Hello from the sky!
I am currently flying to Portland for FitBloggin’, the same fun blogging conference that I attended for the first time last year. (You can read my recaps here and here.) I am really looking forward to meeting new people, seeing some of my favorite blogging buddies, trying a new workout or two and learning a lot. I am also hoping to get out and explore Portland while I’m in town. It should be a good time!
Workout
My alarm went off at 6 a.m. and I immediately changed into my workout clothes and headed out the door for a five mile run on the beach.
Talk about a few worth waking up for! Sunrises on the beach never get old.
Breakfast
Once my run was over, I assembled a quick breakfast before it was time to shower.
I poured myself a mix of granola and Cheerios and topped the cereal with fresh blueberries and cashews.
I didn’t want a hot breakfast because I knew I’d never stop sweating if I tried to get ready after a hot run and a hot breakfast. I become an evil beast when I try to get ready when I can’t stop sweating after my shower.
After breakfast and a shower, it was time to drive to the airport. I quickly typed up my morning blog post at the gate and then it was time to board.
Lunch
I napped on my first flight to Atlanta and hurried off to catch my connecting flight to Portland once we landed. I grabbed a pesto chicken sandwich that I ate in line as I waited to board.
About 30 minutes into my flight, I dug into the baby carrots and sugar snap peas that I bought for a snack.
Dipped in Ranch dressing!
Before breaking out my computer, I spent some time reading Delta’s Sky magazine and saw a travel questionnaire that looked like fun.
Let’s play along!
- Travel Essential: My laptop! Whenever I travel, I often have a lot of downtime on the plane and always pack my laptop so I can write on the go or work on a blog post.
- Item You Pack That Reminds You Of Home: For this trip, I packed a super-soft t-shirt that Ryan gave me to wear to bed. It’s so comfortable!
- Strangest Item Ever Packed: I couldn’t think of anything for this one, so I will defer to something my mom recently packed that was a little odd. On our way home from Machu Picchu, my mom carried a large hiking stick with her through airport security. We all had a bet going that it would never make it through, but it did! She had to check it, but it made it to the United States without a problem.
- Last Souvenir Purchased: Do macarons count? I brought a few home with me from San Francisco as a little treat, but they didn’t last long. If food doesn’t count, I think my last souvenir would be two colorful bracelets that I bought at an outdoor market in Peru.
- In-Flight Snacking: Nuts! I always pack almonds, pecans, cashews or peanuts with me to eat when I travel. They’re easy to transport, taste delicious and help fight hunger on a long flight. I also love those travel-size packages of peanut or almond butter.
- Drink of Choice While Flying: I almost always ask for sparkling water or club soda with lemon or lime. I love the bubbles and it’s a great way to stay hydrated. I got Ryan hooked on this, too!
Now it’s your turn…
Questions of the Afternoon
- What is one of your “travel essentials?”
- Favorite in-flight snack?
- Drink of choice while flying?
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats says
Water, water and more water. I try and keep well hydrated when flying. Love the idea of adding cashews to your cereal! Delicious!
Can’t wait to hear your recap from the conference it sounds awesome 🙂
Emma @ Life's A Runner says
I would die for a view like that during my run – beautiful! If I have a book and some music with me, I’m set for any length of a plane ride. Some people hate listening to music while reading, but I find it just helps me get lost in the book even more! 🙂
Maureen says
I think I’d be a much more dedicated runner f I had a view like that! Have fun at Fitbloggin’!
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog says
I’ve always wanted to go to Portland. Can’t wait to read about it 🙂
One of my travel essentials is my laptop too. As long as there is no turbulence (because I HATE flying), I find I do some of my best writing/thinking in the air.
Fave in-flight snack: pretzels and swedish fish. hands down.
Drink of Choice: This is weird but I usually check the weather before flying. If it’s looking rough, and I think it’s going to be a shaky flight, I’ll get a little cocktail to calm my nerves :-). I usually go with wine because it calms me so quickly. haha. If it’s a smooth flight, I love the in-flight coffee. It’s like gas station coffee…so good.
Christine says
Whenever I think of Oregon, this little voice in my head yells, “Prefontaine!!!” 🙂 Have a great trip. We’ll look forward to your highlights! My sister lived in Eugene and I always looked forward to visiting that beautiful state. have fun!
Kimberly Ann says
My only must-have item is my headphones! I need some distractions when I’m scared in flight – ha!
Kimberly Ann
http://trendkeeper.me
Anne @ CandyCrazedrun.wordpress.com says
Ohhhh that’s so exciting you are going to Portland! There are three parts of the US I have not been to, and the Pacific North west is one of them, and at the tip top of my list!
Laura says
One of my travel essentials is a pair of sneakers! No matter where I go, if I have my sneaks and a little down time, I can count on getting a good workout in (and hopefully some sight seeing while I’m at it)!
My favorite in-flight snack is a pack of Emerald Cinnamon Roast Almonds and an apple.
My drink of choice while flying is seltzer with lemon or just some boring old water to keep me hydrated.
Lisa says
Have a great time in Portland! 🙂
Jillian says
My essential is a big stack of magazines to catch up on my easy reading… And a notebook, always. Never know when or where I’ll be inspired! I’m a junk food eater when I fly, so probably some candy and a huge bottle of water!
Michelle @ Peanut Butter and Running Shoes says
Probably my kindle fire. It packs nicely. Although, my new chromebook might be coming with me next trip!
I’d love to attend one of these conferences one day. have fun!!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says
Have a blast at Fitbloggin! I’m excited for all the recaps!
Elizabeth says
First I’d like to say that I just love your blog! It gives me so much motivation and so many healthy eating ideas.
I wanted to comment on eating nuts on the plane. I know that nuts are one heck of an awesome health food that provides so many wonderful benefits. Please be careful eating them on a plane. I am deathly allergic and have a tremendous fear that another passenger will pull them out mid-flight. Absolutely keep eating them, but please ask the other passengers in your row if they have allergies first. The dust in the air can cause some people to go into anaphylaxis.
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
Oh wow, I definitely will!
Valerie says
I should have read this before — based on the experience I mentioned below, apparently you can request a nut free flight. I was on Delta the first time and Southwest the second. Don’t fly in fear anymore!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
My favorite in-flight snacks are almonds and/or granola bars, and I always have water with me too.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I seriously LOVE your idea to top your cereal with nuts. I like that it adds protein to the meal and a nice salty and crunchy texture. Yum :).
Valerie says
I used to pack a small bag nuts for all my long flights as well, just like you said, they stave off hunger forever! Recently though, I found myself on not one, but two “nut free flights” — if there is a passenger on board with a severe nut allergy, the flight crew will make an announcement stating they will not be serving peanuts and requesting that you don’t open anything you brought with nuts in it….and it’s a federal offense to go against the request of a flight attendant so I was stuck on a 4 hour flight with only a small bag of pretzels to tide me over (though I was quite pleased to see they cared so much for their customers’ safety). No fun! Now I always bring a nut free snack, just in case.
Lisa says
Portland is so much fun!!! Definitely check out the Saturday farmers market at Portland State University
http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/markets/psu/
Also, VooDoo Donuts for some of the craziest donut concoctions you can find.
There are tons of great restaurants, but Clarklewis is one of my favoritess. Also, try a bowl from Yum Bowl for an amazing vegetarian meal!
Finally, if you have time, Multnomah Falls is a wonderful yet relatively quick hike in the area.
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
Just got back from VooDoo Doughnuts! So yummy! Thanks for the recs!
Rita says
When you’re in Portland if you have time to head up to the Pittock mansion it gives you some great views of the city! I’ve never been in the actual mansion but I hike around it a lot and love the view. Also, Grand Central Baking (they have multiple locations) is an awesome breakfast or lunch place!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I always make sure to have some snacks with me and my laptop when I’m traveling! Favorite in flight snack would definitely be the free honey roasted peanuts you get (at least on Southwest), and I usually will pack some sort of trail mix or granola bar too. Drink of choice… It depends. It’s usually a toss up between Diet Coke, water, or orange juice!
Amber at Love, Laugh, Live Well says
My kindle and iPhone! As long as I have those two I’m all set.
I drink a ridiculous amount of water when traveling. The dry air on the plans/car always make me feel dehydrated. I love snacking on granola and fruit bars. Gives me a little extra energy when jet lag hits.
Sarah @makingitmyhome.blogspot.com says
I can never get n a plane without a huge bottle of water
Kay says
I love trailmix when traveling. Or I just love trailmix.
The only time I ever drink soda is on airplanes.. for some reason I feel like it’s tradition to get a sprite zero 🙂 haha
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
As simple as your breakfast was, it looks amazing! It also reminds me I need to get more cashews! 😉
Emily says
Travel essential is definitely my laptop, but also an appropriate outfit in my carry-on for my final destination- my luggage ALWAYS seems to get lost. Favorite in-flight snacks are apple and almonds, celery and pb or ab or a protein bar. I drink a ton of water leading up to and on travel days, but definitely wash that water down with my fair share of black coffee :p
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
Oh my gosh, you get to travel so often! Lucky :)!
Elle @ The Clean Project says
My travel essential is always a good book, an old fashioned one, so that I don’t have to put my Kindle away during takeoff and landing. I love to snack on pretzels and usually get Sprite as my drink to calm my anxious tummy…. I really don’t like flying.
Beth Sheridan (Sugar Coated Sheridan) says
My iPad!!!
Same as you, any kind of nut, but I always pack almonds and cashews.
It depends on when I’m flying, usually coffee or half sparkling water/half cranberry juice. It’s super delicious!
courtstar @ star systemz says
When I fly I have to have a good book so I always make sure to download at least two to my kindle. Since I don’t have time to read I take advantage of long flights. Have a great time in Portland love + shine Courtstar
Annie McGregor says
Where will you be visiting in Portland? Welcome to the city!
Ellie@Fit for the soul says
I haVE to have regular good ol’ water when flying–or I get soooo thirsty I get cranky, hehe. And Portland sounds like such a great place to travel to!~
Brittany @ DulceVie says
I love packing snacks (nuts and graham crackers)! Have fun in Portland Julie!
PluvK says
We don’t have a bathtub in our home, so I always bring bubble bath with me. Since it’s rare that I travel for vacation, it’s a nice little luxury that I get to enjoy!
Lindsey says
Water for sure (I get so dehydrated) and ear phones to watch tv or a movie. Drink if choice- obviously I mentioned water but love their coffee also. Love snacking on my homemade trail mix, nothing fancy just raisins, peanuts and almonds.
Shauna says
i am also a fan of nuts on the plane! I also buy a GIANT bottle of water as soon as I go thru security to keep from getting dehydrated. recently i found some snack packs at a grocery store right before a long flight – celery, pb (you know you love it) & raisins in one, carrots, hummus & sunflower seeds in the other.
Angela @ Health's Angel says
I love Portland! I can’t wait to read the recaps and reminisce about my trip there last summer. I stayed in Happy Valley/Clackamas while I was there. 🙂
You have to go see Multnomah Falls. Beautiful.
Amy @ The Little Honey Bee says
I love Erin Burnett! I agree with you that my laptop is an essential but another essential of mine are face wipes — don’t you hate that travel feeling? Favorite in flight snack: packing my own trail mix! And drink of choice definitely water and on occasion tomato juice (it’s a plane thing!)
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
I have been drinking seltzer since I was kid so that is my obvious choice on a plane. I love it! It’s so much better than water because of the bubbles. Have fun in Portland! I was just there in May 🙂
Shel@PeachyPalate says
San Pellogrina water! It tastes so much better than other sparkling waters! Couldn’t travel without my laptop and in flight snacking…fruit, nut butters and homemade trail mix bags!
Meg says
What is one of your “travel essentials?” Definitely a book – nothing deep, either. Something light that will keep me entertained enough to not care that I’m stuck in a metal tube for a few hours. When I was in school still, I NEEDED my laptop. As soon as we hit cruising altitude, I got so much work done! I once wrote a 20 page essay on my way to a weekend with girlfriends in Vegas.
Favorite in-flight snack? I get nauseous if I eat on airplanes, so I usually stick to mint gum.
Drink of choice while flying? WATER. I get so dehydrated on airplanes!
Megan says
Have fun at fitbloggin!! I would love to go to that some time. My travel essentials are sandals. My feet get SO HOT on planes. In flight snack is definitely nuts and I also love the pretzels. I always order water and tomato juice. I never drink tomato juice in my day to day flight but I love it on planes!
Cathryn says
My absolute travel essentials are a book and my ear buds. I get anxiety when flying or traveling so music and a book is pretty much the only way I relax. My favorite in-flight snack I guess would have to be pretzels…I NEVER eat pretzels unless they’re given to me on a plane. It’s weird I know. Drink choice would have to be water or regular coke. Whenever I got anxiety or nervous my mama always told me to sit back, relax, and drink a coke. I guess it just stuck because I still do it. Have fun in Portland! My fiance’ and I are dying to go!
Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate says
I hardly ever drink diet coke, but always get a craving when I am flying!
Jeanie @ Breakfast for Dinner says
What is one of your “travel essentials?” hmm my phone/ camera and flip flops for easy security checks
Favorite in-flight snack? I fly Jet Blue a lot and I always get popcorners, but other than that trail mix of some kind. I also love hot pretzels so if they have one in the airport I am VERY inclined to buy one!
Drink of choice while flying.. water or a diet soda treat
Jackie says
I always take books! You have to check out Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham, I can’t put it down!! 🙂
Molly says
Have fun in Portland! I’ve always wanted to go! Have you ever heard of the show Portlandia? Here is a link that has some of Season 2’s best skits!:
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/-portlandia—season-2-s-five-funniest-sketches.html
I highly recommend the show. It’s really cleaver and it’s streaming on NetFlix!
Dom says
I totally drink like 7 gallons of water on the plane and then just a teeny tiny handful of nuts and if I’m feeling froggy I will allow myself some carrots and hummus but ONLY if it’s OMGorganic because I’m totally the healthiest chick ALIVE!!!
Summer says
Travel Essential – I have 2. My Windows Surface for music, working and/or reading; and my headphones to drown out plane noise.
Snack – Apples and Almonds. They are a must since I do my best to live the Paleo Life and the peanuts and cheese crackers they give don’t fit that.
Drink – Water. I always take an empty water bottle with me through security and fill it up after. 🙂
Jill says
Nuts are an addicting, easy snack for flights…too bad they also kind of dehydrate, making the water situation worse. Go figure.
I cannot believe you live where you do – that sunrise…that’s the stuff I visualize in movies, on TV, …and in my dreams 🙂
Meghan @ After the Ivy League says
I love club soda with lemon or lime when it’s mixed with vodka haha! I’ve actually never had it plain before though, great idea to try during a flight!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
Gorg run on that beach!! Have fun!
Good idea to ask for lime/lemon for the club soda/sparkling water. I’m trying that next time-I LOVE bubbles.