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Out and About in LA

August 8, 2013 by Julie 86 Comments

I had so much fun walking around downtown Los Angeles yesterday.

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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

Caffe Primo Juice

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!

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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

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.

Pershing Square Farmer's Market

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.

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I don’t think I’ve ever had a pluot before and after trying a small sample, I knew I needed more.

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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.

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Yum!

  • BodyPump

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

Bottega Louis Macarons

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!

Bottega Louie Macarons Bottega Louie

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.

Bottega Louie Macaron

The salted caramel easily stole the show!

Bottega Louie Salted Caramel Macaron

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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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: BodyPump, Bottega Louie, Caffe Primo, green juice, Los Angeles, macaron

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says

    August 8, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    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!

    Reply
  2. Shel@PeachyPalate says

    August 8, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says

      August 8, 2013 at 8:26 pm

      They taste a lot more like a plum. So delicious!

      Reply
  3. Katie says

    August 8, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    Aloe vera green juice + served in a jar… now that place is a hidden gem, yum!

    Reply
  4. Jan @ Sprouts n Squats says

    August 8, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    Those macarons sound delicious! Looks like you are having a great time. Fingers crossed you can convince your boss on body pump 🙂

    Reply
  5. Ellie@Fit for the soul says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    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 😀

    Reply
  6. Melissa says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    Yum, the gelato and cinnamon-sugar pecans sound very tasty!

    Reply
  7. Melissa G. says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:14 pm

    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!

    Reply
  8. Kate @ KaCo Living says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    I haven’t had a macaron before but those looked absolutely delicious! I’m glad you are having a good visit to LA.

    Reply
  9. Jodea @ chillichocolatelove.com says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    Italian gelato cannot be beaten.

    Reply
  10. Nikki @ Grab Your Kicks says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:37 pm

    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!

    Reply
  11. Chelsea @ BigBitesLittleBudget says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    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!

    Reply
  12. tina @ nourished wellness says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    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! 😉

    Reply
  13. Mackenzie says

    August 8, 2013 at 5:14 pm

    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.

    Reply
  14. Taylor @ Single-tracked Mind says

    August 8, 2013 at 6:25 pm

    One thing California is great for…fresh produce!!!

    Glad to see BodyPump may be back in your life!

    Reply
  15. Tara@PNWRunner says

    August 8, 2013 at 6:27 pm

    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!

    Reply
  16. Linda says

    August 8, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    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.

    Reply
  17. Brie @ Eat Books says

    August 8, 2013 at 6:58 pm

    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??

    Reply
  18. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

    August 8, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    I LOVE gelato! I often crave it more than ice cream!

    Reply
  19. Gaby - Toronto personal trainer says

    August 8, 2013 at 8:48 pm

    Those macaroons look yummy! I’m curious what rose macaroons taste like.

    Reply
  20. Farah says

    August 8, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    Sounds like a fun day! Those macarons look amazing. Have fun on the rest of your trip!

    Reply
  21. Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug says

    August 8, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    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! 😉

    Reply
  22. Maggie @ Sunnyside Up Smile says

    August 8, 2013 at 11:19 pm

    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!

    Reply
  23. Synthia says

    August 9, 2013 at 1:09 am

    there is nothing like a good farmers market! La is such a cool place (though new york is still my fav!)… enjoy your time 🙂

    Reply
  24. Kelly says

    August 9, 2013 at 8:48 am

    Those macaroons look DELISH! Also I adore pluots. I just discovered them this summer, but they are amazing. So delicious!

    Reply
  25. Ashley @ Eat Run Live Happy says

    August 9, 2013 at 9:47 am

    Gelato is my favorite favorite favorite thing to put into my mouth. Those other desserts are beautiful though! I love pretty food!

    Reply
  26. Susie Miller says

    August 9, 2013 at 10:26 am

    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 ;-).

    Reply
  27. Mary says

    August 9, 2013 at 11:26 am

    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!

    Reply
  28. Courtney says

    August 9, 2013 at 11:53 am

    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?! 🙂

    Reply
  29. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says

    August 9, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Omg I looovee macaroons! I’m so glad you’re enjoying LA. I can’t wait to hear about the conference.

    Reply
  30. Lauren says

    August 9, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Oh my gosh macarons are my favorite!! I studied abroad in Paris and ate a chocolate macaron almost daily. They’re so so delicious.

    Reply
  31. Kat says

    August 9, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    I LOVED Bottega Louie when we went there – we stayed right above it so we were able to eat there every morning 🙂

    Reply
  32. Court Star @ StarSystemz says

    August 10, 2013 at 12:10 am

    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

    Reply
  33. AJ says

    August 12, 2013 at 7:03 am

    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

    Reply
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  1. Things I’m Loving Friday | Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    August 16, 2013 at 10:22 am

    […] since I first tried a pluot in Los Angeles last week, I’ve been eating, on average, two a day. They are so […]

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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