Healthy Living Summit

The second annual Healthy Living Summit descended upon the Congress Plaza Hotel in the Windy City this past weekend and I was fortunate enough to get a last-minute ticket. What an incredible time!

Saturday's portion included various panels and discussions, and vendors such as Arnold and Oroweat Bread, Thomas' Bagel Things, Athenos, Subway, Stonyfield, Attune, and more, were also on hand. I arrived bright and early to enjoy a fantastic breakfast of oatmeal and fruit.

There were over 200 people in attendance and the atmosphere was quite exciting. I had the opportunity to meet several of my favorite bloggers, including Tina from Carrots 'N Cake, Caitlin from Healthy Tipping Point and Operation Beautiful, and Sara from Running in Pink Project. Meeting other fabulous ladies, featured below, and hearing about what they're doing was great!

Top row: Katie, Joanna, and Kate
Botton row: Renagh and myself

And I can't forget about Tracey from Veggies, Cake and Cocktails.

Some of the panels I attended included discussions on ethical eating and cooking, healthy entertaining, joining the blog community, and exploring strength training. Oroweat sponsored 15-minute sessions with a registered dietitian, which I found really helpful. Overall, I was just in awe at how such a community has come together. It's quite inspiring and amazing to see such support, and I am equally surprised and thrilled that I'm even involved. If you would have told me 10 weeks ago that I'd be dedicated, let alone passionate, about healthy eating and exercise, I would have laughed in your face. But I'm hooked and I learn something new every single day. Having the chance to be surrounded by such a movement is beyond words, really. Such a rewarding learning experience for a new blogger like me.

The food ... the food was spectacular to say the least. I had a wonderful eggplant sandwich with veggies and mustard for lunch, with a pickle and some mixed greens. YUM! The Athenos snack break was also pretty great. I had some curry hummus with cucumber, watermelon and feta kebabs, and some garlic hummus with baby carrots. Hummus is seriously my weakness. I could eat it all day, every day.

I have to mention the goodie bag. Best goodie bag ever! My husband also commented on the plethora of great stuff. Thank you HLS!

Can't wait to hear where you'll be next year! Oh yeah, for those who read this blog and are interested in other healthy-minded blogs, check out Healthy Living Blogs.