Yesterday at lunch time, Theodora, Gretchen, Heather, and I decided to play hookie for a few hours from the Fitness & Health Blogger’s Conference to explore and enjoy downtown Boulder!
It was a wonderful afternoon with great company 
We walked the mile from our hotel to downtown Boulder — our destination was their super cute walking-only street filled with shops and restaurants!
Love it here
Our first stop was LUNCH! We hit up The Kitchen [Next Door] — basically a more casual and cheaper version of their main restaurant, The Kitchen.
The menu was really delicious — lots of healthy options! The service was insanely fast, too. We started with kale chips for the table to share — SO good!
To make these, you toss kale in some olive oil and salt and bake on a baking sheet. They get super crispy like chips!
And for my main course, I had the quinoa salad — filled with arugula, curried carrots, beans, roasted beets, and a lemony dressing. It was SO good!
We spent a little more time after lunch playing outside — there were a TON of people out and about — it was a beautiful day!
Clearly, our final destination was frozen yogurt 
Cheers!
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We came back to the conference in time for the keynote of the day and a sort of “product speed-dating” type event — basically, a bunch of companies each had 5 minutes with us to pitch their products. I didn’t love all of the products (there were some super processed “energy bars” aka candy bars in disguise, some fake sugar energy drinks, etc.), but here are the ones I did love
1) Larabar
Simple, nutritious, and delicious. Enough said. My go-to store-bought bars!
With a focus on organic and sustainable farming, what’s not to love? Very tasty granola, too!
3) Jovial Foods
They serve up organic whole grain pasta, made from an ancient form of wheat called einkorn. I’d never even heard of einkorn, but apparently it’s nutritionally superior to whole durham wheat, which we usually eat in pasta. It has lots of protein, fiber, and B vitamins — so it’s great for vegans and vegetarians. They also sell a gluten free brown rice version! Excited to try this stuff out
Their gluten-free bread tasted a lot more like normal bread than other gluten-free breads I’ve tried. Yum! I especially liked the cinnamon raisin. They also have hot dog and hamburger buns, pizza crust, etc. all gluten-free. Sold in the freezer section at most stores and a local Boulder company, too!
5) Popchips
Yes, these are processed — but if you’re a huge fan of chips, these are a better alternative given that they are air popped, not fried. Tasty, too!
Margaritas! Enough said Plus, they used certified organic and sustainable tequila, real lime juice, and agave nectar, not a gross mix. Yum!
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I can’t believe my weekend in Colorado is already over! So bummed — I love it out here. Thank you again to Attune Foods for sponsoring my adventures this weekend! I had a fabulous last day in Colorado today — details to come tomorrow.
I’m currently rocking out at the Denver airport with Gretchen — we found a “perch” to work at! Love that airports are putting in standing up desks now
Catch you guys tomorrow from back east!
I
WOW! You got this up F-A-S-T! Love your recap – and, uh – You. Are. Adorable.
#justsayin
What a fun day! I can’t wait to get to Boulder in September if not sooner! I found a perch at the laundry mat to use for now!
Hope you have a safe journey back here to NC!
I loveeee the rental bikes!! I can’t wait till next year, hopefully I can go!
Haha product speed dating
Wow, Boulder is beautiful!!!!
It’s always hard to leave events like that. BlogHer Food was so interesting and so much fun! Looks like a great trip!
I really don’t understand how people can say Cascadian Farms is so great. They use MSG in their cereals and granola bars. I’m not sure about their other products. Since I get really bad headaches from MSG, I have never even been able to try their foods. Organic doesn’t always mean healthier, I guess.
msg? really!? is that not something they need to list on the ingredients, i’ve never noticed it and don’t see it listed on the nutritional stats online….
http://cascadianfarm.com/products/product_detail.aspx?cat=8&upc=0-21908-13334-8
Wait, what?! They use MSG?! It’s not on their ingredients label for the granola… are you sure?
I just talked to their brand rep because I was really concerned to read this (and had never seen it in their ingredients) and they confirmed that they do NOT use MSG in any of their products. I have no idea where you heard that, but it’s not true!
glad to hear there was no msg, that definitely didn’t sound right to me. thanks for checking though!
i am so jealous of your trip, it looks like my dream come true! i visited boulder a few years ago and fell in love, such an awesome town! hope you had a safe trip home!
Only you would find a place to “perch” at the airport
It was So fun to see you, and you know I love those first two reviews! Much love, lady. Come back soooon! Tomorrow, maybe?
Sounds like a great weekend in CO!
I would have loved to see the new healthy products being indorsed…
I’m presently researching and writing my Nutrition/Diet Chapter for my Cancer Book, It’s been life changing for me and my diet!
I eat a very high antioxidant, low fat proteins and a trace amount of carbs for fiber!
But unfortunately, my increased workout in conjunction with my new super healthy diet, has caused an unanticipated weight loss…
But I feel healthier and faster today, then I was 20 years ago!
(which is saying a lot!)
Maybe you could try adding back in some more healthy carbs? Carbs are not only necessary for body functioning but they are good for you, too, as long as you choose whole grains (and fruit) vs. processed carbs.
Love it, Anne. What a neat time. Thx for the full report!
Terrific report on your activities Anne. Looking forward to seeing Matt’s post on Peru
It’s coming soon! He says you can’t rush perfection
Funny. Can’t wait
That looks like such a great time! I wish I could have gone!
Looks like a fun weekend! Now I want to visit Boulder. And please, PLEASE, tell us where you got your dress! Pretty please? So beautiful.
$25 from Target!
I got it a couple months ago so they might still have it!
Score! I heart Target. Thanks for the tip – I know where I’m going next weekend!
The product speed dating is a cool sounding idea. Glad you made it back in time for that. I would have wanted to explore Boulder too. Looks so gorgeous!!And it was the perfect looking day.
Ohhh, I didn’t realize The Kitchen “next door” was a different restaurant!!! That’s awesome that it’s more affordable. Definitely need to check it out. Any restaurant offering kale chips gets automatic points from me!
The light blue background on your blog looks great with the new header!
Thanks lady!
that margarita sounds great right about now…it’s 5o’clock somewhere.
Looks like fun! Thanks for all the great new products out there! They look yummy! btw, how long would it take if I ordered some tshirts? I need them by Saturday. Is that possible???
meant thanks for sharing your favorite products!!
You should talk to the peeps at Spreadshirt – I’m really not sure since they do all the printing/shipping!
I bet if you ordered them, like, now, it would be enough time!
I love Larabars. It’s amazing that they really only have about 4 ingredients in some of them. They’re perfect for hiking or post-race snackage. Loved your hike posts, as well. I’ve been dying for a hike since I moved to California but we’ve been setting up our new place and there hasn’t been time. Soon! I will get a Larabar and go hike. Much needed!
I never win ANYTHING! This rocks.
Confession: I’ve never had a snow cone in my entire life.