New Years day I had the joy of partaking in my third blogger meet up. I was able to sit and chat with Holly for over two hours!! She is just as gorgeous and lively as her blog portrays, and she is also very patient. I got lost on my way to Starbucks and drove to the wrong one.
Holly knew how to make an impression because not only was our conversation wonderful, she also brought me a treat. Anyone that brings me treats gets an instant spot in my circle. Make it a vegan, GF treat and you get top spot. This apple spice like cake has sweet potatoes and two different gluten free flours. It was delicious and tasted like fall!
No patience, had to bite it before the photo.
If anyone is interested in transitioning to a plant based lifestyle Holly has a new e-book out with tips and tricks and even some recipes! Check it out here.
After we grabbed coffee and parted ways, I decided to explore the area. I went to Whole Foods, World Market, and best of all..I found an amazing restaurant called True Food Kitchen. Upon walking in the doors it was as if the wind blew my hair back and I heard voices whispering, “Brittany, you’re finally here.” The drool was forming before I even sat down. If I lived here, I would apply to work at this place immediately.
Juicing like a boss
Fruit everywhere, veggies everywhere, earthy tones, grassy plants, bearded waiters..I sat at the bar to place a “to go” order and watched juice be made, fruits being chopped, and people buzzing loudly. While I waited for my order I was given an orange.
It looked like this, except PACKED with people.
Arrow points to what I ordered. With a GF pita bun.
Sadly my kale salad was served with Parmesan cheese, and even when I tried to pick around the cheese the dressing tasted like a Caesar and I ended up not eating it. The sandwich more than made up for the lack of kale though, even for a whopping $12.
This tempeh was AMAZING.
I had a blast blindly roaming the area and discovering new to me places. Today I fly back to Washington, and Tuesday I go back to slangin lattes at Starbucks. I had a wonderful vacation, and I am now bracing myself for the colder temps.
Q: Do you like to explore areas you are unfamiliar with? Most of the time yes, unless I am on foot and my magic wand is broken..I need that for protection.
Blissfulbritt 
44 thoughts on “Exploring the Area”
Nicole Marie Story
OMG that TLT sounds just like Whole Food’s Vegan BLT! Divine and I’m craving it right now!!! I love your pretty meet-up. And I love to explore! Business has me pretty tied at the moment, but when the opportunity exists in the foreseeable future, G-money and I shall capitalise on it! Mwah!
Brittany
I am so happy you said G-money. SO so so happy. The TLT made me want to dance naked in the streets.
Life After Swimming
Yay for blogger meetups! Always a guaranteed good time 🙂
Laura
Blogger meet-ups are awesome – glad she waited for ya! This restaurant looks perfect! We need more like this in ND!
alexvegginout
Blogger meet-ups are so much fun! I’ve only done one, but hopefully there will be more in the future!! (Perhaps even one in Seattle someday?! 😉 )
That restaurant looks incredible. I love “fresh” places like that, but there aren’t very many where I live or go to school. I know there are lots in Portland, I just don’t get there that often!
Brittany
We are SO close to each other when you’re in school that we must make this happen someday!
pickyrunner
WOooo love blogger meet ups. Aka our own is happening SO SOON (kinda)! I love when you find a place that just feels right. It seems like this vacation has been that for you!
Brittany
I CAN’T WAIT FOR OUR MEETUP!
Life's a Bowl
That bread sounds delicious! I’ve never tried tempeh so it sounds… Tempt-eh-ing? 😛 I love exploring and just booked my tickets to AZ this morning for April so there’s a lot of exploring to be done!
cleaneatingveggiegirl
That TLT looks SO good!! I am in love with tempeh :).
Britta
Ughhh I want that sandwich! I have been stuffing my face with all things non-healthy.. dang. What a fun meet up! I wannnaaaaaaaa!!! Burrrrrrrr its freezing today, so make sure you are READY for some cold temps! So glad you’ve been having a great time!! 😀
Nicole @ FruitnFitness
How fun to get to meet up with The gift bearing holly! I love exploring new places, that restaurant looks so fun and your meal looks wonderful! One of my favorite things when in new places is trying new foods.
Davida @The Healthy Maven
That TLT!!! I need to explore Toronto to find me one that looks as good as that one! In general I just need to explore more of Toronto.
Change of Pace
Love that you met another blogging buddy. Hopefully we’ll meet one day!
That place looks and sounds awesome! I’m always surprised at vegetarian restaurants when they randomly serve cheese in places it doesn’t need to be and don’t mention there’s cheese on it when you order. Oh well, glad the sandwich was so tasty!
I love to explore new places, although I’m terrible with directions! If I’m by myself, I have to take serious mental notes so I don’t get lost!
Brittany
I would LOVE to meet you someday, we must make this happen!! 🙂 I was bummed about the cheese, but I didn’t let it ruin my meal!! NO WAY! I’m pretty bad with directions too, but my iPhone has saved me many times with the maps. HA!
Rach @ This Italian Family
Aww sounds like you two ladies were just made to be friends! So glad you guys had fun! And I love that you discovered this other place! It sounds so cool! I LOVE being in new places and finding new things! 🙂
P
Blogger meet-ups seriously sound like so much fun :)!
That TLT is so droolworthy too!!
Amy
You’re so brave to just go out exploring on your own! I always need a plan and/or buddy before I venture out into an unknown area. You’re inspiring! That totally looks and sounds like your kind of place, and I can picture you working there already. If you ever move to AZ, you should do it! 🙂
Have a safe trip home, and stay warm!!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Such a bummer about the kale salad. I would have totally eaten the cheese for you. I’m glad to hear they had a wind fan at the restaurant entrance. Those always make me feel like I have arrived. 😉
jessielovestorun
Inside out Quinoa burger… say what!! I want one. Something else I want would be to meet you! One day it will happen.. I promise!!!
Brittany
YES!! I would adore seeing your lively smile in person. I sound like a total creep saying that, but it’s true!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
So when I pick you up from the airport…. I will be sure to bring you a penis shaped treat. too much? LMFAO!
Brittany
IT MUST BE FILLED WITH SUGAR AND TOPPED WITH CREAM!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
PARMASEAN CHEESE MUST DIE. DIE I TELL YOU! I have a very gory way of KILLING IT TOO – would you like to know how this would go down?!?!
kathy @ vodka and soda
first off, you are really making me jealous with your blogger meet ups and NOT MEETING ME. what’s that about? HMPH.
and it’s too bad about the kale salad; but if i were there, i would have eaten it for you. you’re welcome. NOW COME TO BBM and quit toying with us!!!
Matt @ Runner Savvy
They just opened a True Food Kitchen in Dallas and I’ve been dying to try it!
Brittany
YOU MUST GO! You will LOVE it!
willrunforpizza
I LOVE exploring areas and eating at the local places! I love it even MORE with my hubby because he will ask more questions than I will…to strangers, asking about the area and stuff. But through the years, I’ve gotten better with learning how to explore and ask questions!
Megan
What donkeys!! Giving a vegan flower child cheese and anchovies… DUMMIES. I’m jealous of your blogger meet up. She is awesome for bringing you a treat!! I’m not nearly that creative nor do I own any baking supplies outside of a kitchenaid. And yes, you can call me dora.
Brittany
I see what you did there…Dora the exploraaa!
Sarah @ Feeeding the Brain and Body
I love exploring new areas, it is the best way to find new places and make new memories. In fact I even enjoy exploring old areas haha. That meal looks great, tempeh is one of my favorite vegetarian foods I live the tangy taste. … it reminds me of cheese.
katalysthealth
That’s so awesome that you got to have a little meet up!! Ive only had two so far…Id love to meet more…ahem, that’s a subtle way of me telling you to get your booty over here!! 😉
Holly Yzquierdo (@MyPlantBasedFam)
Meeting up was fun! You are totally worth the wait! The funny thing about True Food Kitchen is that is the place I had my last blogger meetup when I was right next to the blogger but couldn’t find her. If it was busy then you understand. 🙂 Until next time!
Brittany
How funny!! YES I can clearly see the confusion, it was wild in there (in a good way!)
A Tablespoon of Liz
That looks like such a fun restaurant, the menu looks amazing. I like how they gave you an orange while you were waiting…. Who needs a bread basket?
sincerelylily
yayyy this is such a ‘brittany’ place to eat. love it. and how fun to meet up with new friends 🙂 exploring new places is the best…. generally if i travel to a new area, i try to stick to ‘local’ places for food, rather than chains. you are there so might as well try it!!
sincerelylily
oh PS so happy WE TALKED ON THE PHONE FOR REAL. CALL ME ANYTIMEEEEEE.
karla @ finding my fit
theres not many bloggers around my parts as far as i’m aware. and even if there were i’m a hermit in the winter 😉
that restaurant looks delicious. this whole paleo experience is doing wonders for my mind/body so I want to find more health conscious restaurants around here!
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Amy @ A Desert Girl
That place looks great! And how fun that you got to go on a blate while you were on vacation.
I like to explore – but I’m terrible with directions, so I have to feel pretty comfortable with my surroundings or I’ll get myself so lost.
luminousvegans
That sammich looks amazing! I love that they gave you an orange while you waited. One of my favorite places to eat in Atlanta offers orange slices after dinner instead of the usual mints or fortune cookies (which usually aren’t vegan). And how exciting to meet up with a blogger in real life! I too am immediately smitten with anyone who brings me vegan treats 🙂
PNWRunner
Oooooh I am jealous! That apple spice cake looks to die for. I just felt my stomach growl. Have a safe trip back my dear! The weather is nice and chilly as usual!
di @ life of di.
Oh my! That apple spice cake looks SO good. I wonder if the recipe is on her blog…hmm… Also the True Food Kitchen sounds like a delicious restaurant. I’ve stilled never tried tempeh but I’m interested in doing so.
Lauren
Just wrote down the ingredients for that sandwich on my shopping list – OMG YUM!!!