally figured out who is just zooming through all my produce. His name is Breville. Dirty rat.
I hope you can find a flight!
I don’t have any other advice other than what’s already been posted. I need to find some of that Snake Eyes wine!!
Jenna, Madison is amazing!! (I live there) It is gorgeous, and take lots of pictures so everyone sees how beautiful it is. Farmer’s Market is a MUST on Saturday — so much fun.
I usually use Kayak.com since it looks at other sites. What days are you looking for? I had the screen up already since I’m hotel shopping for a vacation. A quick search showed $226 from Tampa to Madison if he flew Friday night-Sunday morning.
I love Kayak.com or Sidestep.com for finding flights… it searches every airline at once!
I use kayak.com alot! They have a great fare comparison.
Your food looks so yummy! I need to get some more fruit & veggies in
I know other people have already mentioned it, but I’ve had a lot of luck with kayak.com!
Madison is such a beautiful place! Make sure you get in a run around the lake. It’s gorgeous!
Oh man, Jenna, you’re going to have so much fun! I’ve been to tons of farmers markets all over the country and one in downtown Madison is definitely the best one out there! I’m so jealous. Aww, I grew up in Madison and am homesick now =)
Do you need any restaurant recs?
Hey Jenna-
I’m sure you already know about this, but I always have great luck at http://www.kayak.com It is really great! Good luck – hope you can snag a ticket for Ryan! PS: can’t wait to see you in Boston in August!
Try travelzoo.com also. I had a Garnet sweet potato for lunch, too! I had mine under lentils cooked with tomato sauce and onions, yum!
i hear madison is really wonderful–kind of like a larger asheville. please post your reviews! i might move up there in a few years.
have a great workout! i hope you can find a cheap flight for Ryan!
Love those sunshine falafel burgers — I just wish more than 3 came in a package!!!
kayak.com is pretty good for cheap flights!
hummus with hot sauce sounds amazing! i’ve got to try that! have a great monday, jenna! your food always looks so delicious.
-JB
p.s. ezekiel english muffins are the best!
Your hummus always looks so creamy and delish! hooray for short weeks and holiday weekends
Jenna, I use http://www.kayak.com or http://www.sidestep.com since they search all the usual sites (expedia, travelocity) plus the airlines sites to find the lowest prices available. They are both a one-stop shop and very helpful!
Hope you can find a flight! I have yet to hit the farmer’s market this year. I’m hoping to get there this weekend – there is nothing better than fresh produce straight from the source
http://www.kayak.com
http://www.priceline.com
http://www.cheapflights.com
Good luck Jenna! Also, some other Madison spots worth noting: Marigold Kitchen, Bluephies, Harvest, L’Etoile for eats, Monona Terrace (Frank Lloyd Wright building), campus (OBV), State Street, Arboretum…you will LOVE it!
Hi Jenna – for the airfare are you selecting to fly through Madison? If you are, you may find cheaper rates by flying through Milwaukee (About 1 hour East of Madison) or Chicago (2 hours South).
Yes, we go through food like crazy. I’m always thinking when I shop that I look like I’m shopping for a family of our (when its just us two!). Oh well, it’s all healthy!
Hi Jenna- if you are flexible about times you can blind bid on priceline – you don’t know departure time until after it is booked but I’ve had luck with it before!
YUMMY eats!! I do agree though, we go through SO much food at lightening speed in our house, it doesnt help that my husband is a bodybuilder either! YIKES!
Have a great workout and lovely afternoon
The Madison Farmer’s Market is awesome!!! I went to school at the UW and used to live on the upper end of State Street–so my roommate and I would walk right out our door and head to the market every Saturday morning! I just know you’ll love it!
Make sure to try some of the cheesy bread!!!!
hey Jenna! Do you still bike? I got a bike this weekend and i’m in love!! its such great exercise and a nice change to walking/running./ elipticalling!
The kiwi is so pretty on your plate.
Delicious eats! Good luck finding a flight – hope Ryan can go with you!!!
Hope you have a great time in Madison, I’m from Wisconsin and Madison in the summer is great!
Hmm these are some good tips on flights! Thanks for asking your readers to help you out
That’s awesome that you are right by a farmer’s market on your trip! Sounds perfect to me…
Enjoy your trip and farmers market!!
Madison is a pretty neat city. I live there now (and I grew up in FL!). I don’t remember if you are a vegetarian, but my all time favorite Madison restaurant is Quivey’s Grove. Go for the fish fry on Friday night (call for a reservation). You won’t be disappointed. But every suggestion I’ve seen in the comments is great. If you run through campus early in the morning, I might even pass you.
jenna
i just looked at tampa to milwaukee – airtran has a flight for $61 in the morning. it might be a problem getting back, but $61 is pretty good.
good luck.
Jenna~
I like Airfare Watchdog…:)
Crossing my fingers and toes that you get into the top 10:)
Barb
sidestep.com is great to find the cheapest flights
That looks like a PERFECT lunch to me!
Have a good day!
Jenna:
I found those falafel burgers in the frozen foods section in wholefoods, so picked up a box and am going to try them for lunch tomorrow. They look really good! I need to stop reading your blog – all those foods pics you post make me hungry all the time
You’re going to have such a great time in Madison. The farmer’s market is AMAZING! Be sure to check out their flowers there too… SO pretty!
You should try adding some PB or AB on that yam. LOVE that topping!
Try kayak.com, which basically just searches all of the OTHER search engines for you and does a price comparision! I love it!
I know what you mean about going through food fast, my household consists of only two people but we manage to eat the entire fridge in two days!!
Great eats today:)
You will love the Madison Farmer’s Market, it is amazing! I hail from Wisconsin, so I have been to the market many times. Feel free to email me if you need any restaurant recommendations! L’etoile, ranked Wisconsin’s 2nd best restaurant and written up in countless food magazines, is located right near the capitol (incidentally, in the same exact area as the farmer’s market). The chef is committed to using locally grown, organic ingredients. The prices are a bit steep, but I can assure you that it won’t disappoint!!! L’etoile also operates a wonderful little cafe on the first floor of the building called Cafe Soleil that is open at lunchtime; it is basically a cheaper, abbreviated version of L’etoile’s dinner menu. Definitely worth a try!
Your breakfast looks so good! YUM!
-Muffy
Vayama.com
try
http://www.flightsfirst.com
i’ve always found the CHEAPEST flights there
although, sadly it does seem like now is a lost cause for cheap flights…must be that it’s so close to the date AND a holiday weekend
Jenna, your photos have been looking so vividly colorful! I love the texture details in the hummus/hot sauce
I hear ya on the high airfares! We wanted to go on a trip in a few weeks and I couldn’t find cheap airfare to anywhere! I hope something works out so Ryan can go with you to Madison!
Great idea to put hummus on the Sunshine burger!