I had so much fun walking around downtown Los Angeles yesterday.
The weather was perfect. Sunny, no humidity and 75 degrees. I was in heaven! Walking around at noon in the middle of the summer and not turning into a puddle of sweat is pretty sweet!
My adventures for the day began in the early afternoon. I ended up spending most of the morning playing catch up on my computer and before I knew it, eleven o’clock rolled around and I needed to get out!
Here are some highlights from my day!
- Fresh green juice from Caffe Primo
I walked into this place in search of an afternoon pick-me-up and left with one of their fresh juices that came in a glass jar and a small cup of gelato. I selected a juice made with mint, cucumber, aloe vera (yeah, I definitely didn’t know you could drink that) and lemon. It was incredibly refreshing!
My gelato was a mix of coconut and almond date gelato. It was creamy and sweet but didn’t hold a candle to the gelato I had in Italy. Now that stuff was unbelievably fantastic! Take me back!
- Fresh fruit from Pershing Square
Thank you so much for your LA recommendations on my post yesterday. They served me well and directed me to Pershing Square where I spent some time meandering around and looking at some beautiful fresh produce and fantastic-smelling local food.
It seems like all of the people selling produce want everyone to sample their fresh fruit and after biting into one of the sweetest strawberries I’ve ever tasted in my life, I can see why! Every sample I tried was perfectly ripe and flavorful.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a pluot before and after trying a small sample, I knew I needed more.
I bought two pluots and some cinnamon sugar pecans to enjoy in the grass at Pershing Square while I watched the live music playing in the park.
Yum!
- BodyPump
As you probably know, I am a wee bit obsessed with BodyPump. Early yesterday morning I went on the Les Mills website and saw that three gyms right by my hotel offered BodyPump, so I carved out an hour of my day to take a class. I spent some time talking to my boss at the gym about BodyPump again on Monday and think I’m slowly convincing my gym to hop on the BodyPump train… Fingers crossed!
- Macarons at Bottega Louie
This was the place that got the most recommendations from you guys, so I knew I had to check it out. You never steer me wrong and your winning streak continues!
Clearly you know I have a serious sweet tooth and when you all recommended Bottega Louie for their macarons, that was all I needed to motivate me to swing by and pick some up to try.
The salted caramel easily stole the show!
I loved every flavor I tried with the exception of the rose macaron. (It tasted like soap! Apparently I am not sophisticated enough to appreciate rose-flavored desserts.)
I had a blast exploring LA and am really looking forward to another day in the city. Right now I’m off to the IDEA World Fitness Convention!
See ya later!
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Confession: I don’t think I’ve ever had a macaron. But that will definitely change as soon as I stumble across a salted caramel flavour! Sounds like a great trip so far, I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
Totally had to google pluot…a hybrid/cross breed between an apricot and a plum..sounds amazing! Did they taste more like one than the other? Aloe vera juice is quite big here now, I can’t take to it on it’s own…ok in smoothies though!
They taste a lot more like a plum. So delicious!
Aloe vera green juice + served in a jar… now that place is a hidden gem, yum!
Those macarons sound delicious! Looks like you are having a great time. Fingers crossed you can convince your boss on body pump 🙂
So much fun stuff, Julie! I’m so curious about Bottega Louie, but I’m definitely not a fan of macarons so I’d be going there for something else. Have a great time at the convention 😀
Yum, the gelato and cinnamon-sugar pecans sound very tasty!
Julie! remember when you talked about Piloxing? They’re going to be there tomorrow at the IDEA conference and you MUST check it out! Please please please! You’ll love it!
I haven’t had a macaron before but those looked absolutely delicious! I’m glad you are having a good visit to LA.
Italian gelato cannot be beaten.
All that fresh fruit looks delicious! I know what you mean about Body Pump. We moved and our new gym doesn’t have Les Mills classes. They do offer something very similar called “group power” though!
I have seriously got to get back to LA. I have only been once before for just a couple of days. Looks like a fabulous time and some delicious goodies as well!
I love that they served the green juice in a glass jar! I wish more places did that. Aloe Vera juice is actually great for your tummy! It is highly recommended for those with acidic stomach/ulcers as it helps coat the lining of your stomach.
Salted caramel (anything) is always my pick of flavors! Don’t feel bad, I am not sophisticated enough for such a “high end” flavor like rose either! 😉
Haha the end of your post nearly made me laugh out loud. I felt the EXACT same way when I studied abroad in France… loooved me some macarons, but one bite of the rose flavor and I knew I’d never be wasting my money on it again.
One thing California is great for…fresh produce!!!
Glad to see BodyPump may be back in your life!
I have never heard of a pluot before. Sounds interesting. Looks like you were able to try lots of goodies! I love Bodypump, I need to get back into it more. I tend to do it alot for months at a time, then taper off. It is about time to start again! Enjoy the convention!
I love Plouts. I am a plum and an appricot fan so when they can be combined into 1 fruit it is awesome. Sometimes the outside speckled color makes them look rotten but I find they are really tasty.
In my early teens, I had a lot of stomach issues and used to drink pure aloe vera juice to help. “They” say it helps with ulcers. I don’t remember particularly liking the taste of it though ;p
I love the fresh juice in the jar! So do you keep the jar or have to drink it in store??
I LOVE gelato! I often crave it more than ice cream!
Those macaroons look yummy! I’m curious what rose macaroons taste like.
Sounds like a fun day! Those macarons look amazing. Have fun on the rest of your trip!
I agree with you on the rose flavored things…soap! Yuck! Any thing with rose water or lavender in it I do not like. Those things are meant for smelling, not for eating! 😉
Mhmm I love macarons! But I’ve never tried that place. I’ll have to swing by and check it out next time I’m in the area 🙂 My Dad works right near the Staples Center so I’m in L.A. frequently. I’ve never been to that farmer’s market either! I need to go!
there is nothing like a good farmers market! La is such a cool place (though new york is still my fav!)… enjoy your time 🙂
Those macaroons look DELISH! Also I adore pluots. I just discovered them this summer, but they are amazing. So delicious!
Gelato is my favorite favorite favorite thing to put into my mouth. Those other desserts are beautiful though! I love pretty food!
I would love to try a pluot! I totally Googled it after reading your post – I wonder if they sell them in local grocery stores and I just haven’t noticed??!
But I saw your instagram photos, and it looks like you are having an amazing time! I would love to go to LA (or California in general!) sometime. I think I would love the healthier lifestyle out there. My hometown (Evansville, IN) recently won the Most Obese City in America award; can’t say I’m proud of that one ;-).
So many macaroons!!! I’m not sure I could stomach rose flavoured goodies either. It would definitely remind me too much of my Nan’s soap! Haha!
I’m interested in the BodyPump but my gym doesn’t offer it- do you have a workout you can post that is sort of similar for those of us who don’t have access to a class?! 🙂
Omg I looovee macaroons! I’m so glad you’re enjoying LA. I can’t wait to hear about the conference.
Oh my gosh macarons are my favorite!! I studied abroad in Paris and ate a chocolate macaron almost daily. They’re so so delicious.
I LOVED Bottega Louie when we went there – we stayed right above it so we were able to eat there every morning 🙂
I live so close to all of this, I am so sad I was unable to make the IDEA conference as I am in town but moving to another country so I had NO time 🙁 I hope to go next year!! Have fun!! Love + Shine CourtStar
Looks like a great day with yummy snacks! And I love that you found a class instead of going to the hotel gym. I need to work on that.
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.com