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Where in the world is Caitlin Sandiego?

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Why, today I’m headed to Seattle for an Operation Beautiful presentation at St. Martin’s University.  And – call me crazy, because I most definitely am – I am taking the red eye back to the East Coast later tonight and presenting at Old Dominion in Norfolk, Virginia tomorrow evening.  CRAZY!  Trust me, I’m wishing my fairy godmother would swoop down from the sky and upgrade me to first class on that red eye back home.  A girl can dream, right?

 

I had a layover in Atlanta, so my first flight was very early.  I had a Larabar and an Apple Crusher.  I know that, as an adult, I look extremely strange sucking down an Apple Crusher, but there’s no spoon required, so it’s the perfect way to eat applesauce on the go. 

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Channeling my inner 3 year old and whatnot.

 

I’m really trying to save money on eating out while traveling – it adds up very fast.  Plus, while most major airports offer a great variety of veggie options, vegetarian and gluten-free options are still very few and far between.  So – to save money and stay on track, I’ve got to be a little creative and bring my own food on my travels. 

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I packed some Panda Puffs and hit up the Starbucks in the Atlanta airport for some soy milk.  The barista was very confused when I placed my order for a small soy milk in a large cup.  But it worked!

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I’ve got a five hour flight.  Hopefully, I will not fall asleep with my mouth open again.  Dragon breath on your neighbor is so not cool. 

 

See you in Seattle!

{ 60 comments }

 

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen October 24, 2011, 10:39 am

    As someone who travels a lot for work, that is an INSANE schedule! I hope you survive 🙂

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat October 24, 2011, 10:45 am

    OMG I hear ya on the sleeping with your mouth open! I just got back from San Francisco and I can’t seem to fall asleep on a plane without my mouth open, so I always make sure I brush my teeth before we take off. Good luck with all the traveling this month! 🙂

  • Jen October 24, 2011, 10:47 am

    You’re schedule has been brutal, but you are doing such good work!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) October 24, 2011, 10:48 am

    I’m always worried that I’m going to fall asleep on a plane on my neighbor’s shoulder! Haha, that would be awkward…

  • Michelle October 24, 2011, 10:55 am

    I used to live so close to that university! Have fun 🙂

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery October 24, 2011, 10:57 am

    Good idea with the Panda Puffs. I hope you don’t get too exhausted and get an upgrade to first! Good luck with your presentations!

  • Sophie @ threetimesf October 24, 2011, 11:01 am

    Wow, that is a crazy schedule! Happy Travels 🙂

  • Rachel October 24, 2011, 11:03 am

    red-eyes are the worst! we fly them a lot, b/c i hate “losing” a day due to travel. enjoy your time in the Emerald City! wish i’d know you were gonna be out here. i would have gotten a sitter so i could come here you speak! good luck 🙂

  • Natalcho @ Tomatoes Rock October 24, 2011, 11:16 am

    One trick that works for me almost all of the time when I am trying to get upgraded on a flight is to not check in online. I always show up at the airport, preferrably a little late (but not too late – don’t want to miss my flight!) and I find that my chances of an upgrade increase. Otherwise if I do the responsible thing and check in ahead of time I always end up in economy. Good luck with the red eye!

    • CaitlinHTP October 25, 2011, 9:48 am

      Good technique – I tried it but they were all sold out! Boooo!

  • Carolyn @ Lovin' Losing October 24, 2011, 11:17 am

    Hey! I used to work at ODU and still work in Norfolk. Email me if you want to get together or if you just want some recommendations for food while you’re here. 😉 I think I’ll try to stop by your presentation.

    • CaitlinHTP October 25, 2011, 9:39 am

      Hi Carolyn! I asked and the presentation is open – email me at operationbeautiful at gmail if you want the deets. I would love to meet you!

  • Rachel @ Mommygetsmoving October 24, 2011, 11:18 am

    Great idea with the cereal. So hard to stay on track at airports.

  • Amanda October 24, 2011, 11:35 am

    Wow, you are one busy lady! That travel schedule is insane, but hopefully you’ll have some down time to relax this weekend?

  • Laura October 24, 2011, 11:40 am

    This is why I really try not to sleep on airplanes. Between the drool and the twitching, its not pleasant for those around me.

  • Colleen October 24, 2011, 11:45 am

    Safe travels Caitlin.

  • Khushboo October 24, 2011, 11:54 am

    I’m all for planning ahead when I travel- airport snacks are always so overpriced and the options aren’t always the best! Great idea about the cereal- how much did Starbucks charge for the cup of milk?

    • Julie (A Case of the Runs) October 24, 2011, 2:02 pm

      Sometimes I order just steamed soy milk (before they switched the soy they use) for about $2.

  • Caitlin October 24, 2011, 11:57 am

    Awesome idea with the cereal and soy milk! I pack snacks when I travel too. Are you flying Delta this Friday and/or Sunday because I am!

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) October 24, 2011, 11:58 am

    Caitlin Sandiego, CUTE! If you don’t have a Halloween costume planned yet, you should definitely be Carmen! Better to catch yourself with your mouth open after sleeping than while you were still awake (guilty!)

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats October 24, 2011, 12:09 pm

    I found out I may be soy, gluten and milk intolerant… Lol so no milk for me in the airport unless Starbucks starts using almond milk! Stupid security liquid rules… But very creative idea! Safe travels!

  • Errign October 24, 2011, 12:10 pm

    Good for you for packing food from home. Airport foods adds up (and gets boring!) quickly and with the amount of traveling you do, you’re probably saving a lot of money. Safe travels!

  • Meredith October 24, 2011, 12:12 pm

    try to hit up The Green Onion in Ghent while you’re in Norfolk (or really any other restaurant in Ghent) — I grew up across the tunnel from Norfolk and lived in Va Beach for a short time and I love the restaurants in that area! Stay away from Waterside — trashy and full of chains!

  • Angela @ MyPinkyToes October 24, 2011, 12:17 pm

    Good luck at your presentations! I hope to be able to see you speak someday!

  • Kaci October 24, 2011, 12:18 pm

    Safe travels!! I love Panda Puffs! =) Mmmm

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed October 24, 2011, 12:26 pm

    You are CRAZY! Hope everything goes smoooothly!

  • Deva @ Deva by Definition October 24, 2011, 12:37 pm

    I go for a window seat if I know I’ll want to nap. I can lean up against the window to sleep. Bonus points if I have a hoodie with me to use as a pillow (or to cover up with)!

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels October 24, 2011, 12:51 pm

    me and my boyfriend drool when we sleep – we are the WORST passengers of life I know it

  • Anne @strawberryjampackedlife October 24, 2011, 12:57 pm

    I loved Seattle! I took a 23hr59min tour of it when I was visiting UW for grad school. It’s so beautiful and everyone is so friendly. I also took the red eye back, and it wasn’t horrible. I slept a little bit.

  • Ella, RD October 24, 2011, 1:22 pm

    Caitlin, I’m with you on packing foods for air travel for budget reasons. No matter how much $$ I have I will always bring snacks with me… my parents still do it, and they by no means need to financially.

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss October 24, 2011, 1:24 pm

    I do the exact same thing but with yogurt rather than milk. I ALWAYS bring my own snacks.

  • April October 24, 2011, 1:29 pm

    Whoever invited the “drinkable” applesauce (and other fruits) is a genius. They are so handy in so many occasions – especially when I don’t have time to eat breakfast and have to eat, I mean drink it in the car 🙂

  • Merry October 24, 2011, 1:29 pm

    Oh my goodness, you’re going to be right down the road from me! Commence contacting St M’s to see if non-students are welcome 🙂 Safe Travels!

  • Amber K October 24, 2011, 1:31 pm

    It is so hard to find gluten-free AND vegetarian options, let alone vegan. I can usually find one or the other, but very rarely both. Although I am glad that they are going more mainstream, it still seems like a lot of catching up has to occur.

  • Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers October 24, 2011, 1:54 pm

    Good thinkin’ with the snacks. I’m usually good about packing food, but I totally failed when flying this weekend with my overpriced white bagel with crappy cream cheese. Note to self: think ahead!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb October 24, 2011, 2:13 pm

    genius breakfast idea! i can’t believe how expensive airport food is. just today, a bottle of water and apple was $6.25! insane.

    safe travels!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife October 24, 2011, 2:17 pm

    WOW–that is brave. Good luck girl 🙂

    I hate flying early…..yikes. But your b-fast looks delish!

  • Marissa October 24, 2011, 3:02 pm

    Oooh I’m excited you’re coming to Seattle! But sad its such a quick trip! The sun just came out so hopefully it will be a nice day for you!

  • Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled October 24, 2011, 3:08 pm

    My stepson is 4 and I’ve always loved bringing his snacks along when I travel because they’re so convenient. Like Gogurt? So easy to eat, no spoon! Juice boxes? The straw comes with it! And it’s also cute and perfectly portion sized.

  • Mel October 24, 2011, 3:20 pm

    Could you send me some info about your presentation? My best friend from high school goes to school there and I would love to go if I could!

    • Mel October 24, 2011, 3:29 pm

      I just found out actually! I feel like such a nerd, but I will definitely be there tonight with my Operation Beautiful book in hand! 🙂

  • Abbie October 24, 2011, 4:14 pm

    I feel like such a nerd saying this but i LOVE airports and flying, but I know what you mean about the lack of veggie food. It sounds like airports are much more clued up in the US! good luck tonight 🙂

  • Lisa October 24, 2011, 4:26 pm

    Safe travels!!

    and I love the soy milk order at the airport! What a great idea!

  • Amanda October 24, 2011, 4:50 pm

    Come to the university of washington and I’ll give you a campus tour! Haha I’m sure youre going to be CRAZY busy! But it’s a gorgeous fall day here so I hope you love it 🙂

  • Lindsey October 24, 2011, 5:12 pm

    Ahh I wish I knew you were in Seattle, we could have met up! I work downtown. Have a great time, next time you’ll have to spend more than one day here!
    xoxo Lindsey

  • Emily October 24, 2011, 5:30 pm

    Oh man! I’m bummed! I’m finishing out my Masters degree at ODU. Unfortunately you and my class fall on the same day!

  • Cortney @ Nerd on the Run October 24, 2011, 5:38 pm

    Come to Pullman, WA and WSU!!! I’d LOVE to meet you!! 🙂

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ October 24, 2011, 5:51 pm

    ohhh i am so happy that I am not the only one upacking a breakfast at the airport. I always pack ryan and my breakfasts and snacks in my carry on, and we have our a.m. meal in the room to save a little cash. in my opinion, a thomas pumpkin spice bagel is way better than a greasy breakfast sandwich, any day!!! travel safely!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin October 24, 2011, 7:09 pm

    I always try to pack my own foods when I can too. My favourite travel breakfast is overnight oats since I can just grab it and go! But I love your cereal idea too. 😀

    Good luck with your presentation!

  • Vanessa (@IsleStyleLiving) October 24, 2011, 7:26 pm

    Good luck with the travel fairy!!

    I hate traveling for work… leisure? No problem but when I HAVE to be somewhere at a specific time it just heightens the stress factor for me.

    And aren’t we so creative with the Panda Puffs? yummm!

  • Lisa October 24, 2011, 7:58 pm

    What a GREAT idea bringing cereal. I must remember that next time. I totally failed recently when I tried to pack healthy food for some traveling I was doing.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 24, 2011, 8:06 pm

    Good idea on the cereal!

  • Ashleigh @ simplehonestreal.blogspot.com October 24, 2011, 9:35 pm

    You are one busy girl! Good luck on the presentations and try to get some sleep too 🙂

  • Katie October 24, 2011, 9:59 pm

    Welcome to good ol’ Lacey, WA! I just saw this posting, otherwise I would have been in the audience. Good luck with all of the traveling and presenting 🙂

  • Chetney October 24, 2011, 10:27 pm

    I must try Panda Puffs, ASAP!

  • AmandaonMaui October 24, 2011, 11:03 pm

    What a brilliant idea! I wish I’d done that. LOL I had an awful fruit cup at Seattle’s Best in the SEATAC airport. Blech. It is going to haunt me for a while.

    I hope you have joyous rest on your flights.

  • Tanya @ Vegan Faith October 25, 2011, 7:30 am

    I am a big fan of bringing my own cereal and getting soy milk from Starbucks! Great trick!

  • Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count October 25, 2011, 8:28 am

    What a great idea! Never thought of asking for the milk and using the cup as your dish. Excellent!

  • Sara October 25, 2011, 10:20 am

    Have fun in Norfolk. I was in Va. Beach on Sunday. (Live in Richmond.) Glad you are in Va.!

  • Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel October 26, 2011, 11:27 pm

    Genius. Absolutely genius.
    Never would I have thought to get milk from Starbucks like that for cereal. I’ll have to keep that in mind!

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