Hello from Minnesota! Since I was already most of the way there, I decided to spend a few days visiting my family before heading back to Ithaca.
I had a fabulous weekend in Chicago participating in the Healthy Living Summit with my ‘blends’ (blog friends)! Here are the top 9 things I learned/gained at HLS:
1. Learned about fueling for fitness, and plan to incorporate the tips into my long cycling rides. I especially want to try tart cherry juice (it contains an anti-inflammatory antioxidant!) and coconut water as recovery drinks now.
2. Refreshed my memory on the meaning and importance of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO as it relates to food photography.
3. Had recipe inspiration from the Tastebud Tour.
4. Made new blends like Rachel and Andrea.
5. Met old blends in real life for the first time or saw them again.
6. Took fun photos of Chicago with blends.
7. Learned the difference between super-sets, circuits and split workouts from the amazing Chandra.
If you really want to know…
Super-sets = 2-3 exercises performed back-to-back + break + repeat
Circuit = 8-10 exercises performed back-to-back + break + repeat
Split = working different muscle groups on different days
8. Experienced a sense of community from blogger participation in our panel on the Ups and Downs of blogging. Thanks to everyone who shared with us!
9. Shared and learned about the ups and downs of blogging. Katie has a great recap of the session!
Thank you to all the bloggers and sponsors who made this weekend a great one!
Note: My camera cord accidentally ended up in the suitcase of a blend, so thank you to Katy and the Arnold Bread’s photographer for allowing me to borrow their pictures instead! 
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
You know, your recap actually contained some useful information…which makes me wonder what exactly went through my head on the red eye because I posted almost nothing of use. You were such a delight to be around, can’t wait to do it all again someday. We’ll get John on board for a tasting tour of Boston. I have a feeling that man could talk his way through any city.
I am so proud of our panel! We were able to openly engage with everyone and it was absolutely amazing!
yay you are amazing! I miss this weekend
like serious withdrawl.
I live in Minnesota! If you are in the need for a bloggy meet up let me know! I could find an awesome place to delight your foodie tastebuds
xo-Molly
http://www.givinganythingbutup.wordpress.com
Ahh, I wish I could! I leave tomorrow morning and am meeting up with high school friends tonight though…maybe next time I’m around?
Thank you for coming, helping stuff bags, speaking and being awesome. It was really great meeting you!
I’m so glad we’re blends now. I’ll be honest, it took me at least 75 seconds to recognize what that meant. I felt a smidge stupido.
Let’s be blends again in real life soon. I thoroughly enjoyed watching your facial expressions when we went out. HA-larious.
Looks like it was a great experience!
What an amazing time it looks like everyone had!
Thank you for such an amazing time as well. It was so great meeting you.
I agree with trying out tart cherry juice, who knew?!
I wish I could have been there! Going to check out Katie’s recap!
Love this recap! It was so nice to finally meet you, briefly, at HLS. Thank you for everything you do within this community and so glad you spoke about it during the session!
I’m bummed I didn’t make it to your panel.
I had such a fab weekend. It was so great to meet you Julie!
LOVE THIS!
So glad you had an excellent time. Totally bummed I missed out. Next year!!
Looks like it was a lot of fun – I wish I had been there!
Yay! I’m glad we got to meet in person finally!
I thought the tart cherry juice thing was interesting as well. Once I start training for something again, I definitely want to try that.
Hey Julie,
So great to meet you at the HLS! Don’t know how I hadn’t found your blog until then, but I’m glad I did
Have a great day!
Val
can we speak more about this cherry juice?
i know you tried it after bike rides this week –
does it REALLY work?
how much did you drink?
was it similiar to my beloved Advil (aka: the thing i rely on and know i shouldnt) in terms of an anti-inflammatory aid?
I had a mug of it after both of my 35+ mile bike rides this week (maybe 6-8 ounces?), and my muscles definitely weren’t as tight as they usually are after long rides!