I can’t believe today was our last day on the POM Harvest Tour. It’s been such an amazing experience! I’m really not ready to go back to the “real world.” 
Workout
Again, I woke up before the sun this morning (darn East coast time), so I hit the gym for a quickie workout. I did 25 minutes on the elliptical, followed by 15 minutes on the treadmill. My hip has been sore from all of the running that I’ve been doing lately, so I alternated 3 minutes of running with 2 minutes of walking. I’m glad that I managed to fit in some sort of workout today!
Breakfast
After showering and some blogging, I met the group downstairs in the hotel restaurant for breakfast. I was happy to see that there was a healthy selection of foods once again. 
The fresh fruit bar was awesome! It was just what I wanted after such an indulgence meal last night.
California strawberries! 
I considered oatmeal for breakfast again, but decided on whole wheat toast with peanut butter instead.
It was a good decision, especially since I had a serious craving for peanut butter.
And, of course, I drank a couple of cups of coffee with breakfast. The caffeine was much-needed!
After breakfast, the group hopped into the rental vans and drove to the POM facility to learn about juicing and bottling the wonderful pomegranates. (Post coming soon about the tour!)
Our tour at the POM facilities ended just before lunchtime, so we dug into our packed lunches a little early.
Lunch
For my lunch, I ate half of a turkey wrap, drank some POM juice (the first of the whole trip!), and finished with dessert: a wonderful white chocolate cookie.
The POM team was actually in a bit of a rush to get us to the airport to catch our flights, so we said some quick goodbyes and drove straight there.
There was a little confusion with my fight, so it got re-routed through Dallas instead of Las Vegas, but I’ll get home to Boston at the same time. Thank goodness!
Dinner
At the airport, I gathered a bunch of essentials for my travels home.
On my layover in Dallas, I grabbed Starbuck’s Perfect Oatmeal as another snack/dinner, but I didn’t snap a photo. I actually boarded the plane while eating it!
I still have a couple more POM posts to write, so be sure to stay tuned!
And, I have lots to catch-up on! It’s crazy what 3 days away can do!
Feel Great Weight
My newest post for Health features some of my favorite fall recipes: 3 Fall Comfort Foods Get a Diet-Friendly Makeover
Healthy Living Examiner
Check out my newest post for the Examiner: The Importance of Recovery Days
Amplify Your Life
Want to enhance (or streamline) your life and win $5,000? Check out Divine Caroline’s Life Amplified program.
Win an Ice Cream Maker
Shannon of Tri to Cook is celebrating her 1-year blog anniversary by giving away a Cuisinart ice cream maker! Be sure to check out her giveaway!
Healthworks Open House
Boston ladies: Healthworks is having an Open House this week until Friday, October 23rd. All women are welcome to attend. The Open House will be at all 5 Healthworks locations (Copley Square, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Porter Square, and Salem).
Click here to view the invitation.
More details and to register: www.healthworksfitness.com/openhouse
In the News
Is it the exercise or the diet that drives weight loss?
Move over, mangosteen, here comes yumberry
Food index looks at nutrition and cost-value
Soy foods may cut risk of hip fractures in women
A little cloudy on the exercise cool-down?
Study: People who drink mostly water tend to have better diets
Connecticut investigates Smart Choices program
Restaurants celebrate heirloom veggies
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks like you got some great POM goodies to take home!
Have a safe flight and can’t wait to see more of the trip and your new adventures!
I love learning about all your travel tips – I used to use the airport as an excuse to eat a lot of junk, but you make eating healthily on your travels look easy!
Looks like you’ve been writing a lot – I’m off to read.
I just had to add: I read your article and I’m totally making that sweet potato smoothie tomorrow!
ha that’s funny you drank the juice on the last day…glad you’re home safe!
I’m going to read up on your articles!
a) I didn’t realize they had nut butter at breakfast, and b) I can’t believe I didn’t have a pomtini last night. *tear*. I might have to make one for myself this weekend to make up for it
It was so good to meet you in person!!!
That fruit on the buffet looks really yummy and fresh. Usually I hate breakfast buffets but that one looks really nice
. Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful trip! Thanks for the articles too, they sound interesting.
That breakfast looks great.
Especially that fresh fruit. Yum.
Tina, is POM selling the arils in little packages now???? GREAT news! I love pomegranate but deseeding is so messy and violent. I’ll have to investigate its availability. Thanks for sharing!
Those strawberries look delish…so much better than the ones in PA!
Such a lovely trip – I can’t wait to learn how the pomegranate is juiced
that has always been something that I have wondered about – at least since I tried my first POM.
I’m celebrating my blogiversary too! I’m giving a way a “Favorite things” prize pack
Looks like a great trip!
Glad you had such a fantastic time!
Your pics always make me hungry, everything looks so great!
Oh and thanks for your post on Operation Beautiful. I read how you left a few notes here and there and got inspired to do the same!
I love your blog! Great that you were able to get a workout in the morning before travelling. I always hate how time-crunched I am on busy days and ‘regret’ not getting in a long workout – but then I realize that even 20 minutes is better than getting nothing in – trying to focus on the positives
How is the Starbucks Oatmeal BTW?? I’ve wondered, hmmmm…
I didn’t realize you wrote for Health!! That is so great.
I am a Physical Therapist, but I actually love to write, but have always been too intimidated/worried about following this – because it’s obviously not my background and seemingly impossible to break into. I feel like I’m just being ‘silly’ or chasing ‘foolish dreams’….my dream would be to write for a fitness/health magazine or blog for them(!!) and also write novels…
If you have any advice – or know of any magazines hiring
or how to break into – Let Me Know hahha!!
I just started my own blog – and there is so much to learn – but I LOVE it and what great support too, no?!
Take care, get home and get some rest !
I can’t wait to see all about the juicing process! Have a safe flight!
Glad you’re taking care of that hip
Looks like you had a great trip! Safe travels home!
-Estela
That fruit looks fantastic! I wish I could find those pre-packaged pomegranate arils here.
Love your latest Health article, Tina! The sweet potato pie smoothie sounds delicious; I can’t wait to try it.
Welcome home Tina! Thanks for bringing us along on your trip
Mmm peanut butter toast and fresh fruit…what’s better?? I’m glad you had such a great time in California
Looks like a great hotel breakfast!!
Looks like you had a great time. I never eat pomegranates, but maybe I should try. (Off topic, but I got my coffee and mug from coffee amnesty last night and am enjoying my first cup of decaf hazelnut! It’s really good! I might do half regular coffee half decaf hazelnut next time to get some caffeine). Thanks for telling us about it.
I really concur with the points you made in your article about the importance of recovery days. I tend to do too much, too often and it has sidelined me from doing anything at all in the past. I’ve learned the err of my ways. Rest is a part of maintaining fitness!
That breakfast bar is the stuff fit foodie dreams are made of!
thanks for the link love! hope you had a good flight back
thats a super nice hotel breakfast buffet! you guys scored big. looks like a fun trip!
Have a safe trip home!!! The breakfast buffet looks awesome…I love it when there are healthful options!
I just wanted to congratulate you on your article in Shape Magazine this month! I bought a copy because my sister, a breast cancer survivor had a photo taken for Under Armour’s Power in Pink ad (page 7!!!) and I flipped right to your article. Your story is truly inspirational to others and i’m excited to read more of your blogs!
I love how you occasionally post links to news articles that apply to your blog! Do you mind if I borrow your idea every once in awhile?
Glad you had fun!!!! I think at the end of the month I am going to suck it up and finally join Healthworks for real!!!! YAY! I think I will join the Back Bay location! I am so excited!
@Ali (food, fitness, fashion): You should!!!
I hear ya on waking up before the sun. I did that everyday of my trip to Colorado. It made for a good excuse to do yoga or go for a walk.
Take care of your hip. You don’t want it to get bad again. I know how much you love to run.
That continental breakfast is better than any I’ve seen. Can’t wait to see the rest of the factory stuff
thank god for starbucks oatmeal! it’s my new airport savior. great recap of the Pom events!
glad you had a great time at POM!
i always need magazines to get me through airplane trips as well! glad you got back to boston alright!
jenna
Thanks for the “In the News” articles! I love catching up on the latest health stories and it’s really nice to have a good selection all in one place.
Hope you had a safe trip back! :O)
Hey – congrats on the Food Buzz Bertolli award! Very exciting!
Good articles!! Sounds like the POM trip was AWESOME!!
Amazing trip. Congrats on being one of the Bertolli challenge winners
love the pics- looks like you had a grerat time
i just wanted to say thanks for the coffee amensity site- i got my package today!!!
thanks again
Wow the trip looks amazing – Can’t wait to look for the pre-packagaed pom seeds! Totally bookmarking the pumpkin chocolate loaf for thanksgiving!!
Such a wonderful trip! I love the mini container of pomegranate. I wish all pomegranate came that way.
PS I have a huge giveaway and fundraiser going on for The Humane Society and would love if you entered! I have about 250 larabars to give away 
Wahoo!
congrats on the foodbuzz win!!!
My Healthworks membership kicks back in on the 26th! I am looking for a running backpack so I can run there in the morning to lift weights.
P.S. I am doing a Healthy Halloween giveaway (prize = from Glo Bakery) on my blog
Looks like you had so much fun! Was the Starbucks oatmeal any good?
Your trip to San Fran to the Pom Harvest looked like such a fun time!
glad you made it home safe!
All of that fruit looks awesome!