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’ve been wanting to try the cookie dough one for so long!
No to both questions! Not a nervous flyer (I’m just kinda like – I can’t control it, might as well enjoy the ride…), and no known allergies. Would love to try a quest bar for the first time!
I’m not a nervous flyer, but those small planes definitely are an experience to fly on!! Glad you are in the clear with Justin;s AB!
Those Quest bars…so good. Anyways, I’m so glad we got to go to blend and this is my first time linking up!! I couldn’t grasp the altitude either! 🙂 Happy Thursday
I’m not a nervous flyer, but I am an impatient one! Delays and turbulence make me anxious.
And no food allergies!
I wouldn’t consider myself a nervous flyer. I just have a hard time sitting still for a long period of time, so sometimes long flights can be a bit tedious for that reason.
I am lactose intolerant. SUCH an annoying food “allergy” since I loooove ice cream and frozen yogurt. Boo!!
And no I’m not a nervous flyer – even though my naivety probably doesn’t help in that I think the plane’s pilot is an angel with wings of steel and nothing could ever happen to me on the plane. Haha!
That’s the best outlook to have on life! And have you ever tried coconut ice cream? It’s dairy free and suuuuuper tasty!
Not a nervous flyer- although I do not fly all that much… And no food allergies! I feel for ya on that peanut allergy- not sure what I’d do without all my nut butters!
Nervous flyer, but fortunately no allergies! 😉
I’ve never actually flown, but I’m pretty sure I’d be a nervous flyer if I ever did. Being thousands of feet away from the ground is nerve-racking in itself, especially when you can’t even stand being on a ferris wheel a few feet off the ground. Obviously I have issues with heights lol.
Fortunately for me, I have no peanut allergies 🙂 which is great because I eat copious amounts of peanut products on a weekly basis. Love me some peanut butta! 😀
What an amazing photo of the Rockies!
I’ve had that “I’m forgetting something” feeling many times before, too, and I have DEFINITELY forgotten packed lunches/snacks, etc…major bummer! Good thing dad came to the rescue 🙂
no and no – and i’d def take that almond butter off your hands 😉
I dont have any food allergies and literally sometimes I wish I did haha I can’t control myself with nut butters and nut in general I can eat almonds and cashews like it’s my job! But I know moderation is key when it comes to nuts! So if I were allergic, I wouldn’t be tempted to binge on them and life would be simpler haha
😆 If only! From personal experience, you just find other things to show the love to… like cookies… and ice cream 😉
Ummm, the chocolate covered potato chips? I NEED.
I don’t seemingly have any allergies, but I do sneeze a lot after drinking beer. Does that count? 😉
Idk why, but I have never had success with the DIY vinegar fly traps 🙁
OOh, the elevation out there! I went to Colorado and was huffing and puffing whenever I made it to the top of any stairs. The mountains look beautiful though!
I’ve always wanted to try quest bars, I can never find them around here!
Oops! I didn’t answer the question. Not a nervous flyer and no food allergies. I’m randomly allergic to one antibiotic and almond oil makes me break out. Annoying!
I actually really like flying! Luckily I have no food allergies, but I am a vegetarian which can sometimes be tricky.
sadly you know my pesky food allergy… gluten. No fun. I kind of always dream that one day I could out grow it… don’t think it works that way
Yum! I love tasty treats! I’m the queen of snack attack!
I’m just going to wing it and tell you something really awesome or something. I struggled with an ED at some point in my life, (I actually once e-mailed you once for help, and you answered! but I never answered you back, mainly due to pure shock). Anyway…I found this blog one day, while I was searching for recovery blogs to follow for motivation, and read your story and a butt-load of your posts about not calorie counting and stopping excessive exercise, and they all ended up completely pulling me out of my funk. After that long, arduous journey, I finally can say I’ve taken many steps in the direction of recovery all thanks to you and your beautiful self! I can’t thank you enough. You indirectly saved my life. And I also like to tell you that you’re one of my biggest role-models, even though I don’t know you personally. You’re incredible. Thank you, a million times!
Awwwr! Well this just put the biggest smile on my face. Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Ashlyn <3
Sounds like it was a good trip. You can always count on dad for saving the day 🙂 Same here last week!
Nope, and nope! 🙂
I’m not a fan of flying at all…i hate the smell of airplanes like a lot too. And i’m not a fan of airplane food either. Haha i have so many complaints. Awesome giveaway!!!
How do you try to win the giveaway? Just wondering…(:
Theres a Rafflecopter plugin running at the bottom of the post that you enter all your info into and it lets me pick a random winner when the giveaway is over. Is it not loading for you?
Oh, thank you! I found it! 🙂
I have actually never been on a plane and I’m in my twenties!!! I need to get on that! I have no allergies so I’m lucky there. Love your blog! 🙂
Ahhh I hate propeller planes!! They always freak me out. I howl when I discover I have to fly on one. Love that Starbucks mug! Super cute for summer! Bummer about the weather this weekend, too 🙁 I’ve been getting the hiking itch again…need to see if I can talk Joe into it one weekend he’s home 😉
Never used to be scared of flying, but the less I do it and the more I realise I’m blummin’ high up in the sky the more I start to dislike it! Not an allergy, but I can’t digest beans and pulses (which sucks when you eat a mainly plant based diet!) Soooo excited this giveaway is international (!). I always read about Quest bars on blogs, but England doesn’t seem to be into them yet 🙁
This chocolate sounds amazing!!!! That catapults Whole Foods even higher up on my must-go-to list for the U.S.
I have the same fruit fly problem. Only a teeny tiny piece of fruit in my apartment and the fruit fly population explodes 😛
Oh girl, Whole Foods is on the top of my list of places to visit every single time I’m in the States 😆 It’s probably super annoying for whoever I travel with.
I thought I was the weird one for dipping potato chips in chocolate. And NOW after I’ve stopped that trend, they make a freaking BAR out of it? Well. :p
I need something like that Seattle mug, but instead with Chicago written on it. I’ve never been to Seattle, but it is on my list. Also, Blend sounds so fun! I need to go someday!!
I only get nervous on planes when other people get nervous!! Otherwise I actually enjoy flying =)
I’m not a nervous flier, but I still find the whole process to be kind of annoying. Thankfully, no food allergies here! I can’t imagine life without peanut butter/peanut M&Ms…
I’m not a nervous flyer. Then again, I’ve only flown twice in my many years. No food allergies here thank goodness. My daughter has a gluten intolerance and I know what it to deal with food issues. Thanks for sharing your goodies!!
I never think I’m a nervous flyer until turbulence hits…then I’m all white kuckles and hyperventilating! Your mountains are much different than the Utah mountains – they’re gorgeous! Maybe Blend should head up towards you next year 😉
OMG YES! It would seriously be amazing if they did. But there aren’t enough of us Canadian bloggers to make it happen 🙁
I’m the type of flyer that only get nervous when I land. I usually fly in and out of Boston and it looks like were going to hit the ocean before we hit the landing strip which always gets me anxious not to mention the turbulence usually horrible.
That is weird that they took the penaut free label off. I think its more confusing now….
I opened my poprocks chocolate last night and it is SO GOOD! Although, I only picked up on the chipotle flavour a little bit…but the poprocks. So fun.
And I just looked and London is 823 feet above sea level. No wonder my ears popped every single time I was in a car in Park City.
Would it be super greedy of me to enter the Quest bar giveaway? I’m kinda tempted…
😆 Not SUPER greedy 😛 I wonder if they really are going to send us that second box…
I’m not a nervous flyer, more of a lets get this show on the road flyer! After living in Arizona and having an east coast family, I’m so over flights that are always 6+ hours!
None of the stores here have a good selection of products for people with allergies, so thankfully no allergies here!
At some point, during each and every flight, a part of my brain goes “I really hope I won’t die on this flight today”. Silly, I know. but I just can’t stop myself from thinking it at least once.
I’m a vegetarian… I guess that doesn’t technically count as an allergy, but it still leaves me with a lot of things I can’t eat.