Good morning and Happy Thursday!
My Wednesday night was relaxing! I attended an evening church service after dinner while Ryan was out at a business dinner with some of his colleagues. We were both home by 8:30 p.m., with plenty of time to hang out together and relax for a bit before getting to bed nice and early.
Workout
This morning’s workout was nothin’ unusual. I began with a 20-minute warm up on the elliptical before completing the following leg workout:
One day lunges will be easy for me. One day. 
Breakfast
Today’s breakfast was a two-egg, cheese and jelly sandwich on toasted whole wheat bread.
It never gets old, I’m tellin’ ya!
Most Loved States
This morning at the gym, a news story about the most loved states in America caught my attention.
Silly polls like this one conducted by Public Policy Polling always seem to interest me. They’re oddly intriguing!
According to the poll, the most-loved states in America include:
- Hawaii
- Colorado
- Tennessee
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- Montana
- Alaska
- Oregon
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
I know what you’re thinking… Hawaii!? Number one? You’ve got to be kidding me.
I never saw that one coming. 
I actually was quite surprised by the most commonly disliked states:
- California
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- Mississippi
- Utah
These states had more people think “unfavorably” of them than “favorably,” according to the poll, with California taking the lead with a 44 percent “unfavorable” opinion of the state. (Twenty seven percent of respondents reported a “favorable” opinion of California, with the remaining respondents saying they were “unsure” how they felt.)
(Source)
Another part of the survey I found interesting were the findings that reported that women had a higher opinion of the following states than men: New York (27 points higher), Massachusetts (22 points), Delaware and California (16 points each), New Hampshire (15 points), Vermont and Illinois (13 points each) and Connecticut (11 points).
Men, on the other hand, see the following states more favorably than women: North Dakota (17 points higher), South Carolina (15 points), Wyoming (14 points), Montana (13 points) and Iowa and South Dakota (10 points each).
Democrats’ favorite states included: Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Colorado and New York, and their least favorite states are Texas, Alabama and Mississippi.
Republicans favored Alaska and Texas, and disliked California, followed distantly by Illinois and Massachusetts.
Not so surprised by those findings.
Question of the Morning
- What is your favorite state? Why?
My favorite state is North Carolina. I absolutely love the mountains and friendly people. I need to make more trips out west because I feel like some western states would be right up my alley!
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GO COLORADO!! We made #2. I also love my true home state of Minnesota. I lived in Iowa for quite a while, and I’m not a fan. But natives really like it!! Haha
I was born and raised in North Carolina and my fiance grew up in the mountains of NC (near Asheville). We’re now living in south Florida and it is quite different in many ways! We are enjoying it down here for now, but can’t wait to get back to North Carolina. It will be the perfect place to raise kids 🙂
I haven’t seen all the states, but have driven cross country a few times and it all looks so gorgeous! If I had to pick one, I’d say Arizona as I adored Tucson. I think it was partly the great food we had there 🙂
california is UNfavorable?? i went out there a month ago and LOVED it!! that might be my #1!
is that muenster cheese? i haven’t had it in such a long time, and I need to remedy that, stat. It has the perfect melt factor. Also, I am not sure if you answered this before but where did you get the idea to put jelly on an egg and cheese?
My favorite state is New Jersey (where I am from). I’ll credit the Jersey Shore, Sopranos, and RHONJ for giving it a bad rap. I’ve got everything I need within less than an hour and a half driving distance the beach, skiing, and new york city. If I didn’t live in NJ, I’d want to live in California, but I guess its my style to go against the grain.
yesss. i love muenster cheese! i don’t even remember WHERE i got the idea… i actually think it came from a baked brie dish i had in a restaurant where they put jelly on top of the cheese!
i also know meghann from mealsandmiles.com does it a lot too!
I am surprised that California is the most disliked state! I think people automatically think of L.A. and Hollywood when they think of California, but we are so much more than that! We have San Francisco, one of the most unique, interesting and exciting cities in the country. The Coastal Redwoods of Northern California that are breathtakingly majestic. You can drive your car through some of them! The Silicon Valley, where most people’s computers, cell phones, Ipods and Facebook comes from. Did I mention the gorgeous beaches and the surf? Or the Sierra Nevadas? Or Yosemite National Park? Or Napa and the Central Coast Wine Countries? Or where most of the American-grown fruits and vegetables are from? Show California some love!!!
I agree Lauren! My mom lives up on the North Coast and I drive through the redwoods to get home to see her! I live in the heart of the Silicon Valley, and work in tech, and I am surrounded by some of the most intelligent young entrepreneurs (many are close friends). All hail California!
i think it’s so funny how women seemed to love new england/the northeast and men apparently want to be cowboys in the wild west! crazy to think how different opinions were depending on gender lines!
Call me predictable but I’m a New York girl- love the energy in the air!
Holla tennessee that is my home state and there is nothing better than mountains, rivers, and lakesin the smokey mountains
Well since I was born & raised & currently live in PA, I’ll have to go with that for my favorite state. I’m surprised CA was ranked as a least favorite. I’ve been twice & LOVED it! I’d happily pack up & move there!
I think my favorite state is Virginia. My brother goes to grad school there now and it is just so beautiful. I’m originally from Illinois, where it’s pretty much highways and cornfields. Don’t get me wrong–I love Illinois, but Virginia is a whole different animal.
I live in West Virginia and everyone who drives through says it is most beautiful where it borders VA. Its a great area.
Well, I;d have to say I love Washington. We have 4 distinct seasons (even though 3 of them are dominated by rain, ha), and green trees!
How can someone NOT like California (southern CA especially)? it has the best weather ever! — always (mostly) sunshine, no humidity, no bugs, clear blue skies, pink sunsets. Ocean, desert and mountains. LOVE.
whaaaaaaa where is Texas in the top 10!
Haha! I’ve lived in two of the most hated states and none of the most loved! Poor me 😉 I think my favorite state is actually NJ, but I was born there and lived there most of my life. I guess I have the most biased of opinions. Though NJ does get a bad rap when it has (some) beautiful beaches, easy access to mountains, easy access to NYC, pretty homes, ect.
theres no place like texas 🙂 i know im a little biased being born and raised here and havent been to too many other states to compare (really need to travel more) buttt everyone is so friendly and the weather is so sporadic it keeps me on my toes! and of course “everythings bigger in texas” haha
This is so fun! I love when you share surveys like this. I don’t know what my favorite state is… I feel like I haven’t been to enough of them to decide. Most of my traveling has been outside of the country. But I was surprised to see South Dakota, Montana and Pennsylvania on the most liked list. They seem random to me!
i find them so entertaining! i’m g lad you do, too!! 🙂
Hands down Arizona is my favorite state. After living in Tucson for 8 months and traveling a bit within the borders, I fell in love. There are so many outdoorsy things to do, the food is amazing, and the people are some of the friendliest I’ve ever met!
PA rocks!!!! We get all 4 season… close to the mountains and the beach… beautiful scenery but also have so many major cities close (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, NYC, Baltimore, DC, etc). And not to mention Penn State, although I’m biased there 🙂
I think people don’t like Cali because it’s in your face, they are always pushing the envelope for politcal policies. And people also have love/hate feelings towards celebs. I think people are also jealous of the awesome weather and coastline… I know I am haha.
I’m sorry but the only people that love Texas are the people that live there lol. It’s a cult 😉
I live in Iowa but I have traveled to many states and Oregon is by far my favorite. It’s so beautiful there with a lot of things to do for someone who likes to be active. Plus I love the NO humidity!
GO VIRGINIA!!!!!!! No surprise- the stinkin’ liberals always like crowded cities with loony and rude people. Conservatives always like the country. Where there are people with actual morals and values. I guess you can tell which one I am 🙂 Have a great day!
Actually forgot to say, I was born and raised in NYC(not surprised no one likes it) and now live in VA. What a fresh breath of air!
I live in Illinois and it BELONGS at the top of the list. Our politicians are super douchey and people are really superficial.
I love Wisconsin and it’s in our 5-year-plan to move there. Madison is awesome and full of crunchy liberal hippies, and there are a lot of smaller crunchy communities in the southwestern quadrant (we spend a lot of time there as my husband’s family has a cabin). We were looking at houses and there are so many with sustainable features and organic gardens. I like to drink beer, ride horses, hike, shoot guns, ride four-wheelers, and work outside. Wisconsin is pretty much me personified.
I love TX (home state so I may be biased). The people are warm, friendly, the food amazing, the scenery varied and beautiful. It’s a special place.
I also LOVE Maine. It’s magical. The water, the food, natural beauty. Incredible.
I Love living in Idaho, but if I had a choice I would like to live in Texas, Florida or Arizona (for the obvious warm weather reason!) I LIVE for summer, and if it was summer year round I would be one happy camper 🙂
I finally don’t feel so alone! I live in CA (moved from Virginia) and thought I was the ONLY one living here that really disliked the state. From the infrastructure, education system, pollution, state parks, etc…everything is subpar compared to other states I’ve lived in or visited. It’s a big misconception that its a great place to live. Oh, did I mention the cost of living? Yikes!
Luckily, my goal is to move to CO within the next few years 🙂
+1- totally know what you’re saying Maria. Cali is the WORST state to live in. Just like NY- i actually moved to VA 🙂 To quote someone, its a backwards state run by kindergarten flunkies 🙂
You should move back to VA!
Ooh! That’s a tough one. I love New Mexico because it’s where my family is from and it’s beautiful! Utah is beautiful too, and so is Wyoming and Idaho. However, I would have to say that Hawaii and Alaska are on the top too because I’ve always wanted to visit and never had the chance. All I can sum up is that I am grateful we live in a country with such diversity among its people and its land!
I have been loving egg, cheese and jelly on toast lately!
As a native of Colorado, I whole-heartedly love this state. And I hate with a passion California. Why? We had a huge influx of Californians move here in the 90s. It’s never been the same since. I’m positive any other native or long term residence prior to that influx agrees with me.
Julie – I am a lifelong New Yorker and would give anything to move to FL! It’s definitely my favorite state. I like all areas that I’ve visited!
Massachusetts! Born and raised. Can’t beat the trees, hills, and fall foliage. Although I go to school in Utah, and the mountains are beautiful here too.
My favorite state is the state I live in…Michigan! We are surrounded by the great lakes and have miles of gorgeous beaches. There are (small) mountains, dozens and dozens of gorgeous waterfalls, four fabulous seasons each with it’s own beauty. There is rarely a tornado, no hurricaines, no earthquakes, no extreme heat or cold, snow or rain fall. What more could you ask for!
Wowwww some of those are truly truly surprising!! I think it’s just b/c I never “hear” much about them–like South Dakota!! And California?! Everyone tells me they want to live here! haha, but I agree…I think there’s better places than here (especially their traffic). 😛
I would love to go more towards the east of the U.S.!! I’m sure some of those would be my favorite states. And I bet I’d love Virginia and the Carolinas too.
California is disliked? WTF..haha. I love living here, we have everything! Every season, well I do have to travel to Tahoe for snow, but its 73 degrees today in parts of the Bay Area! you can’t beat that! We have surf, sun, mountains, you name it.
You want to snowboard, you can
Surf, you got it!
We also have so many cultures melding here. I get some of the best Mexican food, Japanese food, indian food, middle eastern food, Chinese food, thai food, the list goes on! Especially in the bay area where so many people move to work in the tech sector here. Its awesome
That is so interesting! I think UT is gorgeous! So pretty with all the mtns and red rocks in the southern part!
I also LOVE CO. Such a great state!
I like visiting CA, but I don’t think I’d love to live there….but then again, the beach….. INteresting that FL or NY weren’t on there?!
Where’s the love for little Rhody?! Beaches, great food, and a tiny population? Who doesn’t love that?! ; )
You know I love California!!!
The weather has been in the 70s all week. There are not many crazy bugs. You can go to the beach and the snow in the same day.
It’s the best.
I moved from Illinois to California-#2 to #1 most unfavorable…sigh
I will probably be the only one who says this… but my favorite is Louisiana. There is so much more to it than the swampy mess alot of TV shows portray. 🙂
Vermont! It’s by far the best state- friendly people,so many beautiful mountains and any outdoor activity you can imagine- hiking, lake swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, cycling, running communities, rafting, fishing… Also so many farms with delicious organic foods, plenty of farm to table restaurants, fantastic communities.. I could go on and on. I lived there for 4 1/2 years and I cannot wait to move back! Definitely where I want to raise my family 🙂
It makes me sad that Illinois is on the most commonly disliked list!
as a former illinois resident, i agree! i love it there!
I’m surprised New Jersey wasn’t the number 1 most hated! It definitely is in my necks of the woods (the midatlantic/new england)!
But I’ve always been infatuated by Colorado’s tall mountains, sunny weather, and buckets of snow!
Hey Julie 🙂 LOVE love love love your blog 🙂 Just wondering if you have any tips for healthy things you did in college? I’m in college and got off of my meal plans because I couldn’t stand the way the food was prepared/ hated most of it because it’s terrible for you. Also I was wondering if you have ever done p90x? I’m doing it right now and loving that it makes me workout everyday so I can get into a schedule!
<3 Ashley
thanks for your comment, ashley! 🙂 i haven’t tried p90x but would love to!
here’s a post i did previously all about healthy living in college: https://www.pbfingers.com/2010/09/23/healthy-eating-in-college/
Love it! Thank you! And you should definitely check out p90x you will not be disappointed it’s a great workout when you can’t make it to the gym!
I grew up in Oregon and can definitely see why it made the top ten states! It’s so naturally beautiful and green and people are very friendly! My husband is from (Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania, also a really great place
!
We honeymooned all over Hawaii – Maui, Big Island, Oahu, and Kauai for 16 days and I never wanted to leave. Hawaii is just so amazing and wonderful!
South Carolina baby!
I’ve lived in 3 states (Florida, Missouri, South Carolina) and though I lived in FL the longest I LOVE South Carolina. It has everything and so much state pride. You see the flag displayed as license plates and stickers on cars every where. It’s really an awesome state and I love it. Missouri would be my least favorite state for sure.
TEXAS!!!! Born and raised but have lived many other places….still the best :))
haha of course Hawaii would be #1. I live in Hawaii and totally get why it would be number one, but I’m pretty sure there are plenty of other states that are great to live in! I’m very surprised New York didn’t make the list, since it is my favorite state (it’s where I grew up)! However, I agree with you Julie, I bet a lot of the western states in the US are amazing! I’m dying to go to Oregon and Washington! I hear they have the best of both worlds too, mountains and ocean or lakes! I guess I shouldn’t complain being that I live in Hawai 😉 Have a great day!!!
I think it’s ok to complain about Hawaii! I do (even though I live here and love it there are some times where you are like GRRRRR, only in HI, right?? )
Oh that makes me happy PA made the list! 🙂 My favorite state is Hawaii. It truly is as amazing, magical, and romantic as ads make it out to be. I can’t wait to go back.
Being born and raised in Oregon I am not surprised that people like it! It’s beautiful here. I’ve visited other states and while it’s fun, I would never want to live anywhere else.
Yay! South Dakota made the list! Usually all we get on a list for is least populated state! Haha, fun post today! 🙂
Although I’m a Washington native, I spent every summer in South Dakota (where my parents are from) growing up and I’m so glad it made the list, it never gets enough attention. It is very beautiful, has great people, and SO different from the northwest. But, Washington will always be #1 to me, I love living in Seattle…it is an interesting city with passionate people, surrounded by breathtaking nature.