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Thanksgiving & Birthday Reflections + Giveaway!

November 18, 2015 by Jennifer Che 36 Comments

This post is sponsored by O.N.E. Coconut Water_X1C0447
Hiking through the vineyards in Barolo wine country

Greetings from Alba, Italy!

Bryan and I are traveling on a mega three week around-the-world trip in celebration of a milestone birthday (it’s actually my birthday today!).
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We started our trip out in Alba, Italy to catch the last week of their annual, six-week long White Truffle Festival.
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Hundreds of white truffles on display at the annual Truffle Festival in Alba.

We also explored the nearby wine regions of Barolo and Barbaresco, learning so much about the nebbiolo grape, along with other types of wines produced in this region (Dolcetta, Barbera, just to name a few!). Our next stop is Bordeaux, France, (more wine!) before we head to Paris. I’m sure security will be tight there, and it will be emotionally tough to visit so soon after the terrible attacks. Let us continue to #prayforparis as it recovers from such a difficult week.

Finally, we head to Asia for another week and a half, where we’ll explore Tokyo and Hong Kong.
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As I turn the corner of another decade I’ve become much more aware of the time I have left to do everything I want to do, as well as my own physical limitations. Additionally, with Thanksgiving coming around the corner, I’ve also been thinking about the things for which I am thankful, as well as how I can give back.

I am thankful for so much – everything from my amazing family and solid community of friends to a new job opportunity and potential new projects. I am most certainly thankful for the unique opportunity to take such a special trip with Bryan. We’ve been planning this for over half a year, and I can’t believe it’s finally happening!

I’m thankful that I’ve been reasonably healthy, with only a minor knee injury that’s kept me from running as much as I would have liked.
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Footpath from our B&B to downtown Alba

Injuries are like a wake-up call. If I don’t take care of myself, it’s much harder to fully give myself to others.

These days, I try my best to eat healthy and exercise regularly. I especially try to eat lots of vegetables each day. It’s been easier with the weekly farm share delivery over the summer, though sadly I will soon have to say good bye to that (hello winter!).

I make sure to get lots of sleep (so hard when you’re traveling and switching time zones!), and to stay hydrated. It was easy when I was in Boston (the 12-packs of coconut water that O.N.E. Coconut sent to me didn’t hurt! ;). It’s been more of a challenge on the road – especially in dry airplanes – but I try my best.
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Giveaway! 
This month, I am giving away one case (12 cartons) of O.N.E. coconut water, shipped directly to your house (continental 48 states only, sorry!). In order to enter, please comment below letting me know one way in which you plan on taking better care of yourself this fall! Giveaway ends November 25th at 12PM EST.

Follow the Journey
If you’re interested in following my around-the-world journey “real time”, follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, where I’ll be posting photos from the trip every day.

Ciao!
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Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by O.N.E. Coconut water, who also provided me with free product and is providing the giveaway product as well. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Europe, Italy, Piedmont, Sponsored, World Travel

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Comments

  1. Doris says

    November 18, 2015 at 6:46 am

    Hope to hydrate more and get more exercise.

    Reply
  2. Eva @ Eva Bakes says

    November 18, 2015 at 7:59 am

    Happy birthday! I am trying to (ice) skate at least 4-5 days a week for at least 45 minutes at a time.

    Reply
  3. Dee says

    November 18, 2015 at 8:16 am

    Happy Birthday! I am going to focus on getting more sleep. It’s definitely affected my health when I don’t sleep well…

    Reply
  4. Lydia L says

    November 18, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    Happy Birthday! Looking forward to your post of Asia. I eat healthy by consuming mostly vegetables and exercising at least 45 mins each days.

    Reply
  5. Denise says

    November 18, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    run everyday

    Reply
  6. Alvina says

    November 18, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    Definitely trying to eat better this fall – which can be a challenge with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up! But choosing fruit over cookies and having more salads/veggies! 😀 HAPPY BIRTHDAY —- it looks like you’re having a FABULOUS time! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Sara says

    November 18, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    I work long hours in front of the computer and can easily get lost in what I am doing. I’m now making a conscious effort to take more breaks and to use them for a 5-8 minute stretching session, sets of stomach crunches, trip down the stairs for more water etc. The object is to simply move and get in small amounts of exercise in hopes that they will add up to better health.

    Reply
  8. Hannah says

    November 18, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    My husband and I have been really working on getting to sleep on time as well. With our 5 am daily wake up we have to be in bed by 9 pm to remain sane. Its definitely a gradual improvement, but I’m committed to continuing our work on it.

    Reply
  9. Tasnim R says

    November 18, 2015 at 4:35 pm

    I plan to drink more green tea with honey, instead of coffee. Also, in between meals, I’m trying hard to cut down on snacks especially sweets and eat fruits to satiate hunger pangs.

    Reply
  10. Laura says

    November 18, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    By prioritizing more sleep!

    Reply
  11. Jennifer H. says

    November 18, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    I am trying to stay hydrated and sleep enough.

    Reply
  12. Nick S says

    November 18, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    I just started grad school this semester so I’m trying to find ways to stay active. I started playing racquetball and it’s quite the workout! It’s also a great way to get rid of some frustration….

    Reply
  13. Soph says

    November 18, 2015 at 10:17 pm

    Happy Birthday! Not entering-just wanted to wish you the best.

    Reply
  14. Judith says

    November 18, 2015 at 10:20 pm

    I plan on stocking my office with healthy snacks!

    Reply
  15. Cindy says

    November 18, 2015 at 11:32 pm

    Happy Birthday Jen! I think a way I will work on to better take care of myself is to make sure I sleep enough and actually try to wake up earlier in the mornings to have ~10 min of quiet, reflection time

    Reply
  16. Amy L says

    November 19, 2015 at 7:40 am

    I’m getting to bed earlier, eating more “mindfully”, and getting more excercise.

    Reply
  17. Erica says

    November 19, 2015 at 8:25 am

    Hi, I love your photos! This fall, I’m trying to cut back on coffee and switch to tea and also trying to hit yoga once a week and barre one a week.

    Reply
  18. rajee says

    November 19, 2015 at 10:57 am

    I need to learn to stay more active like you. I wish to change myself avoiding late nights and stay active

    Reply
  19. Grace says

    November 19, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    Bought some groupons to force myself to go to pilates and yoga classes before they expire!

    Reply
  20. Daryn says

    November 19, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    More sleep.

    Reply
  21. Chiaming says

    November 19, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    Happy birthday Jen! I am trying to eat less processed foods.

    Reply
  22. Shirley Hsiao says

    November 19, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    I plan to take better care of myself with more exercise and sleep!

    Reply
  23. Kelly says

    November 20, 2015 at 2:16 am

    I am trying to sleep more and be more deliberate about staying hydrated throughout the day.

    Reply
  24. Mary says

    November 20, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    Happy birthday Jen! I’ve been trying to take a walk outside in the afternoon, trying to catch some sun. Especially now that it gets so dark early!

    Reply
  25. PiaL says

    November 20, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    Happy birthday!
    This fall I’d love to take long walks; not only when the sun is out and the air is crisp, but also when it’s dark, rainy and stormy! That makes the hot chocolate afterwards taste so much better!

    Reply
  26. Jaclyn Reynolds says

    November 20, 2015 at 6:44 pm

    I’m already exercising more at home. I want to continue that!

    Reply
  27. Ashley says

    November 21, 2015 at 6:27 am

    Trying to eat better, exercise, and get more sleep

    Reply
  28. Justine says

    November 21, 2015 at 11:14 am

    Happy birthday! I’m prioritizing sleep.

    Reply
  29. Dan says

    November 23, 2015 at 11:56 am

    Eat Healthy by….cooking more! Specifically, going for steamed foods as I have a steamer and I keep wanting to use it more often!

    Reply
  30. Sherry Lykins says

    November 23, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    I am really going to try and drink more water every day!

    Reply
  31. roz b says

    November 24, 2015 at 10:17 am

    Happy B’day! i plan on exercising more & visiting a steam-room more often too.

    Reply
  32. Brenda Haines says

    November 24, 2015 at 3:30 pm

    Happy birthday! I am trying to eat a healthier diet.

    Reply
  33. Crystal Rose says

    November 25, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I’m working on my projects a little bit each day so I don’t get overwhelmed.

    Reply
  34. Kristen D. says

    November 25, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    Making sure to exercise regularly and drink water!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Greetings from Europe and Asia - Tiny Urban Kitchen says:
    November 30, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    […] started out our journey in Alba, Italy, which I described in detail in one of my previous posts. In Alba, we checked our the White Truffle Festival, explored the gorgeous wine regions of Barolo […]

    Reply
  2. Torc Napa - Tiny Urban Kitchen says:
    December 7, 2016 at 10:20 pm

    […] was divine, and totally took me back to that unforgettable trip in Italy. For our main course, we enjoyed the Prime Dry-Aged New York Strip for 2 ($85), which came with […]

    Reply

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Welcome to Tiny Urban Kitchen!

JenChe

Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am a Boston to Hong Kong transplant, born and raised in Ohio with parents from Taiwan. Feel free to head on over to the About page if you want to learn more about me, or just explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!
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