Good evening!
Sorry for the lack of the posting today but I’m trying to soak up all the quality time with my mom that I can….and that means less internet! I’ll be resuming my “normal” schedule when she leaves but for right now, here’s a super long (and very photogenic) recap!
My morning started with a big bowl of oat bran to honor my friend Polly on her birthday!! 🙂
+ half a grapefruit “marinated” with agave!
And then after tea in my bed, it was time for the gym! Just did some cardio today. 30 minutes on the arc trainer and some crunches. Gulped down some chocolate superfood with almond milk afterward and walked around the square with my mama!
I couldn’t resist buying this for my wall….
I have a thing for maps. A big thing actually. For some reason, I’m just totally drawn to them. Especially when they are vintage French schoolhouse maps. I want to get this framed!
We had lunch at one of my very favorite spots, Cafe Gratitude!
This place just makes me really, really happy. I love it so. I ordered a small kale, celery, beet and apple juice to drink—
And a half order of (I believe it was…) the “I Am Grateful” bowl, which was comprised of quinoa and veggies with coconut curry sauce. It was absolutely DELICIOUS!
My mom ordered the raw vegan caesar salad and claimed (no joke) that “it was the BEST caesar she has EVER had”. Bold statement, to be sure. I tasted it and it was quite delicious, with avocado and raw croutons to boot!
I would eat every meal at Cafe Gratitude if my wallet was bottomless. Sigh. I still need to try their raw vegan desserts though! 😉
After lunch, we finally headed over to Michel-Schlumberger so I could show my mom where I work! She was, naturally, blown away. I gave her a complete tour and tasting and she loved it!
The weather was so gorgeous that after we left the winery I just kept on driving and we ended up on the coast!
I love the coast and I love California adventures! For a snack, I had a Glo Bar! 🙂
Seriously, Ange, can I hire you to come and be my personal Glo Bar chef?!! This was un-freakin-believable. And, kept my hunger off for hours!
My mom asked me what I wanted for dinner tonight and my natural response was……LINGUINE WITH CLAMS! Linguine with clams has been my favorite meal since I was, oh, six. It’s what I always request whenever I go home. There’s just something about it! It’s funny though because I really don’t like to make it for myself and I never order it out. It’s never the same as when my mom makes it for me.
We stopped at the store on the way home and picked up this fresh vegan whole wheat pasta and the necessary supplies. Linguine and clams + sourdough walnut bread + ripe delicious tomatoes + Cab Franc makes a whole meal. Thanks, mom!
Dessert was….heavenly.
Why.is.it.so.good????!!!!!! Heavens.
***
Time to have more quality mom-time. Tomorrow: gym, meeting at work then NAPA!!!!!!
amanda
November 16, 2009 at 7:24 pmCan your mom cook dinner for me? Looked super yummy. Also the Glo-Bar looked good too. What is the calories on that? Just curious…. 😉
Kristine
November 16, 2009 at 7:26 pmoh my gosh i havent even finished reading this post yet, but i have to say, I LOVE MAPS too!! My family thinks i’m crazy. On long trips, I can stare at a map for hours!! LOVE IT!
hungryforbalance.wordpress.com
November 16, 2009 at 7:28 pmIt looks like you’re having such a great time with your mom! Aren’t moms the best 🙂 Seeing these pictures makes me miss mine and her wonderful cooking!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
November 16, 2009 at 7:40 pmI’d be grateful for that awesome vegetable bowl you had for lunch, too.
There really is nothing as heart-warming, belly-filling, and special as your favorite dish made by Mom. Reading about your linguine with clam history, I started to crave my mom’s Chile Rellenos…
Beautiful Coastal Pics!
Heather
November 16, 2009 at 7:45 pmYou must try the chocolate hazelnut pie (can’t remember the exact name) from Cafe Gratitude! You won’t regret it. I used to live next door to the Berkeley location — practically lived *inside* the restaurant! (My favorite bowl was the macrobiotic… the pesto pizza rocks, too.)
But yes. I think a good final hurrah for you and your mom would be a trip back to Cafe Gratitude for the piece of chocolate hazelnut pie with a scoop of their ice cream!
Telling you, it’s heaven. 🙂
Jenna
November 16, 2009 at 7:48 pmjenna please spend as much time with your mom as possible! she is only here for a short time! glad you had a great day with her! oysters and linguine is really your favorite meal?! well i am glad your mom got a chance to make it for you:)
jenna
amber
November 16, 2009 at 7:48 pmOK Cafe Gratitude sounds like my kind of place! Great pictures!! You and mom look like you are having a blast! And Umm fresh vegan pasta sounds amazing!!!
amber
November 16, 2009 at 7:48 pmOK Cafe Gratitude sounds like my kind of place! Great pictures!! You and mom look like you are having a blast! And Umm fresh vegan pasta sounds amazing!!!
legalstyle
November 16, 2009 at 7:50 pmi think i’ve said it before, but i’ll say it again. i want your life. everything you did / ate today looks absolutely perfect. i hope this isn’t a selfish thing to say, but i’m so glad you moved to california! i loved your blog before, and i absolutely positively adore it now. i hope you’re as happy here as your posts convey!! (and i suspect you are!)
Britt
November 16, 2009 at 7:53 pmLove that map! Seriously though…. so jealous of two such beautiful locations in one day…. vineyard and the ocean. That is a little slice of heaven right there!
Brynne
November 16, 2009 at 7:56 pmI really think your dinner was the perfect meal – that chocolate sounds absolutely amazing!
laura dishes
November 16, 2009 at 7:56 pmI can’t wait to see what your trip to Napa entails? A mud bath? Bouchon Bakery? I just love all of your pictures- they’re all so beautiful!
Marissa
November 16, 2009 at 7:58 pmLooks like a whole lot of mother daughter fun!!!
Madelin @ What is for breakfast?
November 16, 2009 at 7:58 pmYum yum yum Jenna! Glad you are enjoying your time with your mum. That coastline is exquisite!
Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run
November 16, 2009 at 8:01 pmFunny that you and Kath both had the same brand of chocolate for dessert. Great foodies think alike! =)
Lizzy
November 16, 2009 at 8:07 pmglad your enjoying mom time! you girls are having such great adventures!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl))
November 16, 2009 at 8:08 pmAw, sounds like a lovely day of mommy time! Always necessary, no matter how old we get. Gotta love that Cali scenery, too!
Fat Stomach
November 16, 2009 at 8:21 pmWow! Super delish 🙂 I can see that you’re having a great time with your Mom! Enjoy
Cynthia (It All Changes)
November 16, 2009 at 10:30 pmSpending time with mom is totally acceptable.
If you have have a thing for french maps you’d love my birth certificate. It’s printed on the reverse on the back of a french map. The US Army was saving paper and I have an awesome story because of it 🙂
ellen eats beets
November 16, 2009 at 10:35 pmI love how they make you order at Cafe Gratitude. So loving 🙂
ellen eats beets
November 16, 2009 at 10:38 pmI love how they make you order at Cafe Gratitude. So loving 🙂
christie, honoring health
November 17, 2009 at 2:44 amCafe Gratitude sounds like an awesome place.
Enjoy the rest of your time with your mom!
VeggieGirl
November 17, 2009 at 3:46 amBeautiful memories being made with Mom – love it.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
November 17, 2009 at 3:47 amI love maps, too. My dad has a ton in his office. There is something so cool about them.
eatmovelove
November 17, 2009 at 4:30 amWhat a great visit…and pictures 🙂 How long is your mom visiting for? Enjoy your day…I should try some of Polly’s Yoga…hmmmm – anyone else do this?!
sherri
November 17, 2009 at 4:34 amclam linguine is mine and my mom’s fav dish!
Stephanie
November 17, 2009 at 4:41 amCafe Gratitude sounds amazing, glad you are having such a nice time with your mom! 🙂
Katherine
November 17, 2009 at 4:41 amA perfect day with perfect meals and beautiful scenery. You’re so lucky!!
Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore)
November 17, 2009 at 4:45 amWhere you on the PCH? Soo scary but too beautiful to miss out on.
Tammy (Defining Wellness)
November 17, 2009 at 4:54 amI’m glad you’re having such a nice time with your mom. Who is that adorable doggie? That is SUCH a sweet photo!
diana(mymarble rye)
November 17, 2009 at 4:55 amyour pictures with you mom make me smile. Great daughter. 🙂
Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
November 17, 2009 at 4:55 amI love this post 🙂 Enjoy your time with your mom, it sounds like you both are having a wonderful time together. The pictures you took of you both at the coast are lovely. I am sure you are making wonderful memories together.
emily
November 17, 2009 at 5:12 amYou and your mom seem to be having such a great time!
Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope
November 17, 2009 at 5:18 amI like your boots–where’d you get them?
jenna
November 17, 2009 at 6:50 amNicole,
Those boots are Kate spade…but I got them 4 years ago!
Brittany
November 17, 2009 at 5:30 amahh… the photos of the coast are breath taking. I need to see that for myself asap!!
Hope you had an enjoyable time with your mother dearest.
Paige (Running Around Normal)
November 17, 2009 at 5:35 amWhat a lovely day! No wonder you’re destined to be a chef! If I told my mom I wanted linguine and clams for dinner she’d ask me who’s daughter I was! LOL
And as always, those views are fantastic.
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
November 17, 2009 at 5:37 amWhat awesome, beautiful pics, I can’t get over it. Glad you and your mom are enjoying your adventures. That cafe sounds amazing!
Kelly from Bridges and Bites
November 17, 2009 at 5:40 amWow what beautiful pictures! The coast looks absolutely amazing.
(Oh and your outfit is super cute!)
Tiffanie Hage
November 17, 2009 at 5:41 amWow! What an awesome time!!! I just love all the pictures…especially the one with the dog…too cute!
What a special time with your mom. I know she must treasure this like crazy!!!
I wish we had more cool vegan restaurants around here 🙁
Enjoy your remaining time with your momma!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
November 17, 2009 at 5:52 amYour mom’s dinner looks delish! There really is nothing better than enjoying a homecooked meal with someone you love :O)
MelissaNibbles
November 17, 2009 at 6:00 amBeautiful pictures! Enjoy your quality time!
Erin
November 17, 2009 at 6:08 amLove the map! They make such great, easy wall decoration. 🙂
Tina
November 17, 2009 at 6:13 amAh gorgeous pictures as always! Spending time with mom is the best 🙂 Mine is coming in 2 weeks–I can’t believe I haven’t seen her in 3 months!!
I totally love maps too. I’ve been wanting a world map for ages!
Susan
November 17, 2009 at 6:32 amThere is definitely a certain way moms make food. My mom doesn’t even use specific recipes, her dishes are always changing flavour, regardless, her chili is still the best!
skinnyrunner
November 17, 2009 at 6:55 amyour pictures are just gorgeous!
there’s something about moms making meals for us that just makes it taste better…
Evan Thomas
November 17, 2009 at 6:57 amIt’s so great that you’re able to introduce your mom to all these places in your life
And that chocolate bar sounds amazing!
brandi
November 17, 2009 at 6:59 amwhat a beautiful day – I’m so glad you’re having good weather while your mom is there!
Tracey @ TropicalHappiness
November 17, 2009 at 7:07 amI think that those special “mom meals” never taste as good when you make them or order them at a restaurant… they HAVE to be made by mom! 🙂
Enjoy all of your mom-time! 🙂
Lu
November 17, 2009 at 7:28 amLinguine with Clams is one of my favorites. I’ve been meaning to make it. You probably like maps because you are destined to travel. I can totally see that happening for you.
Tania @ Moment Anew
November 17, 2009 at 8:52 amThe sound of the shore and the wind rustling through your hair…is there anything more relaxing than this? I doubt it! SO jealous you’re so near the coast…
Kara
November 17, 2009 at 9:47 amVosges is my weakness! Try the Mo’s Bacon bar and/or the Goji Berry and Himalayan Sea Salt bar – oh. goodness.
Lori
November 17, 2009 at 10:24 amOh I LOVE Napa!! Your pictures are so beautiful! I miss visiting there.
And Cafe Gratitude is my favorite place ever, I think. I usually am at the one in SF. The desserts are to live for and their “bowls”… divine. 🙂 I get excited about raw food.
If you ever get a chance, my favorite dish at Cafe Gratitude is “I Am Whole” Macrobiotic Bowl… it is the best thing I have ever tasted. 🙂
Amanda
November 17, 2009 at 11:13 amLove the pic of the dog at the winery! So cute. I totally have a thing for maps too. I grew up with a map of Australia over my bed hahaha! I ended up majoring in geography.
Your photos are making me home sick. ( I lived in Northern Cal for 15 years ) Happy to see you are having so much fun with your mom! Aloha, Amanda C
Fattie Fatterton
November 17, 2009 at 12:56 pmGorgeous pictures!! Your new camera is certainly working out well. 🙂
Kelly (Foodie Fresh)
November 17, 2009 at 5:02 pmI love the photo of the winery dog and really love that almost all wineries have dogs! I loved looking through the book “Winery Dogs of Napa Valley” when I visited the area last spring. I flipped through it at Honig Wines, which is a great place to visit if you ever get a chance! 🙂
cyndi
November 17, 2009 at 8:11 pmyou are less about food these days and more about your new career. that’s understandable on your part, but I’m less interested in your blog for that reason.
cyndi
November 17, 2009 at 8:11 pmyou are less about food these days and more about your new career. that’s understandable on your part, but I’m less interested in your blog for that reason.
Devan Newman
November 17, 2009 at 9:54 pmthe meal you had at the restraunt looks SO amazing. You take such beautiful photos! ANd i love your outfit in this post 🙂
Katy @ These Beautiful Feet
November 19, 2009 at 3:42 amWow, what a trip your mom has had! I love hearing every last detail. Your mom reminds me of mine, definitely game for trying anything and everything. I’m so glad you got the new camera because it’s so hard to capture the beauty of wine country with a point-and-shoot. These pictures are gorgeous!