All Aboard Ferry Rides

  Every once and awhile we take a trip on a ferry.  We leave the car behind and walk aboard the ferry to cross the Elizabeth River and explore downtown Norfolk.

  The kids enjoy the ride because they can pick where they sit.  Upstairs is open to the wind in their hair and all the sights and sounds. Downstairs is enclosed and a bit quieter.  They also enjoy watching the water wheel propel us across the water.

They also enjoy catching the sight of other boats.

  The ferry runs every 30 minutes and makes two stops in Portsmouth but only one stop in Norfolk.  During the summer it runs every 15 minutes with the help of another ferry and also runs a ferry to Harbor Park for the games.

  The opportunities are endless for family fun in Norfolk.  Waterside has plenty of games and a splash pad to keep you or small travelers entertained.  This area is immediately where you get off the ferry! We stop after our adventures because one the kids don't want to leave and two it helps motivate them to head towards the home.

Adults there are plenty of chairs for you to rest in while the kids play.

When your ready to leave Norfolk head back to Waterside for the quick ride across the water!

The ferry is free for kids with a paying adult. Adult fares are $1.75 one way and exact fare is required.  So next time your looking for a different mode of transportation and want a little more fresh air grab a ferry and head over to Norfolk.  

A different perspective is always a nice change of pace.

A Day Out On the Bike

  A couple weeks ago it was supposed to hit 70°.  Prior to that a week or two before that was warm as well.   I thought that that was probably the last good day before the winter made its mark and decided to stay so it was time to take full advantage of it.

  I loaded up my bike to hit the VirginiaCapitalTrail.  This trail has been a focus for several months.  It's a nice solid even trail over 50 miles long.  This trail runs from Jamestown Settlement to downtown Richmond.

  I am an amateur cyclist.  I have ridden topping off at only 12 miles.  Mostly off road and strictly on a mountain bike.  A mountain bike weighs more, requires more effort to pedal and doesn't reach the speed of a road bike at least with any real ease.  Maybe these are all excuses but they are tidbits I have heard, and again I'm an amateur.

I started at mile marker 0. No pressure!  I can do this.  I am so excited.  I have my water bladder for hydration, my phone is locked onto the bike (extra battery packed too), helmet, sunglasses, cycling gloves, fruit and a protein bar!  I think I'm as prepared as I could be! 

Along the way each mile excited me more as I passed it and got closer to the end.  The trail was such a great surface.

I picked the perfect time of year and day.  The temperature was just right.  It wasn't too hot or cold.  I did run into some strong wind at the end but in the beginning I was completely comfortable.  Our fall comes later so I was able to catch the colors on this mid November ride.

The trail took me over bridges big and small.

The water views were the rewards.

I am not sure at what point of me taking pictures did I realize that it was taking time away from me finishing.  This was never a race.  It was my first time.  I had nothing to compare it to so there was no record to break.  

There was so much history to see on this stretch.  Plantations, the home of a past president and other history markers declaring momentous acts!

So many signs so little time to read.  I started the trail at 10:45 am.  I was planning to make it a 4 hour trip.  I exceeded it by an hour.  I stopped at two main trailheads to stretch and go to the bathroom.

It was always so reassuring to see how close I was getting.  The signs were in addition to the mile markers.  I never really felt alone and isolated either. There was always someone coming from the other direction, passing me or cars on the nearby road.  

I'm almost there.  When you have ridden 40 miles and you see that you are here.  It's truly amazing, such an accomplishment, such a feat!  

I will not lie and say I was not in pain.  The week working up to this day.  I had rode he 12 miles and another day 4 miles, I had ran a couple random days as well.  That was the extent of my training.  I do know that I have the endurance.  So not completing the trail wasn't an option.  My legs hurt particularly my thighs and around my knees.  My butt had been lost some where around mile 20 something.  It was so numb and I couldn't use one leg long enough to give either a rest or my butt.  

I pedaled on.  I hit a strong wind after that last trailhead and already exhausted that I couldn't even motivate myself anymore.  I had did multiple stretches at that stop but nothing was enough.   I had 12 miles left I had to keep going; there was no way I wasn't going to finish! 

I knew there were supposed to be more hills on this end so I was slightly prepared.  I laughed hysterically at them when they popped up.  I still pedaled on.

Then on one hill I saw the city.   The sun was starting to set.  It was so pretty and what a relief.  I had made it.  I was done. I had did it!  

My husband was parked shortly after marker number 50 so I didn't hit 52.1 which is the whole trail but that's ok.  Hek, had i known he was right there I would have snapped a picture of me and 50 but oh well I guess that will have to be next time!

What did I learn from this trip?  That I was as prepared as I was going to be.  That I could do it.  That alone time is nice.  That being alone is not scary.  That I am independent and can do things bigger then me.  That even when told I maybe shouldn't try it that I can try it and see what happens.  This was probably my biggest and definitely last accomplishment for he year but I'm so happy with it that that's fine by me.  

Next time of course I will beat my record because of the sheer fact I don't need  to take so many pictures.  

I also must add.  Although I was sore that night.  The next morning I was completely fine.  I woke up and waited for alarms to go off in my body and nothing did. I sat up and moved and all was actually just the way it was before!

I have already looked to see where else I can ride and I saw a 100 mile race.  I am not sure I'm ready for that just yet but I would like to continue riding my mountain bike and get a road bike and have the ability to ride either.

Have you completed a final item for the 2016?  Do you have a big goal for next year?

#NaBloPoMo

Weekly Recap

  This week I am pretty pleased with my week.  All 4 planned meals were a success.  Although only one of them was a new recipe for me to try there's nothing wrong with that.  We still ate at home and used the pantry as a resource!

Chicken Potpie

Stuffed Shells

Blackbean Bugers

 Falafel and Couscous

I even actually had the teenager make all the meals this week.  This provided her with a first time using the food processor as well as frying.

I saw the Star Wars movie this week.  Of course going now allowed me to select any seat I wanted except 3 as that's how many other people were in there with me!  It was interesting. I definitely wasn't bored.  I was entertained through the duration and love any scene where there's a girl kicking butt!  I left once for popcorn which sometimes I use as an indicator of the movie but not this time.  I need to go back and watch the other movies though so I can get caught up in my mind. Not knowing/remembering about the others leaves a big gap.

I made a few projects this week both by myself and a craft with the kids.  This keeps me on track for my overall goal for the year.  Along with I did try a new hairstyle but I'll show you at the end of the month when we have met our goal.

Exercise was not met by a day.  Water is a conscious effort! My followers on other social platforms grows a little everyday.

I even managed to get caught up (ignoring present book) on an old book I needed to review!

So as its Saturday; it's time to make a new weekly goal!

January Goals

  Sometimes I find it easier to write my goals down so I can keep track of them.  You know keep track of the ones I need to carry over to the next month because I never completed it in the 30 days I told myself too.

  Well but just like they teach you in school. Try and try again.

1. Unveil my voxbox from Influenster  (tomorrow keep an eye out)

2. Increase my followers on instagram and twitter! (Without sharing a number with you) You of course are more than invited to follow me.  I post more regularly on those platforms.

3.  I have several books to read this month (7) (3 are physical library books).  If I get all those read I will be happy.

4. Share a new meal plan with you every week. ( 1 week down)

5.  Post at least 2 you tube videos!

6.  Complete 4 DIY projects!

7.  Exercise although very modified (less the cardio) 3-4 times a week.  (As of this week it's only been once)

8.  Create 4 crafts with my kids! They will greatly appreciate this!

9.  I need to drink more water 9 glasses a day is my focus!

10.  Practice hairstyles and nail designs. (I have 3 girls this is almost a necessity)

Ok there it is. 10 goals for me to complete for the month of January.   I feel so much better making a list.  A lot of them I can post so you can watch my progress or lack thereof.  Wish me luck and if you have any goals you need motivation with let me know!

Virginia Gorge

Do you know several times a year the national parks waive their entrance fee?  They have the dates and parks listed on there website.  Most of the states have a park some states have several to choose from.  You are able to select on parks you are interested in to gain more information about that particular park.  This information will give you their normal entrance fees, daily programs offered,  hours, directions and even if they have camp sites at that location.  I figured out in August that the next free national park day in September was going to be to visit Great Falls National Park.

  The picture at the top of this page was what peaked my interest.  It was a picture of a gorge.  I am from the land of gorges.  Originally from upstate NY I have made the trip to Niagara Falls multiple times as well as visit a very close Letchworth State Park (Grand Canyon of the East).  I guess I was having a case of homesickness.  It was such a magnificent looking park I had to check this out.

  As with any park there are plenty of walking trails.  Your map/guide will help you decide the distance you want to trek as well as the ease of the trail.  (We were not there to hike as I have the "boot".)  However when I do go hiking I weigh my options.  How many more places am I going that day or what did I do before I got there?  How will the children hold up?

Sadly you don't necessarily know the terrain of a trail until you get going on it so I never assume I can take my stroller.  Even if I took the stroller it's just a cheap one and not a rugged jogger.  (That has had a flat for years).  I also have never acquired one of those fancy backpacks so my youngest walks, whines, cries and chugs along slowly. My little man is getting better we are sitting at 1 mile almost comfortably.

  This park is a no trash park.  Which I thought was neat and wondered how that really works out.  This means don't bring anything in or just take it all back out with you.  There are no garbage cans in the whole park.  I did see posts with plastic bags for your personal use but for you to put your trash in and take the bag with you.

  In the park there is a visitor center and two areas of parking fairly close to the gorge area.  We were not able to park closest so that gave us a small walk.  The trail was nice.  It was smooth somewhat even.  I could have maneuvered the stroller through it.  We even crossed over a little bridge!  My kids enjoyed walking and looking at the stream alongside us.

I tried to share some pictures with you an not give you the whole view.  This is one of the best parks I have been too.  We all enjoyed ourselves and I would like to go back.  These pictures give no justice to the beauty of this park.  You really must go experience this for yourself.  Make sure you have your camera and batteries because you will need them.

Day 19

  What could it be?  It's 10 days left till this challenge is over! Yeah, for that.  Not because I want to go out and gorge on junk but everyday seems like I'm studying for a test.  So much focus on what I'm eating for all my meals.  The exercise I can do without thinking twice about.  However healthy meals require more effort on my part plus avoiding or ignoring not so healthy meals also requires more concentration on my part.

Today was a light day for me.  I must point out even when it looks like I'm not eating a lot. I promise I am truly not starving to death.  We have grown accustomed to eating more than we need anyways.  Some days I am hungrier than other days. Some days the urge to snack is huge other days particularly the ones I skip a meal on do not honestly phase me especially like I said if I go to sleep.

  I may be smaller than others but you know how we view ourself is all we really see so what you see in me is not what I see.  However I am really loving my legs and stare at them often.  Haha when I put my hair in a ponytail I also admire my arms.  My gut on the other hand is still a work in progress.  I have read that sometimes that skin may not go back to pre-baby.  I will work on it and just hope for the best.

Breakfast: muffin, yogurt, peach
Lunch: Caesar salad with chicken
Dinner: garden salad with hard boiled egg

Snack: cottage cheese with pineapple
75 oz water
Today's workout was weights and a focus on the abs.  I need to pay more attention to that area instead of ignore it.

Only recipe credit I have for you is the dressing for the Ceasar salad.  The dressing on the other was a very basic vinegarette with olive oil, vinegar and some water.

Recipe credit: healthier-caesar-salad

Day 6 of 30

  Whenever I wake up without children awake and someone home it gives me the perfect chance to get a good workout in uninterrupted.  Today was that day!  I decided what route I was going to run, set my app to calculate my miles, turned my music on, clipped my running bag and I was off.

  I am not a marathon runner but I do run for the exercise benefit.  I have run a couple 5k's and maybe I will run more but I more do it just because it's a challenge.  I do keep track of my distance, time, speed and calories.  I always change it up by running a different path just to provide variety.  Some paths have a smooth terrain others may have a few hills.

Today I went around the block which equaled out to 2.34 miles.  I did not run the whole thing there was walking involved in it today as well.  However, I must have walked to much because when I came home I picked up my bike and went back out.  I usually tow my kids around behind me.

So today was a nice change for riding my bike too.  Losing that extra 50lbs made me pedal a little faster, a little farther.  I biked 4.5!

  No the meal portion of my day.  Breakfast was made when I came home.  Hmm, it was a nice gesture and it would have not went over well if I neglected to eat it so I did.

To be honest with you all that grease was so good.  Corned beef hash, a piece of bacon, egg with cheese and some peaches.  I even washed it down with some orange juice and my 25 ounces of water.

  I think all that grease must have swelled in my stomach because I was not hungry at all.  I finally made myself eat.  Still dwelling on my not so healthy breakfast I tried to make a a healthy choice. A bowl of salad with carrots and tuna along with a bowl of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola.

Dinner was a surprise attack on my mission too.  Now, I must tell you something serious.  You need support from your significant other.  They don't need to adhere to your diet but it is not fair to put temptations in front of you.  I declare portions of my dinner to be my cheat meal.  We are allowed 2 and tonight's meal falls into that.  Dinner out at Outback's.

See the nice healthy salmon and veggies! Aren't they pretty. So healthy and good for you.  Well this is what came after the appetizer.   The appetizer we always get when we go there. A treat like no other. Behold the bacon cheesefries!

I did partake in some of these. Happily it was a smaller portion than I usually do but this was definitely not a healthy choice.  But, I did have self control as I declined dessert and my sweet tea. These two are my staples most everywhere.

I guess I'm glad I did that biathlon earlier. You just never know what meals are ahead of you in the day.  Lol, I did get 100 +oz water down too! Yeah!

Day 5 of 30 healthy challenge

  Started my morning with a carrot and peach smoothie compliments of my young chef assistant.  (See separate post for recipe and pictures)  I have been doing good with drinking 25 oz of water everyday with my breakfast.

  I always eat before my trip to the gym.  My workout today consisted of 30 minutes of the arc trainer and 15 minutes on the treadmill.  No weights today and no squats.  My pants didn't fit well enough me to move in that way.  Lol, they fit a little snug.  They fit enough for the cardio machine but definitely no bending, twisting or turning.  I must also tell you pulling them up after a trip to the restroom all sweaty was a chore too.  My problem is the thigh region (and maybe backside) but I think muscles are effecting the area more than that I am overweight.

Lunch today resulted in a meeting of the minds with my fitness group.  To make it this far is killing me.  I eat fast food, I eat sugar and I just wanted to go out.  Now granted I ate Mexican on Monday and Tuesday was chick fil A so I had been out but, not enough.  I wanted something and to smell fast food would have even been a reward.  I had posted my request of fast food and taco salad.  The ladies provided me with two places and good options.  Chipotles salad was the winner!

One word for this salad. H-U-G-E!!! I wound up eating half of it and may work on more tomorrow.  I did skip the sour cream and cheese.  The onions in the pico were a little much for me and for a non-guacamole lover I sure got a big dollop of it. Washed my lunch down with another 25 oz of water.

Lastly dinner was a simple spaghetti also prepared with the help of my assistant young chef.  The spaghetti was a wheat pasta, homemade scratch sauce,( I have previously  wrote about this easy 3 can + spices recipe) and sausage along with a side of carrots.  Again washing it down with 25 oz of water.

Pleased with my day regardless of the take out because I still did my best to get something healthy.

Day 3 and I tried it! (Recipes included)

  Today was much better as I reflect on it now.  Isn't it funny when your in the middle of the day you can't appreciate it until it's over?

  This morning we choose oatmeal for breakfast  (young chef helped with this).  She even declared what was for breakfast and what kind of oatmeal she was going to have. Cinnamon roll oatmeal it was. Mine was just the cinnamon and not the roll, lol.  Which consisted of mine without the white cream (powder sugar and milk).

My lunch consisted of a bowl of fruit.  I don't think I have ever eaten as much fruit as I have now.  There's multiple good things resulting from this.  It's good for me and it's less produce I am throwing out.  I didn't throw out a lot but I did throw out enough that was very unnecessary all due to my poor planning.

Dinner was sloppy Joe's made with ground turkey and I used lettuce in place of the bread.  I was pleased with how good it was.  This meal was accompanied by carrots and homemade baked fries!  

I managed another 100 oz of water.

My workout consisted of 33 minutes on the elliptical and various weights to include a focus on abs.

We had dessert tonight too see separate post!

Recipe credit:

hodies-sloppy-joes

cinnamon-roll-oatmeal

Day 2 of 30 complete

  This day started out so good.  I woke up focused. Satisfied I had did well the first day and ready to take on the second.  I made an awesome smoothie after figuring out what I was finally going to have.  I am a breakfast eater and I had read that you get a better workout in if you eat something before hand so I always try to.  I settled on a peach oatmeal smoothie and I am glad I did.  I did use almond milk

that I bought for health reasons but I do drink and prefer good old cows milk but I thought I would experiment with almond milk on this journey.  I however did not buy the Greek yogurt.  I have the good old fatty stuff.  I know you can make you own and I have not messed with that yet.  This yogurt called for both and obviously I used the almond milk but just skipped the yogurt all together.  I guess it would have been thicker but it was just fine!

Workout went great and then I saw what day it was

Cows Appreciation Day at Chick Fil A.

If you dress like a cow you get a free meal. Which is great. It was me and two calves! Free lunch.  Well if you have discipline that's fine. They have salads for those people but I their fries are right up there on my list of (I know your just had surgery and can eat real food what do you want me to bring in for you list) ((and sweet tea)) So I eat the chicken sandwich meal with fries and a sweet tea. BUT it was one and that is huge for me.  I could win a sweet tea competition if there was one. (Note to self to Google that)

However the good thing from this was it was late for lunch and early for dinner so I was not hungry but, you are supposed to eat so I made a bowl of veggies to finish my night off.

There it is people my meals for the day.  I am just trying to keep it real. I am accountable for my own actions and results.

However ending this story with my workout will show you my dedication  and determination.  

My workout consisted of

 33 minutes on the elliptical, 

15 on the treadmill

various weights for legs

Late night jog around my neighborhood at 2.56 miles!

That was my day.  There's always tomorrow  and as far as I know nothing is being celebrated!!

Recipe credit:peach-oat-breakfast-smoothie/

Day 1 of 30 day healthy challenge

  Most of you do not know me but have gotten a good idea based on what I write  about what's important to me, what I like, my hobbies or aspirations.  If you read in between the lines you see I do love to eat

 and workout.

 Not necessarily the best two compatible things.   At least in my case.  I overeat the bad things and work my butt off which means I will only see small changes.  I have a deep relationship with sweet tea.  I was born in the North where it was a luxury and now where I reside it's second nature.  I can get it everywhere.  I have even learned I like flavored such as raspberry and a Teavana brand.  Tea is good but the sugar that I am ingesting not so good I hear.  So I definitely lack in good drinking choices.  I go days without drinking but if I eat out I will down 3-4 or more glasses of tea.  So this challenge is also keeping me on track with consuming water; not just drinking it but actually drinking at all.

I post a lot of my drinking water containers on twitter. Making fun of myself calling it camouflaged water as I drink it from my Dunking Donuts cup

or Starbucks cup.  I even had it out in a big gulp cup but didn't successfully finish that before it was left unattended and dumped down the sink.

 

Well I started on the overindulgence of drinking water last week and my 30 day challenge started today.  So I am going to hold myself accountable with you guys (and the fitness group that started it).

Our mission and I did choose to accept it was to. 1) post our meals, water consumption and workouts 2) take before pics and measurements 3) Adhere to the rules and wait and watch the transformation.

I am excited because I am feeling more serious this time and usually bomb out but I'm focused.  Summer is still here and there is a chance I can walk around the pool with some confidence.  I have posted various pictures on the other social media sites but will stick with food and exercise with you guys.  Eventually I would like to add a quick easy workout to my you tube channel but I am still working on that.

For now I invite you to join me on this journey.  I will have bad food choices I can guarantee you that but my goal is too have more good ones than bad.  That cheesecake picture was from last week and I have eaten out a few more times and successfully declined dessert. (Which is a HUGE feat for me)

My journey will only be with healthy food or food in general. No supplements, protein shakes or diet meals.  Definitely exercise which I enjoy consisting of anything and everything.  My muscle content is on certain parts of me and other areas lack drastically.  I plan to get my body on the same track.

Day 1 meals!

Peaches and bananas for breakfast with my water. Lunch was a salad with cucumbers, carrots and tuna fish sprinkled with garlic and onion powder with more water. Dinner was 1 hard beef taco and 1/4 Spanish rice at a local restaurant with a sweet tea and more water.  I drank about 91 oz of water today!!

My workout included a bike ride to my gym and back 3.78 miles, 12 laps in the pool and various weight training with my arms and legs.

I do workout for the muscle tone not to be skinny.  I have a focus of what I want to look like and what I don't want to look like. Sadly I do not know if or how much weight I can lose or just only tone what I have.  I will deal with that as it comes. Everything I do is attainable by anyone. I am not lifting hundreds of pounds, running or biking marathons.  Sometimes my kids go with me so it's not always about speed as much as it is about just moving.