We didn’t want to leave, but if you have to end a trip this was the way to do it.

Laura arranged for us to have massages at her spa.  I got the hot stone massage and Mallory got wrapped in eucalyptus leaves.  The ladies lounge had a misting room, hot tub, sauna, and steam room.  Naturally, we spent and additional hour lounging after our massages.  If you are in the Bay Area, I highly recommend checking out Burke Williams.  Ask for Taylor or Tuesday!

After a light lunch at one of the cafes in the Ferry Building (and some dessert sampling), we walked around Pier 39.  Check out the sock store.  Before we knew it, it was time to get back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.

Proud side note: I Whittled My Middle before we left!!!

Did I mention the Giants were in the World Series?!

Dinner was something totally different  – raw food at Cafe Gratitude.

Everything on the menu was raw and vegan (except for 3-4 items… but they were still vegan!).

You order an item like our appetizer – nachos.  But the nachos are called “I Am Honoring.”

And they consist of flax chips with sunflower seed “refried beans” over mixed greens with guacamole, salsa, & cashew nacho cheese.

Then, when they bring them out, the server places the dish in front of you saying “You are honoring.”

Side note: raw refried beans are wayyyy better than the real thing.

My favorite was the lasagna Laura ordered: layered zucchini, cashew mozzarella, olive tapenade and pesto topped with marinara, cashew ricotta and Brazil nut Parmesan.

Mallory’s was good too – a sushi bowl consisting of quinoa tossed w/kale, avocado, cucumber, nori, scallions & herbs in sesame-ginger sauce.

She said she couldn’t believe how much it tasted like sushi.

I couldn’t believe she ordered something called “I Am Accepting.”

Since I can never get enough Mexican, I ordered the enchilada – a live vegetable tortilla with sprouted seed filling, topped with spicy salsa verde & cashew sour cream. It was served with cilantro coleslaw and quinoa.

It was good.  Better after they brought out the hot sauce.

Then there was dessert.  Why stop the gluttony on the last day?

I didn’t get a picture of mine, but I can declare that I AM SUPER.  At least when it comes to the dark chocolate nugget I ate.

Mallory was Devoted in the form of a coconut cream pie.

Laura was the winner (IMHO) with a scoops of vanilla and chocolate nut-milk ice cream.  I was praising her choices.

Verdict: I wish we had something like this in Atlanta.  I will always prefer “real” cream pie, but this is a great alternative.   The lasagna is crave-worthy and I am happy anytime I can get a good quinoa dish.

Something cool happened while we were in the restaurant…

The GIANTS won the World Series!!!

The city erupted – it was really neat to be there and watch everyone (literally) go nuts.

I would tell you what we did next… but I’d have to kill you.

We went to one of those super-secret unmarked bars.  We knocked on the door and have to give a password to get in!

It was well worth the effort – I had the best cocktail of my life.  The Citizen Cane.

And just like that, the awesomeness was over. 🙁

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Back at the ranch… the cleanse update…

Day 3 was better.  My headache was gone, but I was still feeling pretty low-energy.

Despite this, I completed P90X Biceps and Back – with the Ab Ripper X at the end.  Then I promptly fell asleep for 45 mins.

If you haven’t tried it, I recommend the DVDs.  I’ve never followed the program exactly (would LOVE to hear if anyone has!), but they are some great workouts when you aren’t motivated to pull together your own.

We were starving before dinner, so I made baked kale chips as an appetizer.  They have been written about ad nauseam in the blog world – for a good “how to” check out Smitten Kitchen’s play-by-play.

On to the main event… I tried my first spaghetti squash!  I couldn’t get over how much like real spaghetti this was!  The consistency of the squash was such that I almost didn’t miss the noodles.

We prepared an awesome tomato sauce to go with it. (Kale chips are delish dipped in tomato sauce, btw.)

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Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

• 1 Spaghetti squash
• 2-3 T EVOO
• 1/2 C Yellow onion
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 750g (~24 oz) Tomato puree
• 1/4 C Parsley
• 1 tsp  Oregano
• Red pepper flakes, sea salt, and pepper to taste
• 3-4 Basil leaves

Cut the squash in half (can soften in microwave first).  Remove the seeds.  Place in a glass baking dish, cut side down, in about 1 in of water.  Microwave for 7-8 minutes, or until shell is tender when pierced with a fork.  (Yes, we were lazy hungry… you can also do this in the oven at 350 for about 45 mins.  I thought the microwave worked fantastically.)

Remove the flesh with a fork.  Place in serving bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, warm olive oil in skillet over medium heat.  Add onions and garlic.  Saute until softened and beginning to brown(about 4 mins).  Add tomato puree and adjust heat until sauce comes to a simmer.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Add the parsley, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste.  Keep warm over very low heat.

Top with sauce, fresh basil, and chopped onions.

Other potential adds: Parmesan, capers, olives, rosemary, peppers, carrots, wine.

I would also have used chunky (not puree) tomatoes (San Marzanos are my fav), but Baby Sis doesn’t like the big pieces.

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Now for the most exciting news… We found a cleanse-approved dessert!!!

No one said it had to be pretty…

Pineapple-Raisin Crisp

• 1 Pineapple
• 1/4 C Raisins
• 2 tsp Coconut butter
• 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/4 Cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper

Core pineapple and cut into 1 in rings.  Toss with pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and cayenne. 

Heat coconut butter in ridged grill pan over medium heat on stove top.  Add pineapple rings and grill for ~4 mins on each side (until grill marks form and the pineapple becomes fragrant).  Add raisins just before pineapple is done.

Top with granola or flax/chia seeds for extra crunch!  My topping as a roasted mizture of flax seeds, chia seeds, cacao nibs, cinnamon, and coconut oil (remnants of a partial fail I’ll disclose tomorrow).

Verdict: I would eat this again, cleanse or no.  Grilled pineapple is satisfyingly sweet and the bit of heat from the cayenne is enough to keep it interesting. 🙂