Coke for breakfast (and other fun things I did in Atlanta)

Last week I was invited by BlogHer and Coca-Cola to visit Coca-Cola's headquarters in Atlanta and have some Conversations with Coca-Cola. It was part workshop, part presentation, part focus group, part party-- and all fun.Here's what I enjoyed most about my trip:


Not needing an excuse to drink Coke for breakfast.



Getting a confidence boost from Elisa Camahort's presentation of how powerful the influence of bloggers has become.


Getting to see the folks from McDonalds that I met last year and hearing all about their efforts to promote sustainability in their products, operations and packaging.



Touring the World of Coke and learning all about how the most famous brand in the world got to where it is today.



Getting to taste all kinds of Coke products from all around the world.



Finding out that when you are in Germany and you see Beverly on the drink smenu, Do Not Order It. Got that name? It's Beverly. And it kind of tastes like feet. Okay, obviously it doesn't taste that way to everyone (I doubt if Coke would continue making a drink people hate), but don't say I didn't warn you.



Finding out that the phosphorus and acid in soda won't rot my teeth (or my kids' teeth), as long as I don't keep it in my mouth too long before swallowing (even better, sip your soda from a straw when you can).


My favorite part of the whole event was getting to meet a group of top-level women executives from Coca Cola and hearing their perspective on everything from work-life balance (It doesn't exist! Own your decisions and tackle each area of your life 100%) to competition (I love it when people underestimate me) to banding together as women (Lift as You Climb, which became the mantra of the event).



No, actually I lied. My favorite part of the whole event was getting to meet anamazing group of women. I met 11 bloggers who are awesome at what they do: photography, humor, product reviews, home decorating, racial awareness, educational reform, you name it. Some of them are facing intense personal challenges, yet they forge on and live their lives so positively. These women are caring human beings (Lift As You Climb ladies,Lift As You Climb). When I shared my story about my recent breast cancer scare (yes, thank God, it was just a scare -- couple of days before I left for Atlanta I had a mammogram and ultrasound, and the lumps my doctor found in my breasts turned out to be normal), almost every single one of them came up to me, gave me a hug and told me how happy they were for me. They are so awesome, I think I need to devote a separate post to rave about their awesomeness. I was humbled to be included in this group and delighted to have made 11 new friends.


Disclosure: This is a compensated post. Thank you to Coca-Cola and BlogHer for including me in such an inspirational event!