Hey friends!! Can someone please explain to me how it is already THURSDAY?! Whoa! I was dreading the week after the amazing weekend spent in Chicago, but fortunately I have been busybusy and, clearly, time sure has flown.
OH, and by the way, did you notice the upgrade??? That’s right, I have officially made www.SavoringSarah.com my HOME! Thank you HLS roomies for inspiring me to fully commit and move in to my own domain name. If you are in google reader, come on over and check out the new digs 
So, I know there are already hundreds of HLS summaries & recaps, but I also know many (most) of you (ahem, friends & family) have no idea what this HLS mumbo jumbo is, so I am gonna just sum up the weekend for you- mostly pictures, some captions, and a few deep thoughts..will try to keep those to a minimum, though. You’re welcome 
The HLS is Healthy Living Summit- a conference/gathering for people interested in healthy BALANCED living. There were 225 attendees this year, and two tracks to choose from during the conference. The topics spanned all wellness categories- mind, body and soul. It was an amazing opportunity to learn from other likeminded individuals with passions & interests similar to mine, as well a chance to network with peers and businesses & try new products. So, in a nutshell, my weekend went something like this…..
Meet up with Theodora (roommate number 1). Walk around for a couple hours. Take pictures.
Sweat. A LOT. Chug drink Black Currant Iced Tea. Walk more. Take Pictures.
Get hungry. Drink Margaritas. Eat at Su Casa. Enjoy being around someone who enjoys taking pictures of their food. Get silly off of Margaritas.
Walk MORE. Attempt to shop. Break sandal. Sweat more. Hobble back to hotel.
Check in to hotel & conference. Get SWAG!!! Wait for roommates #2 & #3.
Find roommates!! Get pretty. Go to cocktail party. Meet thousands tons of new friends. Drink Strawberry Stoli w/soda. Eat some snacks.
(Theodora, Paige, Amy, Kate, Heather, Julie((Michigander!!!)), Candice)
Chicken satay- not sure about the sauce, as it was definitely not traditional peanut sauce (My version of satay was way better, fyi !); cheese ques-a-dilluhh with pico, pita & red pepper hummus, tortillas and spin dip. NOT very satisfying 
Head back to hotel. Order sushi from iPhone (GrubHub rocks!!). Eat sushi in bed. Sleep. Stumble to conference breakfast.
Three of us shared edamame, spicy tuna, spicy yellowtail, sweet potato roll & spicy scallop. I was kind of in love with my roomies already.
Plain Oikos, berries, Thomas Bagel Thin with Maranatha, cantaloupe, dirty water coffee. With a side of a hundred bloggers and dslrs everywhere.
Session 1: Fueling for Fitness. INCREDIBLE!! Hosted by Rebecca and Heather, it covered the fundamentals of sports nutrition for everyday exercises and endurance athletes. Biggest takeaways: most efficient fueling & hydration plans for casual and endurance exercisers, newest recovery products (Tart cherry juice!!!), Metabolic Efficiency Training (teaching body to burn fat vs. carbs- must read Bob Seebohars’s book!!!).
Session 2: Stepping up your Photography. I can’t lie here…I really didn’t learn anything I didn’t already know. I was also pretty bummed that it was not as hands on as the description made it sound like it would be. Basically, we were just referred to read more from the Pioneer Woman. I personally recommend you check out my roomie Heather’s post on photography.
Next up, LUNCH!! I knew this was going to be good
YUM! Roasted veggies (mushrooms, squash, EGGPLANT!!!, artichoke hearts) & marinated tofu over spring greens; edamame & quinoa salad, minted fruit salad. And a pickle I <3 pickles.
Dessert was a “face-rocking” Fitnessista macaroon. Seriously to die for!!!!
More sessions- Session 3: Time Management & Organization. Kath, Morgan, and Sarah talked extensively about how they juggle their busy schedules with blogging, family, friends, and fun. Basically they shared their different tips, tricks and tools. Biggest takeaway was on learning to prioritize and divide your time accordingly based on the order in which your priorities take place. These women are so admirable and really inspired me to evaluate how I choose to spend my time. Favorite point- time is NOT a renewable resource. Once the moment passes, it is gone forever! Makes you think, no?
Session 4: Strength Training with Chandra. Great overview of the who, what, why and when. Again just wished this was a bit more hands on.
SNACK BREAK! Thank you Athenos!! SO SO SO delicious.
Greek Chicken Skewer, Tangy Taco Salad Bite, Pita & Garlic Hummus, Curried Hummus Cuke, Feta Watermelon Skewer.
Final talk- A discussion led by Gena and Caitlin about the dangers of comparison in the healthy living realm. It is so so so important to remember we are all unique individuals, whose bodies have unique needs. Hands down best part of the day was the “blogging success story” presented by Katie.
If you do ONE thing today, please go read this post.
Post Conference- Zumba with Diana & Gina!!
AND THEN!!!! an EPIC feast of a dinner at Quartinos- an Italian style tapas joint.
Quartino was very cool- since it was tapas style, they encourage family style dining where everyone gets a few bites of everything at the table. I loved the style of the restaurant. It was cozy and eclectic- very much a hot place to be, since the earliest they could get us in was 10pm, and they serve until 2am!
(ps yet another instance that solidified my love for eating with fellow bloggers !!!)
White wine in the cutest wine glasses ever!!
Delicious doughy bread with EXCELLENT olive oil, sea salt & fresh pepper.
Another thing that tapas places are usually known for is their “rolling” kitchen: aka things come out in as they are ready, rather than in a traditional “order”.
First up- Roasted Marinated Peppers.
Mmmm smoky charred tri colored peppers. HUGE slices of garlic!!. Yum
Next- Chilled grilled zucchini wrapped around sundried tomatoes.
Light & delicious. I ate mine on another hunk of bread
Veal Meatballs- topped with sundried tomatoes & raisins in a delicious sauce. 
I would be a terrible vegetarian. I love me some veggies, but seriously. these meatballs were to DIE for!! Juicy, sweet and savory. Heavenly. I had three. NOM!!
Polenta Fries with Roasted Red Pepper sauce.
Cute presentation. Basically fried underseasoned polenta, with a phenomenal sauce!! Loved the red pepper puree.
And finally- the Pièce de résistance!! 
PIZZA!! Forget that deep dish stuff, THIS was where it was AT! Grilled veggies, sweet tomato sauce, topped with salty grana padano cheese. I only had room for one little piece, but it was soooo so good!
My lovely dining companions!!
Theodora, me, Heather, Kate. BEST ROOMIES EVER!
After dinner, I was whining wishing for some fro-yo, when our server informed us of a “WILDLY popular” little joint across the street. A place still serving fro-yo after midnight? I am SO there!
MMmmmm, you had me at “Joint open till 2am with a DJ spinning records serving peanut butter jelly froyo”. Yep. I went there. PBJ with strawberries, carob chips and PB kix. SO delicious, especially when consumed in the back of a cab
Sunday morning, aka the end of my amazing awesome stellar incredible weekend, I joined a group of ladies for an hour long stroll along the lakeside.
Just a few of us
Gorgeous.
And then, it was BREAKFAST time.
Not just any only breakfast- Thomas Bagel Thins Make Your Own Cream Cheese breakfast!!
We got to choose from regular & reduced fat cream cheese and a TON of gourmet mix ins.
I went with reduced fat cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, tomatoes, red onion and sea salt. On an everything bagel. I adore bagels & lox, so this was a fun version
with some eggs & tabasco & more ‘loupe.
And with that, I bid my beautiful roomies adieu and trekked home- enlightened mind and truck full o’ swag.
xoxoxo
