Greetings from Belgium. It’s official, I have died and gone to heaven, or at the very least Brussels.
As much as I’d like to go on and on and share a bazillion pictures with you (yes, I have officially been in Belgium one day, and I already have a bazillion pictures), I’ve only slept a handful of hours in the last two days (totally worth it by the way), and I’m on vacation, so I don’t feel much like editing said photos. Can you blame me?
In short, we’re going to get right down to it and review all my goings on in the last seven days, and then if I’m lucky, I’ll get to hear from all of you. Anybody else notice we had our best participation ever last week? I did, and you all rock, even if you’re not on vacation this week.
Let’s get listing:
- I logged forty-five hours at my 8 to 5 job.
- Extra hours on the job usually means less gym time, and last week was no exception. I did a Mixed Martial Arts and a Spinning class. It’s all good because I plan to get my run on in Belgium. I’m going Forest Gump all over Europe.
- I wrote and published three blog posts, all of which could be summed up with the phrase food porn.
- Speaking of food porn, I made Ramp Pesto with another one of my farmers market finds. I also proceeded to eat several bites of this same pesto before boarding a plane. Despite a thorough teeth brushing and mouthwash, I literally reeked of garlic. Good times, although maybe not necessarily for the guy sitting next to me. It wasn’t the Hubby on the first leg of our travels.
- I saw the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love while on the plane, and I will say Ryan Gosling makes for a visually enjoyable flight. I refuse to call him eye candy because he is not a piece of meat, because we all know I don’t eat meat.
- Speaking of planes, I traveled to Belgium which took an entire day (still totally worth it).
- I’ve been hanging with my favorite (and only nephew) who just so happens to share my love for bananas.
- I had a dinner and dessert date with an old friend (not in terms of years because that would imply I’m old, and we all know how I feel about that). It was fantastic to catch up and spend time with her.
- I went to a farmers market in Belgium, and I suspect that’s not too shocking. It’s also the reason for the bazillion pictures. I will absolutely be sharing more of these at a future date. In the meantime, this is a raspberry/strawberry combo with some wild asparagus thrown in for good measure. Afternoon delight, indeed.
- I had my very first Belgium waffle. They had all different kinds with crazy toppings, but I went straight up plain, although it’s worth mentioning they have sugar crystals baked right into the batter so calling them plain is the understatement of the century. It was fantastic.
It’s safe to say I’m living the dream, so enough about me…for now. I want to hear from all of you, so get you link up on and get listing.
Have you ever had Belgium waffles from Belgium? What’s your favorite way to exercise on vacation? Do you still exercise?
Fran@BCDC says
Sounds like fun so far, Meghan!! Can’t wait to see the photos from the farmer’s market…I always hear how wonderful they are in Europe. Have a great time!!!
Meghan says
Thanks Fran. We had an amazing trip.
Alex @ Brain, Body, Becuase says
Sugar crystals! The waffle does sparkle, now that you mention it. It’s like eating DIAMONDS! Being on vacation is the best thing ever.
I like that in the last photo, you can see someone standing in the background with their hip kinda cocked like they’re saying, “C’mon!” But the waffle is huge and in the foreground and is like, “WAFFLE”
I love your nephew’s super chic refrigerator. Europe is so cool!
Meghan says
It was like eating DIAMONDS. I love the concept too. Sparkly food from here on out.
Liz says
Oh, I am so, so, SO excited to see your vacation pictures! The berries and asparagus are amazing!!! So pretty!
On vacay I usually resort to an oldie, but goodie workout routine of sit ups, push ups, lunges and a few other things I can do quietly and quickly in a small space. I like to relax on vacation so I opt out of the long, structured routines and gym visits.
Meghan says
Smart girl. I actually did some at home fitness stuff much like you mentioned and I managed to get in a couple runs, all while enjoying my amazing surroundings.
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear says
Ohhh man. That waffle. I need it. When’s the next flight out?
Meghan says
You would have loved it! It was fantastic “au natural.”
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
Sounds like it’s going to be an amazing trip! Look forward to seeing more pics!
I don’t really formally exercise while on vacation, but we do seem to walk a lot, so that’s where I can most of my exercise in.
Meghan says
Ain’t that the truth. We did so much walking my feet were crying by the end of each day. I wouldn’t change a thing though.
Sarah Pie says
Exercise? On vacation?! I’m lucky if I manage to do it (exercise that is…) at home when there aren’t any fun/new/exciting things going on. That waffle looks AMAZING (asif the pasta you posted earlier wasn’t enough to tempt me over that certainly sealed the deal).
Meghan says
One of the many reasons I love vacations is I have all the time in the world to exercise, and I don’t have to try to squeeze it in somewhere. Wake up at 9, have some coffee, go for a run, shower, some lunch…good times.
Allie says
I CAN’T WAIT for all these pictures! As if teasing with weird asparagus and waffles isn’t enough. Mmm, waffles. I’ve never had Belgian one. Or one at all in the past year or so. That’s what happens when you don’t own a waffle-maker and don’t travel to Belgium nearly enough (as in, ever).
Meghan says
I ate that weird and fantastic wild asparagus on three separate occasions. Once in an omelet, again in our homemade raviolis, and finally on salad. I thought you’d be proud.
Melissa says
That waffle looks amazing!! Have a fantastic trip!
Meghan says
Thanks. The trip was incredible.
Eating 4 Balance says
That makes me happy to hear that you have a bazillion pictures taken. I’m excited to see them!
And banana-loving must be genetic. And posing for the camera 😉
Yum to the handheld waffle… And Ryan Gosling. Baha. I do not frequently call actors eye candy either so I respect that. But oh goodness is he easy on the eyes. Haha. One of the main reasons I watched that movie (which was actually better plot-wise then I expected, don’t you think?)
Meghan says
Banana loving genetics. The kid is fantastic, which of course means I must be fantastic too, genetically speaking that is.
It was a better movie than I though it’d be, although I really like Julianna Moore.
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
I am disenchanted with Map My Walk right now, because they’ve been leading me on. Apparently the GPS is not precisely accurate, so I think I’ve been walking longer, with a corresponding faster pace, than I really am. That being said, according to the suck up, MMW, I’ve done 9 work outs, 23 miles, 5.6 hrs, and a handful of Triscuits.
Bah. Point is I walked my first solo 5K and only burst into tears 3x missing my spouse. Yay, me!
Meghan says
Congratulations on your first solo 5K. That is impressive, despite what MMW says. Screw MMW.
Tears three times isn’t too bad. I suspect I’ll be a full on water works when it happens, although I’m still in my happy place called denial. I’m here if you need a shoulder too.
Khushboo says
Ah I’m glad your trip is off on the right start- sounds amazing! So jealous about your Belgian waffles…they remind me of boarding school! Let’s just say our breakfast spread was AMAZ and included Belgian waffles daily…sugar crystals included 🙂
Meghan says
Daily Belgian waffles with sugar crystals…Hot damn, that is some school.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
That pesto looks awesome!!
And that waffle?? Holy cow, if you actually got that in Belgium then it had to have been amazing!!
Meghan says
The pesto was fabulous and I actually have a bundle in my freezer right now. I’m thinking eggs or pizza or pasta or, or, or, pretty much anything.
Yup, the waffle was purchased and consumed in Belgium. I’m a lucky girl.
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life says
It sounds like you’re having a great time so far – yay!
I actually love to exercise on vacation. I think hotel gyms are lots of fun (I know, I’m weird), and if I’m not staying at a hotel, I love to take walks or create mini HIIT workouts for myself. 🙂
Keep on vacationing…as much as I can’t wait to see your pictures, I want you to have fun more!
Meghan says
Sometimes self created HIIT workouts are the best kind. It’s great to be able to kick your own ass sometimes.
Brittany says
OHh my gosh seriously, I need to be with you on this trip. I would KILL to run in a different country, especially one like this! Your IG photo of your running path killed me!! LOVE IT! I would eat like 500 of those waffles, and I don’t even care if they have butter or eggs. I reserve my “vegan with benefits” title for moments of travel like this!! When I visit Italy I plan to turn into a piece of Parmesan cheese from eating so much of it! SO glad you made it safely and are having a great time. I somehow had no idea you had family/were from Belgium..you are from here I assume?? LUCKY!
Meghan says
You should have come because you would have loved the scenery. There was so much green space and forest trails and walking paths. It was incredible, as was that waffle. Heaven in your mouth. The chocolate too.
I’m from the states and actually have no ancestral ties to Belgium, but I have family who lives and works in Brussels, so it means I get to vacation there. Nice perk for me.
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
Awww, I can’t wait to see your plethora of pictures! Hopefully you’ve gotten a chance to rest up so you can enjoy each and every minute you have in Belgium…totally jealous of that waffle by the way…I’ve never even been CLOSE to an authentic Belgium waffle! Hell, I’ve never even been further north than Chicago and have NEVER left the country! This needs to change…maybe I should start buying lotto tickets? 😉
I’m not usually one to “exercise” while on vacation, but I usually do do a lot of walking (haha, I said doo doo!) or if I’m at the beach, I get TONS of cardio in going up and down the beach and hopping in the no-more-than-waist-high water…I don’t do ocean swimming AT ALL!
Meghan says
Oh you absolutely need to travel more. Seriously go to Europe, the islands, Canada, Mexico, maybe even Cleveland (just sayin’). Just go and see it all and taste your way through it all. Traveling is one of the best things, along with taking dip in the ocean. We need to get you out more girlfriend.
Luv What You Do says
Bring your phone and take tons of pictures as you run (forest) run through Europe. I can’t wait to read all about it!
Meghan says
Great advice and I of course followed it. It was such an amazing trip and I had some great runs with pictures to prove it.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I have never wanted a waffle so badly in my life.
And I don’t even think I LIKE waffles.
Unless they are in cone form surrounding ice cream.
Meghan says
I like waffle cones too, although these were far better. They had sugar crystals baked right inside. I swoon.
Sara says
Gosh, every time I visit Europe, I just want to…stay there forever. Looks like you’re having an awesome time and making me completely envious!!! 🙂
Meghan says
I know; it’s like stepping into a different world. Ex patriot perhaps?
Sunnie@ModernGirlNutrition says
Oh my gosh! Last time I made homemade pesto I smelled like garlic for 2 days haha. But it was so delicious 🙂 Hope you can get some relax time soon- busy week!
Meghan says
I quite enjoy smelling like garlic for days on end, although the Hubby might disagree. We were able to relax lots on vacation.
Brittany @ FreckledNettles says
If only I stumbled across your link-up before! I would love to participate in yours. It’s such a great way to “review” the week and check out all of the great things that you may have looked over. Thanks, girlfriend! Looking forward to participating soon. 🙂
Meghan says
You absolutely should participate because I love seeing what everybody else is up to in a given week. I also like seeing what’s in people’s grocery carts too but I’m weird like that. Can’t wait to see your link soon.
Katherine says
Your week sounds like it was so so busy and fun! When I go on vacation, I tend to try and go for a really long morning run. I burn calories fastest by doing cardio, so I try to run a lot to even out all those bad fast food calories! 🙂 (even though they taste so good!) I’m going out of town next week, and I’ll be visiting my Grandma who lives so close to a gym, so hopefully I can walk there and add some variety to my workout! Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Meghan says
I really like working out on vacation because I just really like working out and suddenly I have free time to do it. I hope you had a great time at your grandma’s place.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.