Sunday in the City
Why can’t every weekend be a three-day weekend?! It’s even better because the sun has been out for most of it, which is rarity in these parts.
We decided to spend the day in London yesterday. It’s about 100 miles away so we don’t go as often as I would like, but I always enjoy it when we can go. London as a city definitely grew on me. When I first visited, I had such high hopes that I was sort of let down. I was only 18 at the time and I had been dreaming of visiting London since I first read Jane Austen 
Here’s my “American Girl in London” photo from my very first trip:
Slowly I realized that there is something for everyone in London. You just have to find what suits you! I wasn’t that thrilled by places like Buckingham Palace (though I’ve never been inside). But eventually I discovered Harrods and the Kensington and Chelsea area and it was all over. I was in love. We were even married there!
So naturally, this is always the area where we end up visiting. I try to go to different places with each visit. This was a quick trip so we really only made it to three places.
We didn’t arrive until about 2pm, by which time I was starving, so we grabbed a quick lunch at a bagel place (London is the only city in England where I have found a bagel shop!). Originally I was going to have a salad, but my energy was low for some reason so I decided on carbs. Enter: hummus on a WW bagel with mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, and spinach.
I thought this was picture-worthy…
Anyone know what “high-protein flour” is?! I’m wondering if it has something to do with a higher gluten level…
Then Harrods was our first stop. We have a £50 credit there that I wanted to use, but that gets you little more than a box of chocolates at Harrods so I’m holding onto it until I feel a bit richer!
Then we walked around South Kensington in search for a special treat recommended to me by the fabulous Mi of Whole Foods for Whole Me (who also helped me learn all about Snogging on our last London visit!). I love walking through the expensive neighborhoods and pretending I am a celebrity. Matthew and I even played paparazzi, which is a favorite game of mine
No pictures, please.
Then came the highlight of the day. This little shop somehow manages to be nestled on a big road but still remain very discreet: The Hummingbird Bakery.
If any of you visit London, promise me you will visit this place. Most bakeries here are in the French style of patisseries (which are great, too, but cupcakes are hard to find). This place is done like an American-style bakery, but the BEST one you have ever been to in your life.
The main focus here is CUPCAKES. Which one would you choose?
Carrot cake:
Vanilla or chocolate with chocolate frosting & sprinkles:
Vanilla or chocolate with vanilla frosting & sprinkles:
All with adorable and unique decorations!
Or, my favorite, red velvet:
There are more than just cupcakes, too…
Matt chose the frosted walnut brownie:
But of course I went for the red velvet and a soy latte:
It was. Amazing. The frosting was as smooth as silk and so creamy. The cake was moist and just perfect with the coffee.
There was no discussion of pros and cons: we had to take a couple home with us! I also found out about The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, which has been added to my amazon wishlist!
Eventually we made our way to the big Whole Foods, which is a must-visit for me every time we go to London now. There are many grocery items that I can only but there! I just picked up a few odds and ends, plus dinner, before we headed back. Since it was Sunday, everything was closing early. We took dinner to go and ate when we got home around 8pm.
I mixed a heaping bowl from the salad bar: prawn gazpacho salad, cabbage crunch salad, Marrakesh carrot salad, Asian prawn & cucumber salad, superfoods salad (broccoli, peas, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts, mixed sprouts, mint, parsley, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and goat cheese), brown rice & edamame, sweet chili tofu, and butternut squash.
I was so satisfied from my cupcake treat earlier in the day that I had NO TROUBLES with post-dinner snacking! It’s getting easier, guys! I really think it is just a bad habit that I need to break. I am stronger than the habit. My body is strong from the healthy food I give it throughout the day. I know it doesn’t need extra crap at night! Of course, this wasn’t all the food I ate on Sunday. I had an apple with lunch and a cottage cheese creation for breakfast. It was a very satisfying day of eating, but more importantly, a very satisfying day overall!
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heyy! thanks so much for the helpful/sweet comment on my last post! i’m really trying to stay away from the scale, but it is so hard! i need to put it somewhere that is not easy to get too.
soo..this post makes me SOO jealous of you! i love the hummingbird bakery. i used to always stop in on my way home after a shopping trip at portabello market!
i LOVE the bagel factory
i havent been there in forever though and ive had the biggest bagel craving lately, so your yummy bagel picture is making me think i need to go there some stage this week 
ooo those cupcakes look so pretty! im so glad you had a nice day in london!
The cupcakes look drool-worthy! What cute pictures.
As for high-protein flour, it’s usually used in making breads because it does (as far as I know) correlate with higher levels of gluten–which makes the breads like bagels super chewy!
All the cupcakes look so yummy! I love your heart plate too, how cute.
Gosh they have wholefoods there how nice! I remember I was the same way I had such high hopes for London and when I was there mind you I was only 17 I hated it too cold lol Now that I am older maybe I will like it better. Lucky you I am stuck in rain in Oregon!
Seriously, carrot cake… love it!
Love your Whole Foods visit.. you and I are so alike. I’m hoping to go to London at the end of this month and WF is definitely on my list!!
What a fun day in London! I would def go for the chocolate, or carrot cake, ooorrr Red Velvet
I notice the same thing when i have REAL dessert that i’m satisfied and don’t need any more sweets!
My boyfriend is going to London sometime after he graduates. I’m going to have to show him this post
Yay! I love how you had a nice combo of treats and healthy eats and that that resulted in an evening free of food stress. I think you are nailing this Intuitive Eating thing!
I absolutely would have gone for the Red Velvet too.
That looks like SUCH a good time!! : )
The Red Velvet looks oh-so-good! Haha, and I laughed that you guys play paparazzi … love it! ; )
What a wonderful time!!! I would love to visit London, but alas, being poor doesn’t allow for that… but cupcakes and whole foods?? YUM!
Lara, what a wonderful weekend! You seem so happy – it’s so nice to “see” you like that. Love that paparazzi pick!
Oh my goodness…thanks for making my desire to go to London THAT much bigger
I just think that London is the city for me!!
Congrats on getting better at the Intuitive Eating thing! It takes a lot of work and it sounds like you’re going to be really successful with it!
I definitely need to try the idea of having a treat earlier in the day to ward off post-dinner snacking! Everything looks great
Haha, love that paparazzi pic
And those cupcakes. Way to make me drool!
Thanks for this post!! London is pretty much my favourite place in the world so I loved seeing all your pictures. Thanks for your comments on my page too
AH! i had NO idea there was a whole foods in london!! i really love london. last time i went i vowed we would move there for a year or so. my fiance’s company is based in the uk so he goes to london fairly regularily and they have a flat on strand. next time i go im going to make you take a trip to visit…i bet your 50 credit at harrods could at least give you half a lunch in the harrods cafe! ha!
Yay! Your day looks lovely and I think the key is balanced eating all day to avoid late night munchies. Good for you
Cupcakes! I def woulda gone with carrot cake, but I’m a total addict. Yours looked great. Love the papz shots.
cupcakes + whole foods + london = awesome awesome and awesome
Yum, that bakery looks divine! My parents just took a trip to London and I really want to go someday…a lot of my dad’s family lives in England, where my grandparents are from!! Someday…
Wow what an awesome day! I love the bagels, the cupcakes and the lovely salad on the heart plates!
Loved reading about your day in London and THOSE CUPCAKES! Oh heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a great day in London! I find it overwhelming too, as many a big city can be. But you’re right, once you get to know it you find great places. The bakery looks awesome!
Love this post Lara. I too, love London, especially the expensive neighbourhoods! I also love Whole Foods Market. i wish there was one up here, don’t you? maybe we could lobby for one. I can also recommend an eaterie called Leon. There is one near Liberty’s and also one at Spitalfields. They do beautiful, organic food, such as superfood salads and organic soups and smoothies. I think you would love it!
looks like a great day! I miss London- I’d go with red velvet too only because I’ve never tried it and you don’t see it much in the UK! Next time you are in London, check out Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden
Yummy cupcakes! Those look wonderful. And I so wish I had a Whole Foods near me. I love that store. I am so jealous of your London trip – would love to be able to visit.
Oh my goodness those cupcakes look incredible! lucky you for getting to go there!!! i wish you could send some over here! : )
and i also love your heart shaped plate! so cute!
I’ve never tried red velvet anything, so that probably would have been my choice too!!
I find no matter where I go, a big city is a big city to me. Whether it’s New York, Paris or Berlin, they all just seem big, busy and dirty to me. I guess you just gotta spend some extra time in them to find the neighbourhoods you love
Wow that cupcake place looks amazing! Definately on our visit list for the next trip to London!
I love the Bagel Factory but like you I never see them anywhere other than London. Probably a good job as I like them too much! :d
I am so glad you had such a fabulous time in London on Sunday! Yea for three day weekends
Your food choices were fabulous. Way to listen to your body – you really are taking the intuitive eating thing to heart and it sounds like it is paying off for you. Those bakery pictures look so good. I definitely would have gone for the chocolate cupcake b/c I am a total chocoholic 
Hi Lara,
I can’t remember if I already told you – I used your Graze.com code last week to try one of their boxes, so think you should get a £1 off your next order.
Great find – I’m going to review my first one on my blog soon!
Glad you enjoyed London – it’s my favourite city in the WHOLE world, although living there might make me a teeny bit biased!
-CJ
what a fantastic day! i am totally loving your paparazzi picture game, that is awesome. you captured the look for sure
i hope to visit london one day!! this post made me a lil jealous, not gonna lie! how about we swap a day of CA beach/sunshine for a day in london??
what a great visit to london! i def want to go to the cafe and WF is awesome!
WHOA those cupcakes looks so good! I esp like the smiley ones!
Your paparazzi game/pic is so cute and funny. I love it!
I’ve only been to London once and it was dirtier than I expected. Being from America, I was shocked at how OLD everything was! THat must be one of the cooler things about living in a country that isn’t a few hundred yrs old!!!!
Great post:)
I’ve never been to London, but it seems like a nice place to visit :]
Yum, I would totally order that ww bagel with hummus and veggies. Looks extremely delicious.
Oh my goodness, I want to go to The Hummingbird Bakery!! Those cupcakes are adorable and totally calling my name. I want one.. no.. actually, more than one !!!
I would buy the vanilla cupcake with the vanilla frosting in the aqua color with the sprinkles!!! Mmmmmm.
The red velvet one you chose looks scrumptious!
I have always wanted to go to London. I dont dream of it like I do Paris or Rome, but I do think it has to be a cool place to visit! I’m glad you went and enjoyed some time with your husband!!
Those cupcakes look amazing. Great job with the post dinner snacking too!
omg what a fun little trip! i wish i could just getaway to london for a day!
i’ve heard so many good things about hummingbird- especially their red velvet!
Love your paparazzi pic and Lara and it sounds like a perfect day away! I only spent four days in London and soooo want to go back–if I do, Hummingbird Bakery will be on my list!
YUM!!! And yea for WF too!
What a great day in London! I’m jealous of all those cupcakes… but I think you definately made the right choice with yours. I’ve never had a red velvet cake, but jeez, I definately need to try one now!
Mmm… your wholefoods salad looks delicious!
London sounds fabulous! I love your papparazi game!!!!
And yes, I think high protein flour has more gluten in it!
That papparazi game cracks me up!!
I once spent an entire afternoon wandering around Harrod’s in London, and I was amazed. I think I only came away with a Harrod’s lunch bag and some tea, because most things were pretty pricey, but it was such a fun place to explore! The food hall made me drool like nobody’s business!
It would have been a tough choice for me between the red velvet and the carrot cake cupcakes. I think you chose well!! YUMMMMMY!!!
I need to stop doing so much evening snacking. Even though I have the calories left, I rarely really eat anything of substance. Maybe I’ll work on that soon.
I’m glad you had such a yummy day!
Hey, this is the first time I am reading your blog, I just wanted to say it’s great.
Also, I’m glad you like london, so many people seem to dislike it when really it’s lovely.
Have you visited king’s road, it has a similiar vibe to Kensington and is extremely pretty.
Are there really no bagel places in England besides in London, I live in London and have never been to any other parts of England except Leicester which is very grey and a uni field trip to Suffolk.
YUMM! Your bagel sounds awesome – i’ve never put veggies on a bagel before! I need to find a place that has healthy food like that – how amazingly convenient! As far as the bakery…. WHOA…I would choose a red velvet cupcake- WOW – never had one. Want one now. Must go to London. Love your photos – London def suits you!