Morning!
I’m sorry I never came back yesterday but I really needed a breather. I was SO.TIRED. and just needed to disconnect for an evening. But, I feel much better after a solid 8 hours of sleep and I’m ready to conquer the rest of this week!
Now, for a recap:
Yesterday’s lunch of split pea soup, a doctor kracker and an apple—-
Snack of an odwalla bar! These were on clearance at Big Johns…woohoo!
I actually left work early because I wasn’t feeling well and I came home to do my laundry and eat. For dinner, I made a simple red lentil dal with roasted butternut squash + a piece of TJ’s garlic naan, which is DELICIOUS!
The dal was really really easy to prepare. Usually (ok, always), I use onions but I’m out so all I did was saute some garlic in olive oil, add the lentils + half a can of diced tomatoes + 1 cup water + garam masala + sea salt and ginger and let it simmer down. I roasted a butternut, sliced it up and tossed half the slices with the curry. I love Indian food and need to find a place to get it here in California!
Bad food blogger also ate pumpkin frozen yogurt with chocolate chips and butterfinger pieces but didn’t take a photo. Don’t hate me! 😉
***
This morning I set my alarm for quite an early hour so I could wake up and get some work done before my imminent 8:30 spinning class and then work. Today is actually my LAST day of work at the winery for a whole week because……my mom is coming tomorrow!!!!!!! I’m SO excited for her to get here and to show her around and just have some good ol’ fashioned mother daughter time. Her flight gets in tomorrow night and she is staying for six days. We are going to do a lot of exploring, wine tasting, shopping (maybe? hint hint) and eating. It will be a really great break.
For breakfast I had oatmeal made with a half cup oats, half cup milk, half cup water, banana, almond butter and topped with a sprinkle of granola for CRUNCH!
***
Vote here for Kevin to win Top Chef Fan Favorite!
After hosting the guys in Healdsburg last week, I’ve actually become really good friends with Kevin (BFF, obviously)…he is seriously one of the nicest, most down to earth guys I’ve met, and not to mention an absolutely amazing chef. Let’s help him WIN! 🙂 Apparently, every person can vote up to 80 times so click away!
Ashley
November 12, 2009 at 7:28 amso happy that your mom will be in town. mother daughter time is always the best, and its amazing she’ll be there for almost a whole week! hope you get to relax and have lots of fun when she gets there!
megan
November 12, 2009 at 7:36 amhow fun that your mom is coming! And I wanted to let you know that your pictures are wonderful. I can seriously tell that they’re getting even better each day. 🙂 I’m so jealous of your camera!
Morgan @ Life After Bagels
November 12, 2009 at 7:38 amNot feeling so hot myself yesterday, and still today too . . . hope it passes I have a work function tonight!
mary ann
November 12, 2009 at 7:48 amthat doesn’t imply he can’t still win it all, right? I’ve been rooting for him to take the gold since day one!! He seems so real and down to earth, and come on… who wouldn’t love a sweet, jolly, red-haired/bearded, leprechanish (sp?) guy who has a passion for all things pork, LOVE HIM!!!
MA
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
November 12, 2009 at 7:49 amI hope you have a blast with your mom!
Abby (Abbys Vegan Eats)
November 12, 2009 at 7:54 amHave fun with your mom… I have to wait to Christmas to see mine 🙁
Your din din looks super delish!!
Megan @ Megzz Wins At Life
November 12, 2009 at 7:55 amHave fun with you mom!!!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
November 12, 2009 at 7:56 amLove TJ’s garlic naan. It is amazing and I miss it so. Hopefully it helped you feel better! Have fun with the Mom, shouldn’t be hard to do in loverly CA. Are you taking her to The City for a day?
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)
November 12, 2009 at 7:57 amPumpkin froyo with candy topping sounds amazing! Perfect for a day when you’re feeling a tad under the weather.
My mom and sis are visiting me in NYC this Sunday and I’m so excited! I remember in high school I did NOT want to be seen with my family and now I can’t get enough of them 🙂
Joelle (The Pancake Girl))
November 12, 2009 at 8:00 amYAY for moms coming to visit!
YOur breakfasts always looks so yummy!
Shannon, Tropical Eats
November 12, 2009 at 8:07 amSo excited for your mom to visit! Nothing beats quality time with the fam 🙂 Will definitely be voting for Kevin. Top Chef is one of my favorite shows… in fact everything on Bravo is amazing!!! Have a great day in Cali 🙂 It’s cold & rainy here in FL… nice day for a nap!
Janna (Just Flourishing)
November 12, 2009 at 8:10 amAw YAY! I love mother-daughter time. It’s the best! Have fun!!!
Deirdre
November 12, 2009 at 8:12 amYeah, have a blast with your mommy!!! Thanks for doing this blog, I love it.
Stephanie @ Foodie McFood
November 12, 2009 at 8:15 amI love to make lentil dahl. So easy and so filling. That’s awesome that your mom is coming. I love showing my mom around NYC when she comes to visit.
Krissy - Single Serving
November 12, 2009 at 8:16 amKevin is my favorite Top Chef contestant so I will definitely vote. Have a great time with your mom!!!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
November 12, 2009 at 8:16 amI have that same bowl… from anthropologie right 😉
Have a great time w/ your mom!
Diana
November 12, 2009 at 8:17 amAwesome that you get to spend some time with your mom! 🙂
That oatmeal looks so delicious… I’m a little obsessed with oatmeal right now!
Michelle
November 12, 2009 at 8:19 amYou should try the Sizzling Tandor for yummy Indian food. There is one on Mendocino downtown in Santa Rosa and one along HWY 1 just north of where the Russian River hits the coast. I also hear the newer place on 4th street in SR is delish as well. Welcome to Sonoma Co.!
Michelle
November 12, 2009 at 8:19 amOops, the one along the coast is SOUTH of the river 😉
Christie @ Honoring Health
November 12, 2009 at 8:23 amHoooray for your mom coming, I know you must be so excited to see her!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats
November 12, 2009 at 8:24 amOh how FUN that your Mom is coming!! I would be sooo antsy in anticipation – you guys will have a blast!
Kevin is seriously THE MAN. How can he NOT win TC?
Yasmin
November 12, 2009 at 8:29 amI was feeling that disconnect myself yesterday. How did you pull yourself out?
Tania @ Moment Anew
November 12, 2009 at 8:30 amI LOVE Kevin and will definitely vote! Have fun with your Mom!
Kasondra
November 12, 2009 at 8:38 amI won’t hate you because you didn’t take a picture. Everyone forgets sometimes!
I hope you have a blast with your mom. I love spending time with my mother. It would be very hard for me to be on the other side of the country from her. I live 5 miles away! haha
I hope you feel better too! It is good that you listened to your body and went home early!
Carrie @ I See Monsters
November 12, 2009 at 8:39 amI love Kevin! What he made last night on TC looked divine. He’s the cheftestant I whose restaurant I would most want to visit.
Whitney @ Lettuce Love
November 12, 2009 at 8:42 amMother-daughter time is the best! Enjoy it 🙂
brandi
November 12, 2009 at 8:43 amthat’s so exciting that your mom is coming!!! You two will have so much fun 🙂
definitely voting for Kevin! He’s my favorite on the show anyways.
Katie
November 12, 2009 at 8:43 amI felt terrible yesterday! Kevin looks to be a front runner to win the whole thing!
I love time with my mommy. We are so close I know when I move next year it will be tough.
Marisa (Trim The Fat)
November 12, 2009 at 8:44 amI never tried lentil dal. Thanks for the inspiration!
skinnyrunner
November 12, 2009 at 8:47 amyeah for your mom coming! have a fun, relaxing week with her and enjoy your “friday” today!
Julie
November 12, 2009 at 8:51 amHow exciting that your mom is coming! I hope you two have a blast.
Megan
November 12, 2009 at 8:53 amSo glad your mama is coming to visit 🙂 Y’all are gonna have a blast together!!!
Enjoy your last working day for 6 days!!!
Happy Thursday!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
November 12, 2009 at 9:07 amBah, love Top Chef! Thanks for the reminder to vote for fan fave…I have been meaning to do so!
MelissaNibbles
November 12, 2009 at 9:08 amEnjoy the time with your mom Jenna!
J
November 12, 2009 at 9:28 amOh you must be so excited for your mum to visit!That will be a special week for you both-have a wonderful week.It’s always so grounding,comforting and reassuring to have a parent visit a new city .You will feel so warm and fuzzy afer this time no doubt!
Enjoy the warm and fuzzies and of course the love!
Happy bonding time 🙂
Wishing your mum a happy and fun trip and adventure.You’ve raised a lovely daughter “ELR Mum”!!!
Stephanie
November 12, 2009 at 9:33 amYay for some QT with you mom – I hope you have a great time while she visits!
Kelly from Bridges and Bites
November 12, 2009 at 9:41 amAw, yay for moms!!!! I’m sure it’s hard being on the other side of the country. Have such a great time!
BethT
November 12, 2009 at 9:45 amGreat Indian in SF: Roti, Dosa, Little Delhi. MMMMMM
diana(mymarble rye)
November 12, 2009 at 9:49 amalready voting for kevin as my fan favorite. Which Top chef would I date?!….one of the Volt bros obviously! Love ya kevin but the volts are modelesque!
Evan Thomas
November 12, 2009 at 9:55 amThat’s great your mom is coming!
Jean
November 12, 2009 at 10:06 amHope you have a good visit w/your mom.
I love the naan from TJ’s – it’s on my shopping list this week! I usually get the plain, though, just in case I have it for lunch & have to go to a mtg after work. 😉
I blew off the CMAs last night so I could watch Top Chef! Kevin is defintely a contender to win it all – but even if he doesn’t, I’m sure he’ll have a very long, successful career in the food world.
Suzanne de Cornelia
November 12, 2009 at 10:13 amHow fun to have the week off with your Mom!
leslie
November 12, 2009 at 10:17 amwhy have i never put squash in dal before? love this idea.
i think it’s great that you’re keeping in touch with kevin (your life is insane lol) – but really, i’d be thrilled if he won this season. i was checking out the menu at his restaurant in atlanta – it is to die. i wish i lived nearby!
KatieMoo
November 12, 2009 at 10:18 amYeah, Kevin is pretty awesome. My roomies and I called him “Red Beard.” And I think it was pretty obvious from day 1 that he was going to win (hope i’m right on this one!)! GO KEVIN!
Kathleen
November 12, 2009 at 10:21 amKevin…Kevin…Kevin…Kevin…done and done. He’s adorable and I love his style and vision. Have fun with your Mom!
Jenna
November 12, 2009 at 10:22 amglad your mom is coming tomorrow!!
jenna
Hillary
November 12, 2009 at 10:25 amMother-daughter time is my favorite!
I hope you enjoy your week off : )
Chelsea
November 12, 2009 at 10:25 amyour eats look amazing… I am so jeals of the pumpkin ice cream..i have yet to get my hands on any this season cuz i like it soft serve best and it’s not anywhere to be found! I might settle for Edy’s…. sight..
YAY for MommyDaughter Time! It’s the best, being away at college is hard even though I am a senior now, so I am sure you two will have an amazing time catching up!
Matt
November 12, 2009 at 10:28 amHave fun with mom!
eatmovelove
November 12, 2009 at 10:38 amHaha – I’m the same way with anything involving ice cream…I’m too absorbed in eating it that I forget to take pictures! Sounds like your going to have a great week – I bet your mom is even more excited!…and
If ANYONE likes HOME-MADE PIZZA – check out my blog – just posted my creation last night…I’m actually trying to cook more – versus the microwave or George Foreman…haha – you guys are inspiring me 🙂
Megan (BitesoftheApple)
November 12, 2009 at 10:38 amThat’s so cool that you’re freinds with Kevin now!! I’ll def vote for him! Love that ginger beard…hehe
How do those Odwalla bars compare to Cliffbars or Amazing Grass bars??
Megan (BitesoftheApple)
November 12, 2009 at 10:38 amThat’s so cool that you’re freinds with Kevin now!! I’ll def vote for him! Love that ginger beard…hehe
How do those Odwalla bars compare to Cliffbars or Amazing Grass bars??
Cynthia (It All Changes)
November 12, 2009 at 10:44 amClicking away!
I love when my momma comes to visit. She takes me out just for fun and buys me dinner. Just makes me feel special. I miss her sometimes even though I love Hunni very much.
Lizzy
November 12, 2009 at 10:48 amaw how exciting that mom is coming! you girls will have so much fun!
Paige (Running Around Normal)
November 12, 2009 at 10:48 amAw, how awesome that your mom is coming to visit you! You’re gonna have a blast:) I’ll vote for Kevin! I want him to win on Top Chef for sure.
kristi (sweet cheeks)
November 12, 2009 at 10:54 amawww, yay for mother-daughter time! Isn’t it the best? 🙂
Jaimejoy
November 12, 2009 at 10:59 amwow, you managed to get a week off of work after being there less than 3 months?? that is some job you have…….
Jamie (A Healthy J.D.)
November 12, 2009 at 10:59 amKevin is ALREADY my favorite on Top Chef this season; he has been since day one. I have voted for him per your request 🙂
Vanessa (Last Night's Leftovers)
November 12, 2009 at 11:20 amHope you have fun with your mom!
I love garlic naan. Soooo good.
Felicia
November 12, 2009 at 11:21 amI didn’t know that TJ’s had garlic naan! Looks great. I’m going to have keep my eye out for it the next time that I go. Naan is my favorite part of any Indian meal. Delicious.
Have a great time with your mom!
courtney
November 12, 2009 at 11:58 amMmm, your dal sounds delish! I made your recipe for Channa Masala the other night and it knocked my socks off–I can’t wait for your book to come out since every recipe of yours I have tried from the blog has been total yum. Have a great end to the week and enjoy the mom-time! 🙂
Cait (Cait's Plate)
November 12, 2009 at 12:23 pmOH yay for a mom visit! Have so much fun!
And we don’t hate you – but that does sound incredibly delicious so eat it again soon so we can see it! 😀
Sana
November 12, 2009 at 12:43 pmI loveee TJ’s garlic naan! It goes sooo well with their eggplant spread!
Lindsay
November 12, 2009 at 12:44 pmHave fun with your Mom!
Kevin is my favorite! I voted!
Ameena
November 12, 2009 at 12:56 pmTJ’s garlic naan is the best! Being half Indian I love daal and make it often. It goes great with the naan.
Shelley
November 12, 2009 at 2:10 pmjust thought you should know that i think your blog is truly inspiring!
xoxo
shelley
Tamzin
November 12, 2009 at 2:12 pmYay to your mum coming, lots of fun to be had for your week. I just wanted to say I love your blog and will someday make your overnight oats, they always look so good then again all your food looks delish! I wanted to say thank you for being an inspiration as I have now finally started my own healthy living blog if you get a chance to drop by that would be grand x x
laura dishes
November 12, 2009 at 2:19 pmYour mom might want to move in with you after you take her around Northern CA! 🙂
Emma Ruth @runningonoats
November 12, 2009 at 3:37 pmi love mom time! mine is on her way (along with my sis) to visit in charleston, sc! i know you’ve lived here!
happy thursday!
Stephanie
November 12, 2009 at 3:53 pmIf you ever make a business trip to LA, you should check out Red Fort! They have (from what I understand, as I am not Indian) very authentic Northern Indian cuisine. YUMMY!
rebecca
November 12, 2009 at 3:55 pmHow about a Kevin guest post?! 🙂
Erin
November 12, 2009 at 3:58 pmI love making my own dal curry — so yummy and healthier to make at home than an Indian restaurant. But every once in awhile, you just NEED some proper, full-fat Indian food. Mmmmm… Hungry NOW! 😀
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)
November 12, 2009 at 4:09 pmWonderful looking oats!
Leah
November 12, 2009 at 4:22 pmI LOVE indian food! That dal sounds so good!!
Kasey @ Fit For Wellness
November 12, 2009 at 4:37 pmI tried naan for the first time and I’m in love!
Tess
November 12, 2009 at 5:03 pmI’m not a fan of Indian but that looks SO good!
Congrats on the book deal by the way, I’m from Aus so if not in shops over here, will definately be purchasing online:) can’t wait!
Katie S
November 12, 2009 at 5:06 pmI voted for Kevin 80 times, yes, 80! I love him and I am so jealous that you actually KNOW him. He seems like just the most genuine, down to earth guy…. I want to be his bff!! hahaha
anonymous
November 12, 2009 at 5:51 pmbest post title ever…but what DID she say? missed that, haha.
and yes, kevin is da shiz. seems very down to earth, and i’d gain 500lbs if i ate his meals a lot. rock on. i was watchin it last night and thought of you?! dont even know you! haha.
Kate
November 13, 2009 at 3:52 amA week off? Lucky you! Sounds like you’ll have a great time with your mom. You’ll have to take her out for Flying Goat coffee. Hahah.
Have a great weekend!
~ Kate (abakersblurbs.wordpress.com)
Kate
November 13, 2009 at 3:53 amA week off? Lucky you! Sounds like you’ll have a great time with your mom. You’ll have to take her out for Flying Goat coffee. Hahah.
Have a great weekend!
~ Kate (abakersblurbs.wordpress.com)
amanda
November 13, 2009 at 5:56 amAll your food looks good like always! I wish you could of posted a picture of the pumpkin yogurt. I have actually never seen this before. California has everything!! I will have to start to scout my area in DC. Anyway, have a great weekend with your mom!
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
November 13, 2009 at 6:51 amYay, I hope you have a great time with your mom! 🙂
Tina
November 13, 2009 at 10:17 amI love that green bowl! Such a pretty color.
That’s so cool you and Kevin are friends. I underestimated him at the beginning of the competition, but he’s sooo talented!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale
November 13, 2009 at 10:55 amI’m eating split pea soup right now – how funny! It’s the best.
Also, I love curry. LOVE. We have a little India here in Chicago on Devon Ave., so I’m pretty spoiled and get to eat it whenever the craving strikes (which is often!)