Ginger Chai Toddy – Last Farewell to Winter

Winter is almost over!!! Chicago brightened up with one day of 60’s then went back down to the 30’s, my hope is still alive though! With this change of season, we found it best to say goodbye to winter with a ginger chai toddy. Not only because we will soon be changing to summer-y iced cocktails and fruit infused beverages, but because it also sends a nice warmth down your body to clear up any lingering cold left from winter.

Our simple recipe & what you’ll need:

• 1 Lemon
• 2 bags of Ginger Tea (real ginger if preferred)
• 4 bags of Chai Tea
• Rum (for the extra warmth :))

Steep bags of tea in about 4 cups of hot water for 5-8 minutes. {You can either boil water in the kettle and put into carafe like shown, or steep in pot on the stove after water has come to a boil.} Cut the lemon into slices and put into pot or carafe while tea is steeping (leaving a few slices for garnish). Add fresh ginger and cloves if desired. After, pour into desired glass and add 1-2oz of Rum. Stir and garnish with lemon.

Now you have a yummy drink to warm up the tummy & to get through the last days of winter.

Enjoy!

Erika

 

Joshua Tree National Park – Camping and Climbing

Jake has been dreaming about Joshua Tree National Park, and the feeling of the sun on his back as he climbs past the “Dr. Seuss trees” up to the top of a boulder formation.

We had such an amazing camping trip there a few years back. I was looking through the pictures and remembering how incredible it was.

It is relatively easy to get to. If you aren’t local, you can fly into Palm Springs, LAX, Santa Ana (Orange County) or  San Diego.  Then get there by renting a car.  You can also rent camping gear at Joshua Tree Outfitters — anything from tents & sleeping bags to a Coleman camping stove!

When we went, we stayed at the Jumbo Rocks Campsite, it’s the biggest with 124 sites. They have a fee of $10 per site. It was also the closest to the Skull Rock Trail. For reservation information and more about the park you can click HERE.

There are some really cool Airbnbs there too!!

This is probably one of my husband’s favorite places. For him, Joshua Tree is all about rocks, he loves to climb and be outside. The weather is rarely bad, unless it’s the dead of summer, then you might have some serious heat issues. It’s a great place for every level of hiking and climbing. Also, perfect for groups!

Happy Adventures,

Erika

 

Sweat Anywhere — Exercise at home or on the go!

SWEAT ANYWHERE!

You don’t have to be at your home gym to get a workout in. Being a flight attendant makes it hard to get in a workout each day, but I don’t let that be an excuse. There are so many tools out there to keep you accountable.

Here are a few workouts, tips, apps, and other things I use to help keep me going:

:::Apps:::

Nike Training Club. NTC is the best of the best when it comes getting the most out of minimal space and limited time. You get to choose from a large variety of workouts, right at your finger tips. They usually range from 10-45 minutes. It allows you to have full control of what your workout will look like. And you will sweat no doubt about it!

myfitnesspal Traveling can mean eating a whole lot of junk. Myfitnesspal helps to keep me in check with what I consume. It might also mean that I have to workout a little harder than I thought because I splurged a little too much that day. It’s a calorie counter but so much cooler.

Map My Run I love running through a city, especially one I haven’t been to yet. It’s a great way to explore while burning some calories. Map My Run app is perfect for getting a look at your run’s stats. It tracks your run, coaches you along the way if you want. You can of course choose your music, and share with friends on where you’re going!

---

I also like to have encouragement at every turn. So, here are some people I like to follow on social media to give me that extra encouragement on the days I’m feeling sluggish.

:::Instagram|Twitter|Blogs:::

@fitwithcass Cass Wendell is a killer athlete and health & fitness trainer. She also has a blog >> http://www.hellocass.com/fitwcass

@nikewomen Nike Women–cute outfits but also some fit inspiration!

@katehiipakka Kate is a Nike Master Trainer and she is badass. Plain and simple.

@nikkimetzger Nikki is the owner of BODI gym and was my first instructor at a Nike Training Club class. She is not only super fit but the most motivating person I have every encountered!

Also–as part of my blogger feed I love blivewear‘s posts (here smoothie recipe’s are a-mazing!).

---

There is always time for a workout, big or small. Sometimes, I get home and can’t imagine braving the cold again to head to the gym…but don’t be fooled you still have a chance. I will find myself watching the Bachelor (I know, I know!), and during the many commercials breaks I’ll go through the circuit of 10 push ups, 20 crunches, 30 squats and plank for a minute and REPEAT until the show starts again. You do that for all commercials breaks over that hour or two, totally counts as a workout–and you will be anticipating that rose ceremony even more!

This is my version of an Nike Training Club ad ;). It’s me in Cozumel, stretching after a nice “Slim Effect” NTC workout (under Get Lean, Intermediate).

Happy Workouts & Adventures,

Erika