1000 Beans + 100 in Chips

on January 19, 2011

in All Posts, Arizona Trip for GOTR Summit

Oh my! What an interesting night. 🙂

Thing started off with a 1,000 Bean Salad from Pita Jungle. The dish included a whole wheat pita with beans, mushrooms, onions, and spinach.

It was ooey, gooey, and delicious! I actually loved it, despite being kind of nervous when I opened the takeaway container. It looks disgusting but I promise – it tasted amazing!

After digestion, it was time for my Operation Beautiful presentation. This was one of my larger presentations – I spoke to over 280 women! I was a little nervous but things seemed to go well. Everyone was super enthusiastic about the concept and how we could apply it to GOTR!

Book signing ensued!

And work, I met up with the Husband and Amanda from Modernation, who had become fast friends. :) We drank a glass of wine together and discussed what we should do with our evening… Finally, we voted on going to the casino!

This was actually my second trip to the casino, and the Husband’s first. Amanda’s fiance is a little bit more experienced and offered us some tips for maximizing revenue…

Unfortunately, once I entered the casino, all willpower went out the window and we blew through our cash! The Husband and I took out $100 and walked out with $25 in chips after 4 hours of blackjack (and several drinks). Honestly, I call it a wash. I had a GREAT time with Amanda and the Husband!

On the other hand, Amanda escaped from the casino $200 richer!!

Eating a PB sandwich and contemplating bed….

We have big plans in the morning!

{ 69 comments }

Cathy K January 19, 2011, 6:11 am
sorry the casino gods were not smiling on you, caitlin! glad to hear the presentation went so well – way to go! now relax and enjoy your morning!
Blog is the New Black January 19, 2011, 6:14 am
THat salad looks great. Sorry you didn’t hit it big!
Katherine: Unemployed January 19, 2011, 6:17 am
I love the picture of you girls in the mirror with the chips; very Norman Rockwell “Triple Self Portrait”-esque. Lookout for an email from me! an editorial piece; I couldn’t help myself…
- Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good January 19, 2011, 10:11 am
  “like” 🙂
VeggieGirl January 19, 2011, 6:25 am
Wonderful presentation results!!! Woo!! 😀
Little Bookworm January 19, 2011, 6:31 am
Glad the presentation went well! 🙂
Lauren January 19, 2011, 6:32 am
Sounds like a fun night. A casino opened here a few months ago and we’ve been a few times. It’s always fun to throw a bit of money into some slots. Good thing my husband actually gambles and usually wins because it makes up for my sad losses.

Enjoy today!!!
Marie-Journey to Body Zen January 19, 2011, 6:55 am
Casinos are such fun. I always lose money too! Well, the two times I’ve been I lost money. It was a fun experience tho!
Kristina @ life as kristina January 19, 2011, 7:01 am
That salad looks delish-most of the time my salads look like a hot mess-and that’s how I like them! haha. Looks like a great time-congrats on the speaking on behalf of GOTR-such a great organization…we need more of them!
Dani @ Body By Nature January 19, 2011, 7:02 am
Awesome, way to get the Operation Beautiful message out there! Any chance of you coming to Toronto, Canada??
- Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday January 19, 2011, 8:20 am
  That WOULD be pretty sweet.
- Caitlin January 19, 2011, 12:18 pm
  I wish I was!!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey January 19, 2011, 7:06 am
Congrats on the speech! I’m sure it was great!

I am not a gambler – mainly because I don’t get it. But I always lose my money. The only time I went to Vegas, I played the penny slots the entire time.
Stacy @ Every Little Thing January 19, 2011, 7:14 am
Glad the presentation went well! I am not a huge casino fan but I think the best way to do it is to give yourself a set limit and not be sad if that is spent, like you guys did!
Ashley January 19, 2011, 7:15 am
That salad looks amazing. Sorry you didn’t win big, but at least the presentation went well:)
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) January 19, 2011, 7:18 am
Sounds like a fun night! I don’t feel like I would enjoy gambling, but I love atmospheres like that. I don’t like losing money. Have fun today!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine January 19, 2011, 7:22 am
I bet $5 on a slot machine once and lost it immediately. I don’t get the thrill of it- I’d be too scared to lose lots of money! Enjoy your plans today!
Kristy @ KristyRuns January 19, 2011, 7:30 am
I like that y’all were taking photos of the chips in the restroom! lolz

Great job on the presentation! Too bad the gambling didn’t go as well…
ashley@quasichick January 19, 2011, 7:31 am
I love your new pic above your about me 🙂
Julia @ Brides Up North January 19, 2011, 7:42 am
Well done on the presentation. I am doing a presentation about blogging soon, and am so nervous!!! 🙁
Krista @ Journey to a Healthy Berg January 19, 2011, 7:53 am
Glad to hear your presentation went well! Let me know if you ever make a trip to Michigan 🙂
jen @ taste life January 19, 2011, 8:07 am
Ha, I never win anything gambling, either! That bean thing actually looks really good…
mindy @ just a one girl revolution. January 19, 2011, 8:12 am
So glad the presentation went well!
Em January 19, 2011, 8:13 am
I’ll never understand how losing money is fun! Haha!
- Caitlin January 19, 2011, 12:18 pm
  haha its the winning part that is fun!
- ms January 19, 2011, 1:45 pm
  yep, once you win ONCE its easy to get hooked 🙂
Baking 'n' Books January 19, 2011, 8:14 am
Congrats on the presentation!
Katy (The Singing Runner) January 19, 2011, 8:19 am
Glad the presentation went well! 😀 😀 😀
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) January 19, 2011, 8:20 am
I’m glad the presentation went well! The bean salad looks great!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat January 19, 2011, 8:26 am
Well done on the presentation Caitlin!! Sounds like a fun night – I can’t say I’ve ever won much in a casino but congrats to Amanda! 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape January 19, 2011, 8:30 am
I’m not too lucky with casinos, either. Good for your friend, though!!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) January 19, 2011, 8:33 am
Great job on the presentation! I think it’s wonderful that you’re spreading such positive news. 😀
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman January 19, 2011, 8:50 am
Wow, way to go Amanda. I’ve never won anything…though I hear you have to play more than a few slots to hit it big. 🙂
Elizabeth@The Sweet Life January 19, 2011, 8:52 am
Congrats on giving your big speech!
MaryBe@AccidentallyVegan January 19, 2011, 8:53 am
Good job on the presentation! Did you ever say anything to the lady that was reading your book?
My husband won $6,000 on a slot machine in Vegas years ago!
- Caitlin January 19, 2011, 12:19 pm
  No I didn’t 🙂
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl January 19, 2011, 8:56 am
So glad the presentation went well!

Sometimes the most disgusting looking food tastes the best! That’s what I tell myself whenever I cook anyway 😉
Camille January 19, 2011, 9:07 am
As far as I’m concerned, as long as you leave with money in your pocket, you still leave in the positives 🙂
Glad you had fun!
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations January 19, 2011, 9:21 am
It’s fun to go to casinos sometimes. I’ve had some serious fun in Atlantic City. It’s not so much about losing money as about being out in a fun environment and spending time in the live music lounges.

BTW, I like the new introductory photo on the blog.
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans January 19, 2011, 9:27 am
I’d say you did well! You didn’t blow too much cash and by the sounds of things you had a great time!! Great job with the presentation. But I am wondering…did you end up talking to the woman who was reading your book?
- Caitlin January 19, 2011, 12:19 pm
  I didn’t! I was too shy.
Kierstan @ Life {and running} in Iowa January 19, 2011, 9:29 am
I have my area GOTR coaches training this weekend – will be anxious to hear what area lead brings back from the summit!
JenATX January 19, 2011, 9:34 am
Fun! I love gambling haha… I am so cheap though that I just play the small bets for a few hours.
Megan January 19, 2011, 9:42 am
I LOVE Pita Jungle! We discovered it on a recent trip to Phoenix. In five days, we ate there twice. Now I’m craving it and want it to come to Chicagoland!
Ashley (The Vegetable Life) January 19, 2011, 9:44 am
I wish I was lucky at the casino… I always leave with less than I came in with. But atleast its a good time!
Jennie @ Designed To Be Fit January 19, 2011, 9:55 am
I love pita jungle! We used to eat there all the time when I was at ASU.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg January 19, 2011, 10:00 am
Ha…I love casinos (even though I rarely win!). I think it kind of breaks even with the free drinks…right? Right? Right. 🙂
Maren January 19, 2011, 10:11 am
Fun night! I’ve been to Vegas once….I only gambled when the bf talked me into it! Otherwise, I decided to spend my money on the incredible shopping 🙂
Lauren @ vegerunner January 19, 2011, 10:13 am
Congrats on your presentation! Public speaking gets easier & easier with experience so I’m sure it’s NBD for you anymore!

I hate gambling – well, not true, I love it, but I hate to lose more than $20 at a time, so…usually not fun in the end.
Megan (Braise The Roof) January 19, 2011, 10:17 am
I am a horrible gambler- I never have the guts to put money down on tables that cost a little more because I’m a wimp so I never win anything! Glad the presentation went well!
Kelly January 19, 2011, 10:17 am
My husband and I went to Arizona this past November and we fell in love with Pita Jungle! We were there for 10 days and I swear we ate at Pita Jungle at least 4 times. We were obsessed!
Sarah (Sarah Learns) January 19, 2011, 11:03 am
i gambled once and i HATED it! lol, i felt so guilty & not in control of my money & i did not enjoy that feeling. my fiance, on the other hand, loves going to the casino! i’ll leave the gambling to him…
Jess@atasteofconfidence January 19, 2011, 11:12 am
Congrats with a successful presentation!
Joanna@ Drizzle of Sunshine January 19, 2011, 11:14 am
Oo! Can’t wait to see your big plans!

That’s so awesome that you get to present about your great book and organization. We need more of those presentations in our every day lives. Our culture is so broken and there are far too few rays of light such as yourself.
Hope January 19, 2011, 11:19 am
Congrats with the presentation! I am not a big fan of gambling. I only like to play slots and those are never a good idea. Love your nailpolish color!
Amanda (modernation) January 19, 2011, 11:28 am
As K would say, “I had the best time!” You guys are the best! Next time Aaron needs to join us!
- Caitlin January 19, 2011, 12:20 pm
  hahah I agree!
Amanda (modernation) January 19, 2011, 11:28 am
As K would say, “I had the time of my life!” You guys are the best! Next time Aaron needs to join us!
Natalia - a side of simple January 19, 2011, 11:59 am
Sounds like such a fun night! Glad your presentation went so well. It’s so great to hear you had so many people attend!!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing January 19, 2011, 12:05 pm
I never gamble because I’m 100% sure I’d loose. But it always does look like a lot of fun! Helps to have someone who knows what they’re doing with you :).
Kelly January 19, 2011, 12:08 pm
Ugh, gambling kills me! I hate losing money and having nothing to show for it, haha.
Jamie January 19, 2011, 12:52 pm
Love the travel tips – esp the Xpress Spa! What app do you use to find all of those great restaurants on your iphone?
Dynamics January 19, 2011, 1:12 pm
That sounds like cheap entertainment, not a lose.
Kiran January 19, 2011, 1:37 pm
The presentation looks so good, glad it went well 🙂 Im a jinx at the casino. The Hubs would win and I came out empty handed! Well, at least we all had fun 🙂
Amanda (Eating Up) January 19, 2011, 1:56 pm
I’ve never been to a casino. They kind of make me nervous!
Sheryl January 19, 2011, 3:20 pm
If you ever go back to Pita Jungle you have to try the Cilantro Hummus… ADDICTIVE!!
Allison @ Happy Tales January 19, 2011, 3:36 pm
Good job on your presentation! Look at you…talkin’ to a room full of almost 300 people about YOUR book! Sheesh girl you are on a ROLL! Can’t wait to see you on Oprah’s bookclub list…(Not kidding. This will happen).
- Caitlin January 19, 2011, 7:46 pm
  Keeping my fingers crossed!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin January 19, 2011, 6:45 pm
Congrats on your presentation! I bet everyone loved it because it really is SO relevant to GOTR.

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