5 tips for staying healthy while traveling

i'm back!


dallas was nice


but i am so glad to be back home!


i feel all sorts of out of the loop


so behind on my blog reading


super behind on my sleep and sleep schedule


and i don't even want to talk about my messed up potty schedule.


i left off on friday when i had managed to get up and accidentally run 5 miles (instead of 4)


and on saturday evening i totally rocked out 8-10 miles.  i say 8-10 miles because my run keeper went a little crazy and i'm not exactly sure how far i went.


runkeeper actually said i completed 11 miles.


based on my time i think i did closer to 8.5 miles


based on google maps and the length of the trail i did 9.5


soooo.


the point is i got some quality running in

on a gorgeous paved trail at white rock lake


even though it was completely overcast and the sun was setting quickly.


i wanted to stop and take pictures of the beautiful views


but i was also trying to outrun the setting sun




it was so nice to be able to run a completely flat distance.

i'm always mowing down hills at home which makes me feel so slow

it was nice to have some miles under 10 minutes on this run - which really helped boost my ego.

anyways

i thought it would be fun to share some tips and tricks to sticking to healthy living while on business trips or vaction

i usually only travel once or twice a year for business - but typically it's for 3 or 4 nights

if it was only a night or two i probably wouldn't worry as much with sticking with my normal routine

but  taking almost a week off isn't acceptable if you're serious about training for an event or maintaining a healthy diet (eating out for a whole week can really set you back - especially when you try to regain normalcy again)

tip #1

go grocery shopping!  if you're on business, most hotel rooms will have a mini fridge - so use it!  if you're on vacation you could also save yourself some $'s by eating a meal in the room/condo once a day

pick up fresh fruit which will curb a sweet tooth or make a quick snack

i love to try new restaurants, but i cannot eat every meal out either

these little packets of peanut butter with a big apple is plenty for lunch

tip #2

plan on working out - whether you run, walk, lift - make sure you've got everything with you so you can't make an excuse not to!

obviously you can't pack heavy weights or your bike

but you can make sure you have proper clothes, shoes, headphones etc for working out in the hotel gym

tip #3

check with the hotel staff/co-workers/google to make sure you're in a safe area of town for running and/or seek out fun new running/walking spots

if you have to travel for work, at least you may get to see new parts of the country, and if your schedule affords you the time - check out local parks - which sure as hell beats a hotel gym

tip #4

don't forget to fuel properly!  i know i was drinking a lot more soda and eating way different foods than i was used to, so my water intake wasn't the best

but i made sure i had some options before and after my runs

tip #5

at the end of the day, you're away from home and family which can be a real bummer

i tried to stay positive and know that i would be home soon

i also was really proud of myself for sticking to my running schedule

so i think that deserves a treat!

since changing my eating habits, i can't go out and have several drinks or eat a big meal, even if it's on the company dime

but small indulgences are perfectly fine

if you keep your splurges small you'll feel less like a bloated blimp once arriving back home - and getting back in a regular routine will feel seamless.

rachel does dallas?

i'm in dallas!  whoop!

yesterday was spent in airports and on planes

and thanks to copious amounts of caffeine

i was ready to hit the ground running when i got here

or you know....travel in style in a big ass mini van

where we were told "hot bitches be driving mini vans now!"

i've always hated on a mini van

but let me tell you

i think i'm in love

bill - let's trade in the edge for a town and country!


anyways

we're in dallas for one of our plant's physical inventories

my boss and i travel really well together - we're both like minded

like...we both really like grocery shopping

mainly because we both try to stay healthy and we've learned to head to the grocery store once we get into town to pick up all our snacks

and this was like the coolest grocery store ever! 

dallas area - i'm totally jealous of your central market grocers!

aisles and aisles of  the freshest looking meats and produce

why yes, i did take pictures of the grocery store.

and my idea of seeing the city is going to the grocery.

whatever.

i picked up several goodies - which was super important since i plan on getting two training runs in!

annnnnd i totally killed my 4 miles this morning...and by killed, i mean i accidentally did 5

i suited up at 5:15 am - fanny pack and all - and headed out

annnnnd it was pitch black out - sidewalks everywhere - but next to zero street lights

what is up with that?

i mapped out my run last night

and thought i had it memorized

but i made a wrong turn

and ended up at an access road that was super busy

so i turned around and figured out where i made my mistake

but wasn't sure when i'd be at a halfway point

so i kept telling myself - "just one more song, and then turn around"

and i guess i listened to a few too many songs

and by the time i made it back to the hotel i had hit 5 miles

i'll take it

5 miles deserves a starbucks run - grande skinny caramel macchiato

and i've been stuffing my face with the largest apple i've ever seen covered in peanut butter

it's been a fairly easy trip thus far

and i'm getting pumped to run 10 miles tomorrow morning.

hopefully i don't get lost!

travel by bike

remember our derby wall?

i got up the courage and erased it last night

it was so pretty, it hurt a bit

but it was time for something new

i haven't really put anything else up

but i did write up this quote from ernest hemingway

it is by riding a bicycle

that you learn the contours of a country best,

since you have to sweat

up the hills

and coast down them -

thus

you remember them as they actually are

i'm hoping to get bill to draw me a bicycle with an overflowing basket full of flowers


and incorporate the quote somehow since

it really stirred something up inside me

as bill and i have been trying to find more reasons to bike lately

this past weekend we rode from the waterfront out to shawnee park

i've never been to the west end of louisville

seriously - never.

i've been to a thrift store in portland, but that was it

and as we rode along the river and then up through portland and into the west end

it was gorgeous.

the news makes the west end sound like the south end of chicago

but there were tree lined walks

the most unique old homes lining the wide parkway

this is where people call home

and it felt more personal and vulnerable to travel by bike than to pass through in a car

i saw neighbors congratulating each other on a new car (a 97 impala - but man, he was proud), kids walking to the park, a guy listening to some jazz music on a sunday afternoon

it's hard to explain how much fun it is traveling slowly on our cruiser bikes - barely averaging 9 minutes per mile

but it lights this fire in me  - to want to tour and commute by bike

side by side with bill

sometimes one leading the other to our destination

stopping for water

catching an unexpected festival or food truck

and truly getting to know our neighbors and hills.

how to not look like a tourist

i love being a tourist

but i love not going to the typical touristy spots.

while in key west we had to go to margaritaville at the request of my grandma.  so of course i couldn't say no.

but on a small island that prides itself on tourism - there are far better places to go and eat, play, and stay!

yelp and urbanspoon as well as internet searches can be great for finding hot spots and seeing the reviews before you decide to go somewhere - but buyer beware - many restaurants/bars pay a fee to show up in searches on yelp and the like.

not always a bad thing - i mean, people do review these places, so even if they do show up you usually see the honest reviews of the food.

i had never been to the keys so i wasn't 100% sure what i was getting when i chose our place to stay.

it turned out we were removed from the hustle and bustle part of the island.  not entirely a bad thing, and i ended up rather enjoying the bike ride every day. (it was about a mile one way)

by bike i was able to pass restaurants on the way to the main drag, that, if we had stayed on duval street we may have never discovered.

so in an effort to have a reference if we ever go back as well as a reference for anyone heading down to the keys and would like help finding the not-so-out-of-the-way places that are off the beaten path...here goes:


where to eat:

this list would probably be easier if i listed where NOT to eat.

but first and foremost - whether lunch, brunch, breakfast, or even dinner
go to the Cuban Coffee Queen


i think we ate here 5 or 6 times

it was so so delicious.

we always split an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich and got small iced cuban coffees.  all their sandwiches are/can be served on pressed cuban bread - which is out of this world.  also, their coffee - we only ever got iced because we were hot, and drinking hot coffee felt weird to me - but the iced is made with frozen coffee cubes = the best way to make iced coffee!

tip:  if you're traveling with a friend or significant other i highly recommend splitting your meals.  it's an easy way not to stuff yourself, save money, and at the same time you have room and more budget to try more places.  bill and i typically ordered one entree and a side or a salad and split it.  it was always enough food and if we got hungry there were lots of snack options.

our other breakfast fav:

the Old Town Bakery


we only came here for breakfast (twice), but their lunch menu always sounded appealing

if you love pastries and bakery - their selection is made fresh daily.

for more substantial food offerings:

Lobos - if you're craving a burger or sandwich this is it!  they also offered veggie burger options (which were delicious)  we talked to the owner after we ordered and he was super friendly.  he also let us know that they had just started staying open for dinner and were trying it out.  i would call ahead of time to make sure they are still serving dinner if that is your plan.

roof top cafe - if you're looking for a bit more upscale setting this is it.  with beautiful views of the street below

it's also located just off duval street - so if you're in town for a short period of time this would be more convenient.we stopped in for lunch which made it more affordable and they were running lunch specials - a menu is available downstairs on the street.

if you're looking for fish my two favorite places were

BO's fishwagon

it's literally a hut with outdoor seating.  great for people watching - and not too far from duval.  the servings were huge, so i would definitely tell you to consider sharing.  also - try the key limeade.  i went back for seconds!

if you're looking for a group friendly sit down and stay awhile restaurant check out

conch republic seafood company  great bar area, lots of seating - lots of outdoor seating and you're right on the docks so you can see all the pretty boats.  the food is 10-20 $'s a plate and maybe more mainstream, but the atmosphere and open air really made this a nice place to be.

if you're traveling through the keys stop at islamorada at lorelei's cabana bar - this place was recommended by both brother and sister -in-laws and was great!  great fish sandwich, but lots of other seafood, you're on a deck right above the water - and the bloody  mary was spot on.

where to drink:

pretty much everywhere is a watering hole.  seriously.  beers being sold for $2 up and down duval.

a few favorites though

jack flats - it's on duval, but it's more of a sports restaurant/bar - lots of tv's and a good amount of seating (of course, if you don't have a sports crazed husband you can forgo this visit)

hog's breath saloon - we ate dinner here one night, and while kind of a gimmicky place - the food and mixed drinks were amazing!  if you're going to do one "gimmicky" "i need a t-shirt from this place" this is it!  the bar was packed and there was a band - and the hog's punch was the best drink i had the whole time we were there.  and yes.  i bought a t shirt and two coozies.

there's also a place right next to the green parrot bar - which according to google maps used to be bobalu's.  it's now a barbeque restaurant

smokehouse maybe?  i took this picture - maybe it hasn't been there long, but the bar area was nice, great selection of beers and i ordered some spicy green beans that were so good!  very spicy!

so now that you're fed and you have a nice buzz -

what to do in key west - there are things i would spend money on again, and there are things i would have saved and moved on

Definitely check out:

the aquarium  - an old building, that probably needs some major updating, but i really enjoyed it.  make sure to visit during the showtimes/feeding - interactive and your ticket is good all day and the next day.

jet ski tour  maybe because i've never been on one, but i thought it was worth it.  we also had the tour guide to ourselves - we went at noon - probably when most people were doing lunch or deemed it too hot - but i liked not being in a big group.  also - ride tandem and save money

glass bottom boat  if you can make it to the state park in key largo i would suggest going there - key west does offer some glass bottom boat tours, but i like giving my money to a park that will use it for conservation efforts.  plus you get coral reef + jesus statue.

if the water is warm, or you want to rent a wet suit - i would have loved to go snorkeling, but alas it was too cold - but apparently fort zachary taylor state park in key west is the best for snorkeling and swimming - we missed out on this experience :(

the lighthouse  the grounds make for some neat pictures - maybe a little expensive ($9 each) but the funds do go to the historical society.  if you have a fear of heights maybe not so much.

definitely worth passing on:

the dinner cruise - the sunset was beautiful.  but at $60 a head it just wasn't worth it.  the food was...pretty bad.  it was warm.  and that's about all i can say.  the drinks were all well drinks - and seriously - how much can you drink in 2 hours?

if you want to see the sunset from the water - which is truly beautiful many - of the catamaran party boats offer a food free option - with complimentary beer/wine/soda at half the cost of the buffet cruise.

the shipwreck museum - seriously cheesy.  instead of having a tour guide they acted out the information - which for small kids might be fun, but it was lost on me.

a couple things i might consider doing when coming back:

the train tour around the island.  very touristy, but i think you get a good amount of information and if you're going to do one touristy thing this might be it - we never went because we were always on the go and riding on a car/train around the island seemed to take too long

also - the ghost tour - i love ghost stories.  and i was intrigued when i read about this doll.  i ended up reading about the local stories and tried to pick out the places when we were riding bikes.  the tour would be informative and neat, but reading online about the haunts and then visiting them on my own sounds like more fun.

if the water was warm, or if we had wanted to rent a wet suit - i would have loved to go snorkeling, but alas it was too cold - but apparently fort zachary taylor state park in key west is the best for snorkeling and swimming - we missed out on this experience :(


ok.  so there you have it.  now go!

honeymoon part 2

if you're interested

you can read about my wedding story, first days in key west, and part 1 of the honeymoon

where did we leave off?  monday night?

tuesday we decided we wanted to drive up the keys and do some exploring

in style

we rented a 2012 mustang convertible - red.  it was fun!

and a little windy/cool out

we made it over the seven mile bridge and parked

took some pictures

and chugged right on up the keys

with no plan in mind, we stopped in key largo at a state park

the name escapes me at the moment - but when we got there we were about an hour early for the last glass bottom boat tour of the day

we got our tickets and waited

i didn't take a ton of pictures since it's hard to take pictures of the ocean with a layer of plexiglass standing between you

but it was the first time i had ever seen the coral reef - and the guides were very entertaining and knowledgeable

i also got to see this guy (not my picture)


the christ of the abyss

very cool

by the time we got off the boat it was time to drive back to key west - but not before stopping for din din

if we had thought the car rental out - we would have thought to rent the car on our last full day so that we would have a vehicle to get to the airport (where we rented)....we weren't that clever...

so wednesday came...man this week is flying by...

and we celebrated halloween by first visiting the lighthouse

 after paying admission i then discovered my fear of heights.

the staircase wasn't attached to the wall - it just wound up itself and after 5 steps i was shaking and had to bail out

luckily bill is a trooper

and got some nice shots from above

water water everywhere

we toured the island some more

if you're in key west for an extended stay - you have to rent a bike or if you can afford it a scooter - but a bike is the way to go!

and you get to see so much more by bike

whether anything happened there or not isn't the point

i must say it felt really weird to be enjoying warm weather on halloween

but it would have been a shame not to take it all in - sandal tan lines and all

we had made reservations to do a sunset cruise, and decided we should clean up and pedal down towards the water

it was an all you could drink sunset cruise

so we look a little toasty

but so was everyone else

but honestly we came for the views

and what do you do when you get off the all you can drink boat on halloween?

you go to a bar where the bartender is serving drinks in a tutu

and you let your husband (!!!) smoke a nasty cigar....while learning about manatee's apparently...

so yeah... we pretty much came home and crashed.

so how do you spend a slightly hungover last full day?

you rent jet skis!  i didn't bring my camera in fear of falling in - but i took pictures with a disposable water camera- which i haven't developed yet - and who knows if they'll even develop to a quality that will be worthy of scanning in and show you - we'll see.

i will say that thank goodness the water was fairly calm - because bouncing up and down on the choppy atlantic side was not my ideal way of nursing a headache

this guy completely understood

yeah...he was waiting up on the dock after we were done....and i will also tell you we found one on our balcony....FREAKED OUT!

but apparently they like potato chips.  who knew.

we also spent the rest of our day kayaking - again - i used the water camera.  and let's just say those waves weren't making me feel 100% either.  and after seeing some jellyfish float by i was somewhat over it.  but i had never kayaked before and....it was work.  but it was fun

we walked around duval street one last time, had dinner in a place off the beaten path, got some key lime pie and then were texted a photo of woodford

and bill teared up.  he missed our puppy.  and woodford looked completely worn out at our friend's house.

we rode our bikes home one last time and worked on packing our bags.

it was so sad to leave, but we WERE missing our furkids.

so long key west!  until maybe our anniversary?


oh yeah...cuba is closer than the nearest wal-mart.