POM Harvest Tour: Welcome Dinner
What a (POM) WONDERFUL group of bloggers! 
Everyone seems so passionate about what they do! And we have such a great mix of people. The bloggers are from several different health-focused niches, so we have a lot to learn from one another!
The group met in the hotel lobby prompty at 6:00 PM for dinner.
After a brief introduction from Jeff, the Director of Internet Marketing at POM, we piled into a couple of vans and drove to BJ’s Brewhouse just down the road.
BJ’s Brewhouse is a popular restaurant chain– and it was so good!
Of course, the food bloggers snapped photos outside of the restaurant. Myself included! 
Our group had plenty to chat about over dinner. The conversation never waned– we actually got a little rowdy at times!
To start, I ordered BJ’s Pumpkin Ale, which was a medium-bodied spiced ale. It definitely hit the spot after a long day of traveling.
As an appetizer, a few of us shared the Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, which were grilled shrimp glazed with spicy Thai sauce, served on a bed of cabbage, cilantro, carrots and red onion, all tossed with a fresh, minty mango salsa and sprinkled with toasted coconut. The lettuce cups were served with a spicy Thai sauce for dipping. They were awesome!
For my entree, I ordered the Soup and Salad Combo, so I started with a house salad with honey mustard.
And then had a bowl of BJ’s Piranha Pale Ale Chili, which was made with pork and beef, pinto beans, Piranha Pale Ale, and topped with scallions. It was exactly what I wanted. I had been craving chili for days!
I chatted with Roni for quite a bit of the evening. I was excited to meet her in person, so I was glad that we had a lot to talk about!
I was pretty stuffed after dinner, so I wasn’t going to eat dessert, but when the table decided to share a bunch of goodies, I couldn’t resist. I helped myself to some Old Fashioned Apple Crisp and enjoyed every bite. I loved the crunchy mix of oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Holy yum!
After publishing this post, I am heading straight to bed. I am so exhausted– especially being on East coast time and all.
Tomorrow morning, we are touring the POM Wonderful groves and taking a plane ride to view the Estate from above! So cool! I’m super nervous about the flight in a tiny plane, but I know it’ll be exciting and worth every ounce of nervousness.
See ya tomorrow for more POM Harvest fun! 
maria — October 20, 2009 @ 1:57 am
Yummo at the pale ale chili. Sounds so delicious. Glad everyone is having fun! So jealous of you all!
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans — October 20, 2009 @ 1:58 am
It looks like your POM vacation is off to a great start! I love BJs! For being a chain, I think they have great food and delicious beer!
Diana — October 20, 2009 @ 2:22 am
Seems like you’re all having a great time
Have fun on tuesday!
Tay — October 20, 2009 @ 3:08 am
Delicious
Have fun tomorrow!!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) — October 20, 2009 @ 3:50 am
Sounds like you’re having a great time!
Have fun tomorrow!
Naomi (onefitfoodie) — October 20, 2009 @ 5:57 am
looks like you are havin a fabulous time! that pumpkin ale and chili looks fabulous. Chili is one of the most comforting meals esp this time of year!
have fun with the bloggies!!
Shannon — October 20, 2009 @ 6:50 am
How fun to meet everyone on person! Enjoy the plane ride…you’ll be fine!
Emily (Emily Eats and Exercises) — October 20, 2009 @ 7:03 am
Those lettuce wraps look good – I wonder if I could recreate those at home…
I love that you hung out with Roni – I love both of your blogs!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — October 20, 2009 @ 7:04 am
Looks like you are having a great time!
Lizzy — October 20, 2009 @ 7:16 am
lunch looks wonderful! I bet it was so fun to have so many great conversations!
Gabriela — October 20, 2009 @ 7:22 am
Apple crisp looks delish- as does the pumpkin ale! Have a great time on the tour today!
Marisa (Trim The Fat) — October 20, 2009 @ 7:22 am
Love the Thai Shrimp Wraps! I’m going to try and recreate that!
Looks like a fun night! You and Roni look stunning!
Stephanie — October 20, 2009 @ 7:40 am
great dinner! and don’t be nervous about flying in a tiny plane, it is so much fun and you have so much room to move, you’ll love it
we also had fun snacks/drinks/treats on ours and that is always good news!!
Kara — October 20, 2009 @ 7:41 am
Apple crisp is one of the most classic and delicious desserts on the planet. Yummmm!
Paige@ Running Around Normal — October 20, 2009 @ 7:48 am
Your meal looks wonderful! That appetizer is so gorgeous. Glad you all had fun:)
rhodeygirl — October 20, 2009 @ 7:54 am
sounds like a great opportunity. Can’t wait to see what the estate looks like.
Estela @ Weekly Bite — October 20, 2009 @ 8:08 am
Looks like a great time! It’s so much fun to meet new people
Looking forward to hearing how the trip goes!
coco — October 20, 2009 @ 8:08 am
nice meeting you in person and thanks for the shot Tina!
Jillian (back to the nest) — October 20, 2009 @ 8:22 am
All the food looks sooooo good! Have fun!
Meghan@traveleatlove — October 20, 2009 @ 8:23 am
Looks like such a fun night with a great group of bloggers! Have fun on the tour, and don’t be too nervous on the flyover! My father in law flies in Ireland, and my first time was terrifying for 5 mins but then I sat back, relaxed, and was in awe!
Megan @ Megzz Wins At Life — October 20, 2009 @ 8:29 am
Sounds like fun!! Have a good today today!
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? — October 20, 2009 @ 8:41 am
That chilli looks great!! Have fun on your plane ride, I’m sure it will be awesome
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers — October 20, 2009 @ 8:43 am
hope you got a good night’s sleep. that apple crisp looks fabulous. i think i would’ve wanted that as my entree!
Tammy — October 20, 2009 @ 9:24 am
I’ve always heard that if you go to a city you don’t know, go to a Brewhouse, they have the best food! Sounds fun! I don’t even like beer and the Pumpkin ale sounded good.
Whitney @ Lettuce Love — October 20, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Glad to hear you all had fun!
Brooke (Baking with Basil) — October 20, 2009 @ 9:25 am
BJ’s is one of our go to restaurants in Columbus. The food and beer always hit the spot! Next time you go, you have to try the pizza. It never disappoints!! Have a great time in California.
christie @ honoring health — October 20, 2009 @ 9:33 am
Yum, that meal looks awesome.
Hope the tour is fun today!
Mary :: A Merry Life — October 20, 2009 @ 9:42 am
Roni is the best and the other bloggers are awesome too. Sounds like a fun trip. Enjoy it!
SweetiePotato — October 20, 2009 @ 9:44 am
ohh pumpkin ale sounds delish!
Carrie — October 20, 2009 @ 9:50 am
If you ever go back to a BJ’s you MUST get a pizookie. Warm cookie fresh out of the oven with cold vanilla ice cream…heaven. HEAVEN.
Jessie (Vegan-minded) — October 20, 2009 @ 10:02 am
It looks like the trip is going to be blast. I can’t wait to hear (and see) more about it
Sarah — October 20, 2009 @ 10:10 am
Glad you had a great first night! I bet it is so exciting to meet other bloggers, I hope to meet a bunch of you all one day
Tina — October 20, 2009 @ 10:40 am
Looks like soo much fun! All of your pictures are getting prettier and prettier every day I swear!
Angie (Losing It and Loving It) — October 20, 2009 @ 11:23 am
Looks like quite the yummy dinner!
I have met and chatted with Roni before here in Chicago and she’s a doll. Glad you got the chance to meet her.
Jenna — October 20, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
glad you had a great dinner night with everyone! those thai wraps looks great!
jenna
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — October 20, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
the great thing about dining with a bunch of foodies is sharing!
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life — October 20, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
Looks like you are having such a great time! I love Roni-she’s the reason I started blogging!
Cynthia (It All Changes) — October 20, 2009 @ 6:22 pm
Those lettuce wraps look amazing! And I love that you took some amazing pictures