It’s Wednesday and for the first time in 5 weeks I will be sharing food that is not all Paleo/Whole30! After my 30 days ended last Tuesday I actually kept eating the same way on Wednesday and Thursday, although I did have different flavored LARA bars those days (I know I’m such a rebel!) So maybe I sort of did a Whole32? Well, everything changed over the weekend when I traveled to Arkansas. Before starting the Whole30 I made sure it would be over before this trip because I knew we would want to drink. I would also imagine the Whole30 would be super hard to do while traveling.
On Friday we headed to the airport around 10 so I had breakfast and snack before we left. Knowing I wouldn’t have as much control over my food choices throughout the weekend I tried to eat as close to paleo as possible early on, while also getting in a bunch of fruits and veggies.
When we got to the airport we went to the Green Turtle for lunch and I got the apple pecan salad, but I had to say “no cheese, dressing on the side, add grilled chicken”. I hate being annoying like that but it’s worth it to get food that will make you feel good.
I grabbed a hot tea after lunch to take on the plane because I was kind of chilly, wanted some caffeine, and had already had too much coffee that morning. I ate a LARA bar on our first flight.
When we got into Chicago we went to the United Club for our 3 hour layover. I grabbed a coffee and baby carrots while doing some blog stuff. Around 3 I decided to have my first drink post-Whole30 so got a free glass of wine which I enjoyed with some cheese. Free wine is the best wine, right?
Before our flight to Arkansas we needed to get some real food so we went to Stanley’s Kitchen and Tap. I got a salad, burger, and sweet potato tots.
For our trip back on Sunday we got to the airport really early because my mom and sister had a flight 2 hours before ours. So we hung out with them while they had lunch, and then ordered some food before our flight. I got a grilled chicken sandwich (which came with bacon and bbq sauce) and a salad.
I also did some meal planing at the bar while enjoying an Angry Orchard hard cider.
When we got to Houston for our layer we went to our favorite restaurant in that airport- Le Grand Comptoir (we have had quite a few layovers there). I ordered a glass of Castle Rock Pinot Noir (it was amazing) and we shared some bruschetta.
I ordered a margarita flatbread and it was everything I dreamed it would be.
There was one more glass of wine on our last flight home to help me make it though being crammed in the middle seat and for some reason it was about a millions degrees on the plane.
It was really nice to have alot more flexibility for my food while traveling and enjoy some things that I haven’t had in a while. but now that I’m back its nice to get back to my regular meals.
Do you eat differently while traveling?
Do you feel bad making special requests for your meals?
Do you drink before or during a flight?
Thanks, Jenn, for hosting the link-up!
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[email protected] says
I couldn’t imagine no cheese on my salad…haha. I try not to eat too differentlyrics when I travel since I do travel all the time for work. I do splurge when I travel to race cations though. I bet that wine was just delicious. Like you said who can argue with free.
[email protected] says
I can easily go without cheese on my salad! I also didnt want to risk it at an airport bar after not eating cheese for a month.
Tina Muir says
yum yum yum! So many good eats! That burger looks great, and so does that pizza….I have been craving a pizza like that for a few weeks! May have to push Steve to get one! I am sure it made traveling so much less stressful for you!
[email protected] says
I had pizza right before I started the Whole30 but it was so nice to have some again last weekend! Traveling is stressful enough without having to worry about what you can eat along the way:)
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles says
I don’t feel bad when I make special requests but I do try to phrase them as brief as possible lol. Like I will say, no chicken, extra vegetables instead, dressing on the side and lots of times ask for the sushi in brown rice. And if it’s dessert, with a sweet smile I ask for extra hot fudge and to make the dessert the biggest as possible. Ha.
[email protected] says
I try to make it as easy to understand as possible- I hate when they get it wrong! And most of the time I feel uncomfortable asking to have it sent back.
Chrissy @Pink Polish and Running Shoes says
When I travel I always leave a little more room for indulgence (especially alcohol haha), but for the most part I try to make as many healthy choices as possible without stressing about it. I used to get really worried about eating healthy when I travel, but I’ve found that as long as I don’t go crazy I still feel fine and don’t gain any vacation weight.
I would love to drink before a flight because I can be a nervous flyer and I think it would help me relax, but I also occasionally get motion sickness and dramamine and alcohol don’t mix well. Also–that margarita flatbread looks amazing!!!!
[email protected] says
I think you need to have some extra room for indulgence while traveling- its so challenging to eat well 100% of time!
Rob is a nervous flyer so I blame him for getting me in the habit of drinking before and during flights:)
Sam @ The Running Graduate says
Looks like a yummy couple days of traveling! The salad from the greene turtle sounds wonderful! I often have special requests since I’m pretty picky. I feel bad sometimes, especially after having been a waitress!
I’ll sometimes have a drink before my flight. It calms me down a bit!
[email protected] says
I always feel bad about the special requests, but I try to keep it as simple as possible!
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says
That pizza looks delicious! On trip I try to eat healthy but never eat as much produce as I do at home—but I eat tons of fruits and veggies at home! I also indulge in more alcohol and treats.
[email protected] says
Same here! I feel like if Im eating really well most of the time, that is ok to indulge a bit while traveling.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Yummy travel eats! Yes, our food always changes a bit when we travel. Like you, I try to get in as many veggies wherever I can but also enjoy the extras I wouldn’t normally have!
[email protected] says
Exactly! I think thats the best you can do. It’s tough to eat really well when you don’t have as much control over your meals!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
That pizza looks/sounds so good! I’m still not used to being the one asking for subs when out to eat. I hate being a pain but I know if I’m going to eat now it’s necessary.
[email protected] says
I think if you’re paying for food it might as well be something that you like and will make you feel good. Especially when it comes to leaving things out- that shouldn’t be a big deal for the kitchen to do!
Kristina says
Mmmm that flatbread looks delicious!
I definitely eat differently while traveling since it generally means eating out so much. I think I over-indulge the first two days and then after that I get progressively healthier with what I order because I can feel the difference after two days of eating whatever!
[email protected] says
I am actually the opposite! I start out eating really well but as the trip goes on it all falls apart!
Trish says
So much yum!
[email protected] says
Thanks!
Nicole@TheGirlWhoRanEverywhere says
I love reading posts with others meals when they are traveling because they always look SO good! I’m glad you finall got to indulge in a little wine-it sure looks delicious!
I love that you flew out for a baby shower…not a lot of people would do that and its really thoughtful of you to do! I bet it was worth it though!
[email protected] says
It was definitely worth it! We have a pretty small family and this is the first baby so we are all so excited! And it gave us a reason to go visit Rob’s sister and her husband in Arkansas; we hadn’t been out there in several years!
Lesley says
I am always that person changing up standard food to make it right for me. I’m very picky, and I turn into Sally Albright to make sure the food is how I like it. That flatbread looks amazing!
[email protected] says
It’s good that you ask for what you want! I hate ordering (and paying for) something that I don’t like and that I’m not happy eating!
Suzy says
Okay, now THIS is what I’m talking about. The bun on that burger is whispering my name. The bun makes a burger, in my opinion. So, I’m jealous of all that yum but if anyone deserves it, it’s you.
[email protected] says
You know, I wasn’t planning to eat the bun but then it came out like that and I couldn’t resist!
Lizzy says
Looks like a yummy couple of days! Nice work actually getting some good-looking food at the airport.
I try not to eat differently when I travel because it happens so often. Some airports are better for this than others. If I can, I stick with burritos because I eat them (or their constituent parts) a lot and they can typically be made to be pretty healthy (assuming you’re ok with the tortilla, I am).
If I have afternoon or evening flights I typically have a drink or two 🙂 Lately I’ve been catching a 6:15am departure out of LAX, and I often see people with bloody marys or screwdrivers. I don’t know how they do it, I’d be out of commission for the rest of the day.
[email protected] says
Morning drinks definitely put me out of commission for the day…I know if I have one I better be able to take a solid nap later on!
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner says
What did you think of Stanley’s?! The real Stanley’s in the city is right by my apartment. They have the best brunch. For $13 it is an all you can eat southern brunch – omelettes, fried chicken, waffles, cookies, fruit, ceaser salad, etc. Oh and a build your own bloody mar bar!!
[email protected] says
I thought it was really good! I would love to try the “real” one- it sounds really great!
Chelsea @ runner's table says
I try to pack lots of healthy snacks when I travel, and for long flights I usually request a special meal- they are almost always better than the normal meal. I fly a lot internationally, and a drink helps me fall asleep on those long flights.
Hope you had a fun trip!
[email protected] says
I never have luck with plane food…and these flights didnt offer meals anyway. I usually just pack alot of snacks when I fly but last weekend I traveled for so many hours that I needed a few real meals along the way!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Ha…the chocolate Larabars are always pretty delicious! When I travel I try to bring as much healthy food as possible, but sometimes you have to be a little flexible too. That pizza looks delicious!
[email protected] says
Yes, definitely! There was no way I could travel for 10-12 hours and only rely on snacks…so I just did the best I could with eating out!
Marissa says
Wow! All of your food looks amazing! The two burger meals are probably my favorites are what you ate 😉 Sweet potato tots sound awesome!
Also–free wine is the best wine 😉
Ashley Tukiainen says
Ohmygoodness, that burger looks amazing!!! We can’t get good burgers here in Finland unless we make it ourselves, it breaks my heart.
I do eat differently when we travel, mainly because really good, healthy food is hard to find, so when we travel, I let go a little bit.
[email protected] says
That’s terrible that you can’t get good burgers! I have a hard time finding good, healthy food when I travel as well, so I’ve learned to be more flexible about it.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I think that we were stalking each other because we were at O’hare and then in the Houston airport and I remember walking by le grand comptoir! Our meals were a bit different, though, as we were going through allthetimezones
[email protected] says
That’s too funny! Ugh I hate changing time zones. Even the one hour last weekend threw me off. Coming back from Hawaii after being there for 2 weeks was the hardest thing ever.
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch says
See I love that you didn’t just throw caution to the wind and eat total crap the minute Whole30 was over haha. You showed the whole point of Whole30–to get comfortable again with making selective eating decisions, exactly like what you did with that salad. Who cares if you’re annoying haha that salad sounded delicious!
And aren’t grilled chicken sandwiches the best? They taste so indulgent but if you get no butter on the bun it’s pretty darn healthy. Just healthy enough that you can eat all the tots you want on the side 😉 LOVE TOTS
[email protected] says
I felt like the sweet potato tots were such special treat- I never see them on a menu, and these tasted really fresh and non-greasy!
I just did my best with sticking to eating what sounded good and what I thought would make me feel good- and yes, I think that is the point of the Whole30! Even though my meals weren’t perfect I still felt good and enjoyed my food.
Kelly @ The Fit Skool says
Wow, I’m impressed with all your traveling. I do like that you are having some wine again haha.
I usually don’t drink during or before flights. I have too much on my mind with the baby that it distracts me!
[email protected] says
I bet its stressful to travel with a baby! I do enjoy wine before a flight but too much is bad news.
Hailey says
This post made me reallllllly hungry haha :). I do eat differently depending when I travel for different things. If it’s for a race, I won’t eat anything new before it. After, everything is fair game! If it’s for a vacation I usually just eat whatever is sounding good, but by the middle of it, nothing sounds better than a home cooked meal! I remember ordering pizza and salad in San Diego a couple of years ago, and I inhaled my salad. It didn’t even matter that it was made with ice burg lettuce ha I was just craving any kind of vegetable at that point.
[email protected] says
Good point about traveling for a race! I’ll also stick to what I eat regularly before the race, and save the indulging for after!
I know what you mean about craving any sort of vegetable after a few days away from them!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Yummy! I definitely eat a bit different when traveling. There are usually extra desserts and adult beverages. I will try to keep breakfast and lunch fairly healthy, but dinners out are usually QUITE indulgent. Gotta have the good stuff when you travel, well and when you’re home too. 🙂
[email protected] says
I feel the same way about dinners being more indulgent! I usually try to get a good start to the day that I don’t feel as bad if I slip up a bit later in the day:)
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
I try not to eat differently but sometimes it’s hard! It’s hard to eat healthy in airports if you don’t pack your own stuff!
[email protected] says
I usually end up getting really simple meals at airports..but even still, I feel like the quality of the food is never as good. I always pack my own snacks while traveling!
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says
Hey, you came to my home state! I just had to mention it because I don’t think Arkansas is a highly visited state as far as vacations or weekends go…I live in Northwest Arkansas. Born and raised. 🙂
[email protected] says
Awesome! I was in Fayetteville! I really like it there, I just wish it wasn’t so difficult to get there from Baltimore.
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says
Neat! Well I hope you enjoyed your stay while you were here. 🙂
Stacy @ Sweating Tulipz says
That pizza tho…yum!
I definitely eat differently when I travel…I try my best to stay on track but it is difficult so I always try to be very clean prior to a trip.
I am so the girl that changes the menu with her order…I’m done feeling bad about it…you shouldn’t be ashamed of your goals and/or what you like/dislike!
I drink prior to flights if there is time and during layovers always…because there isn’t anything else to do in an airport when your waiting around!
[email protected] says
I also try to eat as well as I can before a trip so I feel better about indulging a bit while I’m away!
Giselle says
Man you really make the best of your airport experiences! Everything sounds delicious!
[email protected] says
Thanks! I think when you spend a long time traveling it helps to have some good options. Luckily I was in big airports with alot of choices!
Sarah says
You got some amazing airport food! It all looks so delicious – I don’t think I’ve ever had a great airport food experience but that pizza! And you’re right – free wine is always best.
Sarah @ Sarah Sincerely says
That pizza looks fabulous! My mouth is watering looking at the photos! I typically pack all kinds of foods and snacks to bring with me when I travel. Mostly because airport food is so dang expensive!
[email protected] says
Its crazy how expensive stuff is at the airport! Even a bottle of water is like $4!