Hi and thanks for stumbling upon my blog! My name is Lauren and while I could probably think of 600 ways to describe myself, I’ll narrow it down for you: competitive eater wannabe, personal trainer, lululemon manager, group fitness instructor, restaurant-obsesser, conflict-avoider, Food Network-binger.
I was a pretty typical student in that I changed my “plan” many times. I went back and forth between journalism, public relations, politics and everything in between. I worked as a production assistant in DC for a political talk show, took classes at Georgetown, moved to Paris and immersed myself in the French language (and the FOOD), and traveled around Europe with nothing but a backpack for three weeks. Once I got back home I was so confused about what I wanted to do with my life that I even considered being a teacher for 0.5 seconds after I found out they get into many Chicago museums for free. Summers off AND the aquarium?? I was on board!
After a full year of working in the PR world post-college, I decided to pursue my dream of getting into the food and fitness industry. I am now a NASM-certified personal trainer, I teach HIIT classes at Sweat Chicago, and am a manager at lululemon athletica, all while living on my own in downtown Chicago. The world is at my fingertips and I’m more excited than ever! I want to spread the message about living a balanced life full of extraordinary food and kickass workouts.
With everything that’s changed over the years for me, one of the best things that I discovered is my love for food and fitness. This blog is my way of continuing to do what I love–write, eat, and sweat! Even more than that, this blog will document my transition from a 9-5 desk job with a set future to a life I’m currently building one day at a time, in the present moment.
A few things you’ll probably see pop up a lot on the blog: I love weeknight concerts, monster-sized margaritas, brunch at any time of day, pizza (deep dish or NY-style…no discrimination here), last minute road trips, running along Lake Michigan, HIIT workouts to pounding house music, restaurant hopping, trashy reality TV, ugly dogs, lifting weights and latte art. More importantly, I love the people who surround me in this beautiful life. I have the most wonderful family and friends, all incredible sources of joy in my life. Having lived in a few different places over the years I’m lucky enough to have friends scattered all over the country and I love it! From Brussels to Paris, L.A. and D.C., and everywhere in between, I hit the friend jackpot.
Also, just to quickly explain the name of the blog:
When I was younger my grandma would always, without fail, turn down seconds at dinner because she had a “big lunch”. Every. Single. Night. It was a touching and heartwarming quality that I’ll always remember about her and I thought it would be a clever, unique name for this blog as well.
Thanks for stopping by!
i had a big lunch 
I love the story behind your blog name! I jumped around from major to major in college too, but I’ve finally found something that I love. I’m sure you will too!
I just said how much I loved your blog name and now I love it even more. What a wonderful story! Glad you commented on mine so I could find yours
I’m so glad you found me. I’m loving your blog already. Your blog name was awesome, but now that I read the story behind it, it’s even better. Looking forward to following along 🙂
thank you for following my blog! happy that you like it 🙂 what an interesting blog you have! for sure will follow it and be back here 🙂
Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog and saw you did the BTN race so I’m already a fan! Looking forward to following you 🙂
Wooo! I’m following yours now too! Thanks for finding me 🙂
I am so excited to have found your blog- reading your About Me, I felt like I could have written it myself! (I have dabbled in journalism, PR, and politics too, and I lived/studied in France!)
Can’t wait to read more and follow your journey! Have an awesome week!
That’s crazy!! I tell ya….so many food/healthy living bloggers have extremely similar personalities. I can’t wait to check yours out now! Where did you study in France??
Yes I have definitely noticed that too! I studied in Lyon! 🙂
I love this page! Very clever. So glad I stumbled upon your blog 🙂
Thanks I’m so glad you’re here!
I just came across your blog and am glad I did! I’m from the Chicago suburbs too (I live in NYC now but come back to visit my family often) and went to U of I! Illini for life 🙂
great blog, glad I stumbled across it. will definitely be back!
Great blog Lauren! I just stumbled across it on Twitter. I just moved to Chicago from DC and will have to check out 3 Arts Club Cafe and Honey Butter Fried Chicken, as per your recommendation. Did you go to Georgetown? I’m a GW alumna, so I’ve spent a lot of time on M Street 🙂 Keep up the great work and check me out at BetterThanRamen.net.
Thank you thank you! I took classes at Georgetown as part of a summer internship program in DC so not really an alum but lived the DC life for 3 months and loved it! Let me know if you ever want to meet up and get some great food — Chicago’s got a lot of it 🙂