Hello from the friendly skies. We are currently on the way to JFK where we’ll catch our overnight flight to Brussels. I don’t remember if I blogged about this or not but we booked two separate flights from Charlotte to JFK and then JFK to Brussels and saved $1,000. The direct flights from Charlotte were crazy expensive and had two stops – Toronto (with a LONG layover!) and London. We’ll have to claim our baggage and re-enter the airport and go through security in JFK but it’s totally worth it for the savings.
Although I was running around getting last-minute shopping and errands done, this short week before vacation actually wasn’t bad. I ended up subbing out my Tuesday 9:30 a.m. class so I could have an uninterrupted work day and was able to clean out my inboxes and also pre-write two posts that will go live while I’m gone! I felt totally calm and organized packing and leaving the house, Tanner and I even fit in a sunrise yoga class at the studio this morning before we did our final preparations! 🙂
A few scenes from the week before we take off.
Monday night dinner was leftovers with roasted cauliflower.
Lunch Monday and Tuesday was rice bowls with beets, avocado, hummus, roasted cauliflower and Be Runa Curry Seed Salt.
Just a girl and her balls lying in a corner. What else is new!?
Takeout from Namastay. BBQ-rubbed salmon, sautéed spinach and green beans.
After yoga this morning I took the girls for a short walk and then made breakfast for Tanner and I. Two eggs scrambled in coconut oil and the smoothie I blogged about last week with avocado added.
Lunch and snacks for the plane. It’s a loonnnggg travel day and I wanted to pack a lunch from home before having to eat airport/airline food for the next couple of meals.
Tanner and Zoey having a moment before we left.
I always get a little sad to say goodbye to these sweet things. Luckily, we have an awesome pet sitter who is also a friend and employee of ours so they are in the best care.
Getting ready to board our flight to JFK. I decided to go with the traditional Birkenstocks but more on that later. It was quite the dilemma!
I had to snap a picture of this dog station in the CLT airport! How crazy is this!? I guess it’s for the service dogs and people traveling with small dogs?
Goodbye Charlotte…see you next week. (You can see the skyline in the background.)
And one can never go wrong with a PB&J!
Okay guys, I don’t think I’ll blog while I’m gone (I’ll possibly pop in once if we have some downtime) but like I said, I pre-wrote a few posts for you including my travel clothing finds, my kale and quinoa salad recipe and a recap of the prenatal yoga teacher training that I did a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully that will tie us over until I get back. If you want to follow my travel adventures in real-time, I’ll be posting a ton to Instagram…both stories and posts so follow over there!
Have a great week!
Have you ever had to get creative with booking air travel to save time and $$$?
Do you pack food for flights?
Have a great time and safe travels!!
I ALWAYS pack food for traveling, no need to stree about finding something decent to eat.
thank kristen! 🙂
Looking forward to hearing what you think of your Birks — I want a pair 🙂
so far i am on the fence. i’ll let you know after more break in period.
safe travels and have a wonderful vacation!!!!!
thanks lisa!
That dog station is so cute! Safe travel to you!
it’s truly amazing how much you can save on airfare when you get creative! I recently did the same thing for a trip to san francisco from Boston.
Enjoy Europe! It’s an AMAZING time to be there!
agreed! just takes some homework and flexibility.
Have a good trip! Won’t your feet get cold on the plane?? Hopefully you brought some socks to put on! Look forward to reading your posts about the trip!
haha! yes and i totally brought fuzzy christmas socks with me!
That salmon looks awesome, hope you have a great trip!
thank you!
Hi Jen! I hope you’re loving Brussels and your Birkenstocks are super comfy!
I have a question about the food you took on the plane….how did you get it through security? Did anyone question you about it? We have some long haul flights coming up and I’d love to take food – but I’ve had it taken off me at security in the past so gave up. What tips can you share about taking your own food on a plane? Thank you!
I have been on many long haul flights and have taken food each time. The TSA people have never had an issue. I generally take it out of my carry on in case they want to look at it further. Also, I stay away from creamy dips, etc or things packed in water. Those follow the same rules as liquids and gels. I have known people who take mini bottles of alcohol and take a small amount of hummus and put it in the quart bag. I don’t feel like chancing it, so I stick to snacks such as my dried chickpeas, fruit, sandwitches, candy, etc. I have brought a pre-packaged salad that comes with a little packet of dressing before.
I agree with this! Great tip on the hummus! 🙂
I saw the dog areas in several airports as I traveled for work last month. I asked about them. They are for service dogs. Both for those service dogs for people with disabilities and for veterans. I think it’s great and so supportive of the work service dogs do. Also, at DFW there were service dogs in the terminal for anyone who has anxiety flying. I don’t but I got in a few hugs and pets with a very loving black lab before taking off.
Can I ask where you got your shoes/pants? 🙂 Thanks.
shes are birkenstocks arizona and pants are athleta city jogger
I love my Birkenstocks for traveling. I have the Gizeh style (I want more!). I have TSA Pre-Check so I don’t have to take my shoes off. However, I still wear comfy shoes when I travel. I don’t understand how some women travel in heels. Slip-on casual sneakers, Chucks, or Birkenstocks are my faves to travel in. I’m intrigued by Tieks but I’d rather pay the money for Birkenstocks.
I rely on apps to help me figure out when to book flights. My favorite app is Hoopla. I enter dates I want to travel and it sends me alerts when prices have dropped and when to book or wait. It’s really cool!
Have fun in Europe! Be safe!
thank you for the recommendation for Hoopla!
I think JFK must just
Be the place for international flights! My sister didn’t the same thing this past Saturday-flew out of JFK out of the country and saved a lot! And we live right between Baltimore and D.C. Airports. enjoy your trip!!
This is SO interesting!
i never would have thought of booking 2 flights like that ! thanks so much for the tip ! have fun.
sometimes you have to get creative to save money! i was like, i am so not spending 1500 with two stops…there has to be a better way. haha!