I know at the end of my last post I said I would be back to regular blogging this weekend…ummm…oops!? So much for that one. Truth be told, I’ve been having a rough time getting back into the swing of things after my trip to the West Coast. 😕
Trust me when I say the lack of photos is no loss on your end. I’ve eaten my way into a black hole of snackfood consisting primarily of peanut butter, hummus, and pretzels. 6 (six!!) tubs have fallen victim to my voracious appetite in the past week (go ahead and guess which tubs were which). I’ve had zero motivation to assemble a decent meal, and although it was fun at first, I’m ready to get my act together. More on that later…
One of the only (moderately) productive things I did do this past week was nursing. So, prep yourself for a bunch of hippie lunch pics…along with a few more answers to your questions…
The tradish.
(Side note: How annoying are oranges? They are sticky, difficult to eat, and between the peel/seed/pulp only 75% of the fruit is actually edible! Pshhh, I’ll stick to apples from now on).
Chocolate Peanut YouTrailMix, Spooks Z bar, Bora Bora bar
This Bora Bora bar contained: Organic Sprouted Golden flax, Organic Agave Nectar, Organic Peanuts, Organic Almonds, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Whole Grain Crisp Rice, Organic Raisins, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Flax Seeds, Organic Cranberries(Organic Cranberries, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Sunflower Oil),Organic blueberries (Organic blueberries, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice,Organic Sunflower Oil), Organic Sunflower Oil (Organic Sunflower Oil, Natural Tocopherol, Organic Rosemary Extract), Organic Raspberries, Organic Blueberry Flavor. (whoa!)
I liked it, enough to buy it again (if I’m able to find it), but I like the oatmeal flavored Bora Bora bar best. This company has GOT to get their products in stores!
La salade d’enormes
(Can you tell I minored in Spanish, NOT French)
I liked the trail mix so-so, but the cheerios were too reminiscent of flavorless cardboard to add anything to the combo. The chocolates, peanuts, and raisins were great when eaten together…reminded me of Girl Scouts when everyone would bring an ingredient and we’d all create a massive trail mix with everyone’s addition.
While you digest that, how about more Q&A fun:
What do you think is the best way to spend your money?
For me, the best way to spend my money is traveling. I pretty much work and save up only to get enough dolla bills in the pot to get on a plane and see the world. I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and travelled Europe extensively while I was there. Since then I can’t get enough of it! I’ve been to Spain (Barca, Madrid, Sevilla, San Sebastian/Basque country, Grenada, etc.), France (Paris), England (London), Italy (Milan, Rome, Venice, Florence), Amsterdam, Belgium, Bruges, Cayman Islands, Mexico, etc. I want to travel everywhere though…so I have lots of saving to do!
What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
The first thing that comes to mind is Kyle (family, friends, etc.), but rather than go with the cheesy (and obvious) answer, I’ll take the question literally and answer with a “thing” not a “who.” Additionally, I’d like to say that I try to live my life so I don’t have an answer to this question. Now that I’ve given that disclaimer, the one thing I couldn’t live without would be music. As a band geek (I played the French Horn), I have always loved music. There’s just something about a good rhythm that moves me. Side note: I wanted to be a conductor when I grew up and even asked for a baton one year for Christmas. I stood on my bed with my stuffed animal orchestra and blasted recordings by the San Francisco Philharmonic. I guess I grew out of that career move…but to this day, music is more than something I just enjoy, it is a true passion. Whether I’m busting a move, performing a number in the shower, or just dozing off to sleep, I can tell you the soundtrack to my life would be very diverse, including everything from the Wicked soundtrack to the Beatles, from jailbird T.I. to my future 2nd husband Justin Timberlake.
Ok, back to the lunch time eats.
Bar variation/salad variation – otherwise it’s just the same old same old. Apples are a non-negotiable in my packed lunches.
This salad was an experiment, made up on the spot. First I steamed kale, then tupperwared it and seasoned it with Bragg’s apple cider vinegar, Bragg’s liquid aminos, and ginger powder. Next I steamed carrots and added them in.
Shake ‘n bake.
I had no idea how this was going to turn out. I had no recipe I was basing it off of, and frankly I was a bit nervous since apple cider vinegar can be a bit acidic. Turns out, it was fan-freakin-tastic. The overnight marinating allowed all the flavors to soak into the kale and they were perfect. Not too strong, but definitely present. I adored it so much I repeated it again the next day.
Bars, bars, and more bars…and some salads, too.
On the left: Steamed squash, cannellini beans, and cherry toms. On the right: steamed kale, steamed brocc, steamed carrots, and dried cranz (with the same Bragg’s/ginger dressing. Both were sublime.
However.
THIS was what I craved. None of the (above) bars were consumed, and in their place I went to town on this loaf. Hot out of Bruno’s oven.
Combined with hot coffee, this was the best thing ever.
Wanna know what? I dunked it! So weird right? But the inside of the bread was warm and soft, so I decided it would be perfect to dunk in my coffee. And it was. Sloshy yes, but warm in my belly fasho!
And the Q&A chit chat continues with a few more answers:
What’s your dream job?
International hotel rater! How cool to travel to new and exciting places, get wined and dined, and then get paid for it! Unfortunately, that’s not at all within my scope of expertise, so I don’t see it being realized any time soon. However, running a vineyard while having time to do some food blogging on the side would be a pretty sweet gig, and is actually a more realistic goal. As I’ve alluded to before, my family owns a vineyard in Dry Creek Valley (Healdsburg, CA) and I hope to run it one day…for now though, I’m content to live life in the fast lane in NYC. The go go go hustle and bustle of the big apple is such a unique environment to experience that I feel like I should soak it all up now while I’m young. Can’t beat the 24/7 availability of anything and everything.
If you had $5 to spend in WF, what would you buy?
Gah! This is a seriously hard question. Rather than break it down and get staples like apples and hummus, I’d love to splurge and spend all on the hot bar; most likely on a dish I couldn’t make myself like seitan chimichurri, marinated tempeh or tofu. If you’re in Whole Foods, the hot bar is hard to escape…
What is your fave alcoholic drink and how often to you imbibe?
This depends on what the occasion is, but the all encompassing answer is red wine. However, to be honest, I rarely drink anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I had my hay day (I think I remember less than 20% of my first year of college), but nowadays the grandma in me can’t hang I’m less able to recover from such heavy nights of drinking that they are few and far between.
My only “rule” (although I’m sure there are exceptions to this, too) is that I won’t drink the night before I work. I typically drink wine when dining out, especially when it’s a nice restaurant with family or friends. I think wine is the perfect accompaniment to a good meal. That said, I also see no problem with enjoying a glass of wine when there’s a tv, a couch, and a snuggie involved, too. It’s all about what I want in the moment and since my tolerance is embarrassingly low, I tend to taper off as bedtime approaches. Going to bed with the spins is a pastime and I’d like to keep it in the past.
Now that I sound like a wine-drinking, silver-spoon-licking, country club snob, let me backpedal a bit and remind you all of my recent Washington D.C. bar time. Bud Light is my football drinking partner. B minus (B -), as I lovingly refer to it, has gotten me through all too many 49er losses and even more UCLA disappointments. So you can betchur bottom dollar that if my a$$ is on a bar stool, there’s a B – nearby.
(So by the way, as I hit publish on this post, I’m watching Monday Night Football with friends and I’m on my 3rd glass of Artesa Pinot Noir)…there goes that answer!
thanks for the answers! and that makes me feels much more normal…now i dont feel so g-ma-esque. one glass usually makes me so sleepy all i want is bed. nice to reminisce and *not* recall those days of 8-12 beers/shots/leftover glass imbibement. twas fine while lasted, and glad i did it 🙂
Fun Q & A!!!
And your kale looks awesome.
I’m with you on oranges: they’re totally nast. Little mandarin oranges? Totally adorable.
girl-can i just say im so jelous of your lunch? i love the variety! and GO YOU for eating what you crave..you deserve it! i love your question and answers!
thanks for more info on your life 🙂 interesting to read about.
& love how you eat all the bars- they are amazing!
xoxo
shelley
http://findinghappinessandhealth.wordpress.com
Oranges are also evilly deceptive – looking delicious on the outside and only revealing their dried-out insides once you’ve done the hard work. The folks at my co-op (PCC) will cut one open for you to show you if they’re worth it.
Had no idea your family owns a vineyard! Have you been in touch with Jenna from Eat, Live, Run? She’s living out there (but maybe you knew that).
They sell Bora Bora bars in my Costco but it sounds like we may not have gotten the yummiest flavors (they’re all a fruit combos).
My fave drink is a pina colada, hands down.
And PS, sorry the Seahawks beat the Niners. Close one!
“Truth be told, I’ve been having a rough time getting back into the swing of things after my trip to the West Coast. :-?”
Girl. I could write a book. I am having major CA withdrawals and am wondering what the hell I moved to AZ for. Oh yeah, to buy an affordable house that’s new and pimp. However, I miss the people, food, yoga, weather, cultural/social evolution, consciousness, etc that is So Cal. And heck, Nor Cal is even more so. You will be in 7th heaven running the vineyard. Can I please be your barback or your assistant? I’d love to live in the maid’s quarters and run yoga for your patrons out of it, while homeschooling Skylar and Scott does media & advertising, we’ll help you run the place. Somewhat joking but not by much 🙂
Yogi food bar? That brand has cropped up a few times lately. And I got in the the Bora bora action too. Good stuff.
And I used to be able to drink 400 lb men under the table. And party like a rock star. Life has changed me and now I get drunk off vanilla extract. Seriously.
xoxo
1) I wish had unlimited about of money to travel tha world and see the 7 natural wonders. And since I just googled them, 5035234 other lists of “wonders” came up… so I want to see all those too. One of the new wonders is MACHU PICCHU which would just be INSANELY AMAZING to visit.
2) I listen to the most ridic diverse music as well!!!! I was just listening to the San Francisco Symphony’s version on tha Nutcracker and then turned on some Flo Rida. BO$$$$$Y
3) Live in Healdsburg and show the blog world H-burg from a native Californian’s point of view 😉 And then, I shall get married there and we can eat [hummus], drink [lots o’ wine], and be marry! I mean, merry 😀
4) There is a mothafu(kin snow storm happening outside my window right now.
5) I think I have strep throat and the health clinic told me they would only see me after 48 hours of symptoms (WUDDUHFUUUHHHH?!?!?! RIGHT?) so my homegirl gave me this spray her mom got at Whole Foods and it’s called “propolis spray” and it’s all raw and made from raw honey, propolis, purple loosestrife, and Usnea lichen in pure grain alcohol, and water. Anyways, I couldn’t even ENJOY MY PIZZA Sunday night at the piphizzle house due to my throat’s conditions. Then, yesterday morning I sprayed my throat will this shiz a couple of times and MIRACLE WORKER! I COULD EAT! YIPPEEE! Thought you would be interested in it since you are a) sometimes raw b) WF obsessed and c) work in da medical field.
6) THIS WAS RIDICULOUSLY LONG AND I AM PROCRASTINATING PUTTING ON MY MAKEUP. GOODBYE. LOVE YOOOOOOOOOOU
Oranges? Apples? Was it ever even close?!
I totally agree with you about traveling being the best way to spend money. Annoyingly, my family absolutely does NOT agree, and they drive me crazy every time I go somewhere. Gah.
<3 <3
ha! i thiiink my question had to do with your job.
anyways um just say NO to peanut butter cookie luna bar. to me its like cardboard coated crispies haha
a hotel reviewer WOULD be the coolest job ever! i never even thought about that 🙂 way to go girl! and you have been EVERYWHERE! thats so awesome. i’ve been to like..canada chicago and new jersey hahaha
Fresh bread like that is my weakness! I would have definitely dunked it in my coffee. 🙂
Your salads always look so good!
I totes agree about the oranges. I stick to tangerines – so much easier and they’re just about perfect right now.
Fresh bread dunked in the coffee? Sounds amazzzzzing.
I love oranges. I’m on a clementine kick right now. They’re easy to peel and really satisfying.
I left my drinking days behind, too. I do love wine, but I only consume it once in a while. I have a wimpy tolerance level, and I’m just not done with expending so much money and so many calories on something that isn’t cookies most of the time. 🙂
Definitely agree about oranges. There’s gotta be an easier way! And you forgot to mention that they make your hands smell like citrus for the next week, although that could be good or bad I suppose.
Traveling is a great way to spend money too! Nothing beats having awesome experiences and pictures to tell your friends about 😉
I’m such a grandma when it comes to drinking nowadays too (which is sad because I turned 21 in May)…but I pretty much NEVER turn down a glass of wine, I loooove it.
I hate to argue with you, but I don’t think you could live without hummus or apples either 🙂
LOVE your shake n bake salad… nice idea!! Ya oranges are lame-o sometimes.. its more work than anything UNLESS you luck out and find a big one that peels off in one hunk.. ahh.
I love your coast to coast travel recap 😀 So hectic! I book flights based on refusal to switch planes…I feel ya on the good ol’ college days- Oh man are they over! I stick to wine/beer now, two if i wanna get crazy ;D
Oranges?! That’ll teach ya from straying from apples! Stick with the apples…number 3 is being consumed as I type this 🙂
I don’t know that $5 will get you much off the hot bar at Whole Foods, lol! Maybe some lettuce?! Food is heavy and it adds up fast! But I agree…the hot bar is definitely where I would chose to spend my $$$ too 🙂
Good luck getting back into the swing of things…I love traveling too, but it is hard to adjust after a good trip!
Courtney
I think oranges make me swear more than bad drivers. I can’t eat those fruits around small children because so many F bombs come flying out of my mouth. Get out of here with your baguette – that looks so carby and delicious. It’s BEGGING to be smoothered with hummus. When I eat English muffins for breakfast, I dip them in coffee. It’s fun! I should have known we would have similar strange eating habits.
When I become prez, I’m going to make it a requirement that you HAVE to travel and see the world. Oh God, the spins. Once I had them SO BAD I had to keep my feet on the floor when I tried to sleep. That was rough! Loved your Q&As part II 🙂
I was trying to silently laugh here at work while reading this post. Re the conductor job, I pictured you in our room at Barry showing us how you used to play conductor in front of your stuffed animals! Classic! Wish I could’ve youtubed that. And then the music thing, I had the image of you and I on Sandra’s bed at 415 dancing our asses off to Bebot…haha!!! I miss you rubia!
And you know that Sandra’s fridge is always stocked with B minus, just in cases. I think because I miss you so much, I’m gonna throw in Love Actually to reminisce. Sbomb is sicky and on antibiotics, so the bday celebrations are postponed til this veirnes or sabado noche. I shall be thinking of you while watching the movie and have a glass of vino while I’m at it..hehe…besos!
if oranges came with their own personal peeler and someone to feed them to me, then I’d love ’em.. but with all of the work and then the orange scent that lingers on your fingers for days – totally not worth it.
peace out girl scout!
uh, best comment ever. fasho.
ive never heard of that throat spray shiz, but next time im sick you can bet your a$$ im going to be roaming the WF aisles looking for propolis spray…
that was actually my first thought (before kyle) but i figured that would make me sound like a fuh-reak, and probz would bring tears to my fiance’s eyes 😉
agreed. cant wait to think of some fun questions for ya – watch out, peeps will give you enough topics to post until july. im gong to be answering these for the rest of 2010!!
she lives right next to our fam’s vineyard…small world huh!
isnt it sad? i swear the drinking age is so old here in the states. by the time its finally legal to get trashed, we are already over it. maybe they should lower it to 18 years?
i know…i usually pay whatever the extra $$ is just to be direct, but kyles parents live up in the middle of nowhere (border of canada and washington state) so direct flights dont exist. gahhhh. so annoying. i hate layovers.
hahaha, i KNEW you were going to comment on that!!!!!!!!!
Great minds think alike, no? 😉
Hey Elise,
Thanks again for featuring Bora Bora bars on your blog – we’re a new company and we appreciate your opinion.
Regarding where you can buy them at retail, our nationwide distribution is currently very small (Costco, Kroger, Safeway, Vitamin Shoppes), so directing your readers to our website where they can order bars online is the best option (at least for now).
Or we’d love for them to contact us direct so we can best determine a location nearest them, at 888-552-8926 or customerservice@boraborafoods.com. We’re in the process of building an online “store locator” list in the New Year to share with our customers.
Thanks again and let me know if you have any additional questions or comments in the meantime. We’d love to hear them!
Great, I love reading your stuff!
Hey can I reference some of the information here in this blog if I provide a link back to your site?