We’ve got a game to play y’all. Time to catch you all up on the last few days of my California trip and for me to catch up on all the stuff I missed at home while I was away. First up, beautiful memories that make me wish I was back in SD with my sister…
[for my other cali recap posts check here and here]
Balboa Park:
Natural History Museum:
Shopping:
Pottery:
The Pier in Ocean Beach:
Botanical Gardens:
[Momentary random interruption: While I was visiting my sis we were looking for shows to watch on Netflix. We came across Felicity (a late 90’s early 00’s show starring Keri Russell ..we both watch The Americans which she stars in now so we thought we’d give it a try!) and got hooked! What’s even better is that all 4 seasons of the show are available! I love that because it means there’s no waiting for new episodes to be added and you can just watch and watch to your hearts content. It got me thinking, there have only been a few shows that I have watched EVERY single episode of! The Office, Gilmore Girls, Full House, LOST, Boy Meets World, Life on Mars, and Nip/Tuck to name a few! Are there any series that you’ve seen EVERY episode of?]
Even when you’re away for less than a week…things pile up! Work, emails, and especially MAIL….not that I’m complaining about that one. I came home to some great packages! Some I have yet to try so reviews will be coming in the next week or two, but I do have a few fun products to share with you all that I sampled before my trip.
Vital Choice sells some of the highest quality canned seafood and meat that you can get on the market! I was so excited to try a few different varieties that they offer because as you all know I am a total SEAFOODIE!! They literally sent me a “gift from the sea” :).
Every type I tried tasted incredibly fresh and flavorful despite being canned. The Dungeness crab was sweet and soft…not chewy in the slightest and tasted like I had just cracked open a freshly steamed crab. The albacore was the most flavorful canned tuna I’ve ever had and was so much more rich and meaty than your typical grocery store tuna. Ventresca was a new to me fish and although I typically don’t buy canned fish in olive oil it was a welcome addition. Being a variety of tuna, this fish made for the perfect italian tuna salad and I loved its rich flavor and tender texture. Last but not least, the wild sockeye salmon was incredible! Sockeye salmon is my favorite type of salmon and this canned version tasted like a fresh fillet! So meaty and so distinct in its mild fishy flavor! I used it in a salmon burger and it worked perfectly!
Another good thing about Vital Choice is that all their seafood is sustainable and wild harvested. Pretty awesome! Tastes good and does good for your body and the environment!
Thanks Vital Choice!
Journey BarJourney bar, makers of SAVORY, vegan energy bars just came out with a few new flavors! I had never had a savory energy bar prior to trying these and I was anxious to try them since sweet bars can get a bit boring after having them over and over again! These bars mix whole grains (like amaranth and quinoa) with spices, herbs, and a bit of tapioca syrup to make a satisfying, soft bar that is packed with fiber and protein! The addition of a little bit of sweetener made these bars have a delicious sweet and salty combination and I loved incorporating these with afternoon snacks because they have an awesome dose of healthy fat! Plus the flavors were spot on. The sea salt tasted a bit peanut-buttery to me, while the sesame ginger reminded me of an awesome marinade you might find on veggies in an asian dish. But my favorite was definitely the rosemary! It reminded me of the sweet italian herb flavors that are found in pizza sauce! I actually dipped this bar in a bit of tomato sauce for some added deliciousness.
These bars are seriously unique and such a welcome change from your typical date-based bar! Plus they’re a good size…not as tiny as most bars.
Thanks Journey Bar!
Good Karma just came out with a new line of PROTEIN infused flax milk. I have tried their original line of flax milk and I have to say this new line is EVEN BETTER. In comparison, the protein-full milk’s are thicker, more creamy, and even more flavorful than the originals. I love that they have no added sugar and tons of nutrients from the expeller pressed flax that is their main ingredient. They reminded me of Silk almond milk because of their high level of creaminess….unlike the original line which is thinner and a little more watery. Definitely an upgrade! The vanilla is a little more sweet and cinnamon-y tasting than the original flavor….but both are equally delicious with cereal, in smoothies, or even on their own!
Thanks Good Karma!
—–
Also nice to come home to:
–the new Clean Eating (aka: best recipe magazine ever!)
–this little snuggle butt
–NEW SNEAKS! Thank you Saucony! You guys pretty much rock my world and I can’t wait to activate my Kickassimus with the new Kinvara’s!
LOVE the bag these came in!
–my mom and dad (awwww)
–muffin making! (had to replenish my stash)
–a big enough container to organize my major stash of bars in
It’s a problem folks (but not really). We have a bit of an obsession going on. #hoarders #baredition
–surprise subscription boxes!
Kona Kase sent me on of their monthly boxes to try out! Loved the variety of products in this one (you know I love trying new bars!) and how everything was very snack focused. I am always looking for new ways to spice of the usual 3 snacks I have a day! Thanks Kona!
Kudos to you if you made it through this MONSTER of a post! I guess I just had a lot of catch myself and you all up on! Hope your weekend goes well and that everyone’s Spring Break (if you had one!) was enjoyable! I am off to do some of the school work I procrastinated over break as well as enjoy the beautiful sunshine that has made an appearance in the frozen tundra that is Buffalo. 🙂
Check out last weeks Lend a {Healthy} Hand round upif you haven’t already! It’s a good one!
Kaila
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Todays’s Healthy Help: Did the dishes for my mom!
Never too early to start Lending a {Healthy} Hand for next weeks round-up! Tell me what you’ve done to help someone else lately!
California looks absolutely amazing, I might be going at the end of the summer so I am very excited!
I have seen every episode of Gilmore Girls and still have them recording every Saturday! Also Desperate Housewives and Gossip Girl!
Oh you will have SO MUCH FUN! And Gilmore Girls is the best…totally one of my all time favorite shows!
So many bars! That’s amazing, haha. I love that you like to try new ones and have so many!
Also, I love the pictures from Cali. Balboa Park looks beautiful.
Yes I am totally addicted to trying new bars! I am constantly buying new ones that I haven’t tried….guess I’m in search of my ultimate favorite LOL.
Vital Choice & I are BESTIES!!! Love them, love their mantra, love their fish (especially the sable fish!) and love their free shipping (considering their products are pretty expensive).
Oh seeing this post has me missing California also. We lived there for over four years and there is no place like that awesome state!!
Oh thats so cool! I would love to live there someday!
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