Guys, I have enough snacks to last me the rest of summer.
Just kidding, more like the rest of this month. Nevertheless, it is clear that Blend brings swag game to an elite level. This isn’t even all of it.
First of all, there are several people/places to thank for this year’s successful Blend Retreat:
- Janetha, Lindsay, and Lauren for being the most hardworking, badass, and helpful hosts! You ladies are awesome.
- The bloggers/blog readers/Instagrammers who attended. You’re inspiring, and you made the retreat a fun time!
My roommates (all Instagram stars)! Meredith @MeresNuttyKitchen, Amy @Clap4Fit, Aly @RunningHealthy13, Colby @EatClean_LiveStrong
hiking with Laura from 50 by 25 (she’s run over 100 marathons, it’s guatever) - The sponsors for their work and for providing an insane amount of goodies for us.
- Chautaqua Park and Boulder, CO for providing cozy cabins and beautiful grounds for our retreat.
- My family for letting me come and then coming with me to Colorado 🙂
- YOU, because you’re reading this.
Blend was an amazing experience. There were plenty of aspects that I loved:
- Getting to meet other bloggers (duh)
- Being able to talk about health and wellness as much as I wanted
- Doing active things
- The laid-back, no-judgement, supportive atmosphere and community
- Eating good-for-ya and good-to-ya food
- Learning about health and wellness brands
Clark from the Quest team (his arms are almost as big as my legs, it’s fine)
- Being in the presence of the Colorado mountains
- The perpetual stream of swag
And there were plenty of things I learned:
- Mental and physical investment in health and wellness varies significantly among bloggers in the healthy living blog sphere. Not everyone is equally “into” it as one another, and that’s all good.
- I am so not in tune with the whole working-with-brands thing.
- I’m not one to eat too many protein bars, but a lot of them are tasty!
first Quest bar ever - I sometimes forget that not everyone who is a healthy living blogger is recovering from an eating disorder. It made me slightly anxious when people were talking and thinking about healthy food/nutrition facts all the time, but I was inspired by my roommates who know how to eat well and trust their bodies.
- I don’t really want to talk about health and wellness all the time.
- You won’t get to talk to or hang out with everyone at Blend, which is kind of a bummer, but it’s still fun to at least say hi to most people!
- The altitude still gets me, even after being here for a week.
All in all, I am happy I attended Blend this year. It was a fantastic opportunity to be with fantastic people. And now it’s time to go to sleep and head back to reality on the east coast today. I’ll miss you lots, Colorado! xoxo
So tell me:
If you went to Blend, what is one thing you loved and one thing you learned?
Do you like protein bars? Which is your favorite?
Do you want to go to Blend next year? I’m not sure if I would go again, but I definitely recommend going at least once if you’re even a little interested!
That sounds like SO Much fun! I wish I could have gone! Both the people and the food look amazing 😉
Looks like a pretty awesome time! I am very impressed (and mostly jealous..) with all of the goodies you managed to pick up! I wish they had fun things like that in Australia! And I go through phases with protein bars, something I love them, sometimes not so much. Right now I’m in a love phase aha
Yeah it’s been a privilege getting to try all these brands that I’ve never tried before, because I don’t usually buy these things, even though I live in the States!
WOW, my mouth dropped when I saw all of that swag! Craziness. And it’s all stuff I recognize from seeing around the blogosphere!
And I agree that while it’s fun to have people to talk about health and nutrition with, it’s definitely not something I’d want to talk about all. the. time.
And I’m not a big protein bar girl…but I do like regular granola bars. I was going to get a Quest bar to try once after hearing all of the hype but they were almost $3 each at my store haha!
Lots of protein bars that are popular in the HLB world are super expensive indeed. I kinda like making my own granola/energy bars anyway!
I really want to get to Blend at some point! I think it is such a fun way to get to really connect with women we’re connecting with on a regular basis! Loving all of that swag! 😉
Also – I really like the Think Thin protein bars! They are delicious. Quest Bars are okay – a bit too sweet for me but I would say they’re tasty when I want a ‘dessert’-like treat.
Yes, it’s a great way to meet bloggers you know and ones you didn’t know before! Quest bars are pretty sweet for me too, but you’re right— they’re great for a healthier dessert.
Looks like such a good time – I want to go one year! Love what you said about not all HLB are recovering or recovered from an eating disorder…I think it’s a common thing but easy to forget a lot of people actually have always had a balanced/healthy approach to it. And I’m shocked that was your first Quest bar ever!
The swag was INSANE this year! I actually had to leave so much stuff behind because I couldn’t fit it into my suitcase and I already had two carry-ons 😆 But I definitely agree with you about a lot of these things. This was my second time at Blend, and I’m really on the fence about whether or not I would go again. It’s really great to meet people, but like you said, it’s hard to spend enough time with everyone you want to see (you know what I’m talking about!!).
I’m lucky that I’m traveling with my mom and brother because I get to mooch off of their luggage space to fit more swag. 😉 Maybe one day we’ll have our own blogger meetup in the Canadian Rockies, yes?
I really like protein bars, which might be a little weird, but they’re kind of addictive to me. I love Quest bars, Zone Perfect cookie dough and Perfectly Simple bars, and Clif and Luna bars. They’re a great compact source of energy and they taste really good.
It looks like you had a great time! Colorado looks beautiful. 😀
Girl, you KNOW your bars! I really enjoyed the Detour Smart bar that I tried at Blend, and I also love the peanut butter Perfect Bar, because it’s basically a bar of peanut butter with other good stuff in it 🙂
Yes! Who doesn’t love a bar of peanut butter? (I mean, allergic people don’t, but otherwise… 🙂 )
I’ve gone twice now & really enjoy it. I do think it becomes a bit “clicky” and the cabin situation made that more so this year. Depending on where it is, I would probably go again.
I’m definitely open to going again too. Every year will bring about a new experience!
I would defintely go but only with you:)?
We’re having blend in Manhattan. Well our version. Pick a name!
I’m so glad you met Clark- He is amaze!
Looks like an amazing time!! 😀
Gah, I wish I could’ve gone to Blend!! Dang age restriction, lol. I’ll get there sometime 🙂 All the food though!!! Like that you eat in general. I’m doing some catch up and I just wish I could trail behind you and go out to eat with you every day. Love. And all those mountains you hiked, so freaking beautiful. I want to go to Colorado so bad!
On another note, I’m most likely coming to NY this summer so I will be SURE to let you know dates when I find out. 😀
NO WAY. Definitely let me know as soon as you find out when you’re coming to NY!!!
I really hope to make it next year! I always get a little jealous when I see the posts, but know my time will come. I went to the Healthy Living Summit back in 2013, and it was incredible to be able to meet other blends in person. These retreats/summits are wonderful for just being able to connect!
I’ve always wanted to go to Healthy Living Summit too! In time, we’ll all go to all the retreats, I’m sure 😉
It was SO great to meet you at Blend this weekend – can’t wait to follow your blog and keep up so we have even more to talk about next year 🙂
Likewise, Laura!! I am so excited to follow your adventures too 🙂
I’m ecstatic you had the opportunity to attend Blend! I am impressed with the amount of companies that sponsor the trip! It looks like the group was blessed with some beautiful weather and a gorgeous backdrop for the retreat.
Wait- that is Clark! I email with him ALL the time, but I never knew what he looked like! He’s a cutie!
PS: I know I always say this, but you have a ridiculously adorable smile.
Okay, since this comment is already long, I might as well make it longer by answering your questions.
Favorite protein bar: Probably the White chocolate macadamia Nut Clif Bar. I don’t like white chocolate usually, but here it works!
While I do not think I will attend Blend, I DO want to meet you!
Oh my gosh I think the same thing about your smile every single time. Your nose scrunch is the cutest!!
And yes, Clark is so awesome and sweet! He lives in LA I think, so you should try meeting him one day! And we DEFINITELY need to meet one day!!
hahahaha I love the picture of you and Clark! I remember meeting him at last year’s retreat, he’s pretty awesome. I’m so happy to hear that you had such a good time!