3 planes
14.5 hours
3,205 miles
And I’m finally here!
What an insane day of travel. I’ll spare you the details, but let you know that American Airlines has a lot of broken planes. I’m glad I’m not flying them home!
All of that travel was well worth it though. I arrived safe and sound at the gorgeous Four Seasons in Westlake, California for Dole’s Healthly Lifestyle Blogger Summit. I’m spending the next two days listening to wellness-related presentations, nutrition discussions, and participating in spa (!!!) and fitness activities. Obviously, I am psyched to be here.
I’m also psyched about my hotel room at the Four Seasons. It’s beautiful””and you know how much I love hotels.
TV in the bathroom? I’m pretty sure that means it’s fancy.
Because of my crazy travel adventures, I missed the first 1.5 hours of the Summit’s kick-off event, a cocktail hour followed by a “Healthy Chef’s Challenge,” which was basically an Iron Chef-esque competition to introduce attendees to one another and challenge them to re-create a Thanksgiving meal with a healthy twist.
Groups were formed and then divided into teams where they prepare healthy entrees using a variety of Dole products and then presented their dishes to a panel of judges.
I arrived almost at the end of the competition, so I just watched and drank a glass of wine, which I really needed at that point in the day.
Group pic!
After the cooking competition, we sat down for dinner.
We started with a thick asparagus soup, which I absolutely loved. (I’m working on getting the recipe for it, so don’t you worry!) I’m not generally a huge fan of soup because it doesn’t normally fill me up, but this one was very satisfying””heavy, but not gross heavy, ya know?
The main course was the most amazing buffet””yams with bananas, farro spinach salad, grilled scallops, mint roasted Brussels sprouts, sliced turkey, and spinach salad with figs and goat cheese. So delicious, so nutritious.
For dessert, we enjoyed a slice of pumpkin pie with a ginger snap crust and some berry crisp””also delicious.
After eating all of that food and experiencing some serious jet lag, I was so ready for bed. I snapped a quick photo with Monica, went straight to my hotel room, and face-planted in my bed. I slept great last night.
Busy day ahead! Stay tuned!
Be Thankful Challenge
I’m grateful for blogging and everything that it has afforded me. Who knew a little hobby would become such a huge part of my life?
59 Comments
Danggg Tina what a room! That TV is ridiculous. I hope you watched Ellen while blow drying your hair 😛
Have a great time in Cali, looks like a fun event. I love the blouse you are wearing in the pic with Monica! You totally know how to dress yourself, even if you don’t believe it 😛
You are in my backyard! enjoy your stay in southern california… 🙂
You’re around the corner from where I grew up! I lived in Simi Valley, CA before I moved to Boston. I’m so jealous! Santa Ana winds/ fire season/ windy Octobers are my absolute favorite! If you have time, hit up Zuma Beach, you wont be sorry.
Um, I would sleep great too in that bed!!! That hotel room looks amazing! I wouldn’t leave! although that food may have enticed me out of the room…
Have a great time 🙂 love reading about these kinds of events!
Cute top! That room looks AMAZING! I love the yellows and blues in its color scheme.
I’m so jealous of you! What a fun trip! Your hotel room is so beautiful too. Enjoy all the yummy eats and fun presentations!
Glad you finally made it and safely too! The food selections look amazing 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!
TV in the bathroom, how luxerious! I remember thinking it was so strange when I moved and there was a phone jack in the bathroom:) I feel you on the long day of travel. Its not that you are phsyically doing much, but its so exhausting all the same. And you always seem to land in the furtherest terminal from the baggage claim.
such a cute picture!!
glad you’re enjoying yourself. i saw that soup on meghann’s blog this morning and must comment again how AMAZING it looks!
Wow…looks so fun and delicious! The yam and banana combo sounds especially intriguing…as usual, I’m jealous!
Oh man, what a long day of travel. I bet you were ready for that glass of wine. 🙂
Hope you end up getting the soup recipe. I love asparagus!
All that food looks amazing!!! That’s scary about the planes. I always hate when you have to land somewhere to fix something. I’m like–I don’t want to get back in that plane, lol
You’re always on the run to the next summit or wellness event. How do you hear about all of them? Are there events similar to these for neewbies in the blogging and wellness field?
I so wish I could be there too. That hotel sure looks snazzy! And how fun on the cooking competition.
This sounds like so much fun! Your hotel room looks very yellow – in a good way – very Dole-esque!!! Can’t wait to hear more about the event!
oooooh glad you made it safe! It sounds like a blast 🙂
Love the yellow hotel room!!
What a day! Traveling from Boston to California on a good day makes me tired – you must have been a mess. At least after all that you made it in time to enjoy the dinner 🙂
I think that tub looks even better then the TV! Hotels with big beds and deep tubs are the best.
You look great! Love that top!
I feel your pain Tina. I travel to California from Boston EVERY week for work! Glad you finally made it.
Beautiful hotel!! My friend Courtney works at the Four Seasons Westlake spa. If you see her, tell her I said hi!!! 🙂
I know some friends who attended this last year and they said it was amazing. Glad you made it out to sunny CA and are enjoying yourself!
I love that they have a Vitamix right there in their kitchen too!
So fun! Enjoy!!! Sorry the travel was such a pain. That last pic of you and Monica is adorable. Love asparagus soup
Girl, I love that ruffled shirt. And that IS a fancy bathroom!! Have the greatest time!
I am SO looking forward to the rest of your posts from Dole!
Wow, your hotel room looks very posh – love the big tub.
That spread looks absolutely amazing! I wish they could cater my first attempt into Thanksgiving!
what a gorgeous hotel room! Have fun!
Oh I like your blouse you are wearing in the above pics – where is it from?
WOW! That hotel looks absolutely beautiful! TVs in the bathroom, incredible coffee drawer (my dream come true) and what looked like a really comfy bed 🙂 Enjoy!
Whoa! What a journey! And an even more spectacular destination! That food looks delicious. Definitely jealous while I’m sitting here eating my cereal. 😉
A TV in the bathroom is totally my ultimate dream 🙂
We had the same thing happen with us when flying back from CA this summer and every single excuse was a “broken plane.” It makes me wonder if these airlines are really having malfunctions or if they are just not filling seats. Hmmm”¦.
Regardless, glad you made it there safely!
Is it weird that I notice how nice the yellow color of the hotel room walls is? Haha. Nice place!
Blogging really is great..I’m pretty new to it, but already I feel like I’m part of this welcoming community!
Wow that hotel is amazing!! You have the dream job I tell ya! 🙂
sounds like a miserable day of travel. but at least youre staying at the 4 seasons and not motel 6. ive stayed there once and it is gorgeous, one of the nicest hotels ive ever been to. and some scenes of the biggest loser were filmed there a couple seasons ago!
Yikes what a long day of travelling! That’s too bad you missed the first part, but at least you didn’t miss that dinner buffet. It looks amazing!
Glad you got in safe and sound, but man, what a pain!
The Dole event looks like so much fun and the hotel is definitely nice and fancy! You should check out Monica’s blog. She called the TV in the bathroom fancy too!
I’m glad that you finally made it! It looks like such a fun event! Your hotel looks amazing! So gorgeous!! 🙂
so sad you were in Dallas and I didn’t get to see you! Not that you were SUPPOSED to be in Dallas for that long or anything…
YAMS WITH BANANAS?????
PLEEEEEEASE elaborate!!!!!!
The hotel room looks awesome!
what a fun and DELICIOUS time Tina! 😀 Yea, who knew you’d be blessed beyond your own understanding through a hobby? 😉 And I love how more and more places are starting to offer other alternatives like Stevia.
ahhhhhh, travel adventures…at least you’re there, pampered and well-fed! Looking forward to more 🙂
Great room… mostly I’ve always wanted to have a gift bag waiting for me when I checked in or in my room. Apparently I don’t attend the right events or have the right friends! 🙂
I hope the summit is productive and fun, though you’re having spa activities so how can it not be? Have fun!
Oh and you look great for spending THAT much time traveling. Do you have special travel tips you’re not sharing???
Your hotel looks nice and the food looks divine!! I’m glad your having fun!! Good luck on the race!!
Holy arms, you’re looking great!