As promised, I’ll be finishing up my Blend recap today with some random thoughts from the trip, all #thinkingoutloud style! No idea what I’m going on about? Click here!
1. You know that feeling that you’ve forgotten something important that hits you when you’re all packed up and ready to head out the door for a trip? I get that all the time and it usually turns out to be a false alarm, which is probably why I didn’t think much of it when it hit me as I was getting ready to head to the airport to catch my flight to Utah. Unfortunately, I did end up forgetting something this time around — the lunch I packed for my trip. Luckily, my dad was driving me on his way to work and I was able to ninja his lunch. Thank goodness because it was pretty much the only savoury meal I had all weekend — it was all oats, nut butters, bars, dried fruit, chocolate, and yogurt. Fresh veggies were kind of hard to come by, and I heard the same thing from other people. The baby carrots I picked up from whole foods ended up being worth their weight in gold.
2. Speaking of Whole Foods, lookit what I brought home with me!
It was one of the few chocolate bars I came across that didn’t contain traces of peanuts, and thank goodness for that because it sounds freaking amazing. And deadly.
3. Another thing that made its way home with me was this mug…
My flight back home included a layover in Seattle, and you’d better believe I made a beeline for Bux as soon as I stepped out of the gate. One of these days I will make it out to Pike Place Market…
4. Can we talk about my last flight home for a second? The one from Seattle to Edmonton? It was on a plane that had propellers…
I’ve flown on smaller planes before, but this one definitely took the cake for being the smallest. Imagine my shock as I walked through the gate only to have to walk down a flight of stairs, out onto the runway, and up a set of stairs to my teeny, tiny plane. The flight itself was surprisingly smooth (if a little freaking LOUD), but the landing was a whoooooole other story. Thank goodness I’m not a nervous flyer.
5. It was wonderful to see these again, though…
My Rockies 😀 The mountains in Utah are different from the mountains we have here in Alberta… more gentle, less… well… rocky. Still a blast to be up in, though. I’ve been bitten by the hiking bug and was planning to head out to Banff or Jasper this weekend, but the weather is supposed to suck so I pushed it back until next weekend. Fingers crossed that the sun comes out!
6. The elevation in Utah, though… holy shitake mushrooms. Park City is 7,000 ft. above sea level — Edmonton is 2,200 ft. Let’s just say that breathing was an interesting experience… as were the constantly dry/burning lips and the dry/bleeding nose. I have no idea how people run in that air and on those hills. I was dying.
7. Speaking of dying… remember my fruit fly problem? Well, they disappeared for a little while, but I made the mistake of leaving a banana out on the counter while I was gone and there was literally a cloud of flies surrounding it when I got back. That’s okay — I was prepared. Enter a little bowl of ACV mixed with a few drops of dish soap. Let’s just say it really does work…
The only downside is that your kitchen smells like ACV, which I’m not a huge fan of.
8. I’m also not a huge fan of the fact that Justin’s almond butter apparently isn’t peanut-free anymore.
Imagine my disappointment when I hit up the Whole Foods in Park City all excited to finally get my hands on some almond butter, only to discover that none of the jars of Justin’s AB had the “peanut-free” label on them anymore. What gives?!?! They didn’t have the “may contain traces” label either, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I’ll have to e-mail them and ask. Actually, I think I’ll do that right now. Be right back…
9. Ok, back — keep your fingers crossed for me! Wait, wait… already got my reply (this is what happens when you sporadically sit down to write your post throughout the day). And the verdict isssss….
Success! Now I’m seriously kicking myself for not stocking up. Anyone wanna send me a jar? Or… 10? I wish I was kidding 😯
10. And because I really love you guys, and I know you guys really love Quest bars, I’m ending today’s post with a giveaway that I think you might like. Quest was one of the sponsors at Blend, and they hooked us up with our very own box of bars…
Awesome, right? Yes! Well… except for the fact that I can’t eat them because of my allergies #peskypeanuts 😡 But my loss is your gain because I’ll be giving away my box to one of you guys!
Up for grabs is a box of 12 assorted bars. The giveaway is international so anyone can enter, and I’ll be announcing the winner next Thursday, June 19th. Good luck!
No questions… just tell me whatever comes to your mind! 😀
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I wonder if Justin’s almond butter is made in a separate factory than the hazelnut butter? Or at least I wonder if they have good strategies to keep them separated within the facility… I should email the company too!
From what I know, they make their hazelnut and almond butters in the same facility, but there’s a pretty thorough 24-hour sanitization process that they go through, so you might be okay?
I love flying! I’ve always been an adrenaline junkie so flying to me is pretty exciting.
I have never really been a nervous flyer, but flying is just not enjoyable anymore.
you are too good to us! let the quest for QUEST begin.
hey, i was thinking. have you contacted sunbutter yet? I know they are looking for recipe creators!
Whaaaat?! I didn’t know about that! Going to have to pick your brain to get more info <3
I luckily have no allergies, but am super picky and end up bringing my own snacks too. 🙂
I was in a really small plane once and it was slightly terrifying due to the “bumps in the road” every now and then. I’m just happy to be back on solid ground!
I’m not usually a nervous flyer since I’ve been flying since I was an infant…but there was a time when my heart dropped a few times when I was in a small plane with a TON of turbulence
HAHA I know how loud those small planes can be! I take a really small one from London to Toronto (20 min flight) SO LOUD! HAHA! So happy you loved BLEND 🙂
Flying in general is just terrifying, but Park city looks beautiful!
I love to fly! I wish I could travel for a living or be able to go more often. I like to plan one big trip a year to Hawaii, Europe or somewhere on our bucket list.
The chocolate brand of which you speak is one of my favorites–they have some really fantastic flavor combos, the the potato chip one is awesome. Fruit flies are seriously one of my least favorite things in the world–I had an apartment that apparently was prone to them back in the day, and ugggggghhhhh. Glad you were able to get rid of them though. Thanks for hosting as always!
For a human that loves flying, I most certainly don’t do it enough. Aaah togh, I am tearing over the sad story with Justins.. and you were right there with the opportunity to stock up on 20 at least! Ohmygosh, ACV – no way, cannot tolerate the aroma. I always suspected it to have “murderous” capabilities hah!
I would give my eye teeth for Quest to be available over here.
I will stock you with almond butter anytime 🙂
Planes with propellers sort of freak me out. I mean…they’re not any less safe…but come on. What if something gets in the propellers?!
🙂
It gets shredded to smithereens? Doesn’t that sometimes happen to birds and jet engines? Ack!
YES. It happened that one time and they landed the plane in the Hudson bay. Geez. Now I’m going to be watching for birds 🙂
I’m a very nervous flyer, but i’m flying in two days and bringing Dory! I have to be brave since she’ll be able to sense my anxiety and I know she’ll be more nervous than me :/
I don’t normally get nervous flying, except when I’m flying with my husband who does! I guess his anxiousness rubs off on me! No allergies here!
I told you the ACV thing would work, although I did fail to mention how disgusting it gets. Um yeah, so there’s no avoiding that part.
I pick up my first CSA share today….squeal, happy dance, jazz hands, so I’ll probably need to get the ACV ready. It’ll be on my counter from here until fall. Oh and remind me to tell you about the one time the cats knocked over the full glass, all over the kitchen counter, bugs included. I about died.
I can’t wait to hear what you think about the candy bar. Hopefully it’s as delicious as it sounds.
Asking as we speak…
I basically live at sea level so can’t imagine how I would feel out in Utah mountains. Yikes. How could it be that a blogger retreat had no vegetables? That’s so bizarre. And ugh, now you left without the almond butter. That’s so not ok. I hope you can order some through Amazon like I order my peanut butter every month in bulk?
Awww. Lucky there’s so many peanut-free foods around, but it would be so irritating to not be able to eat food that other people make for you without doing shifty eyes and being like “so psst. what’s in this?” Haha. Oh well – more incentive to get cooking! It’s a message from the universe 🙂
Super nice email from Justin’s though! Always nice to get great customer service…now if only they’d come to Australia…
And NOPE, no flying problems, which is lucky hopefully my future includes lots of travelling!
I actually love to fly! I get a little uneasy on the take off and landing but otherwise I am just fine ; )
I am a very nervous flyer…ironic because Tim is a pilot…hahahaa. I just don’t do well on commercial flights at all. I don’t like to be cooped up or sitting still for so long.
If only my body loved peanuts, me and you are rocking the same boat with that one!!! 🙂
Luckily, Justin’s is still up for grabs. Minor allergy though= Quest bar love #takemychances
I take my chances with traces of tree nuts, but peanuts freak me out a little bit more… even though there’s like a 0.00001% chance of anything happening.
I always think I am fine with flying, until I am in the air! I don’t panic or anything but I definitely don’t enjoy flying and am glad to land.
Would love to win the quest bars as we can’t get them in the UK! And everyone raves about them in the HLB world!
Oh btw, I have no known allergies…yet…but I think I might be “allergic” to planes with propellers 😉
I have some food insensities, like dairy, so I just try to limit my quantities of those foods!
So glad for you that Justin’s is still PB free – but, what integrity they have behind their labeling! And, yup, I will gladly send you some – seriously! no kidding!!!
Thanks for hosting such an awesome giveaway – y’all seriously scored some seriously incredible swag!
#5 – wow – what a gorgeous aerial view!!! Hope you get to see it up close next weekend!
Happy Thursday lovely lady
So sorry you have a peanut allergy! That’s cool they responded to you right away about the issue.
I’ve actually never tried a quest bar but have noticed people going crazy over them around here.
I also cannot imagine running at an altitude like that!
Yes to both- nervous flyer and allergic to gluten, apples, and bell peppers!
I’m glad you were able to find out the reason for the label issue on Justin’s almond butter! I can understand their reasoning, but it doesn’t make it any easier since it doesn’t say it (what happened to plan clear communication?)
Am I a nervous flyer? Sometimes. I’m nervous getting ready, my mid goes to different tasks out of order in jumbles. It’s the waiting part I hate. Waiting to go through the screening process, waiting at the gate. You know you have a seat, you will be fine getting your seat, but everyone still wants to rush to get onto the plane! The flying part itself is fine, it’s just the process to get there!
The only reaction I have to food is that when I eat avocados my throat feels like it wants to close up when I swallow. And it only does this to avocados. I’ve read up on it, I more than likely have an oral allergy syndrome. But it’s only to avocados! I don’t get it.
I can’t really understand their reasoning either… but as long as I can eat it, I try not to ask too many questions 😆
Huh! I was looking at that exact chocolate bar yesterday at Chapters thinking: Finally, someone got it. There were so many unusual flavours, it pleased me!
I am so glad you enjoyed your trip, girl <3
I’m not a nervous flyer either (yay!) but I honestly can’t even imagine what my reaction to a propellor would of been! The picture of the Rockies is just breathtaking! Andddd that chocolate bar looks delicious. Hope you have a great Thursday!
It’s just been decided the next bag of potaro chips I buy will be dipped into chocolate. Actually, why didn’t I do it before when I knew pretzel sticks were an awesome chocolate dipping vehicle?!
I’m not usually a nervous flyer but there was one time when I was a little anxious due to some bumping around in the air – on a smaller plane, too, mind you. What is it about bigger planes or cars that makes them automatically feel safer?
Totally trying your fruit fly idea – though I wouldn’t have used that cute bowl for the nasty little buggers 😉 .
On a last note I’m living in serious flat country and don’t think I’ve ever been in the heights you mentioned. Seeing as I enjoy hiking a lot, though, I’d have braved the possible downsides for those views, too. Amazing.
I’m actually the opposite when it comes to smaller vs. bigger planes! The small ones feel safer to me because my brain has an easier time wrapping itself around the idea that those planes can fly — the big ones seem like they should just be waaaaay too heavy to take off!
A plane with propellers? That is nuts! Those views from the plane look incredible – I am always blown away by what we can see from a plane – it is magical. That chocolate looks really good – I love the sweet and salty combo. I have never tried a quest bar – I quite want to see what all the fuss is about!
I am definitely not a nervous flyer, being a Flight Attendant for quite some time 🙂 I absolutely LOVE it and I am SO jealous of your flight with the propeller plane!! My dream!!
The Rockies look absolutely breathtaking.
Now if I could get my hands on Justin’s AB, you be sure it would be on its way to you….but actually, I am in need of it too 🙂
No food allergies thank goodness and I’m not a nervous flyer either!
Nope to both! I’m lucky, I’ve been flying for as long as I can remember so I’m so used to it and I have zero allergies!
I’m sort of a nervous flyer – I completely calm down when the plane lands, haha.
As if you didn’t stock up on it ANYWAY.
I cleaned my floor with ACV. I swear it still smells like it 6 months later….seriously, I could have poured niki’s perfume all over it and it would have done jack all. I’ve tried that chocolate from wholefoods too- but I was not completely sober so I may not remember the taste. Oops.
I totally didn’t! Ask Sam! And as down as I am with the whole natural approach, there’s no way I’d ever be able to do the whole “clean with vinegar” thing — I hate the smell too much.