I’m here!! Looks like we’re going to have great weather. It’s totally FALL here – I don’t know if I should be wearing any tank tops or shorts, but that’s all I brought!
At your recommendations, we went to Flour Bakery for lunch! OMG it was so delicious!! I ordered a homemade raspberry seltzer (light on the raspberry) to drink. It was so refreshing.
Larbs and I each got a cup of carrot-coconut soup. It was great too – lots of flavor but not cream based so it was lighter.
And we split the best sandwich of 2008 thus far: a Portobello Mozzarella Pesto Panini! It. was. so. good!!!!!!!!!!
My half –
And because I’ve seen Cristin at Eat Like Me eat these Flour “Granola Bars” for a year now, I had to see what they were all about!
We got one and each had a 1″ sliver (brought the rest home for Larbs’ Matt)
It was quite good, but Larbs and I both agreed that if we’re going to have a dessert this rick we’d like either chocolate or icing to be involved.
You can guess the first tourist attraction I wanted to visit: Whole Foods!! Not only do we not have one in Charlotte, but the plans to get one aren’t looking good (we were supposed to get one in 2006 but the real estate fell through). It’s just so much more packed with brands than EarthFare is…
I had 2 samples – a cookie (who can turn free cookies down!?) and some dried/crunch green beans that were awesome! I looked for the PB Cookie LaraBar – no luck. And of course I wanted to buy tons of things but have to fly home 🙁
We’ve already done over an hour of walking today, and have plans to walk 3 miles to Harvard Square for dinner! I’m sure getting in good exercise. Walking is the best (and probably worst, at times) part of city living 🙂
Vicky says
Hi Kath! Hope you’re having fun in Boston, and that you enjoy Harvard Square (I’ve lived in Harvard Square for 5 years now!) — there are tons of great restaurants and shops! Since you love chocolate, you’ll have to stop by Burdick’s chocolate… hands down the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had. =)
Christie says
Boston is great I wish I could be there right now.. I know you are going to have a blast enjoy your time!
Meg says
Kath,
Welcome to Boston!
I’m a reader of your blog but have held off on commenting until now, but I have to tell you:
If you want to find PB Cookie Larabars in the Boston area, head to the Whole Foods in Hingham, MA (you’ll need a car). It’s about a 30 minute drive, and the Whole Foods is right off exit 15 in the Derby Street Shoppes.
I’ve been trying to find them for MONTHS in Boston/Cambridge, but no luck. In Hingham, I finally found them, and they’re DELICIOUS!
Vicky says
Oh! I forgot to mention, if you haven’t made plans for dinner yet Rialto Restaurant is my absolute favorite (http://www.rialto-restaurant.com/home/) and located in the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square. Harvest (http://www.harvestcambridge.com/) is also a good choice.
Tina says
Kath! Were you at the WF by Symphony?!?!! I was just there this afternoon!
GB says
Hey Kath, or any other readers,
I would like to make the baked oatmeal tommorow for breakfast but I don’t have much time to assemble ingredients. I was wondering if I could put all the ingredients into a baking dish tonight and cover it and let it sit in the fridge until I bake it in the morning?? would it turn out the same? Thanks for your help!
jayne says
i’m going to dinner tonight in harvard square too! at upstairs on the square! but Harvest is fantastic! and vicky is right… rialto is AMAZING!
and you must visit the new jp licks in harvard…
no no wait… go to Berryline!!! It’s REAL frozen yogurt… like frozen plain nonfat… and you can get all sorts of delicious toppings. It’s on arrow st. it’s a must.
http://www.theberryline.com/
Stephanie says
Hey Kath!
I have a challenge for you while you’re loving on Whole Foods: inquire if they employ any RDs, and if so, at what level and what is their role. My Food Service Management class took a “field trip” to Whole Foods last year (which is funny cause they’re all over Seattle) and we really grilled our tour guide about where they get their produce/meat/grains/etc from because some of it is a bit deceiving. For example, their meats aren’t really grass-fed, but they call them “fresh range”, which the guy couldn’t answer what that really meant.
Anyways, we were told that they DON’T employ RDs at any level in the company (including corporate!) and I was shocked… And saw an open door…… Have fun!
HangryPants says
Hope you have a great time. The sandwich looks delicious!
Elaine says
Hi Kath,
This is my first time commenting, but I have to say that your blog is wonderful. It is well organized, has beautiful pictures, and influences people to live in a healthy way, but not TOO healthy. I like the fact that you show that you treat yourself to desserts and “splurge” once in a while. My question, however, is what your opinion is of HungryGirl.com. My niece who has “issues” with food reads that site and I do not know if will influence her in such a healthy way. She is young and growing and HungryGirl seems to care mainly about eating very low-calorie and not always the most nutritious of foods. I personally do not think that that site can influence her in any positive way besides making her even more calorie conscious than she already is. She should be calorie conscious, yet still be able to enjoy food, not be scared of it. Therefore, I am wondering what you think of HungryGirl.com since you are obviously more qualified than me in this respect.
Thanks Kath! You look so young and healthy!
Toni Jo says
I live in Harvard Square!! I hope I have a Kath sighting!!
VeggieGirl says
WHOLE FOODS!!!!!! My second home.
Meg says
Elaine:
I agree with you about Hungrygirl.com. It sketches me out how they’re always pushing what’s low calorie and low fat, even when things are full of fake sugar and additives. Also I’ve known quite a few people with eating disorders who frequent the site, which doesn’t surprise me.
Vicky says
Wow, it seems like a lot of readers live in the Boston/Cambridge area! (I ate at Upstairs on the Square last weekend!) Hope you all are enjoying the lovely weather (I plan to celebrate by having mojitos on the roof deck at Daedalus 🙂 )
Lauren says
Elaine and Meg, I also share your concerns about Hungrygirl.com. I think some of the tips/meal ideas are very valuable, but others just seem bizarre to me–she’ll encourage you to eat Better Than Peanut Butter as opposed to real peanut butter (“too much fat,” apparently), although Better Than Peanut Butter is loaded with sugar and has little nutritional value. That’s just one example, but one I really remember, because it just seemed so absurd to me! It’s definitely important to remember that, just because a food or meal is low-cal or low-fat, that doesn’t automatically make that food or meal healthy.
Elaine, have you ever talked to your neice about your concerns? Maybe she just needs to hear from someone she looks up to that, like you said, being health-conscious is a wonderful thing, but shouldn’t impede upon your ability to enjoy real, good food.
Kath says
Vicky ,
Thanks for the recs. I think we have our meals all planned out, but I’m telling them to my sister for future dinners.
Tina ,
YES!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU WERE THERE!!
GB ,
You could mix all the dry ingredients and then just add wet in the morning. If you mix them early, it will reduce the cooking time because some of the liquid will soak up.
jayne + Toni Jo,
Ya’ll know what I look like – don’t be shy if you see me!
Stephanie ,
Interesting about the fudging of claims. I would LOOOOVE to work at a grocery store. They are my favorite kind of stores!
Elaine ,
Welcome to KERF 🙂 I like HG but I don’t really read her anymore because I thought there was too much emphasis on processed foods… cool whip, fat free this and that, etc. But I think she does open eyes about the amount of calories in some restaurant dishes and has some creative recipes. I would just try to emphasize eating healthy in general, and HG as a way to get creative with desserts and stuff and not as “the way to eat.”
Kath
Betsy says
you really need to get your butt to nyc-asap.
and i love flying into laguardia-the views of the city are fantastic. i always try to find my apartment!
a reason not to come to nyc-our whole foods never have samples. never ever ever. it’s stupid. but they do have pb larabars.
CourtneyS says
Can I make a plug for my local Whole Foods on Beacon Hill? It’s right next to Coldstone…
So glad you’re enjoying our beautiful city. And all the other Boston readers are reminding me of places I haven’t been in ages! Enjoy the rest of your day.
Megan E. says
Hi Kath! I’ve never commented before (though I read the blog daily) but I just have to jump in because I live in Boston and picked up the Peanut Butter Cookie LaraBars last night at Trader Joe’s! I bought a whole bunch even though I hadn’t tried the PB Cookie yet since they seem to be in such high demand. Anyway, it’s the TJ’s in Back Bay (on Boylston street). If you do any shopping on Newbury, you’ll be right in that area.
Caity says
My best friend just opened a new restaurant in Harvard Square called “Crema Cafe”. It’s right on Brattle Street on the busiest corner. You should stop in! It has the best coffee I’ve ever had and the grilled chicken sandwich is amazing. Any one else who lives in Cambridge or Boston should check it out too!
jill says
I second your point about city walking! I live in a big city and walking is all we do. It really adds up.
Alyssa says
Those granola bars do look like dessert! They look really good too 🙂 I hope the trip goes well and is fun!
ModelBehavior says
Jeez everyone keeps throwing in there tips on the great places to go in Boston, makes me want to go there too!
JenP says
Caity-
I went to Crema a few weeks ago. Their potato and leek soup was delicious!
Sammie says
Welcome Kath!!! So glad you had a safe flight. Enjoy the city this evening.
Brooke says
I also just found the peanut butter cookie LaraBars at TJs, but I found them at the one on memorial drive in Cambridge. You better stop by TJs before you leave!
magpie says
Boston is so beautiful – enjoy your stay 🙂
Your sandwich looks amazing and it’s giving me inspiration for the creative sandwich contest… Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!
christine says
YUMMY sandwhich………
I love to read your blog everyday. You eat the most yummy looking foods.
Did you see in Create and Barrel that they have differnt colored spoons…Fun FUn
Rose says
Kath – hope you enjoy Boston! It looks like you’ve already gotten some tasty treats. I can’t wait to read more!
PS: I am going to pass any food info regarding Boston onto my boyfriend… He’s going there for a conference next week.
BethT says
I have a box of those Late July cookies right now….the dark chocolate flavor, YUMMMMMM!
KJC says
Well, a Whole Foods store in Austin, Texas, does not employ an RD but they do make available the services of a “Certified Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach” to their customers (rolling eyes now).
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/lamar/nutrition.html
Frankly, it does not surprise me one bit that WF would employ this type of nutrition ‘professional’ (i.e holistic nutritionist) as these are exactly the type of people that would recommend WF to their clients. The entire Whole Foods premise is based on the quasi-science that these ‘nutritionists’ promote. A perfect match!
goalie30 says
You’re in Boston?!! I’m SO jealous! I went to Boston College, ’02 alumni!! Stop at JP Licks on Harvard Ave for homemade frozen yogurt treat, I PROMISE you will NOT be disappointed!
Have a great time!
hk says
Yum, Flour does rock 🙂 I’m so bummed – boo to the reunion bust on my part, ENJOY!!
yum, Harvest in Cambridge is delish (right on Brattle near EMS). Have SO SO SO much fun, the weather is beautiful 🙂
emily says
That’s funny that you mentioned city = walking = wonderful; I just got back from a long Central Park walk with my husband. I grew up on an island and you could not really walk anywhere so it is one of my favorite things about the states!
Molly says
Caity- I freaking love Crema Cafe. I work in Harvard Sq and go there for sometimes to treat myself to her amazing pastries. It is so cute!
Kath, welcome to Boston!!
babycakes says
aww Kath I’m so sorry you didn’t find the PB larabars! It’s strange because the 3 Boston-area WFs I shop at regularly all carry the flavor. Keep looking! So glad you’re enjoying your stay here! I keep hoping I’ll bump into you 🙂
Grounded Fitness says
wow, i didnt realize you dont have a whole foods in your neck of the woods. i love whole foods- i could spend a whole day there. and a whole paycheck, too 😉
www.everygymsnightmare.com
Kristie says
That seriously looks like the greatest sandwich EVER. And I’m very jealous of your Whole Foods trip. I’m jealous of anyone who is able to have access to a Whole Foods. If only…
Too bad you couldn’t stock up on a ton of stuff!
Rachel says
Have a great trip!
Nicole says
Not sure what part of Boston you’re staying in, but there are PB Cookie Lara Bars at the TJ’s right on Beacon in Brookline, not too far from Fenway if you head over there (which of course you must visit!!!).
Another Kelly says
I second the whole foods in Beacon Hill although the whole foods in Woburn is my favorite. It is HUGE and has a lovely gelato bar and huge prepared food areas. Here are my foodie recommendations:
*Mike’s Pastry in the North End
*Figs either in Charlestown (my turf…yay!) or in Beacon Hill – It’s by far my favorite pizza place. I love to share a pizza with my BF that is half portabello & half red sox. Yum.
*Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge – Hands down the best cheese/gourmet store in Boston. I love to buy their meats and cheeses and bring them as a picnic to the nearby Fresh Pond. The owner is extremely knowledgeable and travels all over to pick cheeses. Plus they have the oldest cheese cave in the US.
*Farnhams in Essex, MA – Great little authentic clam shack. I love to get the salad with lobster on top. They are QUITE generous.
*Christina’s for ice cream – don’t get me wrong I love JP Licks, but Christina’s has more unusual flavors.
Another Kelly says
Oh and Om is fun too. The bar area gets crowded but the atmosphere is fun.
caitlin (see bride run) says
that panini looks freaking amazing!
have fun on your trip!
babycakes says
Another Kelly,
The WF in Woburn is my second home. I’m there 2-3 times per week! 🙂
Megan says
Sounds like your having a great time in Boston! Wholefoods, a good lunch and lots of walking seems like a perfect vacation to me 😀 ENJOY!!
Ali says
Your trip sounds awesome! Your sandwich looks soo good I am going to have to try that soon!
🙂 Have fun!
Christy says
I am a HUGE proponent of Lara Bars but I have say I was disappointed with the PB Cookie bar. It was a lot drier and more crumbly than their other bars. And they flavor was too subtle. It wasn’t sweet, it wasn’t salty, it was blah. 🙁 But I know that you have to try it for yourself. Maybe I just got a bad batch!
NY looks amazing from the sky! I swear, the more I read your blog, the more I see that our husbands are so similar! Mine does the same silly things for me too. Gotta love em.
Claire says
Like some other comments…I also found the pb larabars at trader Joes on boylston st!! The whole foods in beacon hill is WAY better…I live in the south end and still treck to that one over symphony. And I went to flour today too! I love the portobello pesto panini but got the hummus one today..I hope you are loving boston, it was such a beautiful day!
emily says
*Ali* I just glanced at your blog and got all excited and it made me curious; how many other readers are teachers?
I feel like we have a whole ‘nother set of life challenges!
Amy says
Emily,
I’m a teacher!! I’ve been meaning to mention that ever since I read your comment about having just finished your first year of teaching (that was you, right?) because I just started my first year of teaching first grade last week & yes–it’s a whole other set of challenges and always an adventure! I’m finding that it takes me about 2/3 of the day to finish my cup of coffee from the morning. It’s definitely not a job that breeds boredom–what grade do you teach?
Eric says
Kath,
Love the blog. And, being a new Charlotte resident, I look forward to reading what you’ve written about here. Also, because I saw how much you liked those fried green beans–Trader Joe’s has them in Charlotte. My partner and I get a bag every time we go. Delicious.
Cheers,
-E
Kath says
Eric ,
Welcome to KERF! I’ll have to look for those beans! Do you know when the Charlottetown Ave. TJ’s is opening?
Kath
runjess says
We have the original WF in Austin. It’s…not possible to find parking.
emily says
*Amy – That was me! I teach 8th grade (my school had me move up a year with my kids) English in East New York. I start my 2nd year next week! Other than busy how has your 1st year been?
Valene Dumez says
Interesting post. If you’re in Boston and looking for a great Italian restaurant, you’ve got to try Strega Waterfront, it’s awesome. Check them out: http://www.stregawaterfront.com