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 am in LOVE with Quest bars but they are so expensive! I feel so bad you have a peanut allergy :/ thank god for almond butter though!
#amentothat 😀
Yup, nervous flyer here! I just don’t like the feeling of being trapped and that’s how I feel on a plane. However, I can usually get through it. No food allergies! My sister has some pretty bad ones, though, so I can appreciate it how difficult it can be for people who have them.
I’ve had some pesky food intolerances develop over the year which include raw banana (i miss my banana smothered in nut butter and jam snacks), kiwi, and pineapples. It’s so random, but also crazy how often these two fruits appear at potlucks.
I have my moments of being scared when it comes to flying. I used to be absolutely petrified, but I have gotten better. 🙂 Thank goodness, because I do love to travel! Thanks for the giveaway!
no food allergies! but can get pretty scared flying on tiny planes
I love flying! I am only a nervous flyer when the ride is super bumpy, but a little turbulence is kind of fun:)
I am officially a lover of almond butter, I have always loved peanut butter then become super hooked on sun butter and thought almond butter was okay…BUT after discovering justins maple almond butter it is on my top 3 of nut butters!
That makes my allergy-ridden heart all sorts of happy 😀 The maple is my favourite flavour!
I don’t know if im a nervous flyer, i’ve never flown before! Im going to know if i am in July when i go on holidays and i think it’s going to be an amazing experience! And no, i dont have pesky food allergies.
No to both! I like flying and I don’t have any allergies.
I have a ,sometimes, very handy skill of ignoring my worry of something i need to do anyway so I have never even been nervous on a flight, let alone scared. But sometimes, for example when it’s after dark and you’re a young white female walking alone to your hostel in Delhi, India, it’s not that handy. I should have been scared but wasn’t. Maybe because im very aware of my surroundings and therefore think that there isn’t someone lurking, it still isn’t a good idea. At all. So I guess that theres good and bad with everything, and that maybe your fear of flying may be positive in another situation.
I lovelovelove justina vanilla almond butter!
I always get nervous any time there’s even a little turbulence. I get all panicky but when I look around everyone else is just all calm and collected. They day I see someone else look panicked I will likely wet my pants!
I have no food allergies, and I LOVE flying! My favorite thing is to watch the clouds float by from the window 🙂
Super intrigued by that chocolate! You’ll have to review it for us 🙂
I quite like long flights as it’s an excuse to settle down and do nothing haha, I always get a bit paranoid in take off and landing though!!
Have you tried one of those net cage things for your fruit? Kind of like this – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Outdoor-Picnic-White-Umbrella-Design/dp/B00HR512SU – but I’ve seen them in much simpler, smaller versions…
We used to use those when we went camping 😆 Omigosh I would hate to have one for my kitchen… but it would almost be better than having to deal with the smell of ACV all day!
Your little plane reminds me of the island hopper planes I took in Hawaii and I was not a fan of the bumpiness, but it could have been due to the fact that we took a large plane overnight to Hawaii followed by 2 island hoppers in the same day. I’m better when it’s just one plane in a day, at least if we are talking small planes.
Love the Quest bar giveaway
I’d love to try a Quest bar…I’ve heard such good things about them!
You are my hero for being such a chill flyer. I’m better than I used to be, but holy f*** I get so nervous! Once I flew over the Swiss Alps in a little prop plane and was half-convinced the little shrink-wrapped croissant on the fold-out table in front of me was to be my last meal.
Flying over the mountains in a small plane can definitely be nerve-wracking. I was going to say that I hope it was at least a good croissant, but I know airplane food leaves a lot to be desired…
Oh I love quest bars! I tried them the other day but no store where I live sells them 🙁
Thank you for the giveaway!
I am a super nervous flyer!
I’m not a nervous flyer, I actually love flying!
I am a bit of a nervous flyer. I am very lucky to not suffer with any food allergies.
I have never tried Justin’s but have heard amazing things about it. Matter of fact, I’ve never had almond butter but plan on buying some for your granola bar recipe that I am trying this weekend.
A couple months ago, I started having reactions to legumes and I was not a happy camper. I could pretty much live on peanut butter alone. The reactions have gone away though and I hope it was just a fluke!
Oh wow what a nice response from Justin’s and I’m glad you can eat it! I’m also glad the ACV has been working for ya. Aaaand yes, that chocolate bar sounds DEADLY. I’ll have to look for it at WF next time I go.
I went to Bolivia a few months ago which was about 12,000 ft above sea level and I got the worst altitude sickness! It felt like I had the flu and it was just miserable, even though it was so beautiful. Ugh!
12,000 ft?!? 7k was bad enough, so I can’t even imagine almost double that 😯
Amanda,
I’m so glad you had such a great time at the Blend Retreat. I’d love to go someday. I now know when it’s at each year and have bookmarked the website for next years. I love your photos taken from the plane rides to and fro Utah back to your home there in Canada. I also loved your re-cap you posted yesterday too. Sounds like so many of you all had a great time.
Anyways, I love the Giveaway! I love Quest BARS!! So, obviously, I hope I’ll win!
~Amy 🙂
Luckily for me, I’m not a nervous flyer either ! 😉 No allergies to peanut over here although I really despise their taste :/
I’ve flown many times. I’m usually okay with it… The smaller jet planes scare me a bit though. And you’re right, they’re extremely loud!
Fortunately, I don’t have any allergies! Not that I know of anyway…
Yippee! I hope I win, everyone in the blog and lifting world seems to eat these things. I guess I could go buy one myself, but winning a box would be much sweeter! haha!
Someone mentioned the destination mugs at Sbux were discontinued, but they just look like they have a new look! Love collecting those things 😉
Soooo kind of ironic how a Healthy Living Summit wouldn’t have easy access to many vegetables … I would be annoyed. Just saying.
I don’t have any allergies (thank god) but my older brother has a deathly peanut allergy. He’s not vigilant about labels like you are, UNLESS he’s out to eat at a Thai restaurant because they use peanut oil and peanut sauce on everything. He loves Thai food though, so I think the risk is worth it for him.
I have no food allergies and have got to try Justin’s nut butter – I feel like I see it everywhere online! I am a semi-nervous flyer – if it is a smooth ride, I’m alright, but I freak out (minor) if there is turbulence .
It really is worth trying out! Their vanilla and maple almond butters are out of this world amazing.
Not a nervous flyer so much as sometimes a nervous belly with a rough landing!
Chocolate-covered potato chips are almost better than chocolate-covered pretzels. Trader Joe’s sells whole bags of them!
Good news about your almond butter!!
I have been wanting to try Quest Bars. Sad for you and your allergies 🙁 Glad to hear the peeps at Justins came through though. I really like their honey almond butter!
I can’t do dairy 🙁 . but i would love to try quest bars
I am such a nervous flier. Just reading about that teeny, tiny plane makes me super nervous :/
I’m not a nervous flier at all! Maybe I should be more concerned than I get? 😉
I love to fly but unfortunately I don’t get the opportunity to travel as much as I would like.
I am a nervous flyer, I have been known to up chuck a time or two when the landing is bumpy.