Farmers Markets

While in Santa Barbara, we visited one of Jenni's favorite Farmers' Markets. What a pleasure shopping in an organic market - where the food looked oh-so-fresh... and real! I have always been dubious about the authenticity of 'organic' food in this country - the perfection quite unlike the organic food found in other countries.  

I thought I'd share some images of the wonderful food I snapped. 

I have tasted Pluots before, but all of us were far more impressed with the luscious taste of Apriums. Each of these fruits being a hybrid of Plum and Apricots. The stall owner noted that a Mango-Apricot hybrid fruit would be available mid to late June. It is a shame none of us will be around to try this. 

'Nature's candy' as my kids are fond of calling brilliant looking Summer fruits. 

Grown in many a home-garden (including our parent's), Australians are more familiar with Silverbeet - named Chard in the US. This spectacularly-colored Rainbow Chard is known as five-color silverbeet in Australia, and is actually a mix of several species and not a single variety.

The orangey colored beets were grated into a delicious make-do salad a couple of nights later. 

Backyard Bowls

my backyard quinoa breakfast bowl

jenni's green acai bowl

While in Santa Barbara, we had a DELICIOUS breakfast at Backyard Bowls before heading to the beach to let the children splash a while. This cafe is a Santa Barbara bred business, started by two men who loved this type of food (surfing sustenance), and loved Santa Barbara. They combined the two and Backyard Bowls was born. The food is fresh, local and/or organic. They do use frozen fruits (particularly the acai berries) for the acai bowls. 

sebastien's berry acai bowl

I was fortunate to have Jenni introduce me to this cafe. Without some notion of this type of food, there is no indication of what you will actually be served. There is a detailed list of the ingredients included in each dish... but what it actually looked like, I had no idea! The cafe would really benefit from some good photos of their products displayed - as the dishes really 'wowed' when they were delivered. 

I had a quinoa bowl made with steamed cashew milk, raisins, walnuts and covered with fresh blueberries, strawberries and agave. A great source of protein to start the morning. Jenni and Sebastien ate acai bowls and the kids ate hot muesli.

The cafe was very loud with Vitamix blenders... blending. We chose to sit outside, away from the cacaphony. Vitamix blenders, despite the raves I have heard from owners, are just too expensive an investment for us at the moment. Perhaps one day... then we will make our own version of these yummy dishes :-)

kids eating spartan museli

Santa Barbara

I had the BEST weekend! It was also bittersweet. I visited my sister Jenni and her family in Santa Barbara as they prepare to start a new life in Shanghai. I will miss them all. 

Despite Jenni having lived in Santa Barbara for about three years, this was my first visit. Some soon-to-expire flight award points were the catalyst. Jenni has managed to visit us twice in Virginia, traveling with children - so this visit was well overdue.

I do miss air travel. My last flight was four years ago when I visited Jenni in the tiny village of Arnesby in the UK. Actually, let's rephrase that... I do miss air-travel, the way it used to be: without all the fuss, scans, crowding, reduced service, additional costs here there and everywhere, paranoia... and children to keep occupied!

Jenni is going to miss Santa Barbara. I LOVED it. The atmosphere was so relaxed, the people friendly, the food sensational, the weather perfect. There was a distinct small-town feel - but not a parochial one. Everyone I met was worldly, intelligent and open. People were walking about, cycling, skateboarding, running and rollerblading. The majority looked fit and healthy. Definitely my type of place.   

I will write some more when I get the chance...