Dream Vacations

on July 30, 2010

Today I went back to the mall to return that pretty necklace and buy something more subtle. I think it was said best when a few people remarked that if you donâ€™t feel confident in something, take it back! I found something better. 🙂

Since I hate the mall, I needed some Yoforia. This stuff is SO FREAKING ADDICTIVE. They put some sort of addictive drug in that organic non-fat yogurt, I swear!

Came home, sat on my porch, answered e-mails, listened to my iPod, and drank a Pear Cider. It. was. glorious. Porches rule, and Iâ€™m never moving to another home without one.

After at least two hours on the porch (the Husband ended up joining me for some sunshine + work), we made dinner.

He cooked a Quorn chicken patty for his protein; I had a bite of the meatless, soy-free, chicken-shaped filet. :) It was pretty good! I wasnâ€™t really feeling it though and just went for what I was craving:

Roasted parsnips, sweet potatoes, green beans, and boiled corn.

+ Whole wheat bread with Earth Balance:

+ Just stole some of the Husbandâ€™s BBQ chips!

Right now the Husband and I are in the midst of an INTENSE House Hunters marathon. Do you watch this show? I love it, especially the House Hunters International version. So fun to look at 350 square foot apartments in Paris! 🙂 Makes me miss Europe, though (the Husband is from England so Iâ€™ve been across the pond a few times).

HOWEVER, for our next big (slash imaginary?) vacation, I really want to go to a tropical beachâ€¦ like Hawaii. That would be so nice!

Where do you want to go on your next vacation? Dream away if you wish!

{ 92 comments }

megan July 30, 2010, 9:38 pm
I love love love House Hunters! It just drives.me.crazy when people don’t like houses because of the paint colors. Um, hello, you can paint over it. /rant.
janna @ janna's keeping it real July 30, 2010, 9:40 pm
italy!

my mom has never been, so we are saving for a mother/daughter trip in the future! =0) i can NOT wait for her to see/experience the beauty and culture of europe.
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ July 30, 2010, 9:41 pm
I think all frozen yogurt is addicting. I just had some myself. You must try Julies frozen yogurt, they sell it at Whole Foods, now that’s addicting. It’s sooo creamy.
Kimberly July 30, 2010, 9:43 pm
My boyfriend and I are headed to Australia/New Zealand for a month in Feb! We plan on backpacking, staying in hostels and renting a camper van (for NZ).

For my next vacation, we were just talking about how we would like to go to Egypt, Jordan, United Arab of Emrites, Turkey and Greece!!!
Heather July 30, 2010, 9:44 pm
we are porch people, although here its mainly back porches.
We love the beach and DIsneyworld. Hawaii was nice, but wait until you can save up and go first class! my long legs were miserable in coach!
Dynamics July 30, 2010, 9:45 pm
I have always wanted to go to Australia. Everyone here wants to go to Hawaii….me, I want Australia.

Glad you are enjoying your porch…My dream…a wrap around porch.
shelby @ eatdrinkrun July 30, 2010, 9:45 pm
I also love House Hunters! I get sucked in when they have back to back episodes too.

I’d love to do South America or Australia/NZ for my next big trip. Two continents I still haven’t set foot on!
Kelly July 30, 2010, 9:46 pm
Ugh house hunters makes me so mad sometimes though! Like I feel like the couples sometimes make an awful choice because one thing is weird. I love to hate it! Hawaii is my dream honeymoon destination.
- caitlin July 31, 2010, 11:27 am
  I hate it when people comment on the paint. I know its a natural reaction but it’s soooo stupid.
Rosey Rebecca July 30, 2010, 9:55 pm
I love that you got froyo because you hate the mall! Such a great reason. 🙂

I love porches too. Jeff and I eat dinner outside a lot during the summer.
Michele July 30, 2010, 9:56 pm
Vacation: home, because I live so far away and can’t go very often.
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) July 30, 2010, 9:57 pm
Love House Hunters! It is addictive! I would like to go to Hawaii too. I have been to France and loved it, so I would like to go somewhere tropical.
Jen July 30, 2010, 10:01 pm
I have too many dream vacations: Ireland, Japan, Peru, Finland. I suppose first choice, though, I would go back to Germany because I only got to stay for ten days the first time two years ago.
Cynthia (It All Changes) July 30, 2010, 10:14 pm
I’m obsessed with House Hunters. I live in company supplied housing because we move so often. I won’t be able to purchase our own home until we retire but it is fun to dream…especially of a bungalow in Costa Rica 🙂
Angie (Losing It and Loving It) July 30, 2010, 10:15 pm
Love porches but don’t have one. We have a deck but it needs work. Your porch time sounds glorious though!

As for vacation, we go to Jamaica every December so with less than 4 months to go we are pretty excited. And speaking of the House Hunters International, I LOVE that show and we are actually talking about moving to Jamaica (probably rent a house there first) but that show excites me. I’m ready to leave whenever hubby gives the go ahead lol
- caitlin July 31, 2010, 11:28 am
  I am extremely jealous of your Jamaica vacay. I’ve always wanted to go.
Ashley July 30, 2010, 10:15 pm
Hopefully someday I’ll get to Tahiti. I’d love to stay in one of those huts on the water. Maybe a honeymoon destination?!?!
lisa July 30, 2010, 10:21 pm
I just came back from Waikiki Tuesday and I have to say, Hawaii would be a vacation you would not regret. I can’t even begin to tell you in words or show you in pictures how breath-takingly beautiful the Island of Oahu was. You really have to see it to believe it I did Pearl Harbor, hiked Diamond Head, swam in the North Shore, and took a sunset cruise. I LOVED every single second and would give anything to go back! Hawaii was far better than any tropical Island I have ever been to. I say DO IT!!
Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries July 30, 2010, 10:22 pm
This summer my job is about 5 minutes from Southpark Mall and I swear, Yoforia calls my name nearly every day! I LOVE that stuff!
Ooh and for my next vacation, I’m thinking Greece would be nice! I’m convinced I could live off hummus and baklava for a loooong time.
giordin July 30, 2010, 10:22 pm
Eeek! I’m actually going to embark on my dream vacation (one of them) this winter! I’m going to London, Paris, Munich, Prague, Vienna, parts of Switzerland, and potentially Venice and Milan. I’m so excited. I really have multiple dream vacations, though. There are so many places I want to see!
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) July 30, 2010, 10:24 pm
I love to travel, so I would go just about anywhere–somewhere warm would be nice!
Aimee July 30, 2010, 10:26 pm
Hawaii is my dream vacation for sure. That or “down under” to visit friends.
Sarah July 30, 2010, 10:28 pm
Well, I’ve spent the summer as a chaplain at a level 1 trauma center hospital, so I’m craaaving the beach. I need the warm sand in my toes!

I love House Hunters as well, but someone told me that it was staged (as in, the people already own the house they “choose”) and it made me sad. I still love the show, but it was kind of like the day I learned Santa wasn’t real.
Cyndi @ Weightless Life July 30, 2010, 10:29 pm
For our next vacation I would love to go to Spain. I’ve seen so many beautiful pictures and heard so many great stories that I feel compelled to go. Maybe someday.
tanyasDaily ProductViews July 30, 2010, 10:31 pm
Italy or Japan
Erin July 30, 2010, 10:33 pm
I spent the past two years traveling around the world and while it’s nice to be home, I’ve already started planning the next big trip. I think Argentina may be next, with Israel and China soon to follow. Greece for sure next summer.
Samantha July 30, 2010, 10:33 pm
I used to love shopping, not so much anymore. I’d rather do it online. 🙂

Next vacation will hopefully be either to the states or a diving trip to Palau if the husband’s boat pulls in in time this winter.
Faith July 30, 2010, 10:34 pm
Maui is absolutely beautiful. Ya’ll need to go!

The next big vaca I’m planning on is my honeymoon. My dream is Italy (duh), but I think northern California or New York could be great, too, but I’ve already been to n. Cali, and it’d be fun to explore a new city together…hmmm.
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston July 30, 2010, 10:42 pm
I want to do a big vacation to Australia/New Zealand/The Philippines. I also want to go to Italy with my husband!
SaraRM July 30, 2010, 10:52 pm
The hus and I have been watching it also. It is definitely addicting!

Im finishing my nightly froyo as we speak. yumyummyummmm!
'Dee July 30, 2010, 10:59 pm
Egads, I love House Hunters! Glad I am not the only one with this addiction!

Our next vacay is home to see my sweet Mom in Maine. My blood pressure drops 10 points just spying that awesome beautiful craggy coastline from the plane window. My beloved home state that I do not get to see nearly enough.

BUT…after that, I believe it is high time for another Maui adventure! We’ve been twice but it has been years. We both LOVE that place. Love, love, love. If you ever go, we have great recommendations for beaches, day trips, restaurants, etc.!
Laura July 30, 2010, 11:08 pm
I LOVE House Hunters, especially House Hunters International. I also love Yoforia! What could be better in the summer?

If I could go anywhere on my next vacation, I’d love to go back to Italy or Greece or London, and I’d really love to go to Prague.
Melissa July 30, 2010, 11:10 pm
We just got back from a trip to Thailand!! It was amazing! Definitely has some beautiful tropical beaches . . . and when we got home, we found out that Bangkok and Chiang Mai (2 major cities in Thailand) were just voted top 2 places in the world to travel!! I concur, although I would have put Chiang Mai first and Bangkok second!
Rachael July 30, 2010, 11:11 pm
I haven’t done vacations in many years, but I do find that I like working in the very locations that I would want to travel to – even if it’s just for a short volunteer stint, it’s a beautiful way plug into a community. High on my list – Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela – some amazing environmental activism happening there that I want to check out.
Sarra H July 30, 2010, 11:18 pm
House hunters international edition KILLS me!! I saw one episode once where they were in Italy, the guy was 26 years old and he was looking for an apartment in Rome. His budget (and what he ended up paying) was $550,000!!!!! And the apt. he ended up with was tiiiiny and not very nice. I was dying. How does a 26 year old have that kind of money?? haha

My dream vaca is my motherland–Alexandria, Egypt! it is so beautiful over there 🙂
- caitlin July 31, 2010, 11:29 am
  Trust fund!!! I want one of those.
Anya @ Fitness & Sunshine July 30, 2010, 11:21 pm
I’d also love to go to a tropical island, or a relaxing resort in a natural setting, like the mountains. It would be so rejuvenating! 🙂
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) July 30, 2010, 11:21 pm
I really want to go to Egypt!! We are planning to go there over Easter. I think we will go to Jamaica at Christmas, and that will be awesome too!
Meredith July 30, 2010, 11:28 pm
I had pear cider and froyo today too! GROUP HUG! Haha. My bf (now fiance) took me to France/Switzerland/Italy last year. It was breathtaking. I think our next trip will be our honeymoon. I’m leaning towards a baltic cruise, I’m Russian but have never seen Moscow.
Erica July 30, 2010, 11:32 pm
Come to Hawaii!!!!

Ah,house hunters. I can’t watch that show because I get too upset. Prices here are so ridiculous that when I see people buying huge beautiful homes for half the price of an “okay” condo here, I get so upset and jealous! Haha!
kristin July 30, 2010, 11:40 pm
I just got back from a month in Denmark, which was amazing and definitely made me want to go back there ASAP. My boyfriend and I are now planning (fingers crossed) a move to Paris, so vacations are probably not in the picture for a while after that. Although living in a place like that will hopefully be like an all-year vacation!
emily July 30, 2010, 11:50 pm
Italy! (and I’ve said that for years, before stupid EPL came out!) 😀
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day July 31, 2010, 12:21 am
Oooh, I just got back from Hawaii and it was glorious! If you need any advice on where to stay, eat, and what to do, drop me a line. We stayed in Maui and it was our second time there.

Next on my list though is Bora Bora. We are thinking about it for our honeymoon, but it would probably cost us the same as a down payment on a small house.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) July 31, 2010, 12:28 am
I seriously had a tart froyo problem a few months ago. It was baaaad. It doesn’t help that we have one shop directly below our condo building and another one 2 blocks away! BUT I started making my own at home for a fraction of the cost. SO GOOD!
Anne July 31, 2010, 12:30 am
I might be mistaken, but isn’t your husband vegan?
I’m vegan also so I was curious as to why he was a Quorn product because none of them are vegan.
http://www.quorn.us/products/Chik%27n_Patties.aspx
- caitlin July 31, 2010, 11:30 am
  oh no!!! they aren’t vegan??? 🙁 we thought they were (well, i guess we just assumed). I’ll look at the ingredients again.
  
  he’s not super strict… he tries to eat vegan about 90% of the time and has eggs about twice a week. so he’s not going to have a cow but it’s definitely something he’ll want to know so he doesn’t buy it in the future.
  
  sigh! he was so excited about quorn.
  
  thanks for telling me!
Anne July 31, 2010, 12:32 am
*why he was eating
- caitlin July 31, 2010, 11:31 am
  hahah “why he was a quorn product” is waaaay better than “why was he eating” LOL
Natalie July 31, 2010, 12:35 am
we love our porch!
and house hunters!!
Christie July 31, 2010, 12:38 am
I want a porch! Reading about so many people moving and reorganizing everything has really made me want to pick up and get a new house!

We are going to the San Antonio area for a week in October but my dream vacation is Europe since I’ve never been. I want to travel all over and do a few different stops.
Lizz @ Leading the Good Life July 31, 2010, 12:49 am
There are so many places I want to visit! I think an African safari would be amazing. Of course, I’d love to see London and Paris, too. But for now, I’m enjoying my vacation in Boston this weekend!
Amber from Girl with the Red Hair July 31, 2010, 12:54 am
I just went on my 2nd trip to Europe/dream vacation last April/May! Me and my boyfriend traveled to Amsterdam and down through Paris, into Italy and finished up in Greece. It was AH-MA-ZING. I loved every second of it and miss it every day. A part of me kind of wants to go back and do the same dream vacay again! Though a beach vacay would be fun too – I wouldn’t just want to go to Mexico though, I’d rather go to the Dominican or Hawaii!
Kelley July 31, 2010, 12:55 am
I love to sit and day dream with my husband. This fall we’re headed to Dubai and Cairo! Hardly the tropical getaway, but it should be exciting!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter July 31, 2010, 12:58 am
I love love love House Hunters International. I’ve always wanted to go to Europe. I just have to wait another year until I could hopefully study abroad in Rome!
Camille July 31, 2010, 1:30 am
Oooh, I love cider! I was introduced to it in Europe last summer and I got majorly made fun of b/c it was all I would drink 🙂
Sarah for Real July 31, 2010, 1:41 am
Eff Hawaii, check out the Cook Islands. It’s so much calmer and less commercial than Hawaii. I bet lots of money that your hubby will love it. Imagine Hawaii 50 years ago, before McD’s, Starbucks… It’s all about the island. Cheaper and more casual than Hawaii. I can hook you up with a great tour guide on Aututaki. Just ask! Google it, beautiful!!!
Stacey @ Tipping the Kitchen Scales July 31, 2010, 2:18 am
Dream vacation destinations are:

Hawaii, Australia, Bali, Singapore, Carribbean cruise, Hong Kong and Mauritius.

I can dream!!
Maribeth July 31, 2010, 2:27 am
Ahh, you should so go to Hawaii if you get the chance–scratch that–MAKE the chance! I lived out there the past couple of years while I attended grad school and absolutely LOVED it! I kinda wanna go back and live there forever… if only it wasn’t so far away from family!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) July 31, 2010, 2:38 am
Gah, I must find out if these infamous yoforia establishments are in California.

Ideally, I would want to go on my next vacation instantly. I’d love to go on a European tour and experience the food, wine, and culture offered across the pond.
Jackie (Peaces of Earth) July 31, 2010, 3:09 am
I went to Hawaii a few months ago! It’s so beautiful there with so much to explore, you would love it!! I would really like to go on a month (or longer) long adventure in South America.
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs July 31, 2010, 3:57 am
I used to love Quorn stuff before I went vegan- very delicious! It doesn’t seem as popular in the US though :/
Jaclyn July 31, 2010, 4:05 am
PARIS!
Wei-Wei July 31, 2010, 7:30 am
Sigh, I want to go to Germany… my parents went on vacation there and they raved about Berlin SO much. Eh, but yeah, school’s about to start! Maybe I’ll go to Hong Kong 😉

Wei-Wei
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews July 31, 2010, 7:48 am
I want to go back to Mexico like we went to on our honeymoon! Ahh the good ol days!
Whitney @ Whitinspired July 31, 2010, 8:26 am
I want to go to Bali. I wanted to go on our honeymoon, and don’t really know why we didn’t. Probably the flight length. We went to Hawaii instead and it was absolutely beautiful!
Lauren July 31, 2010, 9:17 am
We are obsessed with HOuse Hunters!! I am sure you feel the same, but going through our own buying/selling and building of a house right now, House Hunters has become one of our favorite shows! 😉

Have a great weekend. I’m off to pick up your book today! Can’t wait girl!
Lee July 31, 2010, 9:33 am
I really want to go skiing in Vermont for my next vacation. I went to college there and haven’t been back since and I’d love to go. My husband prefers tropical vacations, so it’s going to take some convincing!
Cindi July 31, 2010, 9:45 am
I’d say the top of my list are: Iceland, New Zealand, Ecuador (Galpagos Islands), and Indonesia – anywhere with great adventure and/or scuba diving!
Annie@stronghealthyfit July 31, 2010, 9:47 am
Italy! Most likely, though, it will be Minnesota where my relatives are 🙂
Katie July 31, 2010, 9:57 am
I got on facebook this morning and Yoforia read your blog and they put you on their website!!!
- caitlin July 31, 2010, 11:20 am
  Hahah they need to sponsor HTP. Obviously.
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete July 31, 2010, 10:02 am
I love House Hunters! We recently got rid of cable so I can’t watch anymore 🙁

J and I are planning a trip for next year. We want to go somewhere with white sand and turquoise water. That is as far as we got planning the trip. 🙂
Sarah (this is it) July 31, 2010, 10:02 am
Spain it is for me! I didn’t go there when I went to Europe last year.
As for Hawaii…I might be going soon–crossing my fingers it all goes through, even though it is a trip for work. I won’t count on it until the travel plans are 100% confirmed in August!
Megan July 31, 2010, 10:19 am
I’m taking the “dream away if you wish” literally…I’ve always wanted to go to the moon. haha. When I was younger I used to want to be an astronaut.

But a more realistic dream vacation would be to Spain so I could practice my spanish or Germany so I could re-visit my host family (I was an exchange student last summer). Ahh, I love travel.
- caitlin July 31, 2010, 11:22 am
  Haha! I want to go to the moon too.
scargosun July 31, 2010, 10:25 am
LOVE me some House Hunters! I also want a front porch. We have the right house for it, just would need to dig up a bit of the garden in front. The sun pours in that area in the morning. It would be one of those places you could go sit even on chilly mornings.
Miranda @ MirandasJeans July 31, 2010, 10:34 am
Right now I have a lot of North American Travel planned (HLS- Chicago in Aug, Warrior Dash- in NY state Sept, Great Grandma 100th bday – NewBurnswick Oct, Grove City – Nov).

If I could go anywhere right now on the drop of a hat, I would take 3 months and explore all over Eruope. Paris (again), Italie, Greece, Spain, Ireland and England)
Kaley July 31, 2010, 11:02 am
I want to go to London or Rome. It’s actually a possibility, though, since I’ll be living in SPAIN starting in September. (My boyfriend is Spanish and I’ll be teaching English there.) He has a cousin who has offered to house us in Rome, so I’d loooove to go there.
amanda July 31, 2010, 12:08 pm
Oh my gosh, I had SO MANY traveling goals. Where do I even begin? Well, here are the big ones:

1. San Francisco
2. Seattle
3. London
4. Paris
5. Tokyo
6. Costa Rica

As well as lots of cross-country traveling. I have a goal to visit all 50 states (and my standards for what qualifies as a “visit” are apparently higher than most people) and I’m halfway there so far. I would also love to drive across Canada, up the west coast, and through Florida from top tip to bottom tip. I lived in Florida for 10 years but only saw a fraction of the place. I also want to go on a cruise or two, definitely an Alaskan one, and I’m undecided on the other (Mediterranean, perhaps?).

That’s just a chunk of my dream list. 🙂
- amanda July 31, 2010, 12:08 pm
  *have, not had. These dreams are definitely current!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 31, 2010, 12:19 pm
That show was always on when I went to the gym at school this year so I would watch it while I ran. The international version is definitely the best. 😀

For my next vacation I want to go on a hiking trip somewhere!
Amber K @ sparkpeople July 31, 2010, 12:20 pm
I would love to take my husband back to Vegas, or take him to Disneyland since he has never been!
Theodora @ Losing Weight in the City July 31, 2010, 12:22 pm
I actually just booked my dream vacay–Hawaii! And the best part is that I am flying there using miles and staying with a friend who lives there, so it’s pretty inexpensive! 🙂
Katie @ peacebeme July 31, 2010, 2:35 pm
On my next vacation, I want to go back to Europe; I have been twice, but have never made it to Italy so that’s where I want to go. I studied French (and Biology) in college so I also want to go ANYWHERE French-speaking so I can speak it again.

I am going to Thailand in October but I am mostly just really nervous about it!
- Katie @ peacebeme July 31, 2010, 2:42 pm
  forgot to add that I love house hunters international, don’t really like the domestic one, but i love seeing the houses abroad too!
Dominique July 31, 2010, 3:36 pm
I would love to go to Paris! I’ve been a few times but the BF has never been and now that we’re huge foodies, I now we’d have an awesome time (our last vacation to NYC was very food oriented). I’d also like to go to California though. BF has been before but I’ve never been and he said that I’d probably really like it. We’re thinking about relocating to Cali but have no clue about what to do. We have to look into it more seriously in the future.
Runeatrepeat July 31, 2010, 4:02 pm
Ben and I are going to Curacao in September. I am so excited!
Bianca King July 31, 2010, 11:58 pm
Hi! Just wondering how you get in your protein for dinner because it looks like you are missing some on your plate…
- Caitlin August 1, 2010, 9:36 am
  I didn’t 🙂 Just didn’t want any protein.
  - Bianca King August 1, 2010, 1:23 pm
    oh, simple enough! I am having a problem with getting protein, I don’t want to eat dairy and I can’t my stomach can’t tolerate too many beans. What do you suggest? I also like to limit my soy intake.
    - Caitlin August 1, 2010, 3:14 pm
      Nuts, whole grains, and brown rice or pea protein are all excellent non-dairy sources of protein. Check out NoMeatAthlete.com, he has an excellent section on vegan protein sources.
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat August 2, 2010, 12:47 pm
My husband and I have been talking about Puerto Rico or an Alaskan cruise. I’m more for the former 😉

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