Hi guys!
Thank you all for such sweet comments on my last post. I was in a contemplative mood last night, I suppose! π
Anyways, here’s a recap of my day yesterday….shocked that the little camera still has a teeny tiny bit of juice left in it…hopefully the big daddy camera will arrive soon!!
Church was great yesterday. Really. Right where I’m supposed to be, I could just feel it. And, there’s a produce stand at church where they just giveaway amazing organic veggies. Ummm hello??! My kind of place. I picked up a pumpkin and some tomatoes, of course! After church I met Michaela, who is seriously my long lost soulmate, for brunch at Bruno’s on 4th. I met Michaela back in July during the Murphy-Goode festivities and we’ve kept in touch ever since. We sat and talked food, life, writing, guys, wine…everything for over an hour and we are now planning a massive “eat-and-shop-till-you-drop” weekend in San Francisco next month. Tentative plan: Chez Panisse, dim sum, tacos, falafel, yoga, Jcrew, Banana Republic, Loehmanns and more. I.can’t.wait.
Brunch was un-freakin-believable.
I got the smoked chicken omelet (made with egg whites) with caramelized onions and pepperjack cheese. It came with the best home fries I’ve ever tasted (we both agreed they were made with bacon grease. Yup) and an english muffin. It was all I could do to keep from licking my plate.
Made a pit-stop at the promised land tj maxx and then a farm stand for some produce and local milk (1% this time…not soy for a change) on my way home. Took a 50 minute walk out in the sunshine and tapped it off with 25 minutes of sun salutations in my living room. Glorious.
Dinner was t-t-t-ofu!
An oldie but goodie. Classic baked tofu with a sweet tater and salad. For the tofu, all I did was rub a mixture of sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, ground ginger, sea salt, cayenne and agave (eyeballed it) on the pieces and then bake at 375 for 30 minutes, flipping once. Lots of my favorite condiments to be had: hot sauce & ketchup on the tofu and hot sauce & butter on the sweet potato. π
After I ate, I took another walk downtown, bought coffee (I was all out!) and a small hot chocolate, and sat in the park and journaled. When I got home, I ate a windmill cookie that escaped the camera’s eye.
Wrote some more and went to bed fairly early. This morning I woke UP early, made some green tea and started working on an article due tomorrow. I finally got around to breakfast around 7:15…
Yummy overnight oats made with milk, yogurt, banana, cinnamon, almond butter and maple syrup. Makes me happy.
Sipping my coffee now and working on that article….about to shower and head into work (today is MY Friday since I have tuesday and wednesday off).
***
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
October 26, 2009 at 8:07 amThat brunch omelette had me at “carmelized onions.” What a fabulous day of eating! You and I seem to share an undying love of yams. There should be some sort of yam collective. I don’t know all the details yet, I’m just saying, yams deserve some serious love. I made a nifty side of yams the other day loosely based on a recipe from “Clean Food.”
http://cward151.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/i-yam-what-i-yam/
Glad you found a church to suit your spiritual fancy. I’m not religious myself, but I think that community and celebrating something deep in common with others is vital to sustaining a happy life. (Especially if you’ve just moved cross-country!) It’s great to hear you’ve found an awesome outlet through which to practice your Faith.
Diana
October 26, 2009 at 8:09 amA βeat-and-shop-till-you-dropβ weekends sounds so awesome. π
Have a great day at work!
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)
October 26, 2009 at 8:10 amI think I love condiments more than the actual food sometimes, hehe. Ketchup, hot sauce, cinnamon, peanut butter – YUM! Your brunch looks amazingggg – I’ve been craving homefries something fierce lately π
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
October 26, 2009 at 8:15 amI always feel INSTANTLY better the minute I step into church. It’s so comforting. That is one hell of an omelet!
Lizzy
October 26, 2009 at 8:19 ambrunch looks amazing! π
Hope your camera comes in soon!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
October 26, 2009 at 8:22 amThat omelet looks soooo good! Have a great day
Anne
October 26, 2009 at 8:23 amHi. Nice eating.
About the overnight oats – can this be done if all I have are steel-cut oats? Maybe I should buy some old-fashioned (you do not cook them then right? just soak them overnight?). And does yogurt need to be used, or how about just milk?
brandi
October 26, 2009 at 8:26 amsounds like a great day yesterday π
enjoy your “friday”!
Jil
October 26, 2009 at 8:30 amoooh that omelet looks amazing! and those homefries just sound soo, soo good! can’t go wrong with a sweet potato and hot sauce, can’t go wrong!
Rebecca
October 26, 2009 at 8:35 amThat brunch looks freakin fabulous!! I love going out for brunch and breakfast so much. I love that you are planning a shopping & eating day in San Fran a month in advance. I love shopping and eating in cities. I grew up outside NYC so I’ve had a lot of those. π
My boyfriend and I are actually looking at Berkeley for grad school so I might be in your area soon.
I’m totally jealous that you can afford to shop at J Crew. I can only afford to shop at Banana Republic because I work there and get a pretty sweet discount!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl))
October 26, 2009 at 8:37 amI def need to try me some overnight oats– they look creamy and delish!
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries
October 26, 2009 at 8:39 amGah coffee art (or in this case, hot chocolate art) never fails to impress me! I want to learn to make those feathers!!
And a good soulmate chat always makes brunch taste better π
Mama Pea
October 26, 2009 at 8:49 amWhat an amazing day! My church was giving away cookies and donuts after services yesterday. Geesh, I’d much rather have your organic produce!
Chloe (Naturally Frugal)
October 26, 2009 at 8:49 amSan Francisco will definitely be fun – Chez Panisse & dim sum are a definite must. If you can find someone who knows there way around a dim sum place it’s even better. Hit up Union square as well for shopping and that whole area – it’s super fun.
Heather
October 26, 2009 at 8:50 amπ I’m so glad you posted how to bake tofu!! I’ve been wondering… and I’ve been too scared to try myself.
Marissa
October 26, 2009 at 8:51 amThat tofu looks really good! I have some agave I’ll have to try it w/ tofu!
Lindsay
October 26, 2009 at 8:52 amThat brunch looks so yummy! I’d love to meet you and Michaela when you have your SF Wonder Weekend next month. Please send me a note when you’re planning to spend time in the city. I live in the Marina (great boutiques and amazing food)!
christie @ honoring health
October 26, 2009 at 8:58 amThat brunch looks amazing!!!
Whitney @ Lettuce Love
October 26, 2009 at 9:07 amSan Fran will be tons of fun. Happy Monday!
Evan Thomas
October 26, 2009 at 9:10 amThat sweet potato looks so good. i was debating what I want for lunch but now I think I know!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
October 26, 2009 at 9:11 amThat omelette looks fantastic! I haven’t had pepperjack cheese before, but I love caramelized onions!
Kelly
October 26, 2009 at 9:13 amMay I suggest H and M as a shopping stop and Delphina and Bi-Rite Creamery for food. Have fun!
Sarah (Oc2Seattle)
October 26, 2009 at 9:25 amThat brunch looks sooo good! Enjoy your “Friday”!
Stephanie
October 26, 2009 at 9:38 amYou guys should definitely hit Ross on Market in the City. They have a HUGE store with oodles of goodies… π
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)
October 26, 2009 at 9:42 amThat brunch does look pretty unbelievable …. yummmmmmmm!
Robin
October 26, 2009 at 9:48 amHey that sounds great! If you are at Chez Panisse, you must stop by my cupcake bakery around the corner at Love at First Bite (i’m the baker). We have an apple walnut cupcake with butterscotch frosting that is wonderful!
Jenna
October 26, 2009 at 9:54 amgreat lookin brunch and dinner! i really wanna try a sweet potato soon!
jenna
AshleyP
October 26, 2009 at 9:56 amI just read you last post- belated congratulations! I think it’s pretty cool how everything has come together for you.
I wrote you before asking how you budgeted for it- and I’m still confused how you did it all with so little money! I’m saving up to move now and it’s taking me a while! (First and last month’s rent, security deposit, truck, etc.) I think I just make way too little money, haha. Oh, well. One day I guess it will all come together for me too. I just have to be patient.
Carolyn
October 26, 2009 at 10:01 amThat brunch looks amazing!! Glad you’re enjoying your new environment. P.S. I’m giving away a breast cancer awareness Ipod Nano armband case on my blog: http://lovinlosing.com/
WendyF
October 26, 2009 at 10:01 amI second Robin’s comment, her cupcake place rocks ( I go there on my lunch hour sometime just to get my cupcake fix and bring some back to the office). If you like cheese, check out the cheeseboard collective across the street.
WendyF
October 26, 2009 at 10:02 amI second Robin’s comment. Her cupcake place rocks! ( I sometime go there on my lunch how to get my cupcake fix) If you like cheese check out the Cheeseboard collective across the street
Matt
October 26, 2009 at 10:25 amThat brunch looks absolutely delicious. My mouth is watering!
Kristin (Kristin's Nibbles)
October 26, 2009 at 10:32 amWhat a delicious brunch!!
xo
K
Suzanne de Cornelia
October 26, 2009 at 10:41 amChurch, Loehmanns, Chez Panisse. ‘Words that mean the same thing for $500, Alex.’ lol
Seriously covet that omelette… carmelized onions, ooooha.
Lohmanns is on the border of the Financial District and Union Sq. and in the area with all the cool French restaurants and cafes in the quaint alleys like Cafe Claude on Claude Lane, Belden Lane, Maiden Lane. Alliance Francaise is right there, too. http://www.afsf.com/index.shtml
I love Cafe de la Press & adjacent Le Central where Mayor Newsom AKA Prince Charming took Paris Mayor Berntrand DelanoΓ« to eat when he was here. San Francisco and Paris are Tech Sister Cities—because le deux are so FREAKIN’ awesome! Chez Panisse is trmendous but over in Berkeley where there is also a lot to do like 4th Street, the Rose Garden in gorgeous Berkeley Hills, the Cheeseboard across from Chez Panisse is KILLER pizza…famous for it. They make one kind daily and on Sat lines down the street. I took architectural design at Cal when lived in SF….great memories. A friend who played football for Cal lives next door to Alice Waters garden and is friends with her….and his garden BLOWS your mind. It is a secret garden down a overgrown path to his romantic cottage behind a house where he has lived since college. Loaded with flowers, fountains, chimes, charming benches, strung with lights so when walk in at night is like something from a fairy island.
In San Franciso at Fillmore [great street from cross street Pine down to Chrissy Field on the Bay] is Boulangerie {PLEASE. A MOMENT of SILENCE.} https://baybread.com/pine.php?PHPSESSID=e961c1135f9a7d9b1c329e4b111136fe
TONS of quaint shops down Fillmore, and then the cross street Union down a few walkable blocks in Cow Hollow, and Chesnut Street–the 20s somethings way cool street in the Marina…where there is also a Mac Store Although, since I have been ‘Holed up’ in Carmel and haven’t been to The City in a while the economy may have entered like a gremlin and messed with the real estate. Also the ULTIMATE 2-story Mac store adjacent to Union Sq downtown and near the mega Nordstrom shopping mall with all the primary colors painted Italian street cars going by…conveniently delivering folks to the Ferry Building and all the foodie places to the east and Zuni Cafe, City Hall, Opera Plaza, The Castro etc to the west. [BTW the UN Charter was established and signed right there in Herbst Theatre in June 1945. JFK was there as a young reporter]
One gianteramous Photo-Op. Have a TREMENDOUS time! As if could you NOT!
Nicole
October 26, 2009 at 11:07 amI love days like that! When the weather is nice, and you can just take a nice walk with a latte/hot chocolate and be totally at peace with yourself. You deserve that with all that you have been through in the past month. I hope the rest of your week goes as smoothly!! I need a day like that pretty soon with all my wedding stuff that just happened!! Tchuss!
Andee (Runtolive)
October 26, 2009 at 11:08 amWow the SF trip sounds amazing! You will love dim sum, I actually just wrote a post about dim sum including tips and advice if you’ve never had it before
http://runtolive.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/ocean-star-monterey-park/
Food looks delicious as always, now I’m craving an omelet and potato hash!
Juicy Jessy
October 26, 2009 at 11:12 amenjoy your sort of weekend π
MMiller
October 26, 2009 at 11:20 amWow, I really need to take a trip to SF area! And stay for at lease a week!
And Thanks Jil for asking about the overnight oats! I was wondering as well! And I’m pretty sure you do not need to add the yogurt! Just a great boost in protein and a creamy texture! But adding the Almond butter had me addicted! But I am still cooking my steel cut oats! Have some regular oats, so I think I will try the overnight ones!
Jenna I love that you are so happy out there! Your posts just scream HAPPY! And as you said…CONTENT!
Christina MINDFUL LIVING
October 26, 2009 at 11:26 ami love that the season of hot chocolate is once again upon us π
this weekend I made my frist bowl of overnight pumpkin oats- you must try it jenna- they are awesome! I used oats, medjol dates, pumpkin, plain ff yogurt, unsweetened vanilla almond milk and topped it with banana, walnuts, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg and cinnamon in the morning!
Paige (Running Around Normal)
October 26, 2009 at 11:27 amThat tofu sounds amazing!!! In fact, it might be what I have for dinner!
Have a great day at work and a wonderful weekend!
Michaela
October 26, 2009 at 11:54 amThanks for the shout out! Now I am famous! Ha! Yes, SF — here we come!
Thanks also for posting the baked tofu recipe. I’m going to try that. Perhaps I will even try it tonight.
Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness
October 26, 2009 at 12:00 pmLooks like a great day! Glad that you are loving your new community. The SF weekend sounds like a lot of fun!
And lol, TJ Maxx is the promised land for sure… they just opened a store near my parents house, it’s a win win situation! Time w/ the parents AND TJ Maxx, everytime I visit their city? YES PLEASE!
Kati
October 26, 2009 at 12:02 pmHoly Omelet! π Sometimes a great Sunday sermon can change your whole outlook.
megan
October 26, 2009 at 12:04 pmsounds like quite a wonderful Sunday you had! Isn’t it great when church is so uplifting? I’m so glad you were able to find a church so quickly – that’s got to make it easier to transition to your new place. π
Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion
October 26, 2009 at 12:06 pmThat omelet looks TO DIE FOR!!! Looks like you had a great and relaxing day π
Emily Eats and Exercises
October 26, 2009 at 12:26 pmYour tofu looks fantastic. I’ve been a vegetarian for years and years, but I still have not found a tofu recipe I’m in love with. I’ll have to experiment with your ingredients. Thanks!
Julia
October 26, 2009 at 12:32 pmJenna…I finally broke down and bought some windmill cookies from TJ’s. I was hesitant because I usually only have a sweet tooth for chocolate-related items and I’m not much of a cookie person, so I didn’t want to waste the money (hey, I know TJ’s is cheap but I’m a grad student so I count every penny haha!
However. OBSESSED. As in, I’ve already eaten three today. So good!! You should try taking a few and crumbling it with the plain TJ’s greek yogurt…yum!
Shelley
October 26, 2009 at 12:49 pmsuper jealous you have the week off… omg your eats are making me so hungry! they all look SO good π I am craving a sweet potato now… your blog is awesome π
xoxo,
Shelley
Jenny Eastwood @JennyLikesToRun, On a mission to run a marathon to fundraise for the breast cancer foundation
October 26, 2009 at 1:18 pmFood looks divine!!! Sounds like you’ve had a really really great day, AWESOME π
Your brunch looks yum, I wish I could whip up delicious food like chefs can. Unfortunately I seem to be rather challenged in terms of baking and cooking… lol.
eatmovelove
October 26, 2009 at 1:18 pmWow.
There are no words to describe that omelet. None.
SF sounds exciting!!…I recommend doing the yoga before all the food and shopping though…you’ll be too full and exhausted π
Mackenzie
October 26, 2009 at 1:35 pmLong time reader, now about to delurk! π I’m actually from the Orlando area as well. My mom works at Seasons 52! π
Just wanted to say that your omelet looks down right ridonculous. Look like a thing of beauty! That picture should be framed! π
Oh, dang! Eating something covered and cheese AND going to Banana Republic?! A girl after my own heart, hahaha!
Hope you had a good day!
Courtney
October 26, 2009 at 1:40 pmCarmelized onions and pepperjack cheese? Crying in jealousy!!
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
October 26, 2009 at 1:47 pmLove the tofu and sweet potato. And I’m glad you are really feeling at home there. I love a farm stand at church, too cool!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
October 26, 2009 at 2:15 pmIts awesome to have someone that feels like a long lost friend even if you’ve only known each other for a short time. It makes things so fun π
Susan
October 26, 2009 at 3:31 pmHa, this week Tuesday is my Friday!! Actually kinda refreshing to read a blog that isn’t a mon-fri like me π
Just wondering – how’s your ankle doing these days? Any progress?
Lauren
October 26, 2009 at 3:50 pmJenna, what a splendid day! π
How is your ankle feeling by the way? I haven’t heard you mention it in awhile and I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been praying for you! π
Oh, and you totally convinced me to pick up a box of those Windmill cookies. I saw them on special and was so close to walking by them, but then I remembered you RAVE about them. So, in the cart they went and girl, you wern’t lying. They are awesome!
Have a great week and take care hun.
skinnyrunner
October 26, 2009 at 4:36 pmsounds like such a HAPPY, FUN, ENJOYABLE day!
Anne
October 26, 2009 at 4:39 pmThat brunch looks AMAZING!!
Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com
October 26, 2009 at 5:09 pmMy great-grandmother always kept a jar of bacon grease in the fridge to pan-fry with. It’s no wonder everything she made tasted amazing. Cooking spray just can’t compete…
Meghan@traveleatlove
October 26, 2009 at 5:13 pmLove the idea of Monday as a Friday! My great grandparents actually ate bacon grease and a half loaf of bread every morning. My great grandfather lived until 97!
ellen eats beets
October 26, 2009 at 5:16 pmSounds like such a relaxing night! and Produce at church?? GIRL that place was made just for you
BethT
October 26, 2009 at 5:22 pmRemember, Sunrise Deli for falafel, and IMO La Taqueria for tacos – especially carnitas!!! YESSSSS!
anon
October 26, 2009 at 5:40 pmIf you came to SF with only $100 how did you afford a car and all that shopping? just curious.
angieinatlanta
October 26, 2009 at 6:37 pmHome fries in bacon grease!? Sounds amazing!!! I am currently obsessed with fries in duck fat; they are to die for!
The Healthy Apple
October 27, 2009 at 8:18 amI am drooooling over your breakfast; O my gosh…yummmmyyy! I want that omelet..hehe…