Monday, May 28, 2012

Seven Snaps! 5/19/12 - 5/25/12

I love this old train car. I give it a little nod every time I pass by on the Caltrain.

Cherry pitting carnage!

Pine Cone Cafe - Point Reyes, CA

Boardwalk! (P.S. This here's an oldie from my last trip to Santa Cruz)

Who knew such a thing existed? Fruit is so awesome.

Thank you, INDEED!
Is there any other kind?
In other news, I did end up making a batch of cherry kombucha this week, but drank it all greedily before taking any pictures. Which really just gives me an excuse to make it again, yes? It was scrumptious.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tasting Notes: GT's Cherry Chia Kombucha

My feelings toward this Cherry Chia Kombucha from GT's are not unlike my feelings for Jersey Shore: equal parts curiosity, fascination, disgust, and cringing awkwardness. This is cherry flavored kombucha...with things floating in it. I approach things in my kombucha that are not either a) the scoby, b) fruit, or c) bubbles with a healthy caution.


Have you heard of chia seeds? Apparently they are powerhouses of nutritional awesomeness. Enough omega-3s, fiber, and protein are packed in these sesame-sized seeds to make your mama happy. Flax seeds, take a hike.

Chia seeds also develop a viscous coating when mixed with liquids, hence the gravity-defying suspension act in this kombucha. This quality is put to good use in things like smoothies, puddings, and vegan baked goods. But something I enjoy swigging by the pint? Especially a fizzy drink like kombucha?

An informed opinion cannot be gained by looking at the bottle. Let's taste test!

Verdict: ...Meh?

The cherry flavor was excellent. Cherries are my most favorite fruit of all time and it's so disappointing when they are poorly represented in other forms. I'm happy to report that the cherry flavor here was tart and fresh and a just the right amount of sweet. Spot on. Now that cherries are nearly back in season, I will definitely need to try making some cherry kombucha of my own.

The chia seeds were...weird. You don't chew them, though instinct says that you should. There's just something deeply strange about taking a sip of something cold and fizzy, and then feeling hundreds of semi-gelatinous blobs slip over your tongue and down your throat before you have time to process what is happening. It's awkward in an alien invasion kind of way.

Bottom line: the flavor is great, but the odd texture just doesn't do it for me. Sorry, GT's. I tried. I love bubble tea, I love crunchy seed-filled muffins, I love kombucha. But I just don't love chia seeds here.

Have you tried any of these chia-filled kombuchas from GT's? What do you think of them?


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Seven Snaps: Double Dose Edition! 5/5/12 - 5/18/12

Hog Island Oysters! Turns out my stomach fits about 2 dozen oysters.

Lagunitas' gueuze is one of my favorite beers of all time. It's like boozy kombucha and I can't get enough of it.

The view from our kick-ass cottage on Tomales Bay. Mini-vacation for the win!

I have yet to see the Golden Gate Bridge un-fogged.

Princess and the Pea, obviously.

A tumble of popovers.

BFF.

New York! I was in town for our annual Apartment Therapy retreat. This is the (somewhat rainy) view from our NY offices.

At a very intense panel discussion about the Business of Blogging, and all I could focus on was this onion dip.

Horchata break with my Kitchn cohort Cambria!

Former bread company, current...armless statuary store?

Getting some stir-fry knowledge with the venerable Grace Young. (With Faith behind the camera!)

So long, New York!

Can't wait to dig into this one.
The manuscript is in, a mini-vacation to Tomales Bay has been enjoyed, a work trip to New York has been whirl-winded. I'm looking forward to a spot of calm for a few days...And then I will tackle the utter chaos that is my kitchen after this past year of brewing frenzy. May the force be with me.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Seven Snaps! 4/28/12 - 5/4/12


Baseball season is afoot!

This made me laugh. A lot.

Serious cocktail time

This woman had the most amazing Christmas socks on. I couldn't quite get them in the picture, alas.

Oh boy, DOG PARK!

Sun bathers and shade dwellers.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Seven Snaps: Goat Edition! 4/21/12 - 4/27/12

Baby goats! Hello!
I'm still tied up with finishing my cookbook manuscript, so I bring you seven snaps of adorable goats! These pictures were all taken at Redwood Hill Farm, a goat farm and creamery up near Sebastopol in Sonoma County. They invited a bunch of cheese-obsessed food bloggers to come chillax with the goats for the day and sample their tasty dairy products.
Maggy of Three Many Cooks and Marla of Family Fresh Cooking -- Teacup poodles are old news. Baby goats are where it's at.

Feeding time!
Shauna of Gluten-Free Girl -- Snuggle time!

Old mamas ready to get milked.
 
Rumors of tin-can-chewing goats are greatly exaggerated. Apparently they nibble clothes (and cameras) to learn about their environment, just like babies. Science!
And while technically this shot should go in next week's round up, this is my birthday ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery. Rhubarb + Coconut = In my belly

I'm totally smitten with Redwood Hill's goat and the treats they make with their milk. And I do mean treats, because how could apricot-mango yogurt and teensy rounds of aged goat cheese not be considered treats? Also, the smoked cheddar had me at hello.

Redwood Hills is a small, family-owned farm tucked into a lush Sonoma valley with views of vineyards on all sides. Totally solar powered. Totally clean and cared for. Totally idyllic. By the end of the day, I was ready for the Bice family to adopt me — though with nine brothers and sisters, they probably think they have a big enough family as it is.

Their yogurts, kefirs, milks, and cheeses are distributed at Whole Foods and other stores nationwide, so definitely seek them out. They also have some open-house days coming up, so stop by for your own baby goat cuddles if you're in the neighborhood!
Redwood Hill Farm, 5480 Thomas Road, Sebastopol, CA, 95472 (707) 823-8250
I didn't actually intend for this post to turn into a love-fest for Redwood Hill Farm, but that's totally what happened. Love will not be contained. I also have lots more pictures from the farm stashed away on my grownup camera. (Including a shot of yours truly milking a goat. What what?!) Never fear, this is not the last you've seen of my new baby goat obsession.

(Information for this post was gathered during a press trip to Redwood Hill Farm. All views and opinions expressed in this post my own.)