I’m here! Traveling went pretty much as expected and I arrived a few minutes early. I should have packed the gloves, scarf and hat because my flight, car ride and hotel room were all FREEZING!!! Thank goodness I packed a sweater!
My flight went right through lunch hour, so I packed one to eat on the plane. I debated saving this until I arrived (and I also debated eating when I got here) but I got really hungry on the flight and decided to bring it out – photography and all. I am a little shy about food photography on airplanes because it’s such a tight space, but I just thought what the heck. No sense going hungry because of a little shyness!
I packed a salad with lettuce, which I dressed in olive oil and vinegar before I left, leftover roasted veggies and more of that organic grilled chicken! I sure stretched those for a number of meals.
Blueberries and watermelon
And only the best – Oikos and flax
I just started the book Housekeeping that Gena sent me a while back. I spent the whole flight reading it. It’s a strange one, but I’m already hooked on the style.
My lunch actually didn’t fill me up that well. Well, I guess it did, but I felt a little sick after finishing and still feel kinda empty. Perhaps I am dehydrated. [Gulp, gulp some water]
We hit major traffic getting from the airport and I didn’t arrive until 2PM (3PM EST) so I was so glad I ate. Hallelujah for the iPhone for traffic entertainment! I was reading a little Hangry at the time 🙂
Finally made it to my room with just 30 minutes to set up camp before I am leaving again to meet up with some readers! I love hotel rooms, but catch-22 wise, there’s always a city to explore outside of them so I hate being in them for too long!
Check out my view of Navy Pier!
I am meeting my contact Teresa and the Boca PR team for dinner at a totally awesome surprise place. Can’t wait!!
Cait (Cait's Plate) says
Hah! Heather’s going to be so excited!
Have SO much fun – can’t wait to read about and see it all later in pictures 🙂
linda says
Enjoy Chicago!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
The salad looks awesome!
Jenn
Deva says
Mmmm Oikos! 🙂 I love packing plane lunches 🙂
Stephanie says
Gotta love the traffic from O’Hare to downtown. And I think Obama’s coming back to Chicago today too – glad you missed that obstical.
jess says
I love Chicago – the traffic is always nuts. Enjoy yourself!
Whitney says
What fun! It makes me so excited for the summit!
Liza says
So cool!! have fun in Chicago, my Bf lives right outside of Chicago in Naperville so we try to visit whenever Im out there. The red CNA building is where his dad works! Im sure you will notice it, it is basically the only red tall building there!:)
Ashley says
Yay glad you made it!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
Chicago — one of my top favorite cities in the country — have a BLAST! Let me know if you have any spare time and want shopping or food recommendations! I lived there on and off for modeling/acting stuff, and have tons of favorites 😉
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) says
Airplanes and hotel rooms are always super cold! I always bring socks and a sweater with me. Your lunch looks good – I love Oikos! If you talk to the PR team, tell them they make a good product 🙂
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale says
Can’t wait to see where you’re going to eat tonight… we have so many new, fun restaurants here, I feel like I’ll never be able to get to them all!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
did your plane mates say anything while you were snapping away?
amanda says
Hey Kath! I’m sure you’re super busy while you’re there, but if you get a chance they just opened a GIGANTIC new Whole Foods (Kingsbury and Sheffield) that is amazing….I love love the make your own trail mix bar.
Just a thought!!
emily c says
Hello! I’m a reader who has never commented. But I just had to let you know how much I love your blog! I’m a newlywed and use your meals as cooking inspiration for the two of us. So thank you, Kath! 🙂
Also, Housekeeping is my all-time favorite book. I’ve read it soooo many times. Marilynne Robinson’s style is so unique and beautiful. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Have fun in Chicago!
Jessica says
haha your lunch looks good and I get shy too but whatever!
-muffy
Eve says
That is such a gourmet plane meal 🙂 Enjoy your trip.
Kristen says
What a view! I have to say, plain Oikos to me is just that – too plain! Even with mix-ins. I love that vanilla, though.
Isn’t it great how different life can be when your not in the midst of classes? I am enjoying a few weeks of break from grad school and life couldn’t be better! Have a good trip!
Jen says
Oh its beautiful!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL time!!!
I thank my iphone SO much while stuck in the car, etc 😀
[email protected] says
I LOVE Chicago! If the winters weren’t even colder than Boston I might move there. . .
Amanda says
My sister is at Blogher too! She went to grad school at U of Chicago….so I know the city well. Have a blast! It would be weird if you ran into eachother….but I doubt it will happen.
Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum says
Gorgeous city!! Have a fun Miss travelista! 🙂
Christie @ Quit Your Diet says
Have a great time in Chicago!!
Michelle Hisae says
Flights are ALWAYS made better by home-made meals. Have a great time at dinner!
Daria (Summer of the CSAs) says
Have fun! Chicago’s such a great city to explore. 🙂
Andee (Runtolive) says
What a simple, delicious looking salad! I always worry when packing lunches that food is going to go bad if I don’t pack it in an ice cooler. Have fun!
Susie says
This might be a silly question, but is yogurt considered a liquid?! The only reason I’m asking is because lotion is considered liquid and you cannot bring more than 3 oz of lotion on board. Isn’t the yogurt container larger than 3 oz? >_< I’m traveling in a few weeks and was hoping to pack some food with me.
Kailey says
you are a traveling machine lately! SO jealous 🙂
awesome salad!
The Duo Dishes says
Chitown…one of the best cities!
Shannon Lowry says
I went to see Food, Inc. last weekend, and it really opened my eyes. If you haven’t seen it, I would highly recommend you doing so. The movie discuss the issues GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). I did some reading on the internet and found out that Boca uses GMO soy. It was disappointing to find out that this company does that.
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) says
Ahh, you’re in Chicago – such a fun city Kath! Guess we won’t be making your own dinner. See Twitter. 🙂
I always wear wool sock on airplane flights, even if it’s 90 degrees on the ground. Once in the air, I’m always freezing.
Have a wonderful time.
PS – Your in-flight lunch beats snack packs and peanuts any day!
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn says
Hmm I need a new book! I’m reading the Time Travelers Wife, and while some people love it, I’m kinda meh.
What makes the book you’re reading weird?
p.s. Have a great dinner! 🙂
Jenny says
Hey bloggers what is your take on the Nike +Sport band? I’m thinking of getting it but is there something else cheaper than 59 dollars that can track how many miles I run and cals burned? That’s all really care about.
Recipes for Creativity says
I just left Chicago for the first time ever! I loved it! Have a great time!
Tasty Health Food says
Whoa. Do you know that this post JUST made me realize that I’ve never been to Chicago? :O How did I not ever notice that before?
AnnQ says
Have a fantastic time! Chicago totally rocks…Navy Pier and Millennium Park are great….love the giant reflective “bean” thingy in Mill. Park, too!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
I just love how you pack along great travel foods! Have you ever had a problem getting through security with it?
Have fun exploring the city!
Run Niki Run says
I just moved from Chicago to Michigan 6 weeks ago. I miss the city so bad! Take lots of photos!!! 🙂
Bec says
have a great time exploring the city!
Rebecca says
I LOVE staying in hotels!! I always have ever since I was little!! I also love eating out!!
Your lunch salad looks yummy!! 🙂
Glad you had a safe flight to Chicago! Have fun!
Gena (Choosing Raw) says
Totally awesome travel eats!!
Me says
Would you REALLY not eat if you couldn’t take a photo?
I just was amazed to read no use going hungry cause of shyness over food photography….
I don’t mean this as a negative post, I just have been wondering how far the food blogging wrold had invaded lives,in both good and bad ways,and am quitre interested to see how some bloggers out there photograph EVERYTHING they eat,and that so many of us read about it.
The world is turning into a very strange place these days…..and I am including myself in this statement!
We are all a little wacko prehaps?
Kath says
Lynn,
Nope – most were snoozing!
amanda ,
I’d love to go but I have no free meals and it’s 3 miles away 🙁
emily c,
Thank you and welcome!! Glad the book is a good one!
Susie ,
In my opinion it’s not a liquid or a gel! I’ve been lucky to get it through lately, and I’ve never had a problem with it. Liquids are the biggest problems, so I don’t think yogurt is as big of a red flag.
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn,
Weird isn’t the right word. It’s a unique writing style.
Me ,
No I wouldn’t really not eat – there are times when I eat things because I’m hungry or have no camera and just mention it instead. And clearly I decided to eat regardless. I think you’re making a bit of a mountain into a molehill with my commentary – I was just trying to share a snapshot into the mind of a food blogger since you guys often ask me if I am shy or embarrassed to take photos. I was not suggesting that it rules my life.
Kath
mikey says
nice view! now get out there and have some fun 🙂
Caroline says
Isn’t it crazy how arctic they keep the indoors during the summertime? I have to dress in layers just to go to the grocery store!
I am supah shy at the airport with my packed meals. I always try to play it off like I am scanning through old pictures when I am actually taking new ones;)
Susan @ Nurse on the Run says
You’re making me so jealous, and you only just arrived!
Me says
Thanks for reply.
Best wishes, mountain or molehill…..;)
Alison says
It looks like you brought your containers from home for the salad & fruit – what do you do with them after you’ve eaten the contents? Do you pack them away in your luggage?
Ellen @ Peace in Motion says
what a fun tour! Enjoy BlogHer
Hangry Pants says
Yum. That was my roti from saturday. good one to read. 😀
Sabina says
Good for you for packing a meal for the plane and what a delicious meal it looks like!
A small recommendation: grind your flax seed. Your body will absorb it better this way. I tend to forget to do this, as I like the texture. 😉
Kath says
Sabina,
They were ground!!!
Kath