Breakfast

False Advertising

I thought I left my allergies here:

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Or here:
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I’m not quite sure what has happened but this morning I woke up and simply cannot breathe. My eyes are itchy, my nose is stuffy and I can’t stop sneezing for the life of me. Oh, California! Why must you keep surprising me? When I first moved here I was under the impression that Northern California was the promised land. It didn’t rain here, it didn’t get cold, there were no mosquitoes. humidity or spring allergies. Oh, and wine flowed like water.
(Wine actually does flow like water).
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But as for the rest…..all I can say is false advertising.
Still, there’s nothing quite like the perfect Sonoma spring day, when the sun is shining high in the sky and a gentle breeze is blowing through the vineyards. Okay okay…maybe I’ve been reading a bit too much Willa Cather lately?
Speaking of reading, I meant to tell y’all that I finished Prep. I liked it but I liked American Wife much more. Prep reminded me of one of my other favorite books, I am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe, which I liked much more. If you haven’t read I am Charlotte Simmons, you must. Its another one of those compulsive-I-must-read-in-24-hours type of books. It’s super long but equally wonderful. I’ve read it three times I think!
And now, on to my oats. Overnight oats today!
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Creamy deliciousness
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Check out the original recipe here! I love randomly going back to 2007 and seeing what I ate for breakfast.

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  • Jessica
    May 4, 2010 at 8:17 am

    Your pictures are beautiful, Jenna!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    May 4, 2010 at 8:17 am

    California is not the promised land? Darn. I must find somewhere else to dream of.

  • Diana
    May 4, 2010 at 8:20 am

    That place does look like the promised land. 🙂
    I think you’d like Portugal. 😉

  • Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks
    May 4, 2010 at 8:24 am

    Ooh, I LOVE Tom Wolfe! Have you read Bonfire of The Vanities? Such a fantastic read and vivid portrait of Wall Street in the 80s.

  • nic
    May 4, 2010 at 8:26 am

    Kihi… I love your old posts too!! I enjoy going back and reading them!! Hope your allergies are vanishing again as quick as they came!! Have a wonderful day!

  • M(a different M than the other M!!)
    May 4, 2010 at 8:27 am

    Does any reader or Jenna know the answer to this….
    Can overnight oats be made with “scottish oatmeal”(what Bob’s
    Red Mill calls scottish oatmeal anyways)?
    I am wondering if it would still be too hard in morn?
    Thanks if anyone knows-really appreciate your time 🙂

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing
    May 4, 2010 at 8:29 am

    Boo to the allergies. But no humidity?! Umm as a girl who has lived in South Carolina her entire life, that IS the promised land!

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
    May 4, 2010 at 8:35 am

    All the rest describes SOUTHERN California. 🙂 Although, you’d probably still have allergies here, because of the Santa Anas.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    May 4, 2010 at 8:39 am

    oh, i hate allergies! i never ever had them when i was in Lubbock, and when I moved to Dallas they kicked my tail. when we moved to Colorado I was thinking it was so dry that SURELY i wouldn’t have allergic reactions anymore, but sadly this year was the worst one yet. BLECH. feel better!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    May 4, 2010 at 8:47 am

    Ugh, I feel ya. I never had allergies until I moved to DC. Not only is it the nation’s capital, but it’s the capital of all pollen, ragweed, and, I’m sure, dust and cat dander. I haven’t been able to wear contacts for a month!

  • Carrie (Love Healthy Living)
    May 4, 2010 at 8:56 am

    I’m a fellow transplant to California (although I’ve been here for over 20 years) and I suffer from major allergies. In fact, I found a connection between my allergies and migraines. I take a daily Claritin (or the generic version) and it really helps. Also, you could try using a Neti pot, that helps with the sniffles. Good luck!

  • Ameena
    May 4, 2010 at 8:59 am

    I have non stop allergies living in California…I think it is the pollen and dry weather plus the random rainstorms that stir everything up. California is definitely not the promised land!!

  • Lizz (Leading the Good Life)
    May 4, 2010 at 8:59 am

    Allergies are the worst! I get itchy eyes pretty bad, which is especially annoying because I have to where contacts while I’m running (my glasses would just fly off of my face!) A couple of my friends highly recommended Zyrtec, and it’s been working well for me, too.

    I know everyone has a different take on ‘perfect weather’, but I really LOVE the change of seasons. I love snow falling and trees coated in ice, Spring with all of its colors is so refreshing after a cold Winter – and I can always go for a rockin thunderstorm! Summer sun is perfect for swimming and BBQs, and crisp Fall evenings are great for football games and bonfires! I guess the Midwest suits me well!

  • Samantha (Food Edu)
    May 4, 2010 at 9:00 am

    There is definately some allergens here in California–Im not totally familiar with everything in Sonoma County, but down here during the Almond harvest it is bad news for me. I love your SC pictures–I’ve never been but it looks beautiful!

  • ShutupandRun
    May 4, 2010 at 9:02 am

    I can’t wait to read American Wife. I’m reading House Rules now by Jodi Piccoult. Pretty interesting so far. She comes up with some great plot lines.

  • Scargosun
    May 4, 2010 at 9:03 am

    Allergies follow you around from state to state like old mismatched baggage. ick! I made my oats last night too. Mmmmm!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
    May 4, 2010 at 9:04 am

    Awwh I feel for you with allergies and that – It must suck! I hope you feel better soon 🙂

  • Evan Thomas
    May 4, 2010 at 9:07 am

    One of the few things I was blessed with was NO ALLERGIES. Good thing cause pollon is craaaazy this year

  • Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary
    May 4, 2010 at 9:13 am

    Two Words (from a fellow Californian) : Seasonal Allergies

    😉 All that rain makes the flora and fauna grow like crazy… I think I’ve sneezed about 20 times in the last hour and 1/2. lol I reccomend Claritin D… the one behind the counter at the drug store. Works like a CHARM.

  • Lisa
    May 4, 2010 at 9:13 am

    I love your pictures. 🙂 My allergies have been the worst they’ve ever been this year. It’s weird–the allergies started super early too. 🙁

  • Tammy (Defining Wellness)
    May 4, 2010 at 9:15 am

    That recipe sounds yummy! It must be so neat going back to 2007 to read old posts. I’m coming up on my 1-year blog anniversary and it will be neat to be able to look back to “last year.” 🙂

  • Tay
    May 4, 2010 at 9:26 am

    My allergies just blew up yesterday too! Time to start popping those pills!

  • Jerilynne
    May 4, 2010 at 9:33 am

    I love that you linked to the Kindle version of “I Am Charlotte Simmons.” I read “American Wife” too (just finished actually!) and loved it, so now that I know we have similar interests in books, I might need to buy “I Am Charlotte Simmons”.. not on Kindle though!

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels
    May 4, 2010 at 9:42 am

    Ahhhh I will never be able to read all the good books I want to!

  • eatmovelove
    May 4, 2010 at 9:51 am

    Your pics make me nostalgic for the South…and I’m not even from there!!

  • Taysa (Water, Butter and Wine)
    May 4, 2010 at 10:03 am

    Certainly Northern California is much different from Southern California, but fairly temperate over all. I mean, we had our first BBQ in January or February, so it’s really not THAT bad.

    As for allergies, I had the worst allergies of my life the January I first moved here. Everything was in bloom so early compared to what I was used too, not to mention there were so many different plant species–it was rough. Hang in there!

  • Kathleen
    May 4, 2010 at 10:10 am

    Why would you ever think it didnt rain in Northern California, especially on the coast?! I’ve done that before though, moved somewhere, in my case to Tennessee, and didn’t truly check out the weather first. It rains way to much in Tenn for my liking!

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething
    May 4, 2010 at 10:10 am

    i feel the same way about california-moved to ventura 3 years ago and keep thinking gosh it is cold! thought i left the cold in the mountains!

  • Jessica
    May 4, 2010 at 10:13 am

    I LOVED I am Charlotte Simmons too. Could not put it down!

  • AnneW
    May 4, 2010 at 10:17 am

    As a fellow Californian I never had allergies living in the Bay Area, but I totally get them living on the Central Coast!

    I also read Prep (or listened to it actually, I’m a big book-on-tape fan) and remember really disliking all the main characters!

  • Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward
    May 4, 2010 at 10:18 am

    I loved both Prep and I am Charlotte Simmons. American Wife is next on my list!

  • r
    May 4, 2010 at 10:19 am

    I love the book focus in so many of your recent posts. Keep it coming!

    Are you still going to do the 100 mile bike race in a couple of weeks?

  • mary ann
    May 4, 2010 at 10:22 am

    i sooo feel you on I am Charlotte Simmons… Tom Wolfe is a genius. Gaad, is it just me, or is reading COMPLETELY underated. That feeling of being completely sucked into a plot with the illustrations left up to your own imagination-SO much better than TV (not to say tv doesn’t have its place). I can never really “escape” with movies, tv or even meditation the way i can with a good read.

  • Jil
    May 4, 2010 at 10:28 am

    My allergies have been a pain in the butt lately, too. They’re never fun.

  • Beth
    May 4, 2010 at 10:31 am

    I love I am Charlotte Simmons!!!!

  • Keri@kerirunsslow
    May 4, 2010 at 10:40 am

    Hi I don’t usually post here, but I had to comment on I am Charlotte Simmons. Did you honestly like the ending? The last chapter seems to me to completely not match the rest of the book. Like Tom Wolfe just got sick of writing such a long book and stuck the final chapter on there. And (it’s hard to explain what I mean without spoiling it for those who haven’t read it) I think it kind of undid everything that Charlotte was learning… like how to be independent and mature and not care what other people thought of her… then suddenly that last chapter hits. Still a good book, though! And I heart Tom Wolfe because we went to the same college (only like 45 years apart).

  • theemptynutjar
    May 4, 2010 at 10:43 am

    I like your recipe. I think I am going to try overnight oats ASAP. Sorry many different ways and combos.

  • stephanie
    May 4, 2010 at 10:46 am

    From one fellow Southerner (Georgia) transplanted to California to another…my allergies where HORRIBLE the first year I had moved to Cali. I was shocked, completely and utterly shocked and quite disappointed. I couldn’t wear my contacts for months my eyes were so terrible. But you know what, 3 years later and they ain’t so bad. Of course now I’m moving to Ohio in 7 weeks so I have a whole other slew of allergens to combat! Hope you (and your eyes and nose) adjust quickly!

  • amanda
    May 4, 2010 at 10:54 am

    Yummmm overnight oats. 🙂

  • Carrie @ I See Monsters
    May 4, 2010 at 10:58 am

    That’s so funny. I LOVED Prep but strongly disliked I Am Charlotte Simmons. I felt like Tom Wolfe had never actually met a young college-aged woman in his life and just got the voice all wrong. That’s what I love about reading, though. Two people can read the same book and think the exact opposite thing!

  • Camille
    May 4, 2010 at 11:08 am

    With all your book recommendations, I’m not going to have time to do anything but read!

  • Cathy
    May 4, 2010 at 11:16 am

    Jenna—do you ever get sick of eating overnight oats every single day?
    I started eating oatmeal and after 10 days I never wanted to eat it again ! I was so into adding different ingredients to spice it up at first but again I am sick of any oatmeal combination at the moment.

    • jenna
      May 4, 2010 at 1:31 pm

      Cathy,

      Hmmm the last time I had overnight oats was about two months ago! hehe 🙂

  • Jenna (Hello, I Love You)
    May 4, 2010 at 11:28 am

    Feel better soon! I still get sick with allergies in Cali and I have been here for years! Claritin, like other posters said, helps a lot!

  • AshleyH
    May 4, 2010 at 11:31 am

    honey california is the promise land you just live in the wrong part so cal is the promised land its never humid, rainy, buggy and there are much less allergies. Plus the sun is always out and the beaches are usually warm.

  • Kris
    May 4, 2010 at 11:44 am

    Try Claritan D – it’s a must-have in springtime here in N. Cal.

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
    May 4, 2010 at 11:51 am

    Allergies totally sneak up on you–you think it’s going to be an amazing day and two seconds after walking outside, you can’t breathe.

  • Katharine
    May 4, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    I’ve purchased “American Wife” and should be receiving it this week – can’t wait to dig in! I just finished a book that I couldn’t put down; LOVE when that happens. 🙂

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie
    May 4, 2010 at 12:48 pm

    haha oh allergies….they’re hard to escape. Maybe in Alaska they’re not so bad:)

  • Sharon
    May 4, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    Hmmm….not sure what your sources were for information on Northern California-what you describe sounds very much like Southern California…..but we don’t get much humidity here either. And yes there are plenty of allergens to be had here…haven’t you noticed all the stuff that is growing outside? The weeds as tall as you are? The numerous oaks and bays in bloom? Lets just say between the pollens in spring/summer and the mold/fungus in fall/winter, I am on Zyrtec year round. Not that I would give it up for the world-this is the promised land. As Luther Burbank said of Santa Rosa and environs “I firmly believe, from what I have seen,
    that this is the chosen spot of all this earth
    as far as Nature is concerned.”

  • Rachel
    May 4, 2010 at 1:10 pm

    Greens help a ton with allergies. I decided to test that theory this spring and I loaded up with a green smoothie for breakfast and a big spinach and kale salad for lunch on most days, and it’s crazy… no allergy symptoms here! And I live in North Carolina, and the pollen was literally record breaking this year, and I ALWAYS get really, really bad allergy symptoms every spring and fall. I was running and stirring up all the pollen under my shoes, and nothing. Grab a green smoothie and a bunch of salads and see if it works for you! I hope you feel better 🙂

  • jennifer (take the day off)
    May 4, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    I love Tom Wolfe. He can be a bit of a nut but perhaps his quirkiness is what makes his writing such great reading.

  • miranda
    May 4, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    sorry about those allergies! Actually I heard Sonoma county is one of the worst places for allergies. Good reason to buy local honey at the Farmer’s Market though-it’s supposed to help! Or a good reason to just stay inside and keep reading 🙂

  • Jenny
    May 4, 2010 at 1:58 pm

    Haha, I will have some allergies everywhere I go!

  • Kelly
    May 4, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    I grew up in Southern California and never had a problem with my allergies until I moved to Texas 🙁

    Yay for Willa Cather!! My maiden name is Cather and she is my great (x 8 or so) aunt!

  • BroccoliHut
    May 4, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    I love I Am Charlotte Simmons! I’ve been meaning to re-read it–I read it for the first time upon acceptance to Duke, and now I think I should read it now that I am graduating.

  • maria @ Chasing the Now
    May 4, 2010 at 4:55 pm

    My allergies seem to be awful no matter where I go. They were bad in Kentucky and are worse in Japan. To top it all, Japan has a hayfever season that lasts for months!

  • Raya @ Raya Runs
    May 4, 2010 at 5:09 pm

    I went to the library today for the first time in yearssss. When I was younger, I used to take a grocery bag to the library and I would check out ten books at a time (that was the limit) and read them within a week or so. Read, Rinse, Repeat. Nancy Drew anyone? Anyways, in my attempt to save money (I buy a lot of books!) I’ve decided the library is a resource I cannot ignore. After you recommended American Wife, I wanted to get that but all the copies were checked out. So I settled for Prep and just started reading it today…I also picked up Wuthering Heights, can’t go wrong with that one! I would love to see a bok section on the blog, I’m always looking for recommendations!

  • Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
    May 4, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    I just can’t master the perfect recipe for overnight oats. So far it’s not a hit for me.

  • Monis
    May 4, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    Not false advertising, just false expectations- beauty usually comes with a price! Healdsburg is gorgeous, with some Claritin of course!

  • lindsey
    May 5, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    I don’t know if anyone has already mentioned it, but if you purchase some local honey, they say having some of that with your tea (or food,etc.) each day should help you build up some immunity to the allergies! just a thought 😀

  • Sandy
    May 5, 2010 at 6:29 pm

    Hi Jenna!

    First I have to say THANK YOU for the overnight oats recipe. I love oatmeal in its cookie form but could never stomach it in its cooked on the stove traditional fashion. I tried the overnight oats recipe with some vanilla brown cow yogurt a bit of skim milk and old fashioned oats. What a delicious combination. I threw on some frozen cherries which dethawed by the time I got to the oats and it was amazing! My husband is now a convert as well and is eating this instead of the filling but oh so bland and not as good for you Shredded Wheat he used to enjoy.

    Oh and regarding those allergies? I never had allergies until I moved to Northern California and when they struck they struck hard. On the other hand my wonderful husband suffered his whole childhood in Ohio, then moved to Northern California and never felt an allergy sneeze attack again… no rhyme or reason just another joy of living in No. CA. 🙂 Hope the symptoms subside soon!