Road Trip

on January 13, 2011

The key to a wonderful road trip?

Coffee.

And chocolate.

Such little additions made the four-hour trek to my momâ€™s house so much easier. She lives in Tennessee, so I had to go over the snowy mountains and through the woods.

Since there are nearly no rest stops on the way, I grabbed a hummus, basil, cucumber, sprouts, and tomato wrap on the way out of Charlotte and munched on it during the drive.

I took the pups to momâ€™s house because she is dog-sitting for us while we go on vacation (AHHH!) next week. So kind of her because I am too paranoid to leave the pups with anyone else, really. And Maggie would rather die than be left at a kennel (trust me, weâ€™ve tried it!).

PB and jelly toasty before we went out for the evening:

Ma and I did a lot of shopping! I really needed some cute winter tops since I havenâ€™t bought winter clothes since I lived in Pittsburgh three years ago. Plus, now I have new things to wear on our trip. And there were so many sales going on!

Mom had cabbage vegetable soup waiting for us at home:

Plus, a ton of fruit:

The soup was so good that I went back for seconds, plus some chips. Iâ€™ll have to ask Mom to share the recipe because the soup really was divine. Who wouldâ€™ve thought cabbage could be so good?!

Goodnight, my friends!

{ 74 comments }

Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) January 13, 2011, 9:43 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE cabbage but it sure does stink while cooking.
Sarah for Real January 13, 2011, 9:44 pm
“Maggie would rather die than be left at a kennel.”

I know exactly how this goes. My dog has been to a kennel exactly once and she didn’t eat or move for a whole week. Shudder.

I’m interested in your mom’s cabbage soup too! Looks really good!
- Caitlin January 13, 2011, 9:44 pm
  Yup – that’s pretty much it.
- Christine January 13, 2011, 10:20 pm
  Plus, you never really know what goes on when you leave. I know that sounds way protective, but seriously, it’s easy to neglect creatures that can’t give full reports when picked up!
  - Janene @ One Run at a Time January 13, 2011, 10:30 pm
    I know exactly how you guys feel! My pup has really intense separation anxiety, thanks to being dumped by her two previous owners and had a positively horrific shelter experience. People think I’m nuts, but I just can’t bear putting her in a kennel. She’s been through enough already!
    - Sarah for Real January 13, 2011, 11:09 pm
      I’ve had a wonderful experience with a Doggie Daycare and Pet Hotel here. It’s pricey but worth it. The workers really love dogs and my dog in particular. They let her hang out with them in the office since she prefers people to dogs. 😀
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table January 13, 2011, 9:45 pm
omg – those pretzel m&ms are the best ever. salty+sweet for the win!
Cyndi @ Weightless Life January 13, 2011, 9:45 pm
My mom always made this really delicious cabbage soup. It was the only time she could get us to eat cabbage.
Kristy @ KristyRuns January 13, 2011, 9:46 pm
My mom makes a great soup with cabbage, too. Maybe it’s a mom thing? …either way, it’s tasty.

Oh man, if I was going on vacation, I’d be counting down the minutes! It’s always hard to leave the pup though. That’s great you can leave them with your momma.
foodandfarm January 13, 2011, 9:47 pm
Please post the recipe! I do soup sundays and this would be awesome
Gabby (Quest for Delicious) January 13, 2011, 9:49 pm
I’ve always wanted to try those pretzel m&m’s. I’ve heard they’re amazing!
ashleigh January 13, 2011, 9:50 pm
I love cabbage in veggie soup, so good! I could go for some watermelon now!
Amy P January 13, 2011, 9:50 pm
OHHHH MYYY WORD! Those chips (not the blue corn ones) the other ones! Where did she find them?!?! I have been searching high and low for those! (I tried them like two years ago when they were at our local WF, but have not been able to find them since!)
- Caitlin January 13, 2011, 9:54 pm
  She said at Ingles!
  - Amy P January 13, 2011, 9:56 pm
    What is the exact name of them? Maybe I can order them online bc I had forgotten the name and describing them to stores has yielded no results lol
    - Caitlin January 13, 2011, 9:58 pm
      She says they are Eat Smart by Synders Natural Crispy Waffle Chips.
- Baking 'n' Books January 13, 2011, 9:59 pm
  They look like Chex to me! Well – giant(er) Chex…
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat January 13, 2011, 9:51 pm
Ooh, if you get the recipe, please share! I’ve always been at a loss when it comes to cabbage.
Sana January 13, 2011, 9:52 pm
I am with Maggie on this one. I would rather die as well.
Katy (The Singing Runner) January 13, 2011, 9:52 pm
If you get the recipe, I would love to see it! I’m trying to figure out a way to like cabbage. 😉

Safe travels! 😀
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) January 13, 2011, 9:54 pm
The soup sounds delicious! I do love cabbage! Glad you had a good ride and enjoyed time with your mom!
Ashley January 13, 2011, 9:54 pm
I’m pretty sure coffee is the key to everything haha 🙂 I would love that recipe!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) January 13, 2011, 10:00 pm
Glad to hear you made it safely!!!
Baking 'n' Books January 13, 2011, 10:00 pm
Where are you vacationing? Somewhere hot?!
Natalie @ Will Jog For Food January 13, 2011, 10:00 pm
Pretzel M&Ms are the best invention ever! I can eat them all day 🙂
- Kari @ Human, MD January 13, 2011, 10:11 pm
  I agree. Why did it take so long to invent them? We invented them in college years ago by putting a peanut M&M on top of a pretzel and popping the whole shebang in my mouth at once. I should have patented it long ago.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) January 13, 2011, 10:01 pm
Coffee and chocolate aren’t just the secrets to a wonderful road trip — they are the secret to a wonderful *day*! 😉
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine January 13, 2011, 10:05 pm
Oh I love those waffle-y chips….forget what they’re called but they’re SO good! Have a good night with your mom!
Marie-Journey to Body Zen January 13, 2011, 10:09 pm
That wrap look so good! And coffee is a must for traveling! I always splurge on the fancier stuff (like peppermint lattes) when I’m on a road trip…makes it go by faster! 🙂
Amanda (Eating Up) January 13, 2011, 10:12 pm
What good eats for a day of traveling!
Courtney January 13, 2011, 10:13 pm
Sounds like you had a busy, fun day! And in response to your last post: yes, I feel very BA running in a hoodie. Or just wearing one wih the hood up in general. 😛
Stephanie January 13, 2011, 10:14 pm
Love shoppin with the momma!
Allison @ Happy Tales January 13, 2011, 10:17 pm
You’re right, nothin’ like cooked meals from mom at home. So fun that y’all got lots of shopping in, too!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) January 13, 2011, 10:18 pm
I have been dying to try those M&Ms!
Caitlin January 13, 2011, 10:25 pm
Without pretzel M&M’s and coffee, I don’t think I would have survived the last six months of my life.

Also, does it annoy you when people totally botch/misspell your name?
- Caitlin January 13, 2011, 10:54 pm
  Nope 😉 we spell it the right way right???
Lacey @ Lake Life January 13, 2011, 10:30 pm
Oooh watermelon in January sounds like the perfect way to cure the winter blues 🙂
Mary @ Bites and Bliss January 13, 2011, 10:54 pm
Have fun with your mom! It’s always nice seeing family. 🙂
Brittany January 13, 2011, 11:15 pm
That food looks soo good. I love road trips. I just got back from a 10 hour plane from from ISRAEL and the plane food was TERRIBLE. I should have brought my own. haha
Liz @ Tip Top Shape January 13, 2011, 11:15 pm
Mm, cabbage vegetable soup sounds delicious!! Why does everything seem better when moms make it?? lol
- Caitlin January 14, 2011, 9:03 am
  Love is the key ingredient!
Camille January 13, 2011, 11:18 pm
Have you ever looked in to having a pet/housesitter? We have a lady who works at our Vet come and watch our dog and cat when we are out of town and the added bonus is that she keeps an eye on the house too and grabs our mail and stuff!
Mary January 13, 2011, 11:33 pm
My mom is the only person in the world that I trust to watch my two bunnies when my husband and I travel…and she’s talking about moving to the other side of the country! Have a great vacation.
Cheryl H. January 13, 2011, 11:36 pm
Love the smell of stinky cooking cabbage because it always yields something very tasty. Please share the recipe!

Also, what are the criss-cross chips next to the blue corn tortilla chips? They look yummy, too.
- Caitlin January 14, 2011, 9:04 am
  Eat Smart by Synders Natural Crispy Waffle Chips!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie January 13, 2011, 11:45 pm
Goodness you take a lot of road trips! I love coffee and chocolate ANYWHERE though and that’s for sure. Road trips are great though for real so long as the person you’re driving with is fun!
Kristi January 13, 2011, 11:45 pm
One of my favorite road trip tricks (say that 5 times over!) is to eat chocolate-covered coffee beans! It’s great for real long trips… less bathroom breaks!!! Plus, it’s coffee and chocolate…can’t go wrong there!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) January 14, 2011, 12:09 am
Coffee and chocolate, the keys to life 🙂 And mom’s cooking!

You are BRAVE for driving without a lid on the coffee. I’d have it all over my dash/console in like 2 stoplights. lol
Kiran January 14, 2011, 12:23 am
Yummy soups for super chilly weather. Brrr!!!
Ashley January 14, 2011, 1:28 am
Moms are the best! And caffeine & chocolate always do the trick on road trips : )
maria @ Chasing the Now January 14, 2011, 1:29 am
Coffee, water, and some kind of easy to eat snack are my road trip necessities.

Your mom seems so nice.
Laura (Starloz) January 14, 2011, 1:39 am
soup & i never see each other once, i almost always have two bowls.
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] January 14, 2011, 2:41 am
How about the key to life = coffee… and chocolate 😉
Gill (snaxandthecity) January 14, 2011, 3:53 am
i’d love that recipe!

my dog used to hate the kennel’s too, even though she had a ‘boyfriend’ there haha!

have a great vacation 🙂
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) January 14, 2011, 5:45 am
PLEASE get her to share the recipe! Looks delish! 🙂

And that wrap sounds yummy too! Have a great trip!!
Amanda @ JustAmandaJ January 14, 2011, 6:12 am
Oh man cabbage soup! I haven’t had that in forever but now a craving has struck!

I don’t think I could leave my dog at a kennel as I’m far too paranoid about her. She really is my fur daughter!
Nadine January 14, 2011, 6:28 am
Is your Mom vegetarian too? She always has such amazing meals for you guys!!! And, yes, I hope you’ll share the recipe…I’ve never had cabbage soup, and man it is COLD here in FL again!
- Caitlin January 14, 2011, 9:05 am
  yes she is! i basically converted the entire family.
  
  i’ll ask her to write it down today!
Kara January 14, 2011, 7:15 am
My dog almost throws herself out of the car with delight when we pull into the kennel parking lot. She did puppy daycare there too, so maybe that’s why she loves it there. My theory? I think the girls who work slip her treats. Driving that far to take the dogs sounds rough, it’s too bad Maggie doesn’t like the kennel!

At my kennel, the dogs actually get special meals on the holidays. So on the 4th of July, my dog got a hamburger, green beans and a pig’s ear. Isn’t that ridiculous? 🙂
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations January 14, 2011, 7:15 am
The watermelon and strawberries look good. It’s so hard to find good fruit in the winter… spring is just around the corner.
J January 14, 2011, 7:23 am
Coffee and pretzel M&Ms are the best!! Hope you had a safe trip!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin January 14, 2011, 7:57 am
Shopping with mom is the best! And snagging some sales is even better! 😀
faith January 14, 2011, 8:07 am
Yum, cabbage makes great soup! It really brings out the natural sweetness and flavor of cabbage.
Have fun with your mom!
Marina January 14, 2011, 8:26 am
Watermelon…oh god. I shouldn’t have seen that! Now I want to eat a whole huge watermelon 🙁
Megan January 14, 2011, 8:29 am
I love cabbage, so I hope she shares the recipe! 🙂 Is your mom around Knoxville? I live about an hour southwest of there. 🙂
- Caitlin January 14, 2011, 9:05 am
  She’s in Powell!
Little Bookworm January 14, 2011, 8:31 am
Love the sound of that soup and the wrap too! 🙂
Hope January 14, 2011, 8:41 am
I’ve never heard of cabbage soup before. I’d be interested to taste it. Love pretzel M&M’s! They are so good. Perfect blend of chocolate, salt and crunch! Yum!
Haleigh January 14, 2011, 8:52 am
Coffee is the key to a wonderful anything 🙂 haha..
Tricia January 14, 2011, 9:22 am
I am glad I am not the only crazy person that drives 3.5 hours in the opposite direction to take my dogs to “grandmas” so we can go on vacation! No kennels here either for my very neurotic westie.
Ashley (The Vegetable Life) January 14, 2011, 9:49 am
Its funny you say that about cabbage… the only vegetarian option in my cafe at work today was cabbage soup (I was starving) so I had to get it so I could eat something…. and it was so delicious!!!! Who would have known?!?!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey January 14, 2011, 1:44 pm
I LOOOOOVE cabbage soup – it’s the favorite in this house!
Jenifer January 14, 2011, 9:24 pm
Love cabbage… any kinda way, Boiled, fried, steamed, soup, rolls, I’ve even subbed it out in salads when I was short on lettuce.

I bought my first container of herbed tofu today!! I’ve had it out, and my favorite thai place makes a mean pineapple and cashew stirfry with it. I’m just a little unsurof how to cook it? It’s in liquid. Any suggestions?
- Caitlin January 15, 2011, 6:31 pm
  Try this: http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/the-perfect-baked-tofu

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