Healthy Living Summit 2012

This past weekend I attended the Healthy Living Summit in Cambridge, Ma, which was kind of a big deal for me since this was my first weekend away sans hubby and kids.  It was the first time in 6.5 years (my son's whole life) that I ever slept away from my children for more than one night, let alone two whole days!  It was all made possible by a supportive husband and a visiting mother-in-law.  (Thanks to both of you!!)

Bright and early Friday morning, my friend Nurys and I headed to Boston via the 8 a.m. Bolt Bus.  During our bus ride, we had mini rice cakes, peanut butter and wifi. Who could complain?! One four hour ride and a few stops on the red line later and we were in front of MIT.  

The bus literally stalled 7 minutes from our destination, but luckily started back up. 

I want to be an "ale wife."

It was at the Kendall T stop that we met our first two HLS friends, Debbie and Christina.  They had been on our bus and apparently we had to travel four hours to meet two girls from my hometown (Go Brooklyn!).  I even gave out my first business cards, which was "Big" moment for me.

A quick taxi ride got us to the beautiful Hyatt Regency Cambridge and within minutes we were unpacked and ready to start our weekend.  We had lunch in the hotel restaurant, outside overlooking the Charles River.  We split a delicious pizza and a salad.  Of course we also had to celebrate our arrival in Boston with a pair of Sam Adams.  

Ready for lunch

The beautiful Charles River

Pizza Deliciousness

Fresh and yummy

After lunch, HLS registration was underway.  I had been so excited about the swag that I could not wait to get my bag.  We got a pair of very nice Reeboks in advance of our Saturday CrossFit workout (more on that later).  

Thank you Reebok Crossfit!  I love my swag!

We joined the tail end of Greatist founder, Derek Flanzraich's session and stuck around to chat with a few bloggers about our lives and our blogs.  It was interesting to learn that there are bloggers from all walks of life and while everyone has different goals, we all find that our blog is important to us and we want to make it better.

Greatist founder, Derek Flanzraich, his collaegue and my roomie

After our first day intros, Nurys and I headed to Cuchi Cuchi  for dinner.  It is a fun tapas place with great scenery where the staff is dressed in period costumes, which according to their website personifies "the age of Old World Beauty and early Hollywood".  It was packed but we were lucky enough to score the last two seats at the bar and after ordering the last two Sam Adams Summer Ales (literally, there were no more summer ales left in the whole place), we ordered grilled pork rolls and an eggplant dish with goat cheese.  In an effort to carb-load for the next morning's long run, we also ordered some bread (with the fancy olive oil). 

Mmmm Carbs!

Pork Roll

Eggplant Heaven

After dinner and ready to party

Everything was delicious!  I could have eaten all night but we had to hit the HLS Cocktail Party.  It was the first party I had been to since the 7th grade that was all (well, 99%) women.  And it was fun!  In between trips to the photo booth, we met  more bloggers and I also connected with some bloggers that I had met in the past.  We also scored some "Rebootizer" from the party's sponsor which was to have us up and refreshed the next morning.

Loving the props from the photo booth

Me and Jessica 

The next morning at 5 a.m., we were up and Rebootized (or just anxious to get it over with) for a 13 mile run.  By 5:30 a.m.  Nurys and I headed out with a Garmin and a prayer.  We ran around the Charles River, through parks, over bridges and through a Navy Yard.  It was drizzling off and on, but we barely noticed.  It was a beautiful run and I wanted to stop and take some pictures, but I also wanted to finish so no pictures (sorry). 13 miles later we took the world's quickest showers and headed down to the lobby for breakfast and the official beginning of the conference.

Breakfast was hosted by Wild Harvest. They had a recipe contest and the winner's dishes were served as breakfast.  It was a delicious Greek-style egg white dish and a potato dish with asparagus.  My description will not do it justice (I don't write about food, I eat it), but just know that I had two plates, which luckily did not come back to haunt me at the Reebok CrossFit event.  

Talking about   Reebok CrossFit,  I must say that despite being a happily married woman, I was not blind to the fact that none of the instructors were difficult on the eyes.  We were led through a five minute workout of air squats and jumps.  It was not easy.  Five minutes is a long time, especially after 13 miles.

Thank Reebok! :)

Nurys, Sarah & Phyllis 

5 minutes of CrossFit = Sweat

After a quick break to clean up and change, we started our sessions for the day.  There were usually two going on at once, so there was something for everyone.  I attended as many sessions as possible and learned a lot from some popular bloggers including Gretchen, Ashley, Theodora, Rachel, Dori, Teri, Courtney and so many more.  

Mid-session photo op 

After the sessions and a keynote speech from Wild Harvest, makers of the best organic animal crackers and peanut butter in the entire world, we were on our own.  A friend of mine who lives close by picked up Nurys and I and took us to dinner at Vejigantes.  There is nothing like authentic Puerto Rican food... and sangria. :) 

Yucca Frita

Steak

Tres Leches Cake

Later we visited a few dive bars and a club in Harvard Square before heading back to the hotel and straight to bed.  

Harvard Square

Sunday morning I was feeling the effects of a fun Saturday night and was thrilled to find that breakfast included french toast and these beautiful egg dishes.  I filled up on caffeine and said some final goodbyes to some of the great bloggers that I met.

We caught an earlier bus than planned and hubby was at the bus stop to bring me home to my babies.  I had found out that on Sunday morning my son was crying because he missed me and I could not wait to smother them both with kisses.  

On the bus.

When I got home they both attacked me with hugs and then we had fun bath time. They also helped me unpack my swag.  My boy loved the Rebootizer sunglasses and my little one was all about the "make up" aka Chobani lip balm.

Home Sweet Home

I want to thank Meghann, Heather, Tina, Julie and everyone else who worked so hard to plan this event.  Also, the volunteers, the speakers and the sponsors.  It was a great experience for me as a relatively new blogger.  I have a laundry list of next steps which I will add to my "to do" list right after pick up frozen waffles and get my son's glasses from the eye doctor.  Be patient please, I'm a work in progress.

Sharing is caring: Did you attend HLS or any other blogger conferences?  Are they all as good as your "first time"?