What happens at Blend doesn’t stay at Blend.
Well, maybe SOME things do… shhhh…
What I love the most about Blend is the staying-power of the relationships we form and/or solidify in just 3 short days. I’ve read many of the attendees’ blogs before, but meeting these women in person makes the connection that much stronger. Life long Blend-ships! Maybe Corny Cotter is rubbing off on me?!
Same goes for the brands we’re introduced to. For example. I love Silk Pure Almond, but meeting the reps and learning more about the company and type of people they employ make me want to support them that much more. It’s just one more reason I was so excited to get to represent Growing Naturals again this year. I’m so passionate about this company, their products, and the people that work there… it makes me want to share it with everyone!
A couple of these ladies I was able to share Growing Naturals with last year and they still use it today! Lindsay even made a vegan batch of her famous balls Healthy Bites with it! I ate them all a few.
We all learned ho to share in Kindergarten, so our living room table in the hotel looked like a healthy living blogger swap meet. In addition to protein balls, we had Nutrix Hawaii from Heather, homemade granola from Megan, and my GN protein. Our room was hang out-central!
Growing Naturals makes both a rice and pea protein powder. Both are super-clean, gluten-free, soy-free, an allergen-friendly. They allowed me to share both with the Blends. I’m really curious to see which ones they like the best – or if there’s a clear winner! Sarena, Sarah, and I have had an on-going debate since last year’s Blend. I like them all, but the chocolate rice is my jam. I eat it in my (almost daily) Mocha Beet Protein Shake. I can stop any time… really…
Maybe Alex and Brittany will weigh in? Brittany has been a fan of the rice protein since last year’s Blend – I’m excited to see how she thinks the pea compares.
The struggle is real.
The new mamma with her winnings… and photo bombers #winning
I was especially happy to have my Growing Naturals stash after the incredible workouts we did over the course of the weekend. As a group, we bonded over runs, boot camp-style workouts, and hikes. I made sure to support my muscle growth with the 24g of protein in a serving of Growing Naturals! Getting that fuel to my body within 30 minutes of a workout has been a big factor in my muscle development.
Heather and I went head-to-head in a planking challenge. I lasted somewhere around 6 minutes, but Heather kicked my booty making it almost 7 minutes! She will hereby be known as Super Broccoli.
Heather #2 and I went for a couple of bonus-round workouts. After the first group run I hit the gym with her to do a shoulder and ab workout. I slightly modified her workout to fit my goals; it was a lot of fun to change it up! The next day after the epic-planking, we hit the gym once again for a speed-lifting session before the group hike.
Bikini Heather is 6 weeks out from her second competition. I was impressed and inspired by Heather’s will-power and dedication to her goals throughout the trip!
As I write this post, I’m on a plane back to Atlanta. It’s hard to believe that the weekend is already over! It feels like summer camp – we hugged, promised to stay in touch, and swore to return next year.
What I have learned to be true is that we WILL stay in touch. Many of us will meet up before next year’s retreat. All of us will continue to stalk each other on Instagram and via blogs. We will hold close this marvelous weekend where strangers became friends.
If you couldn’t make it this year, please, please consider joining the crew for next year’s retreat May 15-17th in Boulder, CO!
Don’t forget – if you’d like to try Growing Naturals for yourself, sign up to be a “Growing Groupie” and enter discount code sprint2thetable at checkout for a free bottle of Simply Soapberry (their natural laundry detergent) and a free 1 lb container of protein powder. Offer expires 09/06/2014.
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This weekend we decided we could’t ever think online dating is weird since we online friend-dated each other before Blend. LOL!
What product or recipe would you share with your Blends?
If you came to Blend, link up your recap posts here! If you didn’t come to Blend… will you come in 2015???
The first of many amazing recaps to come- I’d better brace myself.
I love growing naturals and would prefer it if you personally delivered it to me.
As would I… come to Blend next year!!!
This sounds like fun! Although after reading this, I don’t think I could ever go to one of these blogger events now – I am not going anywhere that involves running!! haha
It sounds like such a great weekend- I think BLEND 2016 needs to be in Europe if Boulder is already set for 2015!
Everyone is saying there needs to be a EUR version. You organize it and I’ll come! 😉
Ah – Laura, Blend sounds like it was such a blast!!! I haven’t tried Growing Naturals yet, so far Click protein powder is my fav and I would most definitely share the no bake, ready in a click bars I made using said protein powder!
Btw, are you coming to Techmunch-here in Atlanta on Friday sept 26?
I wasn’t planning on it… but maybe! It’s too far away! 🙂
I discovered GN through you and you know how much I love it – especially since it is sold here in Basel!!
I want to cry and smile about this recap at the same time.
Well, I am in Cali in April 2015, I could as well just extend for 2 weeks…..
Nooo Lucie we’ve got to encourage everyone to come to Europe for 2016!! 😀
Can’t we do both?!
i have always enjoyed reading blend round ups..thanks for sharing.
I LOVED all the pics etc and lived vicariously.
next year?
IM THERE.
You BETTER COME!!!
Looks like such an amazing experience. And I love Boulder. Maybe I need to start saving some money!!! I can’t wait to check out Growing Naturals, thanks for the link!
Please do! I’d love to meet you!
dang you are fast at recaps! and yes to all! i love me some growing BLEND SHIPS! and i love you more!
Ha! I was just thinking the SAME thing! Damn girl!
I love you BOTH the mostest!
Love it love it love it – next year…. 🙂
So much fun! I really wish I could have been there!
What an amazing blogger retreat! I hope to go next year. I’m glad you had fun!
What a fun retreat!! This is what I miss most about being in the states is all the fun blog events! Lots of love C
You should organize one there! Or just come here. 🙂
Wahhhh, this makes me sad I didn’t go :(. It looks SO fun! Next year, for sure. 6 and 7 minute plank?!?! DANG – you’re going to rock the Ab Challenge! I am a total idiot and can’t get the Growing Naturals code to work … it is taking off the protein powder but not the laundry soap. Will keep trying 🙂
You need to sign in as a “Growing Groupie” first for the code to work.
It is SO much harder without a competition! Egos are powerful. LOL!
Did you get the code to work?
Not really! It is taking off the protein but not the Soapberry! I am registered as a Groupie and signed in. I sent an email to customer service, although I’m 99.99999% sure it’s user error on my part!! I am ridiculous with technology.
That’s so frustrating! They are really responsive on Twitter, but let me know if I can help. We can email my contact directly!
Blend is the best!! I’m writing down the Boulder trip on my calendar… really missed seeing you all this year. And getting another sample of Growing Naturals!
Definitely checking out Growing Naturals, I’m always experimenting with different protein powders and there are some awesome ones I have yet to try. Looks like you had a fun weekend!
Awesome! Please let me know what you think. It’s my only protein love these days. 🙂
It was so awesome meeting u at Blend! I’m excited for the next one too esp as a non-blogger(apparently I should start one or something haha ;-)… I’m thinking about it. I also got a sample of that Growing Naturals protein & am excited to try it since sometimes me & whey don’t get along 🙂
It was wonderful to meet you too! And yes, you should start a blog. 🙂
I promise to get the samples in the mail soon. It’s been a busy week already!
Aww it looks like you had such a great time! Really wish I could have been there!
I would say ‘maybe next year’ but I have to come all the way from Scotland!!
You should come! Lucie is coming from Switzerland!
I have so much love and respect for you lady. Great conversation while hiking and lotsa laughs. I hope to stay connected and see you again next year.
-Ashley
Thank you, Ashley! I hope to see you again soon!!!
Such a great recap! Great brands and companies, great friends, a great weekend – I missed out not being there this year. Blend 2015 – Boulder or bust! 😀 Love you!
We all talked about how me missed you. Next year!!!
LOVED meeting you lady!! You’re even more awesome in person than you are on the internet <3
So are YOU! When’s the Canada party?!
How did we get through this entire weekend without a single picture of just the two of us? I’m shocked and slightly appalled. Vanilla gorilla fail.
LOVED meeting you. Can’t wait to come to Atlanta and eat blondies. 😉
I know! Clearly this Atlanta shenanigans needs to happen. I’ll throw in a t-shirt: http://www.buymebrunch.com/collections/mens/products/bananas
What?! I need this shirt in my life. Shit’s bananas.
I STILL need to try the GN pea protein! Hook a sista up! I’m still trying to keep my grain consumption down so I’ve been sticking to hemp protein which I LOVE but could use a little shake up now and then. I’ll have to check their website out.
You KNOW I have to come next year, and see you again… I am so happy to still be in touch with so many amazing women and I love seeing these recaps!
You DO!!! Check out the code. It really is a good deal!
And yes, you 100% have to come next year. Required.
It was so great to see you again this year, Laura! Blend is such a great event! It’s crazy how just that online contact brings us together. But then meeting and hanging out in person is the best part!! Hopefully I’ll see ya next year! Thanks for the samples! Excited to try them!!
It was good to see you too! The internet is a powerful things. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear what you think of GN, and let me know if you’re ever down South!
Looks like an absolutely fabulous time!
I had fun trying to name the faces in your photos 🙂
So did we convince you to come to Boulder?! 😉
I loved meeting you this weekend, and was so relieved/happy to have been hooked up with a fun group of suitemates! Also can’t wait to try the rice and pea protein!! See you next year 🙂
I’m so glad you were in the room. It was a blast, and you are SO MUCH FUN! Cheers!
So awesome meeting you this weekend! Hope you have a blast in NYC. Hit me up if you have any free time 🙂
I’m so sorry I didn’t have time… can I just invite myself back up for a fun trip?! 😉
This makes me excited (to see all had a blast), but also sad because I missed you all dearly! I really hope I can come next year!
Vanilla Blast Pea Protein is the best!!! Now that one is MY jam! 🙂
We really, really missed you. Can we hang out again soon?
One of these days I will make it to Blend, I love reading the recaps.Everybody has such a great time!
I hope “one of these days” means a few days in Boulder next year…
Looks like everyone had a blast! I will make it back next year! I need to try the pea protein!
For sure! Boulder is the BEST town too!
Order is in! Thanks for the hookup and great meeting you. Keep in touch!
Woo hoo!!! I’m so glad… that should help your protein deficit. 😉
Wonderful to meet you too. More good times to come!
jeaaaaalous
Loved getting to chat with this weekend, lady!! Bah, I forgot to grab some GN samples. I’ll have to get some with that sweet discount code! 😉
Same to you! I’m sorry you didn’t get any samples… they went to fast! Let me know what you think if you order it. I’ll have more in BOULDER 2015!!!
Missing all you ladies already!
I. Know. It was so amazing to meet you. We can’t wait a whole year to do it again!
I IG stalked all the Blend pictures. It looked amazing.
LOL! I’m STILL stalking all the Blends!
I miss you already! I’m trying my pea protein in the am.. I’ll tweet you my verdict! 😉
AWWWEESSOOOMMMEE! Looks like so much fun! I am very jealous you got to experience blend 🙂
as always, so great to see you!
You too. And touch your belly inappropriately. 😉
On reading this, I just remembered that I need to figure out where those samples are! I have a huge pile on my table at home right now of random stuff. I will report back on my judgement :).
Also, then I’ll get a FREE TUB? Are you kidding. Deal. Done.
Good to see you!
I’m still standing by my rice protein. LOL! I’m so glad you liked it!
Aw…this post made me smile. You are getting sentimental in your “old age”. I am so happy to have another chance to spend time with you – you help me stay inspired to keep pushing through prep. And I can’t wait to see you again in 39 days (as Kait reminded us today). Hugs girl!!
Don’t make me pull the age card! 😛 LOL!
Keep going strong – you looked fabulous already. Can’t WAIT to see your fancy dress in less than a month! I need to email you about travel, actually…
I’d like to thank all the little cruciferous vegetables I had to step on to take the title of SUPER BROCCOLI! Bam! And for the record, it was only 6:15, but my NEXT goal will be 7 for sure! Gotta make sure we talk Calee into coming next year so we can plank it out! 😉 Omg, you couldn’t have said it better about the bonds and lasting friendships…I swear this year was the best ever and I can’t WAIT until next year! Love you lady! Hope you’re having some fun in NYC!
Grrrrr… I’m practicing. You’re going DOWN, Broccoli!
Love you. Mean it.
All of yall look just so healthy and vibrant and young… I hope I can join the Blend retreat in two years!
PS-You are a plank beast!
Thank you!!! Not two years… less than one year away in Boulder! 🙂
Loved meeting you, Laura!! I’m excited to try out my Growing Natural protein. I’ll let you know my thoughts when all is done and said, but I’ve heard nothing but good things. 😉 xoxo
I absolutely loved meeting you too! You are a gorgeous ball of energy!
DAmn! I wish I was there just for the planking challenge. I’m trying to hit my goal of 8+ minutes (planking to the entirety of “Master of Puppets”, obviously). missed you all last weekend!
Oh, we talked ALL about your goal. Just come down here next time Heather comes and we’ll rock it out. Group competition… errrrr… encouragement… is a great motivator!