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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Thankfully, I’m not a nervous flyer, and I don’t have any food allergies!
No life-threatening food allergies but several intolerances (dairy, citrus, wheat). Still trying to figure out exactly how to navigate/avoid these when out and about. As for flying, do get very nervous but sometimes there’s no other option. Would definitely choose flying (even with turbulence) over an 8+ hr drive.
I don’t get too nervous about flying. But sometimes it is hard to not think of the worst case scenario!
I had no idea you were a fellow canadian!!
Love ya!
I’m pretty comfortable with flying which is a good thing because my fiancé is a pilot!
Blend looks like it was SO much fun!!
I love flying!
I grew up on a small island and one of the only ways to get to the mainland was in a 9 seater, I also was born over seas so I’ve been lovin’ planes for a long time. But I totally understand why people would be nervous. (huge metal tube in the sky? say waaah?)
I’m very fortunate that I don’t have allergies, however I did date a guy for a long time who was deathly allergic to all nuts so I can definitely understand how serious (and seriously annoying) it must be.
😆 I have to give the guys I date an ultimatum. It’s either me or the peanut butter…
I think I’m (super mildly) allergic to apples, especially green ones. Whenever I eat one–which is, admittedly, every day–my throat feels itchy and my chest feels tight. Doesn’t stop me though, which is ridiculous. I just really love apples!
I’m not a nervous flier, usually, but I hate turbulence.
I have a gluten intolerance but I love quest bars esp the cookies and cream one!
I have been dying to try quest bars; I love having bars in my purse but I am so sick of all the ones that I have been buying.
I love quest bars. Heated up with a little warm almond milk is fantastic!
I am a very nervous flyer. I used to take nyquil but then realized I was useless after the flight. I’m going to Greece this summer and just going to pretend I’m a celebrity and fly all the time!! lol
FINGERS CROSSED!
Ohhh but Greece! You’re going to have an awesome time 😀
No allergies, slight dairy intolerance but only something that gives me a tummy ache. I’m definitely more of a nervous flyer now than I ever have been. I think it was after I had my son that I really started noticing every little bump and jolt. You are a trooper to survive the small plane. That is a no go for me! Glad you had fun at Blend. Love your thoughts (always!)!!
I am allergic to kiwis!
Horrible when I want to indulge in a mixed tropical fruit bowl. 🙁
I actually loooove flying, so definitely not nervous! Thank goodness Justin’s doesn’t contain peanuts! I’m glad you can still enjoy that jar of heaven 😉
Just curious, will the banner at the top “Delicious recipes, helpful tips, and loads of fun — straight to your inbox!…” be a permanent thing? It’s quite distracting especially as you scroll down to read the read of the blog post ..
Also, for #7 : what is it showing??
It most likely will be here to stay — I’m sorry that you find it distracting 😕 And the picture in #7 is my ACV fruit fly trap. It’s a small bowl of apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap, aaaaand a collection of unlucky flies that decided to go swimming.
I’m SUCH a nervous flyer. Everyone said it would get better the more I fly, but it hasn’t at all. Not good considering I live in Vancouver and my family all live in Ontario so I’m back and forth a lot!
I do not have food allergies and I do not get nervous flying because my dad is a pilot.
YOU WERE IN SEATAC!?!?! AAHHHH!! I love the mug, I so wish you had time to venture into town because I would have loved to come get coffee with you!! HA! I think…you should have been sent some free almond butter JUST for the inconvenience of removing the label. For real, if I were in charge I would have sent you some…that’s good customer service after all!
I was only there for like 45 minutes 🙁 And it’s hilarious because the first thing I smelled when I got off the plane was coffee… and then the ocean? 😆 I should write Justin’s back and say I can’t get them in Canada 😉
I am totally a nervous flyer especially when it gets ‘bumpy’. And yes, I am extremely lucky in that I do not have any allergies, or at least any that I am currently aware of…
I’m allergic to pumpkin!!! 🙁 it stinks.
i don’t fly often but it doesn’t usually scare me! the only time i was ever really freaked out was when i was flying over a storm in kentucky.
I am terrified of heights so flying…hmm…terrifies me:) I also can’t tolerate wheat and dairy in high amounts
Thankfully I’m not a nervous flier since I’d love to travel in the future. Thanks for the giveaway!
Ahhh yay! I actually don’t get nervous on flights…I just hate them. I’m always left feeling slightly nauseous and dirty. Yuck.
I don’t have any food allergies and would love to try all those lovely flavours of Quest bars!
Do I just have to leave a comment to enter the giveaway?? I’m desperate to try Quest bars since, y’know , they’re all the rage and just too dang special to be sold in shops . Or something. Wowowow, those views! And now I’m really craving a hike…it’s gotta be one of the absolute best forms of escapism. Xxx
There’s a Rafflecopter plugin at the bottom of the post that you have to give all your info to. Let me know if it’s not loading for you!
Naah, not loading( I tried a few times). I hate technology.
I’m not a nervous flyer thankfully, and I think it’s because I went back and forth between Argentina and the states when I was 3? Not sure, but it seems to have made a difference! 😀 However, NEXT WEEKEND I’ll def. be a nervous flyer!!! Omgssshhhh pray for us, lol, because we’re flying with Selah to Kansas and I am terrified with how she might handle it. 0_0
She’s going to be fine! I see people flying with little babies pretty often, and I don’t remember the last time I heard one cry… at least not for too long!
Damn allergies- that’s tragic about the new Justin’s labelling…sorry buddy! I’ve never tried a Quest bar but am kinda on the fence about them- can a protein bar really taste THAT good?? Speaking of things that taste good, I am kinda obsessed with croissants after my trip to breakfast- I’m not sure whether cereal breakfasts are gonna cut it anymore ;)!
yes i am definitely a nervous flyer!! but i am lucky and grateful to have no allergies 🙂
I’m grateful and lucky to be allergy-free. And my fear of flights is more about who I may be sitting next to…
I just recently became a blogger, and I wanted to go to BLEND so badly! Maybe next year 🙂
I am a super nervous flyer, I always sit near the walkway instead of the window :/ I’ve been in a small plane like that before a few times (the one that only seats up to 12 people) and it was scary because you could feel all of the turbulance. haha
I have no food allergins thank goodness, so sorry that you do! That’s terrible 🙁
Have a lovely day~
no food allergies, thankfully! thanks for a great giveaway 🙂
Not an allergy per se but I have a weird intolerance for onions and garlic despite my love for them (:
I can’t eat them either! They make food taste amazing, but I definitely suffer for a few hours afterwards.
I used to have no problems flying and now I hate it!
I am not a nervous flyer…I love flying actually because it usually means vacation for me!! I would love the quest bars…they are so hard to find here!
I am such a bar hoarder! Love Quest bars.
I’ve never had a questbar before! I’ve heard a lot of good things about them and saw them in the store when I picked up my Clif and Luna bars. Do they have that protein-y consistency that some other bars have?
I wish I could tell you but I honestly have no idea — I’ve never been able to have one. They must be good if so many people rave about them, though!
AHHHH winning that box would be awesome!! I am currently trying to figure out how long I can go without buying more bars