My 32nd birthday was this past Sunday. Although I used to be quite fond of big parties and spending a week celebrating my birthday (It's right before Independence Day, so I had an excuse), my birthday has become more of a day of reflection on all these years I've been given this wonderful gift of life, and rejoicing in how blessed I am. Every year, on my birthday, Chris, being a little older than I, says "Let's see. You're __ years old now? Yeah, __ is a good age." As I reflect, though, I realize they have all been good ages, and I have loved every single year. Because I like lists, I've made a small one to remind me of all the years I am thankful for:
- Age 6 (the earliest I can really remember clearly): My brother was born on my birthday. Jacob was a better gift than I ever could have even dreamed to ask for.
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My Grandparents & I (not at age 14)
Age 14: I moved from San Jose to Tracy to live with my Grandparents. I only lived there a year but learned far more in that 1 year than I had in the preceding 13 years.
- Age 15: I moved back to San Jose and was cast in a play (Neil Simon's California Suite) in my new high school, which introduced me to several dear friends, including my high school sweetheart. I also got my first job, as a gymnastics coach at the gym where I had been a gymnast.
- Age 19: I moved out of my parent's home and learned how to support myself by working full-time (still as a coach), and put myself through school, where I was not totally loving my English major. I also joined a gym and lost all the weight I had gained by being a terribly unhealthy eater during high school.
- Age 20: Changed my major to Kinesiology, with a minor in Nutrition, wanting to help others get healthy and fit, just as I had. I got a job as a personal trainer, and fell in love with helping people reach their goals.
- Age 23: I was in a very serious car accident and realized my mortality which scared me into wanting to get married. I married my high school sweetheart a couple months later. I also became vegetarian this year.
Age 24: I rescued my canine companion, Samantha, who has several times since then, rescued me.- Age 26: I filed for divorce, which led to a series of revelations regarding what I was doing with my life. I reached a level of happiness on my own that I had never achieved before.
- Age 27: I quit my job, sold the majority of my belongings, and left for Europe. I traveled and explored anywhere and everywhere I felt like going. I found peace in writing and became addicted to it. I settled down twice- once to teach English in northern Italy, near Venice, and the second time to be a nanny in Florence, Italy, a job that did not last long, but taught me more about myself than any other job I ever had. I moved back home after 8 months of traveling. I then moved to Los Angeles.
- Age 28: While selling furniture, to supplement my very weak personal training income, I sold a TV stand to Chris Miller, my future husband. A couple months later, I followed a fantasy of mine which led me to be the head fromagier at a cheese shop, a far cry from my former career as a personal trainer.
- Age 29: Chris and I created a home together at the beach. Right before my 30th birthday, I took a job as a nutritional consultant/administrative assistant for a celebrity nutritionist's personal catering company (I left the cheese shop for health benefits). This job taught me that no job, no matter the pay, is worth it if you're not happy.
- Age 31: I eloped with my best friend. I became vegan. I quit my job and became Chris's assistant. We started Keepin' It Kind. I fell in love with yoga. Just when I thought I couldn't get happier, I got even
happier.
Amongst all of this reflection, I did some celebrating in the way of spending the day doing my favorite things: sleeping in with Chris and Samantha, sipping coffee on the front porch with Chris, walking Samantha on the beach, going to see a great movie (a rare treat for us), Moonrise Kingdom (We are huge Wes Anderson fans), and then dinner at one of my most favorite restaurants: Madeleine Bistro.
Madeleine Bistro is arguably one of the best vegan restaurants in Los Angeles. The menu changes based on what ingredients are seasonal (though a few things are permanent), and every single thing we've ordered has been spectacular. This visit was no exception.
I mentioned before that I wanted a birthday cake size version of their Red Beet Tartare, my most favorite dish on the menu. This didn't happen because the waitress I spoke to no longer works there, and I felt odd making such a request to a stranger. We settled for the regular size and we were not dissapointed. The dish includes a mixture of lightly seasoned beets atop a tofu goat cheese crouton, with cucumber slices and a balsamic glaze. The tofu goat cheese crouton was even better than I remember it.
Next up, we shared the Korean style BBQ "short-ribs" with pistachio puree, rosti potato and haricots verts. The "short-ribs" were so incredible, the sauce being very bold and tangy until the spicy hotness settles in during the aftertaste. Did I mention that it was incredible?
We also shared the porcini-crusted tofu scallops with mushroom puree, haricots verts and carrot-ginger syrup. The outer porcini-crusts of these little tofu bites was the best part of the entire dish, and when dipped in the mushroom puree, a little bit of heaven on earth is created, right there on your plate.
For dessert, we shared their Chocolate Souffle with Vanilla Ice Creme. There are no words. I'm on a chocolate high just thinking about it.
Madeleine Bistro has very limited hours (brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday) and they are in Tarzana which is quite a trek from our home in the marina, but making the time to have a meal there is something you must do at least once in your life, birthday or not. They are opening another location- a vegan sandwich shop/ice cream parlor, which will open later this summer in Westwood, and I cannot wait to try this location (I heard talk of homemade vegan butterfingers as a topping on their variety of soy and nut-based ice cremes).
I want to thank all of you who have checked out Keepin' It Kind for making my 31st year so incredible (your kind words just make my day, every single day), and also for giving me even more reason to be thrilled about my 32nd year, and the years to come. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
All Photos taken by Chris Miller
© Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Ali Seiter
An incredibly happy birthday to you, Kristy! I loved reading about your inspiring journey through life and was astounded by how many similarities you and I share--we were both gymnasts, we both have connections in Florence, we both love to write, and (of course) we're both vegans. I always greatly enjoy your posts and your humorous prose, as well as recieving your heartfelt comments on my own blog. Your dinner at Madeleine Bistro made me extremely jealous--I'm booking a flight to LA as we speak. 😉 A tofu-cheese crouton and chocolate souffle? Yes, PLEASE! Again, happy birthday and keep up the wonderful blog.
Best wishes,
Ali.
keepinitkind
Thank you for your kind words, Ali! How funny is it that we have so much in common! So awesome! If you do come to LA, let me know- I'd love to tag-along to Madeleine Bistro! 🙂
Michelle
I wish so many great restaurants weren't so far... sigh.. that place sounds great!! I think the farthest in LA to go was Street!! which is where we usually go for special occasions...I really want to go there, always great reviews....
Glad to read your journey. I'v only been Vegan 18 months..so also a little new!
Glad you had a nice birthday!
keepinitkind
Thank you for your kind words, Michelle! You are always such a sweetheart! 🙂
Tarzana is such a ways to go for us too, and we were tempted to go to Shojin instead, but the Tartare was what my tummy wanted. I still want to try Street- we're just hardly ever in Hollywood!
Congrats on 18 months! Besides getting married, it's the best thing we've ever done! 🙂
Richgail @AstigVegan
Wow that place looks awesome. I wana go to LA just to visit that restaurant.
Btw, Happy Belated Birthday!!!
keepinitkind
Thanks, Richgail! You should come to LA just to visit that restaurant, and let me tag-along. 🙂
veganfling
Happy Birthday! I'm glad you got to celebrate with that amazing looking food!
keepinitkind
Thank you- I'm glad I got to celebrate with that great food too! 🙂
Courtney Jones
A very happy belated birthday to you sweetie! 🙂 xoxo Sounds like you had a terrific one! Wow! Your meal at Madeleine Cafe looks incredible! The short-ribs look yummy!
Loved your write-up and all of your reflections from over the years. You've had quite the life! It was wonderful getting to know more about you. 🙂 I am so pleased you've found happiness and true love. *HUGS* And your passion in life too!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Courtney! Your kind words really brightened my day! It was a great birthday and I am so fortunate to have been able to share a significant part with you. 🙂
Cadry
A very happy birthday to you! What a wonderful post! I loved seeing the moments that have come together to make you who you are. What an exciting and interesting life you've lead, and there's so much more to come! I thought it was interesting that the years 26-28 were very transformative years for you, in terms of major changes and upheavals that were ultimately for the best. That was my experience with those years as well. At 26 I ended a 5 1/2 year relationship and at 28 I started dating my now-husband.
Everything from Madeleine Bistro looks amazing! Good job to Chris for taking such beautiful pictures in their dark lighting. That's no small achievement! Have you tried their chicken fried seitan with mashed potatoes or waffles? It's fantastic.
keepinitkind
Thanks, Cadry! The best thing about taking time to look at your history is seeing how all of those moments that at the time seem to be life-ending, are really just signs that things are about to get more awesome. It's hard to always keep that in mind all the time. How funny is it that we both ended long-term relationships at the age of 26 and started dating our husbands at 28?
I am quite familiar with the chicken-fried seitan with potatoes and gravy, and it was hard not ordering that dish. It is hard to get good pics in there, but luckily we got there while there was still a bit of daylight, and we got to sit next to the window. Hooray for natural lighting! 🙂
Somer
Happy Belated Birthday!!! I love this post Kristy, so personal and meaningful, I really enjoy learning more about you through your blog, you adorable creature!
And Madleine's Bistro.... I'm gonna go there someday!
Xoxo!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Somer! When you do go to Madaleine's, I'm tagging along! 🙂
Somer
Yay!!!
Heather
Awww Happy Birthday Kristy! The Celebration of your 32nd Birthday sounds like it was an amazing day. That Birthday Dinner looks outta this world, so so incredible.
I really enjoyed reading and getting to know a little more about you - thank you for sharind <3
keepinitkind
Thank you, Heather! It was a great day, and I loved that I was able to share a little part with you! 🙂
Gena
I am a beetaholic, and this looks very much like something I'd adore! What a tasty entree.
keepinitkind
Beetaholic would be a good term to describe me as well! We should start a support group! 🙂
Dress and Dish
Wow!! Well first off, happy birthday!!! And second off, it looks like you had so much fun! I will have to try this vegan restaurant next time I am down in LA. I am not personally a vegan but enjoy all kinds of food. When I see food like this, I always think yeah I could be vegan. It inspires me to try. Have a wonderful weekend, Kristy! xo
keepinitkind
That's so great to hear! Thanks! Take care! xo
Richa@HobbyandMore
wow.. wow.. those are some twists and turns! I am so happy that you found the happiness and heres wishing you tons more! every day every year for all your life! i love simple time with each other birthdays.:)
i came to the US when i was 21, was in chicago 23-25, got married at 26, and been in seattle since.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Richa! Talk about some twists and turns- you moved from India at the age of 21?!?! Wow! What made you decide to move to the US? What a huge change that must've been for you!
Richa@HobbyandMore
yep it was..came all alone for my masters degree in Jan. so form a tropical 70-80s to a -10 degrees F in chicago:). of course a crazy cultural change too.:) i dont think i can make those huge changes now:)
keepinitkind
Oh my gosh! I can't even imagine that kind of culture shock! What an experience, Richa- you should write a book! 🙂