Allison over at Green Dog Wine and I have been trying to plan a get together for at least a month. She had the fantastic idea to organize a Cleveland blogger meetup. She put a call out to all CLE bloggers and planned a meet up for Johnny Mango World Cafe & Bar in Ohio City:
Since many of us are deep in the Cut the Crap Challenge, she picked a location known for its “healthy, world food for vegans, vegetarians and carnivores”. LOVE the restaurant description! I’ve been to JM many a times (they have the BEST sangrias BTW), so I knew their menu would fit into everyone’s challenge requirements. It got my stamp of approval!
Eleven smart, gorgeous & HUNGRY women gathered this past Thursday for drinks, pad thai & lively discussion. I have to admit a bit of anxiety of meeting a group of people I knew just from online interaction, but I should have known better. We chatted from the get go like we were life long friends – just another reason I love the online blog community.
I ordered the Grilled Chicken Cashew Salad: “a grilled chicken breast and vegetable array, with lemon-herb dressing and a scattering of roast cashews”:
This picture doesn’t do this salad justice. Talk about HUGE. Check out the size of these carrots:
Let’s do some simple math: Super fresh grilled veggies+ grilled chicken + my 3rd favorite nut (after Brazil nuts & pine nuts) + tasty dressing for dipping on the side = one happy Alicia. If you know me at all, you know that I loved this dish. There was so much of it, I couldn’t finish the entire thing – hurray for Friday lunch leftovers!
I want to thank Allison for organizing such a great gathering of ladies:
From left to right: myself, Shannon, Alexa, Heather, Katrina, Tina, Suzanne, Allison and Monica
Also joining us (but not pictured) were Allison’s friends Kristin and Angelina: thanks for taking some awesome group shots, ladies!
We’re working out details for the May gathering for after a few marathons that some of the girls are training for – it will be quite the celebration! If you’re in the CLE, keep an eye out and leave the week of May 17 open!
You are just a doll! 🙂 Sorry we didnt get to chat more at dinner, we’ll have to make up for that by grabbing a bite to eat one day out by your work – Taza maybe? 🙂
Have a good weekend, and can’t wait for you to be my new running buddy! Hope your race went well today!
omg, how cool is that????!?
i wish there was a group of us around the philly area, it would be so much fun to get together.
I LOVE that picture of you and Alexa! Too funny!
Can’t wait for the next meet up – count me in!
Great to see you again and yes lets get a hike together soon! Next weekend I have family in town, but I am free the one after.
so nice to meet you!!! 🙂
Great site, Alicia. I’m going to check out that chicken salad recipe from Allison, print it out, and then go looking for more. Healthy and yummy…..what a mix…..Pat
I was sorry I didn’t get to chat more with you-maybe next time! I’m looking into the Hollaback girls! Seems interesting.
[…] online blog community is nothing short of phenomenal. From the recent Twitter #fitblog chat to our local blogger meetup, it’s amazing how much support is out there. I thank you all for that – bloggers and readers […]