via chicago

all orla
i almost felt a little TOO orla’d out packing for this trip:

(but not quite). i packed light — knowing that i’ll probably have a 3rd bag of freebies for the way back! the trip was easy, as usual (i heart RDU).

i sort of can’t help but take wing shots these days. i just think it’s cool!

chicago outskirts from above
practically minutes after arrival, i was reunited with my (former) NC neighbors — and HLS roommates:

meg and allie! we are staying in 2 adjoining rooms along with the lovely (and charlotte NC-er) diana.

in search of . . .
we headed out in search of tart yogurt (of course). it was late in the afternoon but we had early dinner plans, so it seemed like the perfect snack option! 1.5-2 miles of traipsing around later, we gave up.

yogurt fail.

we did find some rather interesting outdoor art:

and i spotted this little store from across the street:

we didn’t go in, though. after all, i can (uh, and do) go to anthro back at home! but there’s no NC version of argo tea cafe (at least, not to my knowledge).

i thought it was good, but that point anything probably would have tasted like manna! we were hot and thirsty, and the ginger-peach (unsweetened) tea was delicious.

i also enjoyed a quinoa/salmon bowl.

dinner in chicago
i do plan on doing more than hanging out and eating on this trip but . . . yesterday these were definitely the main events! a big group of us headed to RAW, an appropriate location for this healthy living crowd. i wasn’t sure what to expect, but i consider myself a fairly adventurous eater (although picky when it comes to food quality, i would say).

the store greeted us with open arms — and many samples! and i have to say i was totally impressed with what they were able to do with raw ingredients and very few additives.

lots of cameras!

the wonderful owners pulled out all the stops for us! the raw lasagna (kath’s picture!) was my favorite.

feeling bold, i decided that now was as good a time as any to try my first green juice. hey, when in rome . . .

it was a less-menacing blend of greens plus some green apple and lemon juice.

i liked it!

allie went one step further . . .

the brown smoothie. hardcore.

i bought a raw carrot cake muffin, which turned out to be delicious! gooey oats and nuts. i ate half pre-run this AM and half after — so filling (it felt like it weighed 10 lbs in my hand!).

to be continued! so many more people to meet, things to see . . . the HLS is certainly a phenomenon. interesting, crazy, and fun — in some ways it feels like reliving high school, but i also feel like i’m at blogging summer camp. more to come!!

any event featuring free maassages is a winner in my eyes . . .