A Cleveland review, plus read my new Calorie category...

Date visited: Saturday, May 7
Time of day: 3ish
Those in attendance: Me (Sad face)
Items ordered: To go order...wild berry smoothie + chocolate chip cookie

On a visit to see my sister's new house in Cleveland + see my niece and nephew, I was able to sneak in a Cleveland area Panera visit.

For my many blog followers, you might be thinking, "what a random list of items ordered." Indeed it is random. But I had some rewards built up on MY PANERA card which included a free smoothie and a free pastry. I had a long drive back to Columbus, so I thought that would be a perfect pick-me-up for the drive home.

FYI...the smoothie was delightful. It was also pretty filling. Combine that with a big cookie, and I was pretty full. I think that gives me a new item to include in this blog...the number of calories/fat included in my Panera outings. This could get dangerous....and might not always include the butter in my count:)

Calories consumed:
Smoothie = 290 cal / 1.5 fat g
Cookie = 440 cal / 24 fat g (HOLY S#!T)

Total cals consumed: 730 wow. disgusting.

RANDOM notes.

• I frequent this Westlake Panera, nearly every visit to see my sister. It is nearby, and offers a friendly atmosphere. 
• The signage is awful. Though I have been going to this Panera for close to 10 years now, I always miss the entrance. 
• In case you ever wondered, a cookie is considered 'pastry' at Panera. When I think of pastries I think of danish, or tarts, things like that. Those are not really my cup of tea. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a cookie counts as a pastry!
• I had my heart set on this M & M cookie, but apparently I ordered a plain old chocolate chip. I questioned the cashier when she handed me the chocolate chip...then I realized what I had done. Somewhat embarrassed.
• The sun was shining on this visit to Cleveland. That happens roughly 20% of my visits. Typically, there is a dark cloud as you drive up 71 or 77.