• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Tiny Urban Kitchen
  • About Me
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Michelin
  • Subscribe
  • Taiwanese
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Michelin
  • Subscribe
  • Taiwanese
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Travel
    • Recipes
    • Michelin
    • Subscribe
    • Taiwanese
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » World Travel » Europe » Italy » Piedmont

    Thanksgiving & Birthday Reflections + Giveaway!

    Published: Nov 18, 2015 · Modified: May 11, 2016 by Jennifer Che

    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!).
    _X1C0398
    We started our trip out in Alba, Italy to catch the last week of their annual, six-week long White Truffle Festival.
    _X1C0219
    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.
    _X1C0434
    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.
    _X1C0207
    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.
    wpid22583-DSC4407.jpg

    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!
    _X1C0322

    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.

    More Europe

    • La Salita Valencia Spain
    • El Poblet Valencia Spain -2 Michelin Stars
    • MercatBar by Quique Dacosta - Valencia
    • La Pepica Waterfront Paella - Valencia

    Recent Posts

    • La Salita Valencia Spain January 16, 2023
    • El Poblet Valencia Spain -2 Michelin Stars December 29, 2022
    • MercatBar by Quique Dacosta - Valencia December 9, 2022
    • La Pepica Waterfront Paella - Valencia December 5, 2022
    • Llisa Negra Valencia Spain December 1, 2022
    • Central Bar by Ricard Camarena - Valencia Spain November 29, 2022
    • Casa Ripoll Valencia - Beachside Paella November 27, 2022
    • Valencia Spain Trip Report - Itinerary November 23, 2022

    Reader Interactions

    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 […]

      Log in to 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 […]

      Log in to Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen
    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen

    Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am an expat who moved from Boston to Hong Kong 5 years ago. Born and raised in Ohio to Taiwanese immigrant parents, I am a chemistry nerd, patent attorney by day, blogger by night, church musician on weekends, and food enthusiast always. Feel free to explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!

    More about me →

    Explore

    • Recipe
    • Restaurant
    • US Travel
    • World Travel

    Popular Posts

    • Llisa Negra Valencia Spain
    • Central Bar by Ricard Camarena - Valencia Spain
    • Casa Ripoll Valencia - Beachside Paella
    • Valencia Spain Trip Report - Itinerary

    Recipes

    • Appetizer
    • Snacks
    • Meat
    • Vegetables
    • Soup
    • Salad
    • Seafood
    • Noodles

    Recently Traveled

    • Hong Kong
    • France
    • Belgium
    • Boston
    • California
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • Spain

    Support Us

    Recognition


    Featured on the front page
    of the FOOD Section: 2015

    Best Food Blog Awards:
    Restaurant & Dining 2012

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • My Equipment
    • In the Press
    • Project Food Blog
    • Privacy Policy

    Eating Guides!

    Eating & Travel Guides
    Trip Reports
    "Kawaii" (Cute Foods)
    Around the World

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Mail
    • RSS Feed

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Shop at Amazon

    Copyright © 2022 Tiny Urban Kitchen