Virginia is quite famous for its presidential history, Charlottesville especially! Guess who came to visit us tonight!?
The president!
Unfortunately that’s about as close as I got. After an early dinner Matt and I bundled up and biked downtown.
We were shocked to find a line the length of the downtown mall to get into the Pavilion – which meant it was probably at least 1/3 a mile long!
Apparently people had been there all day long waiting to get a good seat
At least they had entertainment :0)
There were police everywhere – even peeking out windows!
We walked up the mall towards the event and I ran into an Anarchist Zombie
(for real)
And this was my eventual view. I couldn’t see a darn thing, but I could hear it all! Obama came to support Charlottesville native Tom Perriello for Congress.
It was still very exciting to be in the energized crowd. And we did see Air Force One fly right above us before he landed!!
This visual, however, is just a silly helicopter ; )
The bike ride home was FREEZING in the wrists, ankles and lower back. I have to find a way to cover those spots!
This afternoon I was really hungry again. Must be the insatiable time of the month!?
I had this amazing bowl of about a cup of plain yogurt topped with Alliebar and Mandel bread with a swirl of pumpkin butter. After this guy I was happily no longer hungry!
We had an early dinner – and a 5 minute one to boot!
A can of kidney beans headed in a pot with…
Sailor’s Swagger!! This is a PINEAPPLE hot sauce and it is AMAZING!!!
So pineappley sweet and slightly savory 
!
You know where you can find it!!! Sailor’s Swagger
We also had a wee bit of toast (this Dakota was SO OLD but still very good!! GH bread lasts a really long time)
Lastly, a gigantic pile of collard greens. They were steamed in a little water with Garlic Gold nuggets and then drizzled with a dressing made of half maple and half soy sauce. It was awesome! And that was one huge pile of greens!
Matt put the cooking liquid in a glass and DRANK it!! Gross. He said it was like broth. And actually, I tasted it. And it was good!
And that, my friends, is a wrap!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
He drank the broth?! Oh my goodness… I could not handle that.
stacey-healthylife says
The president was just here in Oregon last week. 🙂
Tabitha (From Single to Married) says
Wow, what a night/day!
I was at the President’s house last weekend, does that count? Granted, he wasn’t there and we only walked around the gardens (with a few hundred other people) but still… that’s something, right? 🙂
Matt says
Perriello is a really courageous guy. He will need a HUGE turnout in Charlottesville to win reelection to that House seat.
Meg says
What an awesome experience, although you didn’t “see” him, hearing him must’ve been amazing enough! Glad you enjoyed your evening 🙂
Dinner looks delish – hooray for beans!
Hannah says
I saw Hilary Clinton at the Paramount in 2007, back when it hadn’t been decided whether she or Obama would be the demoncratic candidate. Fun memories!
Kath says
I saw her too in Charlotte 🙂
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Don’t hate on those silly helicopter’s 😉
Cool people fly those ya know 😉
(my hubby flies the president’s helicopter)
Alice says
Your husband flies Marine One?? That’s so cool. I bet he’s flown over my head here in DC a time or two 🙂
Kath says
WOW!!! How cool is that!!!!!!!!!
Katie says
Greens, beans, and grains; doens’t get any more traditional than that!
I want to see/hear Obama!!!
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
Your yogurt bowls look way more appetizing than mine!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
i love simple dinners. though, it looks like you have room for some fro yo 😉
Camille says
How cool that the president was in town!
I would actually think the line would be even longer than that!
Allison Mercer says
Hi Kath – I am new to reading food blogs and I am absolutely in love with yours! I have already tried to incorporate some of your ideas into my meals and they are much more exciting now! Thanks for the inspiration as I try to eat healthier! P.S. As a fellow health professional (I’m an occupational therapist), I think its so cool that you are an R.D. !
Kath says
Thanks and welcome!!
Christin L. says
I chugged a small glass full of Italian dressing on a dare once… I DO NOT recommend that to anyone! 🙂
Kath says
I would gag at that for sure
Shannon (A Better Me) says
Quick simple dinners usually turn out to be some of the best ones. Looks tasty!
Meaghen says
I love that bottle. Very cute as is the name.
I’m not even American, but it would be pretty neat to be that close to the president!!!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
My dad always drinks cooking broth. He says it’s full of nutrients 🙂
I saw your tweet about Prezzie Obama. I didn’t know he made a pit stop in Cville. I thought you meant on TV. Cool stuff!
Dave @ tips4running says
Even though you didn’t get that close to the president, it was cool that you went out there to see all the action and share it with us. The closest I ever was to a president was by accident. I was working at a place near a hospital. The president was scheduled to speak there that day. I was on my way out from work when a police motorcycle stopped me from entering the road. Three minutes later the presidential motorcade went by. I was only about 20 feet from the president. Granted, he was in a limo that I couldn’t see into, and there were three limos too, so I don’t know exactly which car he was in, but he did go right by me!!!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I think it would be cool to see The President — I’ve never been close to any of them — well except for the tour of the White House I took a few years ago — does that count? 🙂
Jo says
That’s potlikker, right? Supposed to be rich in nutrients…Matt has the right idea!
Kristen @ Kristen, Sweetly says
I think Air Force One would have tickled me more than anything!! How neat.
I think you wrote about Matt drinking weird things like that before. I think he’s on to something though, with all those possible nutrients.
Kiran says
Gimme any other beans, not kidney!!!! I don’t like 🙂
Laura says
Pineapple hot sauce sounds amazing actually! Does the OpenSky shop ship internationally or just within the US?
Kath says
Just within the US currently 🙁
Dee says
Oh my gosh! I would love to try the Pineapple hot sauce!
ps. that bowl of yogurt looks amazing!
Cara Craves... says
The funny things that boys will consume 🙂
Alice says
I sought out the GH in Shirlington(off of 395 S just south of DC). Love the Dakota bread but sadly it’s not adorned with Pumpkin seeds like yours. I guess that’s up to the store owner? It’s delish regardless.
Living here in DC I always get excited whenever I see the Marine One (or one of the helicopters in the fleet) flying over. I’m a nerd that way 🙂
Kath says
Oh bummer – maybe you could press on some of your own!? See if they make Flax Oat Bran or High Five Fiber – they are excellent and my favs!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
so exciting, even though you didn’t get to see him up close. i heard him speak at my 10-year college reunion – he was filling in for ted kennedy during the election so it was extra crazy.
gpd says
Sorry bike ride left you chilly! I find I stay toasty only when I wear pants long enough to tuck into my socks, shirts with sleeves long enough to tuck into my gloves, and shirts long enough to tuck into my pants.
Otherwise, on a windy day, my clothes feel kinda like a wind tunnel!
Kath says
I kept tucking and they kept untucking!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Air Force One would be exciting to see. 🙂
Christie {Honoring Health} says
Wow, what a cool night!! That zombie dude is kinda creepy, though!
Katherine says
Very cool to have a near sighting of Obama! (Perriello’s running for the House, though. No Senate race for VA this year.)
Kath says
D’oh!! Fixed it!
Grace says
What about leg warmers and/or wrist warmers for chilly evening bike rides? I found these eco-friendly ones on Etsy, but there are TONS more to browse through:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60033825/eco-friendly-duo-tone-blue-hand-and-leg?ref=sr_gallery_33&ga_search_query=women%26%2339%3Bs+wool+leg+warmers&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title
Kath says
Those would be ….handy!!
Juli D. says
For dealing with the drafts – just tuck in or you can tie up – make sure if you strap at the ankles you don’t leave any dangling straps though!
Haleigh says
That is insanely cool that you were able to hear the president speak. I was so disappointed because when I went to Dresden last year, Obama came to speak the day after I had to leave 🙁
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com says
Wow, that’s awesome that you were able to hear the president in person!
And a quick question…about oatmeal!! Lately I’ve been trying to figure out how you get your oats so fluffy and creamy looking, while mine always turn out more on liquidy side. I remembered from my food class that sugar competes with starch for water absorption, so this morning I added my brown sugar after the oats were completely done…and I ended up with super fluffy oats! I was just wondering when you added your sugar (when and if you add any) and if my fluffy oats was just a coincidence.
Kath says
Sara,
I never add sugar. You can find my exact recipe on the Tribute To Oatmeal page. Do you add banana? Banana is KEY for creaminess.
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com says
I ALWAYS add a banana! 😀 I didn’t think you added sugar, but I was browsing through some old posts of yours for recipe ideas the other day and saw that you added brown sugar on occasion, but perhaps it was at the end. And I could have sworn you added it in the oatmeal video. Anyways, I’m pretty sure the sugar addition during cooking prevented the delicious creaminess that I had this morning, so I’ll keep leaving it out or adding it at the very end 🙂 Thanks for replying!
Also, I should have said “if my fluffy oats WERE just a coincidence.” Sorry, my bad grammar/lack of editing was bugging me 😛
Kath says
Oh good. Whew!!! I used to add brown sugar more often than now. I don’t eve know if we have any in the house!? I definitely think waiting until the end might be the key 🙂
Jen says
Pineapple hot sauce? Sweet!!!!!
Jen
Simply Life says
I love that you posted this – I hope it will encourage/remind people to vote on Tuesday!!! 🙂
Beth says
Hi Kath – the dakota bread looks amazing! If it is fresh bread w/o preservatives, why does it last so long? Do you freeze it to make it last longer or have a way of packaging that you recommend? Thanks!
Kath says
Because it’s fresh bread!!! I think the fact that the wheat is freshly ground and it’s baked that day gives it a leg up on flour-made bread AND grocery store bread. Don’t store it in the fridge – that encourages mold. We just keep it on the counter in the plastic bag it comes in, tied up well. It will last about 7 days, although the quality does decline with time. Toasting will help on day 7 🙂
Kara says
I love kidney beans with sauce. Next time try BBQ with some raw red onion. Suppah tasty!
Norine says
President Clinton did a fund raiser at a house on my street when he was still the president. It was unbelievable to see all the security that goes into keeping the president safe. I had a party on my front yard and watched as he drove by. It was as close as I got, but still exciting!
Nicole says
I heard that the President was down there last night and wondered if you’d be going. He was here in Columbus the other weekend and we went and had a pretty good view of the stage…especially when using the camera to zoom in! The line extended from the Oval down to the stadium and around the ENTIRE stadium! Thankfully we got there at a good time to get a nice parking spot and the line moved quickly. Tomorrow my husband and I will be doing some political volunteer work (first time), and I have no idea what to expect.
Laura says
cool about the president! he actually came to my college (USC–southern california, not south carolina) last weekend and spoke to us! I saw him on my campus–SUCH an incredible experience!
Laura says
If I were starting a small business I would be very afraid of Obama’s administration policies. Don’t think I would be eager to support his appearance but hey…you get what you deserve.
Laura
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com says
Unnecessary?
Andy Hatch says
Hi Kath!
Thank you for the nice Swagger photos and menu ideas – – beans, quinoa, couscous, and rice really taste amazing with the sweet/hot of Sailor’s Swagger. Though I no longer sell via OpenSky, I do ship internationally and recently fulfilled an order from Saudi Arabia!
I’m enjoying your blog and the feedback/ideas from your readers and hope 2011 is a great one for you.
Best,
Andy
Owner, New World Hot Sauce
Grafton, MA