This morning I woke up determined to get in a quick workout before attending a special brunch with my family.
Around 8:40 a.m., my sister and I drove to the gym to sweat it out for 30 minutes.
Our workout included one round of my favorite cardio circuit before doing a fast 20-minute workout on the treadmill that looked like this:
| Minutes | Incline | Pace |
| 0-5 | 1.0 | 6.8 |
| 5-15 | 2.0 | 9.0 for 20 sec., 4.5 for 40 sec. |
| 15-20 | 8.0 | 4.5 |
I wish I could’ve spent a little more time at the gym, but we had to rush to shower if we were going to make it to brunch at 10 a.m. Still, this quick 30 minute cardio session got my heart rate up and had me sweatin’!
Fancy Brunch
After a quick shower at the gym, my sister and I met my parents and their friends at the Renaissance Vinoy (where we held our wedding!) for a fancy brunch.
Brunch is the best… But fancy brunches are even better!
I’ve only been to a fancy brunch one other time in my life on my parents’ 30th wedding anniversary, so when one of my dad’s friends and his wife invited my family to Sunday Brunch at the Vinoy, I couldn’t wait to go!
This brunch is one of those amazing brunches where there is all-you-can-eat gourmet food.
The various stations held a variety of amazing foods including croissants and bagels with lox…
Fresh fruit including mango, papaya, pomegranate and strawberries the size of my hand…
A full tapas station with artichokes, grilled vegetables, marinated olives, duck quesadillas and more…
Sausage and bacon…
A carving station with prime rib, specialty soups and eggplant parmesan…
Coconut-crusted sea bass and grouper with mango salsa…
The most amazing display of crab legs and crab claws, oysters and shrimp (hand’s down, my favorite station)…
An omelet station and cheese bar went unphotographed, but I couldn’t let the amazing display of desserts go undocumented.
I filled my plate with bites from nearly every station. 
My favorite items from my first plate included the crab claws and the eggplant parmesan.
I went back for another plate of samplers. 
Those two little round things on the skewer are actually mini glazed doughnuts. I probably had seven doughnut skewers throughout the brunch. They were so, so good!
We chatted away for a while and let about 30 minutes pass between brunch and our dessert course.
We decided to each fill our plates with the sweets and share. I ended up eating all of my fruit topped with the most amazing cream and half of the Three Musketeers cupcake I snagged (but all of the icing). 
My dad and I also split a fantastic red velvet cupcake and I had half of a piece of a light and fluffy coconut cake.
By the time we left I was stuffed. I almost needed to be rolled outta there!
We arrived home to a dog who wanted some lovin’. 
We all took turns showering her in hugs and kisses. 
Then I headed into my room to pack my bags. I got word from Ryan that his cruise had docked and he was waiting for me and Sadie in Orlando.
We made it to Orlando in less than two hours and arrived home to hugs and kisses from our favorite guy! Though I was sad about leaving my parents and sister, it feels great to have our little trio reunited again.
Off to spend some time with Ryan. I missed him so much!
wow that looks like the best brunch EVER! the fruit displays look fabulous
rebecca lustig
One year you guys should go with your mom to the Mother’s Day Brunch at the Vinoy~it’s amazing!!
Too much good food!!!
Theresa
Wherever that brunch place is, I want to move in.
Victoria (District Chocoholic)
oh my gosh – brunch is my FAVE thing in the entire world! i have never seen such an amazing spread though. crab claw!? yes please!! wow – you lucky thing!
glad you’re all back together again
Gill (snaxandthecity)
Holy smokes! That brunch looks insane! Especially the mini-glazed doughnuts!
Kristy @ KristyRuns
Brunch looks great!! Sadie and her adorablness makes me go awww every time. She is such a cutie!
Alicia
The brunch looks so fantastic! I love fancy smancy brunches
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter
that brunch looks amazing!!! Especially that red velvet cupcake!! YUM!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
Wowww all you can eat seafood and dessert and all the other food…it all looks so amazing! I have zero self control in situations like that
Maryann
Those desserts look amazing, especially the coconut cake! I’d have to sample a whole bunch of them too.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt
Ahhhhh dessert buffets are my biggest downfall. The inside of that 3 Musketeers cupcake is pretty much the best thing I’ve ever seen…
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine
Wow that brunch looks delish! Especially the three musketeers cupcake! that’s my favorite candy bar!
Gen
I am soo jealous of that brunch! The cakes look amazing…ooh those cupcakes…mmm….
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner)
How fun! And the food looks delicious!!!
Katy (The Singing Runner)
I LOVE fancy brunches although I’ve never been to one with such an amazing dessert station! I went to one at the Gaylord Palms a few years back when I wasn’t a ‘foodie’ and I seriously regret only eating pancakes, eggs, and bacon! What was the chocolate ball on the top of your cupcake?
Grace @ YourDailyGrace
it was a GIGANTIC chocolate malted milk ball.
peanutbutterfingers
that cupcake is no joke.
Grace @ YourDailyGrace
Wow! That brunch looked amazing! Brunches are one of my favorite meals because you can typically eat more since you’re combining both breakfast and lunch : ) The coconut cake looked like it would’ve been my fave. I heart coconut.
Glad you had a fun time with family and hope you are enjoying yourself back at home with your hubby and puppy. Happy (almost) Monday!
dana@mylittlecelebration
Ahh that brunch looks amazing! What a fun weekend.
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews
oh man what a brunch! yum!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
Ohmygosh, that brunch looks amazing! And I’m with you on eating all of the icing…it’s the best part of a cupcake!
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl
WOW!!!! That food looks AMAZING! I’m hungry now and I have to go to bed.
Rachel
I love brunch. It is like the best of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every meal should be brunch.
Tracy @ Commit to Fit
I love fancy brunches like that!! I always end up leaving way too full, but love every single bite
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
Ah, fancy brunches are THE BEST!!!! What a feast!
Glad you got home safely.
Lauren
That brunch is bananas!! So much good food!!
Lauren @ Hungry Dancer
Oh my goodness, everything looks delicious. I love how they used the barrels to decorate, and those cupcakes… yummmm!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
Whoa, that brunch looks AMAZING! I would have had to be rolled out too…:)
Michelle @ Living Learning Earning
Ahh that brunch looks like it’s to-die for… was there a special occasion for this brunch!? It seems so elegant!!
Allison@ Happy Tales
no! can you believe the vinoy holds this brunch EVERY sunday? it was amazing.
peanutbutterfingers
All the food looked great BUT the dessert bar! Wow…I think it’s worth it for whatever they charge just for the dessert alone
Lea @ Healthy Coconut
I love going to brunch! It is my favortie ever! It looks like you guys had an amazing time!
Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life
I agree I love a fancy brunch! I love that you aren’t shy to load up your plate…a girl after my own heart! although I probably wouldn’t have shared my desserts, haha
Bess @ Bess Be Fit
I’m a shellfish girl myself <3
Christa
That brunch makes my breakfasts look LAME! I would like to sit there all day and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert! Looks so good.
Krista
I haven’t had a “quick” gym session in forever but it’d actually be kind of nice. I usually get wrapped up in things and stay there for at least an hour though. But at least you were able to get something in!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss
WOW, yumm! Lucky you to have such a fabulous brunch- and with great company, eh? Glad you got back safe!
Annette
That brunch is unbelievable! They sure had a variety! Thanks for sharing the pics with us!
Carrie
Stumbled upon your blog and I really enjoy it! We have very similar interests…running and peanut butter!
Dana
what an awesome kick-butt workout!! and a freakin yummy brunch!!!! that mountain of frosting is calling mee!
Carrie
Oh my goodness, that looks so delicious! Definitely the best brunch ever ♥
Alissa @ Not Just Apples
Wow, that brunch looks amazing! Those desserts have my mouth watering!
Cassie
That brunch looks SO incredible! I need to go there asap! Haha! What a great selection of foods and desserts. Yummy!
Hope
Ooouuuh, MY!!!!
Looks like a brunch made and served in 7th Heaven.
Perfection
Maria Bjørg Jepsen
Even though I dread mondays with going back to work and leaving my kiddos, I do love getting back into a routine (especially with healthy eats)! I too ate way too much this weekend celebrating the hubby’s birthday with cake and icecream. I can’t even count how many pieces or servings I had.
time to detox with lots of fruits and veggies!!
Caree @ Fit-Mama
wow! Wherever that brunch is im taking up shop!
Kathie @ Frugal Fit and Fabulous