Hello blog friends! Long time no write 
I’ve been busy cramming for an exam I had to write Friday, and it feels so good to not have that looming in front of my anymore. I don’t have much more time to relax now with a work report to get done in the next few weeks and tri training still being underway, but I managed to plan a road trip to Michigan with my mom this weekend. We headed out this morning, and are enjoying a nice stay across the border before heading back
Starbucks is an essential for cold, blustery days. I’ve been trying out some new drink combinations lately, and I think I’ve found a winner: grande soy china green tea latte with one pump of classic syrup. Yum!
And a ginger molasses cookie. I wanted to share one with my mom, but she said she would absolutely not be sharing her cookie and insisted that we each get our own. I can’t say I was too disappointed 
Our trips across the border are usually to Bufflalo because it’s the closest crossing to us, but this time we decided to head the opposite way and check out Michigan instead. There was one main reason why I suggested the change in routine…
Oh yes.
Oh yes.
Ohhhhhhh yessssssssss.
Who wouldn’t want to drive 4 hours for a grocery store? The cashier looked at me like I was crazy when I explained, and then rang through my three jars of sunflower seed butter
As well as TJ’s, we also hit up Kohl’s (where I got some cute Lauren Conrad cardigans) and Whole Foods, where I stocked up on nut butter like it was going out of style.
And took pictures with milk in jugs! The novelty of giant milk jugs and liquor in normal grocery stores never wears off on me – you Americans are strange (Also, I’m dealing with some kind of crazy eye infection that makes me unable to wear contacts and makes my eyes bright red all the time. I know it’s a pretty sexy look, so try to control yourselves.)
After such a full day of driving and shopping, we were more than ready for dinner. We had been talking to the cashier at Trader Joe’s earlier, and asked if there was anywhere he would recommend for dinner.
He told us about a place a little ways away called the Inn Season Cafe, and said that it had the best food in Michigan (in his opinion).
It was a little restaurant in a quieter part of town, and clearly had a lot of history to it.
The decor was cute and eclectic, with vintage, mis-matched wooden tables and fresh flowers on each table.
Everything was adorable <3 If I owned a restaurant, everything would look really similar to this place.
The menu was vegan/vegetarian, and focused on using local and in-season food. There was a whole page of specials that changed day-by-day, and nothing really jumped out at me at first so it was really hard deciding on a meal.
There was a plate of fluffy whole wheat bread waiting for us at the table when we sat down, and it was so good that we didn’t even need butter for it.
And lots of water. Shopping is thirsty work.
I was a little cold from the chilly weather outside, so I also got a kukicha (also known as “twig tea”) to sip on. They brought it out in the cutest little cup and saucer and my heart melted <3
For my meal, I ended up deciding on a salad + starter plate.
I got the Roland Greens salad, which was a bed of greens topped with veggies, sunflower seeds and sprouts, raisins, nuts, tofu and balsamic dressing.
And the Sesame Adzuki Cakes, which were made with mushrooms, adzuki beans and quinoa, and topped with a red cabbage slaw and a miso sauce. Sososo good.
And the sprouts on top looked like four-leaf clovers!
My mom got the Botana, which was basically a giant, cheesy nacho plate that looked amazing.
And a creamy mushroom soup that came highly recommended, which was also delicious.
Apparently my eyes were bigger than my stomach, because I only ended up eating about half of my food before I felt like I was going to explode and had to ask for some take-home boxes.
Even though I was stuffed, I couldn’t turn down a look at the dessert menu. Even though I normally go for ooey-gooey chocolatey desserts, the strawberry and cashew cream tart with vegan ice cream caught my eye, and I decided to stray from the beaten path.
All I can say is: Oh. My. God.
I was expecting a small, good-but-not-great tart with a little ice cream on the side, but they brought out a huge slice (the size of my hand) with a big scoop of what I think was soy ice cream. It was freaking awesome.
My mom helped with a few small bites, but I pretty much ate the entire thing by myself. Stomachache ensued, but it was totally worth it. The Inn Season Cafe was amazing – I’m so glad we got the recommendation from our cashier at TJ’s If you’re ever in the area you should definitely check it out. And order the strawberry tart.
We’re staying the night in a hotel, and have some more shopping plans for tomorrow (that may or may not include stocking up on Chobani) before we head back. I’m also trying to convince myself that I will go for a run tomorrow morning. It’ll for sure happen, right?
Nighty night, sleep tight!
