Eating: I started the day off with breakfast: some berries, Thomas’ Bagel Thins topped with a cream cheese mixed any way you liked. I opted for something savory and packed with goodness: salmon, cucumber, capers, onions, and green onions.
I took a photo:

And a photo was taken of me taking that photo:

More Eating: After packing up my belongings and all the Healthy Living Summit swag and checking out of the hotel, I went down to breakfast for round two. No photos this time! I found out about a group heading to get some deep dish, so I jumped on board for that. We walked up to Gino’s East:

Some of us ordered the vegetarian and spinach ones to share.



I’m not big on pizzas, but being in Chicago, I HAD to try the deep dish. There was little more crust than I liked, but in terms of flavor, yum. I like that it’s a milder sauce that doesn’t make your face scrunch up from how sour it is!
Drinking: After the tasty deep dish experience, I parted ways with everyone else and made my way up to Goose Island Brewing Co.. When I asked the hotel for directions on how best to get there, the concierge mentioned how far it would be… It was NOT that far! I bought a day-pass for the public transit, so it was a quick ride and walk.

For $8, you can sample four of the beers on tap. From left to right: 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Nut Brown Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Matilda.

Per Melanie’s suggestion, I also tried just a sip of their Bourbon County Stout. Yum, but strong! After the four-beer sampler, I wasn’t about to order a full glass of this one.
While sipping on the beer, I struck up conversation with two guys [Aldo and Juan] sitting next to me. Juan was from the area, so in addition to giving me his souvenir glass from the brewery tour, he also kindly offered ideas on where to walk around before my evening flight. I didn’t take a photo with them, but they do have my blog info, so if you happen to be reading this, HI ALDO! HI JUAN!
Walking: He had suggested Wrigleyville, so after finishing the various beers, I headed up to Wrigley Field.


I loved how easy it was to get around. If it wasn’t so hot and humid the rest of the weekend in Chicago, I probably would’ve gotten out there and explored more. With a little bit of time leftover, I hopped back onto the train towards the Loop.
More Drinking: I stopped in at Intelligentsia as I’d heard others raving about it. Now that I’ve checked out their website and found their multiple locations [including CA], I’ll have to ask my LA friends about it.
I ordered an Iced Mocha, which was quite tasty.


With the walking, the heat, and later the carrying of all the luggage to the airport, I’m sure I burned off whatever I consumed during the day. I highly suggest those 1-day, 3-day transit passes for anyone visiting Chicago. It makes the trip a lot easier on the pocket [less than $6/day when a trip is usually $2+].