So, we hit the grocery store the evening before our shopping outing and bought some of our favorite high-energy ingredients.
And we got cooking.
Bright and early the next morning, we packed up our food in our favorite colorful Tupperware.
Poured our smoothies into our personalized WANM travel mugs that Chels’ aunt gifted to us for our 2 year anniversary party!
And packed everything into our Project Food Blog cooler.
It was the perfect fit!
And we were ready to hit the road!
Like, really, really ready. Time to shop… bring it!
We have to say, we absolutely loved that the cooler had two side handles on it and was insulated to keep all of our food nice and cold.
Let’s get this road trip started!
Of course, we wanted to start our day full of shopping off right, so we whipped up some vanilla date-ginger smoothies.
And once we got in the car, we didn’t bother waiting long before breaking out the smoothies. They were the perfect start to our day. Early morning shopping trips, of course, require lots of energy!
When you’re on a road trip, make sure you take time to enjoy the foliage 
cue heavenly music…
We had arrived at our shopping destination! Between Anthropologie, Lululemon, Urban Outfitters, The Paper Source, William Sonoma, Free People, the Apple Store, and H&M, we hardly knew where to start.
Perfect Saturday afternoon?
Neither one of us had been shopping at Legacy Place before so we decided to take a stroll around to devise our plan of attack. Once we figured out which stores we wanted to go to we got shopping!
After a couple hours of shopping, we were definitely worn out, so we decided to take a break from walking around to enjoy our lunch. There were lots of benches but we wanted to make sure we found one in the sun since it was a bit chilly.
We started with an appetizer of super refreshing creamy cucumber chive cups with smoked salmon. And since they’re bite-size, they were perfect for eating outside. In fact, they were so delicious, we actually made them again for a party we had this afternoon
For our entree, we made a curried chicken salad with red grapes. This was the perfect salad to add to a whole wheat wrap to make a filling sandwich. The grapes added a nice hint of sweet and some crunch, too!
Tasty!
For a little salty treat (plus heart health! ), we also packed some Green Olives that were marinated in good olive oil, thyme, garlic, rosemary, and crushed red pepper flakes for an easy-to-eat side. The olives are also great for snacking on while walking around.
We also enjoyed a quinoa salad with pomegranate, mango, and goat cheese with an apple cider-dijon mustard dressing. When planning our road trip, we automatically knew we wanted some sort of salad with quinoa because of its high levels of complete protein.
The perfect shopping power meal!
We loved being able to sit and eat our lunch at our leisure, in the sun. No waiting for a table to be ready, no being tempted by cheeseburgers and french fries, and no hefty bill at the end of the meal.
Plus, when we were done eating our high-protein, energy food, we were ready to get some more shopping done! Instead of being ready for a nap.
When eating in a restaurant, you often feel pressured to get dessert… especially when you have a craving for something sweet. But after a full meal, you’re not always ready for dessert. So, we packed ours separately and indulged after we did a bit more shopping. We wanted dessert to help power us through the rest of our shopping trip and not weigh us down. So we made cherry orange oatmeal bars with pumpkin seeds and flax.
Perfect for snacking on while you contemplate your next stop.
If you feel the need to run (or jump) to the next store, just make sure you chew well
We successfully spent an entire day shopping and felt perfectly fine after. And because we made sure to eat a balanced-meal, we weren’t ravenous when we got home.
With the holidays coming up, you’ll likely be spending some long days shopping. Next time you go, make sure you pack a healthy, energy-filled lunch. You’ll thank yourself when you get home and realize you successfully got a gift for everyone on your list. Or just filled your own closet with brand new clothes!
Thank you for coming on our road trip with us! If you want to vote for us to move on in Project Food Blog, you can do so starting on Monday morning at 9 a.m. The next challenge is a video challenge and we’d love for you to really meet us Thank you so much for all your support so far!!
[Sues and Chels]
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Yum! The whole meal looks awesome. I am hoping that you ladies will win!! Good luck.
I’m loving the cucumber cup things! I’m a sucker for all things with smoked salmon… great job girls! Love it!
Mmmmm!! Please post the recipes for the chicken salad and the quinoa salad – I want to make both of them ASAP!!
Great jobs ladies. The food looks fantastic. I also see an Apple Store in the background of one of those shots. I’m upset I missed out on this trip now. Good food and Apple gadgets!
I’m amazed that you ladies managed to do this with your hectic schedules! Good luck and you know you’ve got my vote!
You guys are so cute! I love Legacy Place, and your lunch looks like it tops any restaurant meal!
Ok a road trip that involves shopping and food? You’ve got my vote. Great post!
You both make me laugh- I love the jumping picture
I have to admit I’m a terrible shopper- I usually get hungry and go home. Perhaps I need you two to cook for me?
Lol @ “cue heavenly musc”
That looks like some delicious shopping fuel- I never dare to take fish in a cooler though!
Oh what a great meal – love that you packed that with you instead of going out!
Love it! And it was so great to see you guys today
good luck for the next challenge
Love this idea of a “road trip”!!! Good luck, girls. I am definitely going to vote for you.
Wonderful post! I hope you make it to the next challenge. I love watching your videos!
Such a cute idea and yummy spread! Can’t wait to vote!
what a FABULOUS idea !! the only thing wrong with it??? I wasn’t there with you!!
once again, you have my vote !!
I confess I am not a shopper……..but I’d happily ride shotgun with the two of you just to partake in that wonderful array of yummies for my tummy!
Good luck in this round ladies…………..once again you get my vote!
Whoa – this is such a great idea! I’m vegetarian and try to stay light on dairy because it makes me feel sick, so when I go shopping my options are pizza…fries, veg burgers, subs, salads made of wilted lettuce and suspicious looking bottled “ranch” dressing…it’s all gross and makes me feel terrible. I’m so doing this next time!
Great Post and great looking scarf : )
Yum! Recipes please?
That is a great travel cooler. And what great goodies y’all packed! The cucumbers are beautiful and the cherry orange oatmeal bars look perfect. I like a thinner bar with a little crunch. Best of luck next round- I will be voting for you two!
Ahh I’ve missed so many of your posts! I think your feed settings changed or something
Thank goodness I found you guys again – voting, for sure! 
Those cucumber cups looks delicious– I needed some appetizer inspiration for a dinner I’m making this week!
I love Legacy Place. It’s so nice to be able to walk around outside from store to store when the weather’s nice. Best of luck in this round of Project Food Buzz.
What a fun idea! I’ve never thought to take a picnic on a long shopping trip! Have you ever tried the Wrenthem Outlets? They are awesome, haha!
you guys are so cute
Agree, really want the recipes for the quinoa and the cookies please!
Great idea! Power shopping does require major fuel and mall food doesn’t usually cut it
Everything looks delicious.
You are braver than I! I hate shopping, but the food could, might (just maybe) lure me to the mall. GREG
The quinoa looks delicious!!!
Please post those recipies. They look great.
This is such a cute idea!! Great job with the food. I love me a good shopping trip and yes, they require LOTS of fuel.
I also am major jealous of the lulu bag. 
This all looks delicious. I wish I had one of those cucumber cups right now. I love how you’re taking pics of the food while you’re still at the mall. You’ve got my vote.
Love the jumping pic!!! And you two have some wonderful facial expressions.
I voted too!
just voted! i love these pics! and the cooler bag is kind of aewsome!
And i need to go shopping with you gals just so we can have an awesome picnic lunch outside the mall.
You guys are adorable and always make me smile. I don’t even like shopping (I like it more then camping… lol) but I would definitely come along for the delicious food! You have our vote.
Love the cucumber cups! God job!
I LOVE that you packed a picnic lunch for a shopping trip, what a creative idea. You both are always impressing me with your unique and interesting entries. The food looks sooo good and you both are so cute!
I will definitely be voting for you! Best of luck and great job. 
You two continue to amaze and entertain us…Your creativity with this assignment makes me realize just how clever and ingenious your interpretation of Challenge #6 really is. Thanks, for yet another priceless contribution to Project Food Blog!! Good Luck making it to Round #7!!! You definitely have my vote!
But what did you gals buy?
Seriously, this is a fantastic idea that I just might have to steal the next time I head out for a big shopping day. Good luck!
Those cucumber cups are my favorite. Ha ha, they would even fit the theme of my post, which has all “edible” container, heh heh. Love the play by play of the entire experience. Never heard of Legacy Place, but maybe I should check it out!
Genius!! Of course making your own lunch (and a very fantastic one, I must add) will keep some $$$ in your pocket for shopping. Now, why didn’t I think of that!! Love it. Sending you a vote.
Lisa.
hahah that looks like you two had loads of fun! love the pictures, great job
Coffee is a road trip must. And I love your travel mugs! Any road trip centered around food and shopping is one I want in on. Awesome eats
aaah what a fun post! you ladies are rockin project food blog!
Shopping + food = 2 of my very favorite things! Another great entry!
Great pics, looks like you two had a blast. And that meal you packed, looked awesome!
So much better than the food court!! Yum!
Love the idea of bringing a picnic on a long shopping day! I want those chicken wraps right now. Fun post!
Shopping and eating, my kind of thing! Great job ladies!
I always love reading how you girls tackle these challenges – you’re both so creative and fantastic! This was certainly no exception. Also, I know this is the first time I’ve actually commented on your blog, which is inexcusable, but I have been reading and absorbing like a sponge
Awesome job on round 6! I’ve got my fingers crossed for you!
Jax x
awesome job girls – looks like a fun day of shopping and good/healthy food! i really want to try the quinoa salad, it sounds soo good!
I love you two..you are always creative,interesting and fun ! Good luck , you have my vote !
Cute. I love those little cucumber cups especially. I wish I had a blogging buddy!
hey! can yall post the recipes please
What a fun trip! The quinoa salad is a great idea, and I’d love to try one of your dessert bars. They sound like the perfect shopping fuel. Good luck in this round!
LOL. I love Legacy Place. Is it nerdy that we went there the weekend Whole Foods opened to celebrate? Cuz we did. Lol
Such a fun post (and I love those salmon stuffed cucumbers cups)! Voted
LOVE Legacy place, I go there whenever I visit my parents! Great shopping road trip meal, though if you go there again B.Good has great food for mall food.
Congratulation for making to challenge #6!!! You’ve got my vote again this round! Congrats & Best wishes to making to next round
Have a great week
jen @ http://www.passion4food.ca
Cute and fun! I’m a sucker for the cucumber cups too! You have a vote from me!
For my entry, I wanted to create a road trip and picnic for my boyfriend, who had recently given me a “do over” of one of my childhood memories. I decided to give him his own “do over” — a special birthday picnic with a heart-themed meal. Come see if you’d like
Picnic, shopping & road trip – definitely a winner.
What delicious sustenance for a shopping trip! And so creative – I love it! Best of luck!
Aw, I wish you two would have continued. I voted for you every time. You two have a great blog with great food, and I’m sure you’ll be a force in the blogosphere for a long time!
nice post. thanks.