We’re here! Family of four hanging out in a Best Western in the middle of New Jersey 
What’s hard to believe is I don’t think I have ever FLOWN to my grandma’s. We always drove! We used to visit every Christmas – like clockwork – splitting our time between both sets of grandparents. 6 hours to Baltimore, 3 more to Lakewood. 2.5 if we didn’t stop for lunch! We often would stop for lunch though – to get bagels on Christmas Day near this big old place with a giant sign that read "Olga’s Diner." A famous family landmark!
My day went as smoothly as expected. Work went well, and I got to the airport right on time.
Just in time for a snack!!
I was on my way to Jamba when I noticed…Yovana. A TCBY spin-off. I’ve never gotten it before because I’m always at the airport early in the morning. But today I took a closer look and realized Yovana is actually really cool! Before we talk about frozen yogurt, they had actual real yogurt in a big vat. They let me taste it and it was vanilla – but almost a tart vanilla!? Really good. Also you had choice of berries and FOUR DIFFRENT GRANOLAS!!! I thought about getting the regular yogurt until I spotted the Tart Blackberry. I got a swirl of that with granola – sunflower by Nature’s Pride, I believe – and a bonus raspberry pile because I was nice to the employees
Soooo good!! And the perfect snack. It tided me well through my flight – from about 4:30 to 9pm?! But that’s also because I was busy talking!
I listened to piano music on the free wireless at our airport. Charlotte airport rocks!
For dinner tonight I packed a selection from home.
As Scar says in the Lion King…. beee preeeeepared!
I could have easily just bought a salad at the airport for dinner , but I decided:
1) My food tastes better than old iceburg lettuce in an expensive plastic container
and
2) I might be running late and not have time!
So I decided to pack my lunch and dinner yesterday (and I made my overnight oats at the same time! 3 meals in advance!)
I debated what kind of sandwich to pack – turkey, hummus, cheese, PB&J?
Ultimately I went with PB&J because it’s the most shelf stable and didn’t require strict refrigeration (I don’t worry about turkey from breakfast –> lunch but from breakfast –> dinner the time was too long, even with ice packs).
Great Harvest Apple Cherry Pecan bread (I’ve been saying it wrong!) with TJ’s Valencia and Lingonberry
Proof that you can get veggies in a every meal if you just plan a little. I packed an easy-to-munch bag of veg.
I nibbled on my veggies during my flight while I talked to TOM! HI Tom! We discussed the blog and nutrition and healthy things
I ended up not eating my sandwich until we were in our shuttle on the way to NJ. I never got that hungry? But it sure tasted good when I ate it.
My flight was EARLY! Mom’s flight was EARLY! Larbs was right on time!
Can’t believe I was just in New York City!!! We drove right through!
Here’s what it looks like from a moving vehicle. The green blob is the Empire State!
1.5 hours later….we found dad!
Larbs came from Boston via train and spend the afternoon in the city. She brought us a late night surprise!
A Vanilla + a Hummingbird cupcake. We split them both 4 ways!
We’re catching up on extended family news and I’m ready to lay my head down on this nice pillow…
See you tomorrow
{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
I had my first Yovana just the other day @ the Salt Lake City Airport. I went with the real yogurt and fresh strawberries – very tasty for an airport selection.
Enjoy your time with the fam : )
Glad you and your family had a safe trip!
Enjoy the fam, and the memory of grandma!
<3
Hey, that’s Olga’s diner at the Marlton circle! My grandparents live literally two minutes from there. Did you know they’re actually tearing the diner down?
Are they actually tearing it down? My parent’s have a summer home in a small town 10 minutes from Toms River and I’ve always meant to stop at Olga’s but never got the chance. I noticed a TON of road contruction has been going on down there over the past few years.
Tearing down Olga’s Diner? I used to hang out there with my friends before we were old enough to go to bars. What a sad day…
Such a coincidence! Can’t believe it’s being torn down though
yeah they are building an over pass there for route 70 over 73.. its a huge mess right now.
too late… Olga’s is gone… I drive by there every day. The whole “circle” is gone. It is a big mess. But hopefully it will be better, less congested, when done. Actually, there are better diners towards the Lakewood area. The Red Lion diner, etc…. Olga’s hasn’t been good for years…
Wow, Yovanna looks absolutely incredible. Great options as far as toppings go, and even their presentation was very nice
I’m glad your trip went smoothly! I love that you pack your meals…I need to do the same thing so that I am not starving and resorting to peanuts on my flights.
Have a great time with your family.
Man, those yogurt places are popping up everywhere around here (SF) too! I need to hit one up soon!
Sleep tight! Glad all the traveling went well! That’s almost unheard of for three flights to go off without a hitch!
Those cupcakes look amazing! And glad you made it there safe and sound
Packing your lunch is the best idea! I’d really like to do that when I fly to Ireland next month but I think the security is more strict for oversees?
Mmm, frozen yogurt = awesome snack!
I’m glad you had a smooth trip. Have fun with your family!
(Oh, god. Magnolia Bakery. Drooool.)
Wei-Wei
I know it’s a sad occassion, but it must still be nice to be with your family for a few days. Thinking of you, and hope the funeral does justice to your grandmother.
So glad you made it safe and sound….and that you’re planning paid off
I hope all goes well tomorrow.
i’m so glad that your trip has gone smoothly so far!!! hope you guys have a wonderful evening and a smooth rest of your trip!
Glad you had a good traveling experience! Those are rare to come by, and you definitely deserve it!
Good luck with your trip Kath. What is a hummingbird cupcake? I haven’t been lucky enough to go to Magnolia and I’m curious!
mmm… what does a hummingbird cupcake taste like?
I was in NYC tonight too (well, that’s not as uncommon for me since I live in NJ
)
Isn’t it cool how the Empire State Building was lit up green tonight? There’s a large NYC-based charity that held their annual gala tonight (I actually volunteered at it) and the charity’s color is green…so they lit up the Empire State building in honor of it! Okay, I know this isn’t food/health related at all but I thought it was cool and wanted to share with ya
That froyo looks so good! And I’m glad your packed meals worked out…I’ve been known to do the same and people tease me about it sometimes, yet I’m always the one who is eating yummy healthy food
Oh cool!! I didn’t think it was normally green. Our driver told us that’s what it was!
yay for magnolia cupcakes! enjoy the garden state – that’s where i’m from! but closer to the city…
It’s always amusing to me how people from elsewhere react to New York! It certainly is exciting, but I guess in a different, less-starstruck way to locals.
Those of us in the area must be mindful not to take that everyday skyline view for granted.
Glad your flight went well and you arrived at your destination safely. That froyo looks delish.
Funny whizzing by NYC, lol.
Jenn
Sounds like you had a busy day!! The food looks amazing – those Magnolia Cupcakes are world famous; their cookbook is on my bday list! Did they live up to their fame!?
Enjoy being with your family 
I hope today goes as smoothly as yesterday for you all
“As Scar says in the Lion King…. beee preeeeepared!” <– Tee hee! Love the fun photos of your family. Glad you had a safe flight!
Glad you guys had a safe trip. I’m sure you will be reminded of her in many ways the next few days.
are you having an nj meet up?
No time!
Glad you had a safe trip! It helps to be have someone to chat with during the flight—especially when discussing health and blogging.
Have fun!
Your grandparents lived in Lakewood, NJ?? So did mine!
Leisure Village!?
Everytime I pack a sandwich for the airport I consider taking PB,but worry about people with deathly nut allergies…could be horrible in a plane situation.Am I being nuts(not joking!)?
I never thought of that. Are people allergic to the fumes?
It depends on the severity of the allergy. My friend Camile has a harder time breathing if someone in the same room as her has peanuts. She is a teacher and if her students eat pb for lunch before class she can’t have them sit in the front row.
I’m one of those nut-allergic people!! The smell of PB really does bug me if I’m right next to it. I get all hivey and my neck and throat feel itchy – I’ve always been able to switch seats or get far enough away that that’s as bad as it’s every gotten. The worst part about planes is that you can’t exactly hop out and get some air. However, I know that people get hungry and I can’t stop them from eating, so I bring extra non-nut snacks on planes: if the person next to me unwraps a PB sandwich, I explain my allergy to them and ask them if they’d like some carrots & hummus (or whatever I have with me) instead. For some reason, PB is the worst – seems to have a stronger smell. A baggie of almonds and raisins never triggers a reaction, but that’s just me.
Thanks so much M for thinking of us! Kath, keep on keeping on, but if ever someone tells you it bugs them it would be awesome of you could hold off until landing
Good to know!! I would absolutely put my sandwich away if someone asked me to!! Good idea of you to bring a snack to help with the switch.
Oh my gosh!! I used to live right behind Olga’s Diner when I lived in New Jersey! My best friend is from Marlton, too
Sooo many good memories from that, and many Jersey diners! How fun to see it again
Oh wow, that Yovana yogurt looks AMAZING!
And I’ve actually had cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery before and they are totally out of this world! Lucky you!
Gosh, I want to try self-serve fro yo! It looks delicious. If only there was one near Hartford!
I was just curious, does anyone know the nutritional info for fro yo?
And just how tart is the “tart” flavor that you all speak of?
These are the things my mind ponders when I see fro yo pics.
Tart just means not sweet, but there is apparently still a lot of sugar. Fro yo isn’t really all that healthy, but it’s not all that bad either! It’s low in fat and probably not toooo high in sugar.
Glad you all made it safe & sound! Magnolia’s is the perfect after-travel treat
I live 5 minutes away from the Olgas Diner!! This made me really excited!! Sadly now they are in the process of construction an over pass there instead.
I pack food for the airport. My family thinks I’m crazy, but I’m ok with that!
Oh my gosh that Yovana looks DELICIOUS!
And YAAAAY for seeing family! And for being in NY! And for Magnolia Bakery
There’s one right across from my building and we can never resist going there for birthdays!
If you have time, definitely stop by Babycakes and get their brownie cupcakes. They’re AMAZING and they’re vegan!!
What a long day, glad it went well and you had some tasty food to help with the trip.
Those cupcakes look divine! I always pack sandwiches or something when I travel. It’s funny because I believe I got sick from that yovanna place at Charlotte airport. I’ve been scarred ever since lol. Anyway, enjoy your trip!!
Hey Kath- I just found your blog and really enjoy reading it! I have a blog of my own that I’m just getting going on. (www.ahealthysliceoflife.com) Any input you have is welcomed! Also, we’re kind of neighbors. I live at Lake Norman… small world! Love the blog!
Magnolia hummingbird cupcakes are the best!! My sister got me the Magnolia cookbook this past year and I’ve been trying out slash healthing out the recipes…so much fun!
I’m sure people have asked before but is Larbs your sisters real name or a nickname? It’s pretty cool
Her real name is Laura! But I call her Larbs
Hi, Kath!
Love the site, and am a longtime lurker. Had to comment, though, when I saw the pic of Olga’s! We also stopped there every time our family of 6 made a roadtrip to Western PA or to down Virginia. Fond memories of Olga’s, until The Great Bates Family Gastroenteritis of 1989. Ew. When I graduated from Penn, I bought a house about 3 miles away from Olga’s. Sad to say it’s been leveled to the ground in the past year. Miss the sinful baked goods.
Thanks to your great ideas, we’ve been buying 10lb of oats at a time at Costco, and having fun trying out new recipes. Have you tried adding raw rolled oats to yogurt-based smoothies? Delish!
Gastroenteritis! Oh no!
Wild! I saw the picture of the diner and IMMEDIATELY recognized it. I live right near Lakewood, NJ, about 30 minutes (at most) north! Hope NJ treats you well. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Glad you’re with your family! Why did so many things change in Charlotte JUST after I left?? There was never froyo when I was at the airport! Dang. That little samich looks tasty!! Love the night shots..so cool!
Good to see you made it safely. I must say, your mom and dad (and sis) look like the friendliest people~ you just wanna give them a hug when they pop on on the blog.
Hope the funeral goes ok and you enjoy all the memories, of the past and the ones you are making today!
Thanks so much Jess, this made us all smile.
Would your new friend Tom happen to own a health food store in Charlotte? I have an old high school friend who matches that description.
I was actually in the Char airport on Sunday morning!
I loved all the rows of rocking chairs
Hey Kath! I have been reading for awhile. I also recognized Olgas! I am from NJ and about 20 minutes from there. There is a TJ, Whole Foods and Wegmans all really close to there!
That is so funny, you were right by my parents house at Olga’s! Hope the trip back was good and you recover well from all your travels.