We had such a nice afternoon with Casey + Renee (and Kevin!) Sans a few rain showers, it’s been a fun last day.
We were showered more with gifts! They brought us this gorgeous Louisiana gift basket with all kinds of local treats – beer, BEANS!!, seasonings.
And Renee just returned from Paris and brought me this gorgeous scarf, a spoon rest and a Eifel Tour keychain. Thanks so much girls for your Southern hospitality!
We said goodbye around 3 and headed for another linner at Coops, a hole in the wall recommended to us. Since my nickname is Koops, we had to come!
Karen got a Purple Haze and gave me a taste. Loved it!
I wanted to end my trip with a local foodie bang, so I got the ubiquitous Red Beans and Rice, which came with these giant sausages. I was expecting a simple bowl of kidney beans over rice and didn’t realize there was meat involved – I think it was rabbit?Talk about a HUGE PORTION!! I’m not a sausage eater, but this sausage was really good. I had about 1/4 of one of these plus about a cup’s worth of red beans and rice.
Plus a side salad. (Greens, finally!!)
Matt got a Fried Shrimp Po’Boy and gave me two delicious bites
And Karen got Shrimp Creole, and I had some of that too. It was another big sharing meal. Despite eating a healthy (meaning “large”) portion, I didn’t leave that full. I feel kind of bottomless pit-ish today – perhaps my lack of sleep affecting leptin levels?
We are now at the airport (WHOOO HOOO FREE WIRELESS INTERNET!!!) and I got some gum to keep from getting bored.
We’re ready to be home
I had so much fun eating my way through New Orleans. I think I did so consciously and ate just what satisfied me. I’m really pleased with my “feel good” factor. The only time the whole weekend I overdid it a little was the ganache at brunch (made me feel a bit sickly full) and a splash too much wine on Friday night. Otherwise, what a fun taste of the city.
Thanks to Karen for such a wonderful weekend!!
Shannon says
I see Tony’s Seasoning in your basket. I am Canadian but my famiily always makes a trip for this. It is really good.
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
Glad you had such a great time!!! Looks like it was a fun trip from all of your pictures. And I’m glad you had some red beans and rice New Orleans style! That’s the best part of traveling, the local fare!
Safe travels!
Rachel says
Holy cow, that sausage! It reminds me of some meals I had in Germany with a huge piece of meat stretching around the whole plate, hehe. Red beans and rice sounds super good right now – perhaps I’ll imitate that meal tonight. Glad you’re on your way home 🙂
Danielle says
So glad you enjoyed your time in the Big Easy! You’ve done such a great job at keeping us updated with your fun that I almost feel like I was there, thanks 🙂 have a safe trip home!
lex says
kath- your pictures are stunning! i absolutly adore your hair! 🙂 aso your scarf is beatiful! it looks like you had a awsome time, and the food looks great too!
for everybody else-
i save started my new blog and have NO readers or supporters :’( i was wondering if anybody would like to come and support me!? i will comment your blogs back! any person is appreciated!
brandi says
i’ve seen that abita beer before, but haven’t tried it. I love Turbo Dog, though 🙂 glad you guys had a great time – have a safe flight!
zestycook says
Glad you had a great time Kath!
j3nn.net says
Great gifts + food! It’s really nice to experience the local cuisine of places you’re visiting.
Jenn
Jordan says
Ha. At first I thought that picture of the beans was a slice of pecan pie until my eyes focused right.
meg says
Looks like you have had a fabulous time! Have a safe trip home!
debbie says
Twas a joy to keep up with you in New Orleans.
One of my favorite things to do there is lounge in the piano bar sipping on something good.
Safe travels to you and Matt!
Blessings – Debbie
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats says
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip – it was fun to see your view on the city!
MaryBe says
Thanks so much for taking us to New Orleans! “We” had a great time 😀
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
That’s so great you had an amazing time in New Orleans! The eats all look really good! And a surprise gift is always exciting!!
Have a safe trip home!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion) says
i think you did quite well this weekend, too! you tried everything and still managed to keep things reasonable. glad you feel good about it! (and omg, i can’t believe that you were not allowed to order fruit at breakfast unless you got a waffle!! that’s ridic)
Oh She Glows says
So glad you had such a great trip and didn’t feel like you over did it. PS- You look super pretty in the frist picture- you’re glowing 🙂 🙂
thepinkpeppercorn says
Thanks for sharing your trip! I’ve never been there, but now I want to go visit even more!!! Everything looks so good….
lora says
i LOVE NOLA! I went in MArch and blogged about it…I went to Coops too! such a great place! glad u had fun and glad u are getting back to ur normal routine soon! vacays are great, but a regular/normal routine is even better.
Heather says
When my family and I went to NOLA, the hotel we stayed at recommended Coops Place for their Po’Boys. Let’s just say that none of us became Po’Boy fans haha. Glad to hear you enjoyed it though! Your dishes look a heck of a lot better than ours did! 🙂
Have a safe trip back. Keep the gum for the flight… chewing gum does miracles for popping ears on the way up and down on flights!
Jessica says
Kath! You look gorgeous in that first picture with your blue eyes and blue top! I’m glad you had such a nice weekend, have a safe trip back!
Help Meghan Run says
Have fun coming home. 🙂 It’s sometimes the best part of traveling!
www. HelpMeghanRun .com
Michelle Hisae says
I love seeing the true southern cooking! Thanks for giving us a food tour of NOLA!
stephanie says
I love New Orleans cuisine! Your sharing makes me want to go back.
But I’ve got to say…6 HOURS of sleep, that would be extravagant and heavenly! Oh those were my pre-baby days I guess 😉
Adi (oatonomy.com - repaired!) says
I’m glad the trip was such a good time. Well done on eating in moderation! I could have learned from you today – yikes! Have a great Monday.
Casey says
I had an awesome time today!!!
Have a safe trip home!!!
Caronae says
It sounds like you had such a good time! Have fun with your internship when it starts (soon?)!
Kailey (SnackFace) says
Aww the end of the trip has come. I loved reading all about it- thanks for the awesome recaps! You had such wonderful meals and great company. Have a safe trip home and a good night’s sleep!
ErinMac says
I’m about to embark on a 2 week vacation and vow to take on your eat to enjoy style! It’s a great feeling when you know that you’ve enjoyed yourself, but didn’t go over board.
It was great to see those delicious NOLA foods!
Kath says
Thanks everyone!!! We made it home safe and sound
Kath
Erin says
Matt’s shrimp po boy (and fries) looks perfect Nawlins fare.
What a fun city.
Sharon says
What an awesome time overall!
skinnyrunner says
isnt food such a great part of traveling to different places? looks delicious!
great job on eating intuitively too!
Bec says
hope you have a safe flight home!
Angelea says
Loved following your NOLA trip. It brought back some great memories from my time there. Thanks!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
love hole-in-the-wall places! they are normally the be best 😉
sue says
aww the gifts are so sweet! i hope your flight home went well!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
I spy Tony C’s in that basket! You’ve got to try it on sweet potato or butternut squash fries. Yum!
I am super impressed by your eating intuitively this weekend! I think you got to enjoy everything without over doing it. Can you tutor me?
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday says
I’m glad you had a fun trip!
The hole in the wall places are always the best places!
Lauren says
I LOVE Purple Haze! I can’t find it in Boston, though… guess it’s a Southern brew.
Jenny Marie says
Kath, you are so great at not letting the good food get too much of you! That’s totally my problem – if it’s good Ihave to eat more. I’m working on being like you! Thanks!
Kara says
That po boy platter looks awesome!
Kristin says
That’s funny you call it “linner.” It’s “lupper” in our house.
Looks like you had fun. I’ve only been to NOLA once, pre-Katrina, and would love to go back someday.
Courtney B. says
I LOVE Coop’s Place! I try and take any out of state visitors there and to a hole in the wall African restaurant when we get down to NOLA. So, so yummy! I’m glad you had fun. Looking at all your photos reminded me that the boyfriend and I need to hop in the car and head back down sometime soon.
debbie says
Hey Kath, My friend Rue over at http://ruespeanutbutterandjellylife.blogspot.com/2009/05/tell-me.html had a little question regarding our favorite blog to visit and why.
I picked you, because you would have the be the one person I would miss most if you were not here. I get so much inspiration and encouragement from you more than anyone else. You provide not only your healthy day to day way of living but I feel I also know you as you share your life and I love that so much. So I nominated you and your blog is honored here today. Hope you get some new visitors! http://ruespeanutbutterandjellylife.blogspot.com/2009/05/compilation-of-blogs-recommended-by-you.html
Blessings – Debbie
Jo says
Wow that sausage with the rice and beans is enormous lol! Well done on staying in control during your trip