Traveling and the 5280!

Traveling for business or traveling for pleasure? Does it really make a difference when it comes to eating and fitness? 

I am such a routine type person. When I travel I get out of my normal eating and working out routine. I always pack clothes with full intention to get moving at the hotel but it rarely happens. Eating out every meal gets old fast and very difficult to stay on track. On Monday my Mini Me and I packed our bags and hopped in the car and headed over the mountains to the Mile High City (5280) 

We arrived with plenty of time to wear our feet out at Park Meadows mall for a few hours then headed to our hotel. Once checked in we continued to walk and walk and walk up and down the 16th street mall in Downtown Denver for more shopping. Does shopping really count for burning calories?

Since we were in the city I let my Mini Me choose the dinner house. Dinner was awesome. We went to Maggiano’s Italian Restaurant. I had full intentions of being good but my Mini Me said mom you’re at Maggiano’s how often do you get to eat this kind of pasta? Ok so I ordered the Spaghetti and the HUGE meatball for dinner. We ordered the dessert sampler platter. Really, I should have just said NO! Because you can’t just have one bite when you have so many choices. 

Business meetings/classes really take its toll on me. I am not one to just sit from 9-4 straight. The rooms are always freezing and I need to move around! After the business meeting my mini me chose Rodizio Grill for dinner. My recommendation is to not eat the salad bar. The meat servers bring out 15 types of meat for you to eat. OMG! So good! 

Here are the favorites we enjoyed!

Turkey wrapped in Bacon

Sweet & Spicy Chicken

Beef Tenderloin

Ham

Grilled Pineapple

Sausage

Top Sirloin

Garlic Beef

Parmesan Tomato

This place is amazing. When you need a break just flip the marker over to red and when you are ready to eat again flip it back to green and when you have had enough lay it on it’s side and the server will come with the huge choices of desserts. I highly recommend you take your appetite for Rodizio Grill! 

After two nights of eating incredible food we managed to get in a workout the next morning. We biked and then did an upper body workout. Wow What a week. Time to get back at it.

Do you have any traveling recommendations for staying on track? 

Lesson #1 Fish out of Water!

In my new fitness adventure I am going to learn how to swim. Until today my swimming consisted of survival swimming. Basically the ability to swim from the boat to the water ski without spilling my beer. Today was my very first swimming lesson. One of my new workout friends has been swimming her entire life. She said she would teach me. So here goes nothing. I put on a one piece suit (never have owned one in my life) and a cap (can’t hear a thing) and the goggles. I look like a dork and off we go onto the deck at the University. My daughters swim coach was there and commented  that he wasn’t in the mood to get wet today to rescue me. (I took that as a challenge not to drown or die).

We approach the bulk head and I look at the water. I am one of those girls who typically would get in the water slowly.  Nope not now just go for it. Jump in! While holding my nose so water doesn’t go into my brain. My new coach really can’t believe that I have no clue how to breath under water. I am not a natural at this like my “Mini Me”. I breath in my nose out my mouth. Well in swimming it’s the opposite. We start just by going up and down in the water  breathing in my mouth out my nose. Next we grab a kick board, this is going to help me learn to get a pattern. Kick, breath in the mouth out the nose.

No more survival swimming for me! I am starting to get the hang of this breathing. The pool was set up for long course 50 meters. It did take me FOREVER to do just a 50 by kicking and learning my new breathing I swam about 600 meters before we ended my first session.

Many lessons learned today. Not only did I begin to learn how to swim I also have an even greater appreciation for my mini me and her swimming abilities. During one of my 50’s I thought to myself I feel like that little 6-year-old kid trying to complete a 25. My mind also starting thinking about how fast my mini me can actually swim a 100 meters. I feel good that I tried something that I have never done before and really liked it. I am looking forward to the next lesson. Now to find me a water proof heart rate monitor to know how hard I am working. I got a good workout in and the swim coach didn’t need to rescue me because I didn’t drown or die!

So do something today that you never thought you could no matter how old you are! 

Girls Night!

The school year has come to an end and I decided it would be fun to have my friends and my daughter’s friends over for a fun Mary Kay Party!

I worked harder preparing for the party than I do at my day job. LOL! I did manage to get in a killer “KICK IT” workout in.

Off to the grocery store and the liquor store to gather supplies for the fun night planned.

I had a Mexican food theme in mind. The menu was simple and fun. I wasn’t consistent in my picture-taking. I think I got all caught up making the food and forgot to take pictures. So the photos will be random.

Mini Bean Tostadas!

Flour Tortillas

Vegetarian Refried Beans

Fiesta Cheese

Lettuce

I made a Pico for the topping of the mini torts.

Tomato

Onion

Garlic

Cilantro

S&P

Coriander

I used a cookie cutter and cut the tortillas. Then baked in the oven at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes. Then add the refried beans and cheese pop back into the oven for 5 mins top with the pico.

       

Chips & Salsa and a white cheese sauce and the “Chef” made guacamole.

Cheated on this store-bought!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dessert is my personal favorite and personal specialty

Mini Brownies with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in the middle!

Box of brownie mix

Reese’s

Pink Chocolate

     

When the brownies are about half way done insert the Reese’s in and finish baking. When cooled remove from pan and drizzle your color of chocolate on top. I choose Pink today for Mary Kay! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least the beverage of the night!

Margarita’s!

Fresh squeezed Key Limes

Tequila Blanco

Agave Nectar

In a shaker add lots of crushed ice

2 oz Tequilla

1 oz Fresh squeezed lime juice

1 oz Agave Nectar

Salt a glass and pour over ice!

You only need ONE! 

For the kids and non-drinkers I served Raspberry Ice Tea.

I hope you will enjoy these fun recipes. I have book club in June offering wine and dessert. Any suggestions?

Some Old and Some New!

Yesterday just happed to be my birthday! I had a fabulous day for many reasons!

If I were to sum it up in one word that word would be FRIENDS!

I truly had an eye opening experience yesterday.

I received over 80 birthday wishes from friends and family members. Ranging from Facebook posts, text messages, e-mails and even visits to my office.

The very first message I read was from a close friend of mine from Jr. High School and High School. Her post reminded me of a milestone in my life and what fun she and I had.

It was 25 years ago, our last day of High School.

The last message of the day was from a new friend of mine she sent me emotional text message.

 I will never forget all the beautiful words that were shared with me on May 22, 2012!

Thank you to all of my FABULOUS friends!

The Chef and my Mini me spoiled me rotten with  a fabulous dinner. 

Fresh Grilled Swordfish, Grilled Steak and a summer time salad.

Served with a VERY Chilled Mosacto (my new summer wine for a hot day)

Spoil your friends on their Birthdays! 

They will notice! 

Swimming randoms!

Our family spends many weekends at various swimming pools in Colorado. This weekend we had the opportunity to be in Glenwood Springs.

What a beautiful mountain town. On our drive home my “mini me” also known as Watergirl shared some fun musings about swimming.

One thing she loves about swimming is the “SWIMMERS” high.

Some advantages of swimming vs other sports are.

The best part of swimming is that you are not a s smelly stinky mess of sweat.

You only smell of chlorine.

If you have to pee! You can pee on deck,on the block or in the water. People think you are just squeezing water out of your butt.

You don’t have to worry about what you look like because your face is in the water and you have a cap and goggles on.

It’s a team sport and an individual sport.

You don’t have to worry about being hot because you are always cold.

Disadvantages of swimming.

Your hair gets damaged.

If you have to go poo or do something else before your race you can’t. You must wait till it’s over.

When you get out of the pool after a race your legs are so shaky that you can’t get out.

The pool gutters are used for PUKING!

Your skin is always dry and your face hurts from the chlorine.

Seems like you have to WAIT forever for your race!

Eat that Frog!

Today I had the opportunity to listen to an EXCELLENT Kiwanian! She shared a video that I thought would be fun to share with others.

Do you tend to procrastinate? Here is something to think about if you do.

Here is another inspiring video for one to think about! How do we look at the world differently?

The Power of Words!

Quotes!

A few years ago I developed a liking to quotes. Each year I make a calendar for my family members and include quotes on each monthly page.  Since I found Pinterest I have found many “quotes” that I love.

Here are a few to share that I find inspirational.

 

I love love love this quote!

Life Is Too Short, Break The Rules,

Forgive Quickly, Kiss Slowly, Love Truly,

 Laugh Uncontrollably,

And Never Regret Anything That Made You Smile.

Life May Not Be The Party We Hoped For, But While We’re Here,

We Should Dance… Never regret  

#2 Favorite!

Never regret a day in your life.

 Good days give you Happiness.

Bad days give you Experiences.

Both are essential to life. Keep going… Happiness keeps you Sweet,

Trials keep you Strong, Sorrows keep you Human, Failures keep you Humble,

Success keeps you Glowing,

 But Only God keeps you Going!  

Just a few more!