“Food is music to the body, and music is food to the heart.” – Gregory David Roberts
Portland speaks to my soul in ways that Seattle cannot. Earthy, life loving/free spirited people on every corner draw me in with their vegan treats and plant based eats. I’ve made a habit of visiting new places each time I visit, and after spending last Thursday/Friday in the Rose City I can cross five more places off my list.
.a.n.d cafe.
After driving for three hours, tummy monster on empty, I was ready to devour coffee and carbs. The place was adorable.
I knew what I wanted before I arrived, and to set the theme for this post (and for my life) I couldn’t choose just one. So I had two.
Berries and “cream” waffle and the vegano burrito. So much yes.
Stop number one complete.
.arlene schnitzer concert hall.
The reason I went to Portland was to have my soul serenaded once again by my favorite artist. This time with the Oregon Symphony.
What I would give to harvest a garden with Gregory Alan Isakov. Swoon.
Went to concert. Slept. Woke up hungover on life and ran to the nearest Stumptown Coffee in brand new Nike Free’s that cost far too much, but with no tax it was OK.
Savored coffee in the Ace Hotel lobby, and momentarily life was perfect.
.petunias pies and pastries.
Drank coffee, ate oatmeal, & prepared for sugar coma. Salted caramel cookie square and raspberry lemon coffee cake.
Post sugar influx, I ensured much walking was done. I’m a belieber of my new Nike’s. Never thought I would say that, but man do I love those shoes.
.garden bar.
First attempt to balance the sugar. It worked. For 1/11th the price of those Nike’s you can build your own salad with as many greens as you want, and 6 toppings.
Sold.
Or just eat the outdoor plants.
.back to eden bakery.
Walked around downtown, endured the rain, felt the addiction creeping back through each vein and migrated to my final destination.
$25 dollars later…
I have no words. Thankfully there were three of us and we saved some for later.
Food and music fueled my two day trip to Portland. Until next time, it’s time for water and greens. I’m officially a walking glucose molecule.
Q: Where was your last adventure?
Blissfulbritt 
72 thoughts on “Body and Heart Music”
georginadunks
Holy jealousy. I LOVE Gregory Allen Isakov, no one else I talk to even knows who he is. Sad sad sad, for them. Your little adventure looked wonderful. What a nice mid January break 🙂
Brittany
Omg I know!!! I’m in awe EVERY TIME I tell someone about him they have no idea who he is. I’d say who I was going to see and no one knew him. So sad, but he continues to gain a following and both shows were 100% sold out so YAY FOR THAT!
Josh dV
Fun trip! You look ridiculously happy holding that cup of coffee. It’s OK…I get it.
Brittany
It was my first cup of the day, and it was around 10:30. I was so happy.
allisonfiorini
You and your delicious food pictures! I have got to stop reading your blog right before lunch because my stomach is RUMBLING now, haha! I love it so much. Never stop posting (or eating) your delicious food finds. Also, I’d give my left arm for that cupcake or whoopie pie in your last picture. I’m a little hangry.
Brittany
Dude that whoopie pie was unreal. So soft and light. Pumpkin flavored too, because pumpkin should never die out after October/November. Haha.
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life
BRB going to rent an apartment above Back To Eden Bakery. ZOMG.
Brittany
For real though, and the employees were so nice.
Lacey
UGH I love Portland so much! Went there for the first time this last summer and I want to go back forever haha – We went to .a.n.d cafe and had a pumpkin spice waffle – so good – and lots of yummy treats at back to eden! If you haven’t been there already, check out Dove Vivi Pizza for their cornmeal crust pizza (their two vegan pizzas are to die for – one has corn and cashew cheese and one has tofu ricotta, roasted eggplant and caramelized onions – get both. Add the tomatoes), and Blossoming Lotus for their brunch – the Vegan Monte Cristo is insane. Okay time for me to go back!
Brittany
Omg!!! That pizza sounds divine! I’ve been to Blossoming Lotus and I loveee. We were going to try to make it back there, but I wanted to go to Back to Eden instead. 😂
Kelsey
No super recent adventures; I did go to a vegan juice and smoothie place with my sister in the Twin Cities that was pretty amazing. I have big dreams of visiting my best friend down there some random weekend so we can try all the fun places.
Brittany
I love that dream, make it a reality! 🙂
Angie
Everything looked DELISH. That waffle! Yum. I’ll have to check out .a.n.d cafe next time I’m there. My last adventure with food was at Bananarchy, a frozen banana truck in Austin. I had the Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie Banana. Let’s just say I was in heaven! I also tried vegan kolach for the first time — sweet and savory — at Bistro Vonish, also in Austin. Very scrumptious.
Brittany
Banana truck!! I must find one.
fionajarrett
No adventures lately but a few in the works… You did those bakeries proud 😉 Hope you had a great time!
Brittany
Yay for upcoming adventures!
Anthony
Awesome food and rambling adventure.
Brittany
It was indeed!
Jade
My last adventure was also to Portland but we didn’t explore any vegan places. I’m sad! But I’m marking all of these down for when I go again. Now I just need a car and someone to go with lol
Brittany
It is a vegan haven my friend!
ingrid
I so badly want a vegano burrito … and a salted caramel cookie square !!! 😍
Brittany
I want moreeee.
Ellie
Yum! Take me with you! I love all thing treats! Nike Frees hmmm? Are you cheating on your vibrams?
Brittany
I’m cheating! I purchased the Nike’s for walking, however I did run about a mile in them and they felt good which never happens for me with regular shoes.
show all history (@showallhistory)
OMG those waffles!!!
I love this blog!
-brett
showallhistory.com
Brittany
I dream about that waffle…
dave379
Love the living wall art in the a.n.d shot 🙂 I’ve got a variation on the theme in my apartment. All the treats look good too.
Brittany
I adored the plants in the mason jars! One day I shall have something similar too!
Heather
That Salted caramel cookie thing= amazing. Did you mean to say belieber? I don’t picture you as a Justin Beiber fan, but no judgement! I seriously want to go on a food trip with you. Like, for real.
Brittany
I did….I did….and I confess. I’m a fan 🙈🙈🙈🙈. Only after his latest album release though, I cannot deny the catchy vibes.
Heather
I love learning new things about you 🙂
Amy @ A Desert Girl
You made quite the tour of fun places in Portland. Good thing you had those non-free Nike Frees. 😜 So glad you got to go to the concert and hear your guy again. And eat all the delicious eats – naturally!
Brittany
Bahaha I like your Nike pun. They definitely helped with the cold, all I brought were sandals. 🙈
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I haven’t had any snazzy food adventures in a while, but I’ve been doing some hiking in the river valley here, so I guess that counts? Especially the one time I came across a coyote and we both just kind of stared at each other not knowing what to do 😆 But seriously… I’ve always wanted to visit Portland. Sounds like such a snazzy place to visit.
Brittany
Omg…you brave soul. I would have been freaked by that coyote!
Jess @hellotofit
I have one-at-a-time food adventures, but I need to combine some together into one epic partaaaay
Brittany
One at a time is better for the body, but multiple is better for the soul. Constant battle hahaha.
Rach @ This Italian Family
Oooh it looks like you had so much fun! And ate well too! 😉
Brittany
The only things I know how to do without fail! 😝
The Zen Kat
I love that first quote! Oh my cookie bar. This adventure looks deliciously amazing!
Brittany
I’m drooling at the thought of it. That quote was written by a guy that was an ex cocaine addict apparently! He became an author and voila! Haha.
usabaker
Look yummy! I’ll have to look for places out here. I’ve been off meat except for white chicken and turkey meat for a few months now.
doctors orders, so its been a challenge to keep my tummy and taste buds happy. Mostly because I don’t know what i’m doing.
Brittany
Story of my life. I’ve been playing stomach scientist for a while now. Those treats didn’t help, but they were good for my soul. Haha.
P
I want to go to all of those restaurants! The dessert assortment in the last picture though—you did well!
Brittany
I couldn’t choose!’ 🙈
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I don’t know about you but I see a nice little blend of sweet treats and delicious eats. I’m so glad you had such a wonderful trip. Portland really is a cool city. I need to go back.
Brittany
It’s so lovely, I adore the vibes. When you visit I’ll come to you haha.
Angela
…..And, now my mouth is watering!!! Everything looks sooooo good. What a fun trip! xo
Brittany
It was a blast, and I daydream about those treats. 🙈
stateeats
Looks like so much fun. I too can hardly bypass a bakery. Sugar doesn’t count on vacation, right? -Kat
Brittany
I sure hope not! 😝
whostardis
stop it right now with all these amazing looking food pictures. that waffle and burrito look too good to be healthy i think your making it up 😉 salted caramel square, you couldnt walk past that!
Brittany
I never said healthy! Hahaha, although I’m sure the burritos nutrition stats weren’t too bad.
familyrulesbyplainjane
I think I just got a food coma by proxy. Whew! That salted caramel square had me drooling.
Latest food adventure had little in common with yours–discovered roasted barley tea and am drinking it right now to stay warm after an epic snow storm.
Brittany
Ohh what an interesting tea!
familyrulesbyplainjane
It is weirdly good. On the one hand bland but on the other hand there is really something comforting and yummy about it.
Bradley on the Run
I love Portland. I want to eat ALL THE FOOD. Your photos are amazing – I have that one of the manhole cover, too. Unfortunately, until the Canadian dollar recovers a bit, no US travels (other than what we’ve already committed to…). I’ll live vicariously through you!
Brittany
I’ll be sure to keep going on adventures so I can share! 🙂
Nicole Marie Story
The waffle and burrito look DIVINE. I’ve been craving blueberry-stuffed vegan pancakes from my local vegan eatery, but I have yet to get them!! I was on the verge yesterday but opted for the “cheesy” burrito and mushroom soup and mushroom almond SAUSAGE!!!! My last adventure? To the enchanted forest with G money. Check my blog to see her zooming through the snow. xoxoxoxo
Brittany
Oh my, those pancakes sound life changing. I’ve been obsessed with waffles lately, but only have them once every blue moon or I’d surely turn into one! Enchanted forest whoooo!!
Jessica
I would love to go adventuring with you – good food, good music and awesome sights!
My last adventure was in Indiana last weekend for a 48 hour adventure race. Hours in the woods searching for check points.
Brittany
That sounds both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. You are the coolest person I know.
Atheria
You are making me want to move back to Portland!
Brittany
So much fun! 😝
katalysthealth
UGH – why aren’t there any cute places like this is my new town? Or maybe I just haven’t found them yet. But seriously, I have to do so much baking and cooking because everything here is either Chinese food [which is good – but not gluten free] or large chain restaurants. I want neat hole in the wall places!!
Brittany
TBH I always feel better when making my own treats anyway. 😝
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Oh my goodness, all of the food looks amazing! I want that waffle right now. I’ve been considering taking a trip to Portland sometime this year. I’ve never been there and I think that it would suit my hippy dippy plant-based eating self well! 🙂
Brittany
YES! It’s wonderful in the summer months. You must visit at least once.
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Allie Zottola
Well, now I want to go to Portland… thanks a lot ;). It seems so cute there… unique and foodie friendly. And coffee lover friendly. Also, yay for new shoes! They make a world of difference. I always forget that some states have tax on clothing! PA doesn’t, but when my family from NY comes down, they’re always like “We must shop. No taxes!!” haha.
Brittany
I think you’d adore Portland! I love the no tax thing bahah.
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