We’re home from Philly. Jelly is back from Uncle Bill’s. This year’s Healthy Living Summit is done, but the memories will live on forever… in my belly.
I will veer from giving you a traditional recap of the cocktail party + Saturday’s sessions because there are about a hundred of them floating in the blogosphere already. Instead, I will recount the weekend in simple terms we can all understand: food.
The spread at the cocktail party was something from my dreams. To be frank, I didn’t know what half the things I ate were but it was all good. Considering the fact that we are a group of food bloggers, I knew I would be eating well the whole weekend.
Just look at this cheese and fruit plate!
Unfortunately I was too focused on mingling, and I didn’t eat as much as I would have liked. But, I had other opportunities to gorge myself the next day.
We were fed breakfast + lunch on the day of the Saturday sessions. Somehow I didn’t snap any pictures of breakfast (probably being too chatty.)
But lunch! We enjoyed an all vegetarian spread of sammies + salads + Great Harvest bread. I was happy to try my first slice, since I’ve heard so much about its yeasty goodness.
At snack time, we got to load up on our veggies. If no one else had been around, I’m confident I could have cleared an entire plates of cherry tomatoes, and a substantial amount of red peppers + carrot sticks all by myself.
But, I exercised portion control as best I could.
Sunday’s breakfast was another crowd-pleaser.
Loads of fresh fruit, cereals, and an oatmeal bar!
The only thing missing from my daily oatmeal bowl was chia seeds, so I spooned in some ground flax seed instead.
Everything served at the Healthy Living Summit has nutritional value up the wazoo. So, as soon as Saturday evening rolled around I was ready for something salty and fatty.
A trip to Philly’s Chinatown for some beef lo mein was the ticket.
And upon checking out of the hotel, we simply crossed the street and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. Did you know they include nutritional information on their menu now?
It is horrific! I wanted eat something substantial to tide me over until we landed at home, but the numbers printed below each menu item were shocking.
I saw very few entrées and sandwiches under 1000 calories, and sodium ranged between 1000-1500mg (more than half a recommended daily allowance!) It’s important to know what you are consuming, especially when you are eating out, but I was honestly embarrassed to order anything off the menu. I opted for a turkey burger + side salad, and nibbled on Justin’s salty fries.
What’s your take on dining in chain restaurants? Do you like when menus share nutritional information?
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Food, glorious food!
I don’t prefer chain restaurants because their cooks aren’t as careful about cross-contamination.
I do like them sharing the nutrition info for my own knowledge even if I make the same choice. At least then it is an informed choice.