I am home from France and it feels good. Unfortunately I woke up at 3 am and was ready to start the day. Grumples wasn’t too happy with me when I woke him up for a morning walk. He did settle for laying next to me on the floor. I’m sure I’ll be jet-lagged all this week.
It was a long and tiring journey, but worth it in the end. Traveling over the country and experiencing new adventures on the Big Blog Exchange was definitely life changing. However, it feels good to be home. I’m glad I have my dog back, my blog back, and I don’t have to lug around 100 lbs of luggage city to city anymore. I’ve definitely learned the “do’s and don’ts” from experience on this trip.
I have about 20 blog posts about France to write up, but instead of doing them all at once, I’ll try to do one or two a day until they’re all up. I have about five memory cards full of photos to load and share; that’s over 5000 photos.
One thing I’ve missed while being away? My kitchen. I’ve missed cooking healthy meals, brewing coffee, and eating eggs with bacon for breakfast. Cafe au Lait (coffee & milk) isn’t the same. Also, eating only cereal, bread, and croissants for breakfast isn’t my thing. I need protein to keep me full longer. I found that eating danishes for breakfast left me hungrier by noon. It’s the cultural changes that made me appreciate the way I live my life even more. I’m more grateful for my car, my cozy apartment, the huge dog park, my cell phone, and the easy access to everything. It’s just the way I was brought up and once it’s gone, you appreciate it more. Although, there are so many things they do in France that I want to incorporate into my life here in the U.S. I love the way they conserve energy, enjoy their meals at restaurants, work hard, and restore historic beauty.
The first thing I did this morning? I made an omelet and it was delicious. I need to go grocery shopping later today so I can buy chicken to grill, veggies to bake, healthy dessert ingredients, and more! I’ve missed posting recipes and can’t wait to share all the ones on my mind. Today, I think I’ll make a pumpkin & cream dessert pizza. I just need to think of the ingredients and how to go about it.
My omelet had 2 eggs, 1 egg white, 1 tsp garlic powder, black pepper, 1 roma tomato, 1 cup spinach, 2 slices turkey bacon, 1/4 cup almond milk, and 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
-Heat a frying pan greased with olive oil to medium-high heat.
-In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, black pepper, garlic, and almond milk together.
-Chop the the tomatoes, cooked turkey bacon, and spinach.
-Pour the egg into the heated frying pan.
-Once the bottom of the eggs have darted to cook, add the bacon, tomatoes, and spinach.
-Cover and let the omelet continue to cook.
-Once the vegetables sink down into the omelet, add the cheese and cover.
When the cheese starts to melt, fold the omelet in half and cook each side for a minute or two.
Transfer the omelet to a serving dish!
I had a couple slices of light whole wheat bread with almond butter and bananas. In about an hour, I’m heading to the gym for a nice spin class session! I can’ wait 🙂
mooki says
A great jet lag tip I use whenever I travel overseas is to stay up until 11:30 PM local time for the firstday or two. No matter how tired I am. It really helps get your body back in synch. Glad you enjoyed your trip!
Taralynn McNitt says
I’ll definitely give that a try. I went to bed at midnight last night, but ended up waking up at 3:30 this morning!
Alissa says
Yay, you’re back 😀 Looking forward to seeing some more of your photos.
I definitely agree that traveling makes you appreciate your home and what you have even more. Although I love Europe for some of the reasons you mentioned, the last time we came back I was pretty excited to just be able to hop in my car to run to the store instead of having to walk 10 mins to the metro, take the train, carry everything through the tube station, etc. Also I missed my morning green smoothie 😉
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks so much, Alissa!
Crazy how much you can love a place, but wish for the normal place. I think it’s all about life’s routines, and familiarity that makes us feel comfortable.
& I also missed my green smoothies! 🙂
Ashley Criste says
so glad you are back safe! cant wait to read more of your blog posts, you will be one busy girl writing all the posts.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Ashley!! ::)
Lesley says
About how many calories do you eat per day and how do you divide them up throughout the day?
Taralynn McNitt says
I don’t count calories. I eat when I’m hungry.
Julie @ Run Away Freckles says
When I backpacked in Europe I found the same thing with their breakfasts. We were trying to have big breakfasts to sustain us all day and it never worked. I also found hot chocolate with breakfast too sugary for me. Glad you had fun and are home safe!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Julie! I think we function on what we’re used to!
Maya says
I’m glad you’re back too =) There’s nothing better than home!
Taralynn McNitt says
Agreed!!
Linda @ TheFitty says
Seems only like yesterday that you left for france!
Taralynn McNitt says
seriously tho!
Caro Bleue Violette says
Welcome back home, Taralynn 🙂
I know you’ve had a few bumps on the road during your French trip but I hope you liked our beautiful country 🙂 I’ve enjoyed following you on Lucie’s blog and I will keep on following you here.
Your comment about our breakfast made me smile because I can’t eat savory dishes on breakfast (the idea of eggs first thing in the morning makes me sick, lol. Also I don’t eat meat, only fish ^^). I need some fruit or pastries to start my day 🙂 !
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Caro!
Your country was lovely and such a great experience. Funny how our cultural differences seem to clash sometimes, but it’s what makes us unique! 😉
-Taralynn
Eleonor says
Most people in France don’t have pastries for breakfast… Same generalization than “people in the US eat donuts for breakfast”.
Lauren says
Glad you’re back! I can’t wait to hear all about your time in France! And I’m glad you weren’t mugged by gypsies like I was!
Lucie Aidart says
Hi Taralynn! Welcome home!
Thank you for making a space on your blog for me, it was an amazing experience to blog in English and on a different blog. I hope I did not annoy your readers too much.
Yes, travel definitely make you appreciate the small things that make comfort at home, it’s totally normal. Especially after such a crazy and full on trip. Don’t worry, travelling doesn’t have to be that crazy, you can take it slow.
I also miss cooking a lot, especially as they are no hostel kitchens in Asia.
As for breakfast, I’m like Caro, I hate savoury in the morning, unless it’s brunch. Pastries, bread, jam, nutella, hot chocolate, cereals… yum yum!
Samantha says
Lucie,
It was so great to read about your travels and gain a new perspective! I hope you enjoyed your time in the U.S.! I will definitely be following your blog after the exchange!
Jaime says
Taralynn!
So glad you are back from France safe. Enjoy your jetlag – an amazing excuse to stay in your pjs with mr.grumples 🙂
Melissa says
SOOO happy to have you back! Glad you loved your trip, but we missed you!
Amanda Kind says
Welcome back girl!
Amber says
Yay!! So glad you’re back, can’t wait to read all the new posts[:
Allie says
Wowww! It’s 10:30 at night and this looks soooo good right now. Mouth watering! Will have to try this asap
Wonni says
Awwww, you´re back! ♥ It was very exciting, to watch you facing France, but it is pretty cool, to have you back.
I´m looking forward to seeing your next pics and reading the rest of your france trip.
And Grumps has his mommy back. I guess, you both freaked out. 🙂
Dana says
Welcome back! Looking forward to seeing your pictures and the recipes that will have been inspired from your trip.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Dana! 🙂
Tran says
Welcome back from France. Looks like you had an amazing time even with the unexpected hiccups. Look forward to all those photos.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks!! 🙂
Samantha says
Welcome back, Taralynn! Your journeys in France looked amazing! Glad you made it back to the States safe and sound. I cannot wait to see the pictures of the rest of your trip! And I’m super excited about all of the new recipes you keep alluding to!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Samantha!! 🙂
CC says
I think you really proved courage with travelling to france by yourself. I can really feel your relief to be back,it’s not easy to acclimatize to something else even if it’s just food and for a short time. good to have you back 🙂