Around Town »

Back in the Burg

Dec 27th, 2009 by jenna

Good evening!

We are back to Healdsburg safe and sound. I already miss the coast!

Sigh. Must go back soon!!

This morning, made the usual oatmeal for my dad and I:

Used 1/2 cup oats, 1 c water, 2 egg whites, 1 banana, 1 T almond butter and….a little brown sugar!

I did one last 60 minute yoga podcast facing the ocean…..Dave got me good this time! I’m telling you, the podcast from May 24th, 09 is the HARDEST one their is. Do it at your own risk of not being able to move later. Don’t say I didn’t warn you……

And then my dad and I ventured into the town of Gualala to grab some sandwiches to go. Gualala is quite the little surf town!

The weather was SPECTACULAR today!

Doesn’t he look like a movie star?!

Naturally, I hopped a fence to get a better shot.

And, for lunch, had the same sandwich I had yesterday (mega veggie!) on a whole wheat baguette. It was HUGE….and delicious.

After a 2 hour road trip back inland, my parents checked into their hotel and I grabbed an all natural frozen yogurt for a snack. This is eggnog (flavor of the week) with organic gingersnaps!

And then, in the words of Christie and Alissa, we “let the wine tasting commence!”

I was stoked to have both my parents finally at Murphy-Goode.….where it all began!!!!

Next up: La Crema!

And tomorrow I’m going to take them to the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center…my favorite!

For dinner, we hit up one of my very favorite establishments again—-Scopa! You know you really love a place when, upon walking in the door, the servers know you by name. Yep, that’s Healdsburg for you.

We shared everything and first ordered the grilled calamari:

Roasted brussels with bacon and Parmesan:

Lamb’s tongue!!! (don’t knock it till you try it….it’s quite delightful actually)

My very favorite dish of the evening—polenta with braised pork shoulder, cabbage and sausage….the ultimate comfort food and probably the best polenta I’ve ever had!

And last but not least—carbonara!

Whew! It was quite the Italian feast but I stuck with water with my meal instead of vino for a change. I also might have eaten two mini oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from the lobby of my parent’s hotel afterward.

My house is a mess! Must go clean now.

Posted in Breakfast, Dinner, Exercise, Lunch, Snack, dessert

70 Responses to “Back in the Burg”

on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:21 pm1Jessica @ How Sweet It Is

He really does look like a movie star!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:24 pm2James

Jenna, You are so hot!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:24 pm3Jess (Fit Chick in the City)

The beach pictures are beautiful! What a great place to have an DSLR camera!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:27 pm4Jordan @ Salt Sweat Sugar

I think you’re the only other person in blogland who loves wine as much as I do =]
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:28 pm5Jen (Running With Cake)

Lamb’s tongue?! You are waaay more gutsy than I am and have a much stronger stomach Although, the carbonara looks wonderful! I find it very hard to make at home – can never seem to get it to taste as good as it does in restaurants
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:31 pm6BethT

Your dad DOES look like a movie star! And I’m not afraid of the lamb’s tongue so much as the pink stuff on top…what is that?!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:34 pm7Amy

I thought “man, he looks like a movie star” when I saw the picture, and THEN I saw your caption. Too funny. Maybe he should hop down to LA for an audition or two while he’s out there!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:34 pm8missmolly

I miss the coast too
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:34 pm9Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen

Sigh. I miss the coast through your blog Dinner looks delightful…thanks for sharing! Hope you have a successful cleaning of the house tonight!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:38 pm10Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)

Oh wow! I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so excited about veggie sandwiches and brussels sprouts. You know the saying “Everything is bigger in Texas”? Well, everything looks BETTER in California

Lovely photos and food!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:43 pm11amber

wow great pictures and wow amazing food!!!! Have a blast with the rents!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:43 pm12Jil

Ohh, wonderful photos!! The food looks amazing! And the eggnog froyo + organic ginersnap combo = genius.
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:44 pm13Kristi

Wow! What an amazing meal and your dad does look just like a movie star! Thank you so much for your bog, Jenna! You have been such a great inspiration for me this year.
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:46 pm14Whitney

Those Brussels look amazing! Yum!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:47 pm15Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)

Gaaaaaaahhhhh, so many things about this post that I love:

1) Coastal prettiness
2) Your dad totally looks like a movie star! One that’s a serious actor, I might add!
3) That lunch and yogurt!
4) Everything you ate at Scopa (Even the lamb’s tongue. The thought of it makes me wince, but I bet the tongue is super meaty and tender.)
on 27 Dec 2009 at 8:49 pm16ellen eats beets

Such beautiful photos! Makes me miss the coast soooo much
on 27 Dec 2009 at 9:31 pm17Karla

You have the most delicious meals! I’m so jealous!

Egg nog yogurt with gingersnaps sounds delicious!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 9:31 pm18Suzanne de Cornelia

GREAT photos! Yes, in fact, your Dad does look like a film star. Am swiping your dinner photos for FB post with link/credit to your site!! Love that Calamari!! The brussel sprouts amazing, too.
BTW–I went to UCLA so was that the Bruins aren’t going to the Rose Bowl. I’ve gone to many Rose Parades and Rose Bowl Games…the Parade is amazing….fun to walk around where the last minute decorations are going on the night before. Anyway, here’s the carmelized onion-blue cheese burgers I’m fixing for the game. Champagne and Eggs Benedict for breaky with the Parade. http://tinyurl.com/oe4ezq

Thanks again for the photos!! Was like a mini-trip.
on 27 Dec 2009 at 9:34 pm19Suzanne de Cornelia

P.S. Went back for a second peek of ‘Dad’. Whoa!
on 27 Dec 2009 at 9:35 pm20CJ

Your dad totally looks like a movie star!

CJ
on 27 Dec 2009 at 11:21 pm21La

every single one of your posts makes me drool. that pasta looks so divine.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 12:23 am22Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run

Your scenic pictures are incredible! It just makes me want a Rebel more & more. I stopped at The Goat today on my way home. I had to, just because it’s your fav. You can check out my mini review on my blog )

- Hillary
on 28 Dec 2009 at 12:24 am23Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run

P.S. That is the best-looking sandwich I have ever seen!!!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 3:25 am24christie, honoring health

Glad you arrived home safely!

Thanks for the warning about the Dave Farmar, I will keep that in mind
on 28 Dec 2009 at 3:48 am25kristin

hooray! i’m SO excited i landed at your blog a couple of weeks ago via carrots ‘n cake- love it! my husband & i made our first trip to CA last christmas with our destination being healdsburg, and we totally fell in love with everything there. we started out driving up the coastal highway from SF (stopping at stinson beach and jenner/goat rock), then cut across the russian river road. we spent a whole day in the armstrong woods – bliss – and just hung out in healdsburg (cafe gratitude, vin, ravenous). our fav vineyard was preston vineyards by far. thanks so much for posting such great pics and stories of healdsburg – it’s like getting to relive our favorite vacation all over again. =)
on 28 Dec 2009 at 3:57 am26Madelin @ What is for Breakfast?

Jenna, I’m just loving your pictures at the moment and your dinner looks so yummy. Don’t know if I could do the lamb’s tongue though .
on 28 Dec 2009 at 4:43 am27Kristen @ Change of Pace

Oh my gosh the food looks soooo good!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 4:51 am28Paige (Running Around Normal)

That picture of your dad really does look straight out of a movie. Beautiful pictures. Hope you get to go back soon!
That’s awesome that the servers know you by name at Scopa.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 4:51 am29diana(mymarble rye)

No wonder you are such a nice girl! your parents look so nice/hip! That’s why!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 5:12 am30amanda

I love trying new foods! I will have to put lamb’s tongue on my list. Also I finally got almond butter!!! I love it!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 5:18 am31candice

Your dad really does look like a movie star, leather jacket and all! Never had lamb’s tongue, though I’ve seen duck’s tongue before. Eggnog fro-yo and roasted bacon-parmesan brussels sounds amazing!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 5:25 am32Jenna

The coast is gorgeous!
And yes your daddies look like a movie star!
Your Sammie and yog look delish!
But dinner looks even better- glad you got to try all those unique foods!!
Jenna
on 28 Dec 2009 at 6:11 am33theemptynutjar

Your dad DOES look like a movie star Jenna. How beautiful everything is. I wish I had your physical abilities/opportunities, you are blessed!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 6:35 am34Stephanie

your dad is totally a movie star! great pix too
on 28 Dec 2009 at 6:40 am35eatmovelove

Before I even read your comment, I thought “Wow – movie star for sure!!” – hello Robert Redford!!
Great food spread!
I should check out these Podcasts, but I don’t know about 90 mins of yoga yikes…
Jenna, is writing something you’ve always wanted/intended to do – or did you expect to go more along the lines of the cooking, etc.???
on 28 Dec 2009 at 7:08 am36Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg

We drink La Crema chardonnay every night!

Great pictures! Glad you made it home safely.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 7:08 am37Courtney

I have been mainly lurking lately, but came out to say that those pics are amazing…just beautiful…I could taste the salty air!
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing
on 28 Dec 2009 at 7:13 am38Jenny

I truly enjoy reading about all of the beauty you’re experiencing in California! It must be really wonderful to finally share it with your parents too
on 28 Dec 2009 at 7:29 am39Lauren @ louisianagrown

You’re so lucky to have parents who love all of the same things you do! And your dad totally looks like a movie star with the jacket and distinguished gray hair.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 7:30 am40Diana

Looks like a fun day. Your dad DOES look like a movie star in that photo…nice work!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 7:35 am41Estela @ Weekly Bite

Okay, you HAVE to get the picture of your dad framed! It’s a classic!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 7:40 am42jenna

eatmovelove,

yep, I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was very, very young.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 7:56 am43Diana @ frontyardfoodie

Your Dad DOES look like a movie star! haha

That pasta looks like something I need to be eating right now.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 8:42 am44mary ann

I conquer with the lambs tongue! I also bet Kevin would ROCK a version of that polenta pork shoulder dish, no>? I love living vicariously through your gorgeous eats, sights and adventures. I hope Im the FIRST to buy your book!
MA
PS what did you sip at SOPA? Did you find a nice red that paired well with the diversity of your courses or did you change it up. Definitely NOT a wine snob here, I just started working in a wine shop and love to hear about surprising, well balanced vinos.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 8:43 am45mary ann

i think i spelled conquer wrong… concur? essentially, i agree, hehe
on 28 Dec 2009 at 8:50 am46Emily

Looks like you’re having such a great time with your parents, Jenna! I’m definitely going to download that Dave Farmar podcast, too. He loves those chatarangas.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 9:35 am47blueberrybabe

JENNA! where can i get the Dave podcast from 5/24/09? i can’t find it anywhere online. And it is not in my itunes podcasts either do you have a site with a bunch more free ones?! thanks.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 9:42 am48Beth @ DiningAndDishing

Looks like you have had an awesome Christmas Jenna! Absolutely gorgeous scenery and delicious food enjoyed with family – what could be better?? Enjoyed the re-cap :O)
on 28 Dec 2009 at 9:44 am49jenna

Blueberrybabe,

its available on itunes!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 9:44 am50jenna

mary ann,

I sipped on water
on 28 Dec 2009 at 9:49 am51Sarah

Your Coast pictures are incredible – totally makes me miss the beach!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 10:15 am52Allison K

It looks like you had an incredible time with your family, great photos!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 10:39 am53Amanda @ Cakes and Ale

I love how adventurous an eater you are, Jenna – you are a true foodie! I feel the same and am always up to try something new… you never know if you like something unless you try it!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 10:41 am54Carolyn

What a good looking family you have!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 11:00 am55blueberrybabe

jenna- i still can’t find it on itunes . at any given time i have 12 free podcasts available to me. as new ones are added the older ones dissapear… is this the same for you? what about other people?

thanks!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 12:22 pm56Lauren @ Eater not a runner

Love your pictures! And that sandwich looks delish
on 28 Dec 2009 at 12:48 pm57Lauren

Wow-everything looks incredible. I’ve eaten a lot of weird things, but never lambs tongue. The scenery is gorgeous!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 1:26 pm58Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather

Your pictures look SOO amazing! I want to be at the coast too!!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 1:46 pm59Maria (realfitmama)

Those ocean pictures are amazing and the veggie sandwiches you keep finding are KILLING me!!! I can only get veggie sandwiches like that when I make them myself. Keep up the awesome work. I’m following in some writers foot steps myself (also my dream since I was a little girl!)
on 28 Dec 2009 at 2:06 pm60Jessica

I love the picture of your dad. He looks more like a model, for a Nautica ad or something. Haha.
All your other pictures are awesome too! That sandwich…I WANT! Hope you had fun!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 2:07 pm61eatmovelove

I love that Jenna…did you ever think it was never going to happen? The writing? Was is hard for you to break into? Did you have a definite idea of what you wanted to write???

I have so many ideas but never get anywhere because I don’t know what to follow…and I have to work full-time and have no choice with little time…(I don’t mean to have excuses! really, it’s just how it is though…)
on 28 Dec 2009 at 2:36 pm62rori

I’m with the other person who commented above. What is the pink stuff on top of the lamb’s tongue….that’s not the lamb tongue is it?!? My mind is imagining all sorts of delicious horrifying stuff….cuz that’s what I do….
on 28 Dec 2009 at 2:44 pm63brooke

Jenna,
How do you incorporate the gg whites in your oatmeal?
on 28 Dec 2009 at 3:08 pm64jenna

Brooke,

I just add the egg whites when I add the water on the stove. Works like a charm!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 3:08 pm65jenna

Rori,

Those were pickled red onions…yummmmy!
on 28 Dec 2009 at 6:12 pm66bridget

i can’t find the podcast from 5/24/09 either and I subscribe. hmmm. Love Dave Farmar.
on 28 Dec 2009 at 6:16 pm67Kelsey

Hey Jenna! Just an oatmeal question – when you use egg whites, how do you cook your oatmeal? Thanks!
on 29 Dec 2009 at 1:59 pm68Ellen

I recently tried putting vanilla soy milk in my oatmeal instead of water, and it seemed to really enhance the flavor. Do you prefer water or milk in yours? Also, do you use Blue Diamond almond butter on your oatmeal? I use MaraNatha but it won’t drizzle on oatmeal the way yours does!
on 29 Dec 2009 at 3:01 pm69rori

OHHHHHH! Thanks…..I feel so much better.
on 29 Dec 2009 at 4:02 pm70Rocky Slaughter

Okay, I might have to cave and actually go to Scopa sometime.
on 29 Dec 2009 at 6:09 pm71Erica

The 90 min download sounds great but I can’t find any Dave in May of 09. Hmm. Am I looking in the wrong place? Please help.