Toto – I don’t think We’re in [Bordeaux] Anymore…

September 22, 2011 by kris | 8 Comments

Continuing on with my journey through Bordeaux…

I felt just like Dorothy when we entered Bordeaux City.

How had we been in Bordeaux for 3 days already and I didn’t even have the slightest idea there was more to it than wine?

I mean, look at this place!

Love at first site.

Okay, maybe not that extreme.
But there was something about it that I just loved.

It could be these awesome trains ~~zooming~~ cruising around town.

I mean how sweet is that?!
Instead of buses and trolleys they have electric rails on the streets!

Or it could’ve been love at first bite?

That, my friends, is a Canelé.

Supposedly they were created due to the large quantities of egg yolks left over from the wineries in Bordeaux. Since egg whites are used in the process of making wine, many egg yolks are left over so it’s perfect for baking up Canelés which are composed mainly of egg yolks and flour.

This shop specialized in Canelés. It kinda had that retro soda shop look going on.

But the inside was full of pretty goodies.

After trying these sweet Bordeaux specialties, we went to try their more savory specialities.

Bordeaux is located near the ocean so they have a ton of fresh seafood.

We ended up at a cute restaurant across the river named Merci where there was an all you can eat seafood buffet.

Everything was super fresh and I’m pretty sure my momma was in seafood heaven.

After lunch it was winery visit time again…

This was one of the prettiest Chateau’s we visited, in my opinion.

And they had the neatest cellar.
Doesn’t this slightly remind you of the Teletubbies home?

It was also harvesting time here as well.

Then it was back indoors for a tasting.

Another neat thing about this particular Chateau was their decorations.

Everything matched and had that orange-y theme going on. Even their toilet paper was orange!

Next up:
my last day in Bordeaux AND another reason why I love this city!

WIAW # 5: Ready in 5. Or less.

September 21, 2011 by kris | 14 Comments

I thought I’d take a slight break from Bordeaux [see previous days 1, 2, 3 here] and join in on some WIAW fun today

[Thanks Jenn for hosting!! ]

Everything I ate today was basically ready in under 5 minutes. And not on purpose.

This morning I started with half a banana before heading off to my Wednesday cardio strength class, which ended up being AWESOME.

After class I chugged a pb + banana+ chocolate protein smoothie.

I used the remainder of my banana from earlier this morning, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 packet chocolate true vitality, 5 ice cubes, and 1/2 tablespoon peanut flour.

My official BREAKFAST was a waffle a la kodiak cakes.

Drizzled with manuka honey.

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of waffles. They’re just that good.

Then it was time for some school-ing…

and munching…

I may have had a few too many of these dark chocolate dipped rice cakes.
My excuse: they were mini

Then it was time for LUNCH. YAY

On the menu:
tuna
refried beans
corn cakes
hummus
tomatoes
avocado

That can only mean one thing:

BUILD YOUR OWN CORN CAKES!

Yes, i see that my lunch came out of cans, but it’s alright every once in a while. Plus the convenience is just too awesome.

I bought these corn cakes in France and love how perfectly thin they are. Perfect for piling on the toppings.

I mixed the tuna with some hummus and piled it on top of the corn cakes with some avocado and tomato slices.

Dessert was just as fantastic.

I sliced up part of an apple and banana

Added some sunbutter+almond milk

Mixed it all in and stuck it in the microwave for 20 seconds (x’s 2)

and Voila!

Okay okay, so it tastes a whole lot better than it looks. I promise!
And it’s guaranteed to satisfy that sweet tooth.

But of course I still had a couple chocolate cat cookies a little later on

I ate a bazillion of these. Seriously, I don’t think I can buy them anymore.
I can’t stop eating them!

Sweet > Savory
always

Then DINNER!

Roasted up a diced sweet potato sprinkled with paprika, cayenne, and a touch of cinnamon in the oven
[okay this may have taken slightly more than 5 minutes - but I don't count the roasting time]

Mixed it with leftover tuna from lunch, squirted on some ketchup and mustard and it was ready.

Again, tastes a lot better than it looks!

Dessert was something that I’ve become slightly obsessed with over the past couple days.

~~Baked~~ Microwaved Apples

I diced up an apple, sprinkled it with cinnamon, ginger, and a touch of paprika

Then put it in the micovwave for 30 seconds (x’s2)
Sprinkled on some almond meal.

Perfectly warm and delicious. AND tastes like fall

Speaking of fall…

We’re only two days away from the first day of Autumn!

So…enjoy these last couple days of summer!!

3 More Wineries!

September 19, 2011 by kris | 2 Comments

Tuesday – Day 3 -

The winery visits continue!

But not before a full breakfast of course.

Müesli + coco flakes [mixed with the plain yogurt] along side toast with honey and marmalade

mushroom + tomato egg white omelette

After breakfast we visited Chateau Margaux in Pauillac.

It was a beautiful day out and perfect weather to walk around outdoors.

This is the house where the owners of Chateau Margaux live.

Could you imagine living here?…

Across from their house is where they make their wine.

It’s always interesting to see the characteristics of each winery.

Every cellar functions the same way, but is so different looking from one another.

After Margaux we visited Chateau Troplong Mondot where we also enjoyed a nice home cooked-type lunch paired with their wines.

The bright flowers are planted at the beginning of each row in order of to keep bugs off the grapes. They hope the bugs will be attracted to the flowers first.