small changes toward a greater goal.

June (our dog) requested to go out this morning. "Jeeves, open the back door so I can run out and then run back in immediately as I do so delightfully, enjoy to do."  I didn't hear her whine, I heard Michael (my husband) get up and stomp tiredly down the hall and steps to let her out. The double "BEEP BEEP" of the alarm for the back door was clear as a bell. At this moment I was sure it was only about 3:49 am. I rolled over and sadly discovered it was actually 5:16 am. NARDS! I didn't fall asleep very well last night. Stomach was in knots, my muscles were stiff and sore, and I just didn't have an overall great rest at all. I laid there, listening to Mike stomp around downstairs... getting June water, pulling on his track pants, putting on shoes, and probably a sweat shirt, then I heard the tell tale "BEEP BEEP" as he went out the garage door into our 'gym'.

I must have dozed off for a split second, my alarm going off jolted me awake again. The delightful sound of horrible, 'Bro-Country' blaring [I always pick a station I hate] - I quickly slammed my hand down on it to turn it off.  And then it started... the reckoning. You can either get up now, and do this, or you can wait until tonight. However, if you wait until tonight, you won't have time to run. You will tell yourself you will do both, but you know damn well when it comes down to it, you won't. You have to watch episode to of Making a Murderer #priorities. Toss, turn, knowing I can't get back to sleep, I do what any rational adult would do, and I start in with the EENY, MEENY, MINEEY, MOE. Dammit, best two out of three... the damn outcome is the same... "You, Are, Not, It... laying in bed."

Annoyed, I sit up and notice my back is very stiff... I shuffle to the bathroom to do my business. I wake up most days checking social media, in the crapper. There you have it folks, the absolute truth. Think about that next time you see a comment from me before 6 am.  You're welcome.

I finish my business and fumble around trying to find my damn sports bra, some shorts and where the hell did my my last precious hair tie go?  I'm ready, I look at myself in the mirror and give myself a semi enthusiastic thumbs up, I am a vision... I then waddle down the steps to the living room.

I know all of this sounds like it's a New Year's Resolution that's already become a chore. Like, Kelly it's only January 5th and you're already bitter?  No, not a New Year, New Me BS trap, I didn't do that this year. I give all kudos for taking on the new year, new you stuff, but honestly, this has been about change for a while. You see I'm currently on my 3rd run of 21 Day Fix, once a day, 30 minutes every day for 21 days. I'm getting stronger every day, but still not firing to my full potential.  I've been jogging 2.25 miles on the treadmill at night, as often as possible (roughly 2-4 times a week). Why? Part of it is for the hell of it, to see how much I can push myself, the other part is that I wanted to drop some weight, and gain some strength, but the most important part is that I was ready to make a change in my life.

Mike and I did the Whole30 this past summer. We both saw amazing results. I did my 1st round, alone,  2nd round with him. Between the two rounds I lost over 20 lbs. This blew my mind. No exercise, JUST diet. I always heard your body was built in the kitchen but I didn't believe the validity of that statement until after doing the whole30 program. Mike had great success too.

via Grit and Glamour

Sounds scary I know, but honestly, it's not. Tough yes, but there isn't much in life that isn't worth it, after a tough battle, right? Through Whole30 I discovered my sensitivity to gluten, sugar and dairy. None will send me running for the bathroom to get sick, or worse (think other end, sorry TMI), however they will cause me to bloat, to swell, to ache, often to itch (gluten) and feel awful after consuming them. What did this teach me, well that #1 the treat better be worth the issues afterwards, and #2 it should be reserved for mostly special occasions.

I noticed I could breathe better. I wasn't getting winded walking up the steps, I wasn't getting the mid afternoon exhaustion issues I had in the past. My blood sugar wasn't spiking, I wasn't shaking, I wasn't as moody, and PMS was more of a breeze than EVER in my life. (Not easy, just MUCH better).

Do I still want chocolate, yes, I'm human, duh. And I will NEVER give up pizza, EVER!

After all of that discovery, I noticed that working out, while still hard wasn't nearly as bad as it used to be. We purchased a treadmill and one day I was like OK, let's do this. I walk/jogged my first full mile since high school without dying. I finished in 16 minutes. I bragged to my one running buddy and she said that was excellent so it made me feel wonderful.  The last time I tried to run was about 2 year ago, when Mike and I entered a Mud Run. Needless to say he was like a beautiful cheetah and I was like a slow ass elephant trudging through the mud. I have never felt like I was going to die more than that day, in my life.

So I made a change... We purchased bikes and started riding in the evenings after work and some days during the weekend. In approximately August/September or October, Mike made his own declaration to himself to do more moving, to try lifting weights again, and it went from there. He found a fitness routine he fell in love with and he's been getting up at 5:30 am ever since. He grumbles WAY less than I do. He's made amazing strides and floors me everyday!

I joined him with the early wake-up maybe a week or two into it, I started to feel guilty and lame for not trying... I'm glad I started. It's been about a month and 3 weeks for me. I've done 21 Day Fix, did a bit of PiYo over the holidays and I'm back to the 21 Day Fix, just to even it out in the mornings. You really can't beat pushing yourself for 30 minutes, sweating like crazy and then getting on with your day.  I actually look forward to my jog/runs in the evening on the treadmill, seriously, who am I?

I haven't seen huge changes in my body as of yet, just small bits, some weight loss, some hidden muscles coming out to play, HOWEVER, I have noticed that I am getting into a groove, and making headway in the whole "It's time to workout" scheme of things. This morning was rough, but I got up, turned on 21 Day Fix, and worked out. I always feel better once I start and I've never regretted a workout.

Mike and I started my 3rd and his 2nd Whole30 yesterday... I'm feeling much better already after all of the bad food we ate over the holidays. It's nice to get back to basics.

All that being said, I feel like I'm working toward a greater goal. While I'd love to say I'll be bikini ready by this summer, I'm really not focusing on that. Instead I want to focus on my health, and feeling better in my own skin. Listening to my body, and hell maybe even attempting a 5K that hopefully won't kill me.  Getting stronger and feeling better is my biggest goal. We'll see... 2016 is wide open, but for today... I'll stick with one mile at a time, one day at a time and one better chosen meal at a time! And who knows, maybe through all these changing habits, I'll drop some more pounds, but I don't want THAT to be my ultimate focus, because in the past, my vanity has always slowed me down.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

PS I am NOT a Beachbody Coach, or a Whole 30 expert by any means, these are just the programs and things that I'm loving at the moment!

Swamp Romp 2.0 [aka huff n' puffin' with my stuffin']

So it's been a very long time since I last wrote on this blog. As I stated yesterday, look at me 2 days in a row, RECORD! My last post was a re-post so I won't even count that as a dignified entry. That being said I guess the last time I actually took time to add something to this little corner of the internet was June. To be honest, not a ton has happened since June. Ok that's probably a lie. I've been to concerts, I've been kayaking a few times (not enough though), and I went to the beach for a glorious week with Mike's immediate family. It was great, but nothing I was overly wanting to blog about... until this weekend.

A few weeks ago, Mike and I innocently said yes to an invite to team up with some friends and compete in the 2.0 Swamp Romp 5k/3k Mud Run. A few of our dear friends from our 2 favorite watering holes were starting teams and running in the race. Mike and I figured, what the hell right? I will be the first to say it wasn't exactly Warrior Dash status, although to me it might as well have been. Did I mention I have never, in my life, ran a single mile?  Not even since elementary school. I always walked the mile in gym class. I did win a blue ribbon for a dash, (I forget how long) in Elementary school during our annual field day. I was like lightening that day, I also broke a school record but to be fair I think I was among one of the first of three classes to "graduate" from that school. It was fairly new so it wasn't like I broke a friend's grandmother's record or anything.

That being said, I'm not really athletic. I took dance classes growing up and was on the dance team in high school (brag: captain my senior year), and the only sport I was even close to successful at in school was volleyball, but it was a total popularity club, and well, it wore me out (again, not athletic).
I loved to dance so weezing during a kick line or dance routine never bothered me. I was probably in the BEST shape of my life my senior year. I ate like a horse, increased my ability to dance, run, kick and smile without dying, success! Running? OH HELL NO. Like I said, I walked the track 4 times around in high school with the cool girls, they smoked on the furthest area of the track and then snuffed out their cigs as they came around the bend near the teachers. I just followed along and laughed and chatted, and didn't push myself in the least during that time in my life.

Anytime I tried to be athletic, I got hurt.  Gym class was my least favorite. 3rd Grade, basketball, straight to my face. I sneezed for 45 minutes straight.  On the plus side, my nose didn't break. Middle school, field hockey, no pads, destroyed my shins left and right.  Even dance team, practice on the hard ass concrete floor in the cafeteria, resulted in shin splints from the wrong type of shoes. To say the least, I was a hot mess.

Why on earth did I think I could tackle a 3k mud run? Well, for starters there was beer at the finish line, and secondly I have friends back home that do it all the time [read: very in shape friends that can at least run a mile and for some reason I thought I was like them - yeah no]. I also thought I'd be among a few other people such as myself that weren't exactly stellar athletes but, just wanted to have fun. I was half right. I forgot how many of the servers at The Pie Factory and On the Rocks actually work out when they have off time, and others that don't smoke, and others that well, frankly just kick ass.

Mike and myself - aren't as buff. Yeah, I've done P90x-P90x3, I've done TurboFire and Chalean Extreme, I've dabbled in Insanity and even a few other workouts... but never stuck 100%. After the wedding I just got lazy... I'm still lazy... and it shows. I can lift weights all day long, I love it, but cardio, NO! Just... no. Mike likes video games, and relaxing and once said, and I quote "I am only going to run if a bear is casing me". We were the two most unlikely people to do this race, but again, figured you only live once, right?

SOOO we entered. And this past Saturday was the day it all changed.

SWAMP ROMP 2.0 / SEPTEMBER 27, 2014
We arrived early, really early, too early. Miscommunication. The day started at 8 AM we didn't know our team's race time, again, miscommunication. We didn't run until 11 am. Last heat of the races. Plenty of time for my nerves to build and to become VERY anxious before we started. I won't lie, I enjoyed a beer before. Not the WISEST of choices but I was thirsty. Note: Event people please have lots of water for sale next year... if it was out there I didn't see it, and I quickly slurped through my 32 oz I brought with me (because I thought I was running at 8 am, not 11). My bad.

Early Check In, Early Numbers. His and Hers.

Our team was awesome. The peeps at OTR and PF came up with the idea that since one of the businesses is a Pizza joint that we would wear Ninja Turtle colors, and they made tshirts that were awesome. It was so fun to get to put on all the gear and suit up to our hearts content. We even had a "mascot" for the day, our friend's puppy Ruzzo who is "festival famous" around these parts.

We took a group shot before... we are quite a crew are we not? (Mike and I are on the far left).

HEROES IN A HALF SHELL • TURTLE POWER!!!! • OTR / PF 2014 Swamp Romp 2.0 Crew

10:45 Time to prep!
We all stretched together - and made jokes about how we thought we'd do. I was happy to have such a HUGE group to run with, and a group of folks I knew. It made me feel better to know Mike and I since we were so inexperienced would have friends around us to lend a hand if needed.

11:00 AM - TIME TO RUN!
We lined up and the DJ gave us a big introduction, well gave THEM, all the hard workers at the Pie Factory and On the Rocks [they were also big sponsors of the day]. Sent us off with a good luck and we were wide open.

I will try to remember all of the events we had to complete along the way of the 3k. I tried to take mental notes but to be honest I think my brain said only one thing over and over "Holy shit, holy shit, what did I get myself into? Why do people do this for fun? What was I thinking? How is Mike running so well? He plays video games... maybe I should play video games... how did he just clear that hurdle? Holy shit, I can't breathe, focus... you can do this... stop being a slacker... I wanna go home... No, gotta push, I can do this... OH shit, I did it! I'm a beast!" etc. etc.

#1 ICE BATH
Right off the bat we dove into an ice bath - thankfully it was later in the day (racing started at 8 am), so most of the ice was melted and they ran out of ice to dump on us, but it was still cold, and deep. I was worried I'd slip and fall getting out but I did ok.

RUN/WALK - still feeling OK.

#2 HAY BAILS
There were about 8 bails of hay, huge round bails we had to climb up and then jump down. I tried to take a running leap and my foot sunk... lovely. Note to self: Nike Tempo Shorts suck ass for Mud Runs, next time wear some biker shorts under them.  I made it.

RUN/WALK for longer... huffing, and puffing the whole, damn way... I finally walked. Mike kept trucking but he kept me in his sights, thankfully.

#3 TIRE PILE
Looks pretty innocent, but then you start stepping on the old ass tires and some of them are dry rotted and brittle... joy to the world. I have scratches from that event, or maybe it was the rocks later... not sure.

RUN/WALK/WALK/WALK - at this point I was a little frustrated with myself. I should have prepared more.

#4 HURDLE / MUD HILL
As I'm walk running, panting and seriously thinking about giving up, yes this early, I see Mike just leap over the hurdle wall like it was NOTHING. Seriously, two hands on the top, and jump, cleared it... I thought to myself MAYBE I could do that, but then got closer and figured I better not try. I climbed over it, tried to joke with the college girls there to help out with the event and then went on.

RUN/WALK/BACK EFFING TRACK
The lovely college girls that had plenty of time to encourage Mike, and talk to him and tell him where to go didn't tell me jack shit. I saw the CAUTION TAPE but thought it was to avoid a huge hole (there was spray paint lining the track where we had to run to avoid holes). He made a hard left, and I missed it, I finally turned around and the 3 girls behind me, looked just as confused. Finally the three of us found the opening, and then I was dead last... And pissed.

#5 HANGING TIRES
This seemed really tame, I guess if you are running full force with other people it would be intimidating. I just shoved through last of the group... and then I finally said OK I need to get up again, and get ahead of these girls and over to Mike.

WALK/RUN

#6 BEAMS BETWEEN TREES
I jogged to Mike who had already cleared the tall beams we had to climb between two trees. I quickly learned as I climbed and then went to swing my leg over the top that my legs aren't as long as I thought, I had a bit of trouble getting footing to swing the other leg over but recovered ok.

WALK/RUN
Here is where we made a mistake, again I think that we weren't looking for our directional signs as well as we should have, I was following Mike's lead. At this point I saw the water station and thought... OK I'll run to the water station, it's close. So I took off jogging, then I saw that the jogging track was REALLY LONG, twice the distance I thought it was and for a minute I wanted to cry, and then I wanted to cheat and just run half the course to get to the water, but then I remembered that cheaters never truly win and started walking faster to catch up with Mike.

Note: I clearly don't know how to A) Pace myself and B) Breathe properly while running. I am going to work on that from here on out.

At this point my calve muscles were really starting to kill me. I stretched before hand but I think that because I wore "cross training" shoes for this run (they were older and I didn't care if they got destroyed) + my lack of experience was really starting to wear me down.

WATER
Oh the sweet refreshing nectar of the gods.
We realized after taking the long way around that we went the wrong way and missed out on probably 1 event in the woods for this run. Mike was like do you want to go through the woods and I probably said in a greatly bitchy, winded voice... "Hell no! Keep going!" Sorry babe if I was bitchy to you at all.

RUN/WALK for what felt like the longest distance yet.

#7 UP THE HILL
The course was made on an old golf course so we were running on a lot of greens up and down hills at this point. Once you crest the top of the hill, Mike had already gone further than me, so I was hanging with a woman who's husband left her in the dust. When we got to the top of the hill we were greeted by about 10 different directional arrows... I stopped and said, do they expect us to go in circles? Are we supposed to weave around the trees? Her words were as colorful as my own and we decided to bump that and just run straight through.

RUN/WALK - Kill me now!

#8 MINI MUD PIT HURDLES
Well, I guess we were supposed to jump over the flags? Maybe it was a crawl event but honestly no one was there, and the low laying flags had almost all fallen in the mud, and most of the prints in the mud pit resembled feet, not knee marks. So I pretended to jump hurdles just did a high knee movement until the end of the mud. At this point the three ladies behind me seemed to be cheating and just not competing anymore. Lame!

WALK/RUN around the small pond, on an incline. I picked a bad time to feel like I had a 2nd wind, my calves didn't like me running on a slant at all.

#9 MUD PIT #1
I saw Mike climbing out of the pit as I rounded the corner. He was covered at a slant in mud. He yelled back to me to be careful, it's really deep. I grabbed the guide rope and tried to walk gingerly down the small muddy hill... Since I'm so graceful I landed in the mud like a total lady... soaking myself from almost shoulder to toe in mud. After that all that was left to do was tromp to the other side, and try to climb out. Done. Finished it, did OK.

WALK/RUN down a bit and to the next MUD PIT.

#10 MUD PIT 1.5
Same pit, further down the way, and more water, I thought this might be easier, Mike warned me not to JUMP in, so I held on to some thick weeds (averted my mind away from all the ticks hiding in there) and slid into the mud and then it happened... OH EFF, my shoe was stuck... I tried not to panic but tried to remember what I learned about being stuck in quicksand... seriously, this is where my mind went. Instead of trying to pull my foot straight out, I wiggled it a little, and then pointed my toe and the shoe slid out... You know the saying "Sounds like a boot in mud." yup, just like that. Sick I know sorry...

Huffing and puffing I made it across the mud, and followed Mike on. He was still way ahead of me and I'm thankful he waited for me. I didn't want to go it alone.

WALK/RUN
At this point I was pretty exhausted, and my feet weighed a TON. We had a HUGE and long run ahead of us, and finally I believe made it to the next event. (Please note this is all a bit hazy at this point I might have left some out).

#11 UP HILL TIRE RUN
You know the tires that football players use for conditioning? The run through them back and forth with great speed, that is what this event was, but UP HILL. I tried to show that hill my moves and almost fell, I was tired yo! So I walked up them as I should but it's OK... I admit it, I'm out of shape.

WALK/RUN

#12 SLACKLINE
If you don't know what slacklining is, you're not alone - I just googled that shit because I didn't know how to explain it to you. We have a group of kids here - I think it's college funded that do "Outdoor Adventure" stuff and slacklining is one of the events they do.  I wish I wasn't so shaky at this point in my run. Mike seemed to do well, I watched him as I came down the hill toward the trees. Basically it's like a high wire act, but close to the ground. I climbed up and was shaking and fearful I might fall but finally I righted myself, and did well. I almost wanted to try again - I wish this was at the finish line so I could play all day... but I had to move on.

WALK / RUN
End of the line, I see a beautiful water stop again. SO happy... and even more fun once I got close I realized my little-brother-in-law was there with his puppy Suzy. I was so happy, I yelled "HEY PADEN!" and then in a higher voice said "SUZY Q!!!!" And commented had I known she was here I would have ran the whole race (not!)... I chugged water and we were instructed if we went right it would be the last events of the 3k, or if we went Left it would be the 5k. We opted for 3. I was done.. toast... but I had Suzy to run with me so it made it fun, most adorable puppy ever (next to our June).

#13 CLIMB THE WALL
Let's just say that my shoes were wide so trying to cling to these 2x4 type chopped bits of wood was difficult for me, my upper body strength is great for lifting weights other than my OWN body weight. Grunting and all I cleared the wall, splinter free I might add.

WALK/RUN

#14 SLIP N' SLIDE TO FREEDOM!
I missed Mike going down the slide, I got to the top and it seemed rather dry, not nearly enough water and I laid down and tried to go... I looked like a beached whale I'm sure... but... I rolled a bit got up and ran to the beer tent. I gave Mike crap for not waiting for me, he said THIS is the finish line Kelly, THE BEER TENT! Touche, he was right.

WE WEREN'T FIRST, BUT WE WEREN'T LAST and WE SURVIVED!

That's all we wanted!!!

SWEET DELICIOUS BEER... YOU ARE MY FAVORITE!

I am almost positive there was another obstacle in this event that I forgot but you get the idea. We are planning to walk/jog as much as we can in the near future, to build up endurance and maybe even have more of a fighting chance next year. I would do this again for sure, but if you asked me that when the above photo was taken, I'd say no way in hell.  When the endorphins kicked in, I was loving it though.

That afternoon... we drank beers, hung out with our team, watched some beer pong, listened to some great old school rap music and then decided to stuff our faces at On The Rocks, our FAVORITE bar in town (Pie Factory is our favorite bar/pizza joint).  Yes, we went into the bar, with mud still on us, but we did hose of a bit and we brought beach towels, we aren't total cave people.  We headed home and took showers and then I crashed in bed, and Mike crashed on the couch. I woke up that afternoon around 4 PM with a massive headache - I took some meds and drank some water and laid back down. By the next morning I think I was mildly dehydrated, my eyes were dry, my throat was sore, I just felt awful. I'm finally feeling better and will remember next year to bring myself more water, some possible gatorade and to drink less beer (I drank that Mich Ultra like it was water when we finished). LUSH.

All in all even with my disappointment in myself I had a great time and can't wait to try again next year! Maybe I should have started with a level 3k, or basic 5k - but I guess I wanted to GO BIG or GO HOME!

PS I'm also glad I didn't do the 5K apparently at the end when you crawl under the chicken wire obstacle there were rocks where your knees were, I would have HATED that.

Repost: Let's Hit The Creek

It's a new season, and a new year and since I was giving a co-worker some tips on what to take on her first canoe trip, ever - I thought why not share this again with my readers... all 6 of you that are still with me after all this time. Just in case you decide you want to hit the creek, or river in canoes or kayaks this season.

Originally Posted July 2013
Summer has finally reared it's brutal head here in the South. I guess I shouldn't say finally, that makes it sound like I wanted it here. Those that know me well know I get really excited for warmer weather, in the past that meant beach trips, and being outdoors. Now that I'm living in North Alabama, summer weather means extremely hot temperatures, and lots of sweat. I'm all for a good sweat session when I workout, but when I'm dressed up, my make-up is fixed and it's 104+ degrees outside, I'm miserable. Give me a kayak, and a cold beverage and let me float, otherwise I will be a beeotch to deal with.

One of my favorite bloggers, Miss Erin over at Living in Yellow shared what she called "The Best and Worst Day of her Life" to me, it looked like an amazing weekend on the lake with 40 of her friends. They do an annual canoe run, which is amazing. They even made commemorative koozies. How cute is that? Read about this years annual canoe trip here - it's even more epic! Commemorative shades, yes please!

Erin's post made me think a lot about how many times I've been out on the creek in my canoe, or kayak with my husband and friends and how even when you're wanting to have a great time, you must always put safety first.

I thought I'd take a moment and feature some safety tips, and items that are must haves for a float down the river or creek. Be it for 2 hours or a full day. So here are my personal must haves for a fun creek run!

1 // SUNBLOCK
I can't stress this enough. If you burn easily, or are a bit like me (OCD about burning and causing damage to my skin for cancer and vanity reasons) you must bring sunblock. I usually put some lotion on 20 minutes before I head out the door. Asking Mike to get it all over my shoulders and back. I recently started bringing spray sunblock with me for re-application. Just because it says SPF 120+ doesn't mean you don't have to reapply. Say it with me people, REAPPLY. If you aren't a freak about SPF, then by all means bring your tanning oil, I like to smell you as you float down the creek and pretend I'm at the beach. [Please note: I didn't reapply enough on my first run this season 2014 and I got crispy and red - lesson learned!!!!]

2 // HAT
This one isn't a NEED, but more of a suggestion. Again if you worry about your face burning, or the sun in your face, or just want to sport a fun accessory, the hat is the way to go. Be it a cowboy hat made of straw, a fun trucker cap, or just your favorite old ball cap. Rock it out. I'd suggest bringing one you aren't head over heels in love with. Better yet don't wear anything you couldn't bare to lose. Mike still has regrets of losing a Pearl Jam tour shirt he can't replace once while canoeing. [And forgo jewelry if it's important to you - not to mention necklaces make strange tan lines folks]. Hats are very handy incase you encounter a storm as well. They make it easier to see through the rain. Trust me on this one.

3 // SUNGLASSES
Who doesn't want to keep the sun out of their eyes. Bonus, when you can't wear full make-up on the creek they hide your tired eyes. If you wear full make-up on the creek, I have to ask, what's wrong with you? Ain't no body got time for dat! [I usually put on some concealer for my dark circles and some mascara, otherwise, it's SPF and sweat baby!]

4 // CHAPSTICK WITH SPF
Are you sensing a trend? The sun is brutal people, and your lips are fragile. Pucker up those puppies and coat them with some protection. If you must wear lip gloss fine, but don't cry to me when your canoe tips and you lose your most favorite shade that cost you $7.00+! Get some cheap lip shit, and if you lose it, no big - get some more at the gas station next time you get ice for your next trip down the creek.

5 // GOOD WATER SHOES
I can't stress this enough. If you are going on a big lake, or gentle waters while kayaking or canoeing then by all means sport some flip flops, or cure sandals that show off your pedicure. If you are however going on a creek that is often times rough, ever changing and there's a good chance you will either have to walk through the creek bed, pick yourself up after falling out of a canoe, or do some moving IN the water with rocks - get some good shoes with a closed toe, preferably with a reenforced toe. Keen's are great. The pair shown above are just like mine and I've had them for 6+ years now. I literally only want new ones because mine have become so old, and dirty (love you creek water). You'll pay a lot up front but they will last. Other sandals will work, most will stay on your feet but some will slip, and it's hard to walk in the water when your feet are slipping. There is also the fear of stubbing your toe on rocks mid flip, no one wants that. Just a safety tip from me to you.

6 // BUG SPRAY
No one wants ticks, or bites from other random bugs while kayaking. So if you are one of those people that bugs seem to LOVE, get yourself some spray for the trip. Take it with you (put it in the dry storage bag - see below).

IMPORTANT ADDITION: LIFE JACKETS My husband, Mike added in the comments the importance of having a life preserver / vest in the canoe / kayak at all times. And he's SO right, and I'm sorry I forgot to mention that. You don't always have to wear it but most state laws will insist you have one in the boat. Better to be safe, than sorry OR finned for not having one. Mike and I usually strap our vests to the back of our kayaks (with the cords on the boat), when we canoed we would strap and clip the vests to our seats and have them within arms reach to show cops on the creek, or incase the water got too rough. Side note, ladies if you get a chance to lay back and relax in the canoe while your partner steers (or gents) the vest makes a really comfy butt cushion for the bottom of the boat.  Also, one more note - if you leave these in your car after a long trip on the creek your vehicle will smell to high heaven the next day. Always remove them, and let them air out!

You've got your cooler, and your hands full of all the crap you want to take with you. So let's load up the cooler with beer, food and ice. If you're kayaking it will be a small cooler, think lunch box or 6 pack size. If you're canoeing, you can bring a HUGE cooler and carry more stuff for yourself and your friends. Don't be rude, carry stuff for your friends, seriously. Besides they might even share some beer and snacks with you. You might also want to bring one of the canoe straps you used to tie your canoe to your vehicle. If you rented a canoe, maybe invest in a strap or two to bring with you. Belting the cooler to the canoe center seat will ensure you keep most of your drinks and snacks, in the cooler, if you should flip. (You can strap the lid shut if you get close to rough water). No one wants to lose precious brews on the water. ALSO: Please bring a "trash bag" - Do NOT Litter in the water. Put your cans, bottles and wrappers in the bag and dispose of it when you get back to dry land (in a trash can).

7 // DRY STORAGE BAG
These are great and come in a ton of different sizes. There are some big enough for you to bring a dry tshirt, some towels etc. I wouldn't suggest bringing a towel WITH you, but instead leave it at the pick-up vehicle so it will be warm and toasty when you get out of the chilly water. Usually we haven't had a need for that, but these bags will double as a great way to take along all the items listed above and keep them dry PLUS if you get smaller versions you can put your cell phone and wallet inside. I URGE you to invest in a hook that will attach your car keys to your belt loop, or your partners. That way that if you flip the canoe you don't lost your keys to the car you are supposed to be riding home in.  [ALSO before leaving on the water, check to be sure your pick-up driver HAS his/her keys before you leave - it's a long ass walk home if they leave their keys IN the drop off vehicle]. If you have a small cooler, feel free to put some snacks in the dry bag that don't need to be kept cold. This is also a great place to store your toilet paper. You never know when you're going to need to pee. (Or you could just hang your booty in the water, just saying.)

8 // WATER and or HYDRATION DRINKS
Depending on how long you are out on the water it's always a good idea to carry a few bottles of water or hydrating drinks. Beer is great but when it's very hot, and you're sweating a lot you're only making your situation worse by dehydrating yourself further with alcohol. It's great to party. I've been there - 3 beer bongs deep and countless numbers of vodka shots on the creek - no problem. Thankfully I always carried some water too, and had a husband to care for me. Come to think about it he was my boyfriend at the time and I'm really lucky to be married to him now.

9 // REFRESHMENT
To drink or not to drink on the creek, that is the question. The answer is only if you can hold your liquor and don't put others in danger. It's hard to navigate a canoe with one person, it can be done but it's sort of a dick move to leave one person piloting the boat while you sleep it off. Drink responsibly. My other suggestion is try to find drinks that come in cans vs. bottles. Bottles can shatter, and also take up a lot of space in a cooler, and in a bag when you are finished drinking them [can't stress this enough]. Cans can be smooched, and won't break. Bonus points if you pick small brewery made Craft Beers.  Ladies, I have the best thing for you. If you love frozen drinks, go a head and get some of the pirate bay or whatever brand the make now (Mike's Hard Lemonade) frozen pouches. Put them in the cooler and get some LONG STRAWS. You can treat them as your adult Capri Sun's going down the creek. Cool and refreshing. Just make sure they don't melt too much.

ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WATER POLLUTION:
**** PLEASE PLAN TO BRING A TRASH BAG OR USE YOUR COOLER FOR EMPTIES. SO HELP ME IF YOU LITER WHILE CANOEING I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND BEAT YOU WITH YOUR OWN ARMS *****  You've been warned. [Sensing a trend, told you I couldn't stress it enough!]

10 // SNACKS
For short trips, or folks that are always hungry (like me) bringing some snacks on the trip are a must. Try to pick snacks that don't need to be chilled, and that are sturdy. Think Pretzels vs. chips. Chips will get all broken if they get shoved in dry storage and bounced around. Granola bars or Cliff Bars are great snacks to take. Both are dense, keep you full and are really, really good when they have the suns heat baking them, trust me, so good. You could also bring beef jerky or anything else your heart desires that won't perish outside of the cooler.

11 // MEALS
If you're going on a longer trip, think 3-4 or more hours, you may want to think of a meal. Your meal could be as simple as a sandwich with your pretzels or as extravagant as hamburgers. Yes, I said hamburgers. Let's start with the sandwiches. Pick a sturdy bread, you don't have to do this, plain old white bread / wheat bread is fine but keep in mind the longer it sits the longer your condiments are going to soak into the bread. Again be sure to keep your sandwiches cold, especially if you are using mayo. Nothing ruins a float more than a rancid sandwich except maybe a drunken boat buddy.

Now I say hamburgers because once Mike and I went canoeing for an entire day and he made a makeshift grill using the grate from our grill and some charcoal and branches. I pre made the patties with all the ingredients we needed and we kept it chilled in our cooler. They turned out amazing but it was one hell of a thing to do. Mike is a grill master. If you are a bit nervous brats and hot dogs work well too. Easy to tote a long and the hot dogs cook up in NO time. Just remember to keep your charcoal dry during the trip.

12 // KOOZIE
While this isn't a necessity, it makes for a fun addition to your snacks and refreshment. Mike figured out a way to use a kooz as a drink holder on our kayaks and I love it. Besides keeping your drink cold, it helps you to grip your drink if you have to set it between your legs while you paddle. Even better are the koozies that go around your neck, but I always feel silly wearing those. If you're a mixed drink kind of person a drink around the neck jug with a straw is perfect! Just try to remember to search for a plastic bottle for your booze and your mixers!

So you survived the creek/lake/river. Your muscles are screaming, you're head might be aching and for some reason eating 4 Clif Bars suddenly has you feeling a bit queasy. No worries, once you've loaded up your boats, tossed away your trash in the PROPER place you can climb into your vehicle and head home. Hopefully you'll remember when I say this, stash some towels in the pick-up car, or your car if you rented a boat. Your car seats will thank you. I always forget to bring them and I'm sure my leather seats hate me for it. Sometimes you get off the creek and you're burning up, other times you're freezing. Having a nice, car warmed towel after a long trip is heavenly [see I told you]. And they make your car smell fresh if they were just washed and dried.

So what to do now? You can go home and pass out (like a bitch), or you can invite your friends over for some grilled food and drinks. Usually this is exactly what Mike and I do. We are usually planning our dinner as we float down the creek. I don't know about most people but after a long day out in the sun, paddling left and right, I crave one thing - CARBS! Usually in the form of mac n' cheese or mashed potatoes.

13 // ALOE VERA

After you shower you'll realize how much sun your skin has taken on. For the reddest spots you might want to dab on some Aloe. It helps hydrate your parched skin and sometimes even helps from having too much peeling happen later down the line. I swear by this stuff.

14 // BBQ "AFTER FLOAT" ATTIRE

COMFORT IS KEY! You've been on the water all day, taking in the sun, the water and the elements. You've been suck in a swim suit that's been tied around your neck, or your manly jewels and you just want to feel relaxed. I always toss on my favorite comfortable pants, or shorts, a loose flowing tank-top or long sleeved t shirt (depending on how much sun I've had) and a pair of super easy flip flops. Doing your hair and make-up at this point is truly optional. I mean these people have seen you all day sweating and they still love you, forgetaboutit.

Now all you have left to do is bring a side dish to the hosts house, sit back relax, chat some more, laugh a lot, stuff your face with grilled goodness and give those muscles in your body a rest.

CAN'T FLOAT? NO ACCESS TO A KAYAK OR CANOE? NO WORRIES!
You can still enjoy the water, just swap the kayak/canoe for a beach chair. Gather your friends, their kids, your dogs and head to the nearest creek, or water way. Set up a day picnic and bring all the stuff I mentioned above. You don't have to float to enjoy the water, although some floats to put in the water, with cup holders would be excellent. Relax and enjoy the rays and your FREE Stay-cation afternoon.

BEWARE ON LAND OR WATER:
Be mindful of Snakes, Turtles, other wildlife - RESPECT NATURE!!!! They are everywhere. Study up on your poisonous varieties and also double check your knowledge on poisonous plants. And leave the critters alone, I don't care how cute they are - would you like someone interrupting your bath session?

All in all, be safe, have fun and keep your skin protected! I hope this helps anyone wanting to try kayaking or canoeing. I think my next write up should be about camping, what do you think?

loving lemon.

Right now, I'm loving lemon.  No, not Liz Lemon, although I love that woman more than life can say.


I'm talking about fresh, squeezed lemons. It's amazing what a big difference a little change can make. For weeks, or maybe even months I keep reading about the benefits of drinking fresh squeezed lemon in your water. Not just your ice water but also hot lemon water in the mornings. For added health benefits and overall wellness.  Mike is a huge fan of lemon in his ice water. I'm still not sold on it. Yes, I like it, but I don't like it when I'm eating. If we are at a restaurant it's easier to just both order our water with lemon, I then give him my slice when his runs out of flavor. Note: We get refills a lot through our meal - we are water fiends.

For the past few days - I've been taking some time to fix myself a cup of hot lemon water. I usually workout in the morning so the last thing on my mind is often a hot cup of anything. Usually I'm still battling leftover sweats even after getting out of the shower. I probably should take more time to cool down but time is limited in the morning. I try to give myself ample time to stop sweating before applying my make-up but there isn't always time. (TIME... just thought I'd drive that word home, I need a thesaurus). The kicker, when I put on moisturizer it gets worse, especially when there's sunblock. Where was I? You'd didn't come here to read about me sweating in the morning did you?

So yeah, I make myself a fresh cup of lemon water.  It's pretty simple. I know a lot of people will boil water to make this like they would tea, but I don't have time to think that far ahead in the morning. OK I have time, but I don't want to. Instead I use my Keurig.

via

Making Lemon Water using my Keurig...

• Get your favorite coffee mug, and squeeze in some fresh lemon. I've seen some people use half of a lemon, but since I'm still new at this and working my way up the ladder I take 1-2 slices (disc shaped like shown above) and squeeze the juice into my cup.

• Turn on the Keurig and get annoyed that it takes "forever" to heat up. Wait for the little mug lights to pop on to tell you it's ready.

• Trick your Keurig into thinking you're making a mug of joe by opening the compartment where you set your instant tea or coffee cup and then shut it. 

• Wait for the coffee size lights to light up and flash - then choose the amount of water you'd like to add to your lemon juice.

• The machine will go through it's cycle and then shoot out hot water for you to enjoy with your lemon juice. Simple, right?

• Enjoy.

I usually do this after I take a shower, before I've eaten anything (and usually after my workout) sipping on it while I'm doing my make-up. I usually brush my teeth first, if you have sensitive teeth maybe wait to brush after you finish your lemon water.

I'm not a fan of REALLY hot drinks, I usually wait for my coffee to cool a bit, or my tea, and same goes for this - it's still warm but I can sip it without worrying I'm going to burn my mouth.

**** 

10 Benefits of Drinking 

Warm Lemon Water Every Morning

 via Tasty Yummies (side note: I'm currently obsessed with this blog)

1) Aids Digestion. Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials and toxins from the body. It’s atomic composition is similar to saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. Lemons are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract. The digestive qualities of lemon juice help to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating. The American Cancer Society actually recommends offering warm lemon water to cancer sufferers to help stimulate bowel movements.

2) Cleanses Your System / is a Diuretic. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials in part because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Therefore toxins are released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy. The citric acid in lemons helps maximize enzyme function, which stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification.

3) Boosts Your Immune System. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds.  They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, and is used as complementary support for asthma and other respiratory symptoms plus it enhances iron absorption in the body; iron plays an important role in immune function. Lemons also contain saponins, which show antimicrobial properties that may help keep cold and flu at bay. Lemons also reduce the amount of phlegm produced by the body.

4) Balances pH Levels. Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods for the body. Sure, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they’re alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized). Lemons contain both citric and ascorbic acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood. Disease states only occur when the body pH is acidic. Drinking lemon water regularly can help to remove overall acidity in the body, including uric acid in the joints, which is one of the primary causes of pain and inflammation.

5) Clears Skin. The vitamin C component as well as other antioxidants helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes and it helps to combat free radical damage. Vitamin C is vital for healthy glowing skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. It can actually be applied directly to scars or age spots to help reduce their appearance. Since lemon water purges toxins from your blood, it would also be helping to keep your skin clear of blemishes from the inside out. The vitamin C contained in the lemon rejuvenates the skin from within your body.

6) Energizes You and Enhances Your Mood. The energy a human receives from food comes from the atoms and molecules in your food. A reaction occurs when the positive charged ions from food enter the digestive tract and interact with the negative charged enzymes. Lemon is one of the few foods that contain more negative charged ions, providing your body with more energy when it enters the digestive tract. The scent of lemon also has mood enhancing and energizing properties. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.

7) Promotes Healing. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), found in abundance in lemons, promotes wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage. As noted previously, vitamin C also displays anti-inflammatory properties. Combined, vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of good health and recovery from stress and injury.

8) Freshens Breath. Besides fresher breath, lemons have  been known to help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. Be aware that citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so you should be mindful of this. No not brush your teeth just after drinking your lemon water. It is best to brush your teeth first, then drink your lemon water, or wait a significant amount of time after to brush your teeth. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with purified water after you finish your lemon water.

9) Hydrates Your Lymph System. Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. When your body is deprived of water, you can definitely feel the side effects, which include: feeling tired, sluggish, decreased immune function, constipation, lack of energy, low/high blood pressure, lack of sleep, lack of mental clarity and feeling stressed, just to name a few.

10) Aids in Weight Loss. Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. Studies have shown people who maintain a more alkaline diet, do in fact lose weight faster. I personally find myself making better choices throughout the day, if I start my day off right, by making a health conscious choice to drink warm lemon water first thing every morning.

****

I am honestly not sure if all this is true - but it's a really simple thing to do in the morning AND why not try right? It's been two days and I have NO complaints. I guess I'll check back and let you know how it goes after continued sipping. Cheers to see if this will help all of the above!!!

What have you tweaked or changed in your daily routine to make your health a little better?

things we do / don't do

In our lives there are things we do, and things we don't do. It's a personal choice and one I'm really thankful I have in this life... so I thought I'd make a list of things Mike and I DO and DON'T DO...

THINGS WE DO

• Purchase as much as we can from local shops vs. the big box stores. Supporting local businesses is what helps your local economy. Win/Win right? For every dollar spent in a local establishment that isn't a chain you're are most likely going to find that money will filter back from that business into your own community. Spending money at big box stores and chains and usually guarantee that you will spend money there, that money goes back to the employees pockets who will then most likely get a huge discount and then spend it back at the same company and that money goes into the big company's higher up's pockets in another town, in another state, far, far away from your little town center. BUY LOCAL!

• We Recycle (Paper, plastic and aluminum) - if there was an option to recycle glass we'd be the biggest supporter of that in our area. I mean, all the beer wine booze soda we drink, we'd do so much for the environment if we could stop tossing those bottles in the trash. Seriously there is only so much DIY you can do with beer and wine bottles people! 

• Eat Vegan as much as possible until 6:00 pm (VB6 diet). It feels amazing to not be weight down, or slowed down by meat and dairy. I always thought it was total BS but I am a true believer now. Just don't take away my bacon yet, ok? We usually have meat at dinner. Truth is during the day I don't miss it and often times I opt to eat a vegetarian meal at dinner. If I can still have cheese I'm happy. Every once in a while I will revert to NEEDING meat. It's happy medium. Eating less meat is better for the environment too but I won't get into all that right now.

• Enjoy the great outdoors. Winter is rough (mentally) here in Alabama. Until recently I didn't know there were ski slopes in the area, I may need to take full advantage of that next year. I hate that the weather here is cold, bone chilling cold and wet, with little or no snow (last month's "blizzard" for AL and GA not included). I need snow in the winter, it makes me happy. So while this girl hates to sweat I'm itching for Spring and kayaking and camping again.

• Watch LOTS of TV and MOVIES. I'm ok with this. Some might say it rots your brains (that's what my parents always told me), but I think it stimulates my mind. Maybe not as much as reading a book would, but I'll be honest, Netflix is my BFF right now. Between that and Hulu I'm a happy camper.

• We don't use cable TV. We cut cable quite a bit ago and neither of us has missed it since. We still get basic local channels, and have internet but literally other than 2 shows on CW we watch NOTHING live, unless it's a football game. Everything was DVR for us, and we slowly made the choice to switch and haven't looked back.

• We collect vinyl. We've been doing this for years. When I first moved in with Mike he had a few albums and I brought mine from home, given to me by my father. Together that totaled maybe 30-40 records. He had a great turntable given to him from a co-worker, that worked so well. We've since amped up our collection bordering on over 100 different albums and upgraded our record player as well. I'm happy to have something to get me jazzed about searching for music again. I feel like a teenager again when searching for vinyl, even though I just used the term jazzed which I'm pretty sure my nearly 70 year old dad wouldn't even say (he's too cool for that).

• Spend frugally.  We try our best not to over spend for anything. Clothing, groceries, shoes, etc. That doesn't mean we don't treat ourselves from time to time. I am also learning that if I want a quality product, or say something I want to last a very long time, that I need to save my money and make a large purchase (say for a nice pair of boots) - that will last me for years to come.

• We like to day drink. And we honestly like to drink period. I don't drink nearly as much as I used to. Usually one night a week, on the weekends. We may have a bottle of wine on Thursdays (TV night). And sometimes we'll have a few drinks on a Saturday afternoon. Since I've been back on the workout wagon, I realize I can't drink a lot on Friday night and function through a workout the next day. Both acts will hinder any progress I might make. I'm mindful and think it's OK to unwind with a few stiff drinks. Who's with me?

• We don't discuss politics with family. Or at least we try not to. Usually because most of us don't see eye to eye on most issues.

• We believe Love is Love. PERIOD!

• We try to be as positive as we can. To BE THE GOOD in the world. But let's be honest sometimes we're negative, cynical, and sometimes down right sarcastic as hell. It's just who we are.

THINGS WE DON'T DO

• Shop at HELL-mart. Aka the big W. It's a personal choice, one I constantly hear people say they can't always make. "The food is so much cheaper at Wally World." or "Everywhere else is too expensive." I used to think the same thing. Sure it's convenient, you get everything under one roof, but in the end I don't find that it's always cheaper. Mike and I make 2-3 stops on shopping night. Yeah it blows driving to more stores but I'd gladly hit up Target for paper goods and beauty stuff, and then hit up Publix or a Mom n' Pop grocery store for food than suffer even one second at Hell-Mart.  Bottom line, I hate the company, I hate their policies, how they treat employees is awful and frankly the quality of their shit is well... shit. Besides why would we get produce from there when we could go to our local farmers markets AND a local hydroponic farmer to get REAL, FRESH, non-pesticide ridden produce that's from our own backyard and never trucked in from across the US and who knows where else? We wouldn't, that's why.

• We don't watch the Olympics. Yep, I said it. Blast me, call me un-American I don't care. I just have never gotten into the Olympics. Yes I love snowboarding, and I like figure skating OK but it's never truly been my thing. Gymnastics is sort of entertaining but if I'm being honest, we just don't watch this stuff, or give it much thought, honestly. Sorry Olympic hopefuls I know you work hard and I am VERY proud of you but I just don't have the desire to watch the games. Unless of course you're talking about X-Games - then I'm all in. Unless you count Shawn White I have no clue who any of the Olympic athletes are this year other than him. I've watched Shawn's career since he was a wee baby snowboader. I big puffy heart him.

• We don't watch Award Shows. I used to be huge into award shows as a kid. American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Movie Awards, I always wanted to tune in. These days, not so much. I mean the only thing currently making me want to watch this stuff is when awesome women like Amy P. and Tina F. are hosting Golden Globes, but even then I'd rather just catch up on re-caps after it happened. It's not to say that I don't think it's great - movies should be awarded. Actors should be praised for doing well in their roles. Hell I've enjoyed in the past when I've discovered some of my artwork won an award. I just don't have the patience to sit through it all, or listen to the red carpet banter. What I do love, is catching the BEST parts THE FASHION blogged to me (and everyone) by two of my favorite Hollyhood bloggers Handbags and Handguns and Day Old News. These ladies always do awesome coverage of ALL award shows and all the clothing. Not just for the women, but for the men too. So keep it up ladies!!!! Your recaps are all I ever worry about come award time. So can you all tell me who got Best Picture? I was happy to hear Matthew got Best Actor. "Alright, alright, alright!"

• Attend Church. I know that will bother some people, and others will be like big deal. Living here in the Bible Belt it seems like it's sort of a big deal. I'm ok with this. I know in my heart I'm a good person. I am very spiritual and have my own beliefs. Mike is a very, very good and honest person as well. We enjoy ourselves, do unto others as we'd have done to us. We respect people, we are compassionate, giving and caring. We abide the law and we don't take. I know there are many other lessons to be learned both in life and in church, I just don't see the reason to force ourselves to go to church ever week. There is more to it than that but let's not get into a religious discussion here. Bottom line - I respect others beliefs, and religious practices and I'd ask the same of them when considering my personal beliefs and my own way of practicing. 

• Have children yet, and we are OK with that, currently. One day we'll be parents, that day isn't today.

• We don't cause trouble and we don't bother no body. If you know the song this lyric is from, you're awesome!

• Drink Budweiser products if we can help it.  We love beer. We recently have fallen into the craft beer obsession. Trust me once you go craft, you'll never go back. I try to sip on my old faithful Mich Ultra but it's just not good to me anymore. I also discovered that it was to blame for most of my headaches from drinking. (That's my one Budweiser exception, Michelob is brewed by Budweiser - and now it's safe to say all Bud products give me a headache). If you haven't seen the movie Beer Wars you may want to check it out. Budweiser to me is the Walmart of Beers. They are shady, and often dishonest to the public. I'm not sure how they treat their employees - but let's just say I'd rather buy from a small time craft brewer (or even a large one like Sam Adams) than sip on Budweiser. And let's be honest, most beers taste 100% better and ole' Bud. I swear I'm not a beer snob either, our other exception to the Bud rule, Natural Light. It's the best damn creek beer there is out there. Especially ice cold on a blistering hot day kayaking. On tap? Forgetaboutit - DELICIOUS! SO yeah, we love our "trash" beer as much as our high end beer. Not snobby, just picky.

• Agree on EVERY TV show. There are quite a few shows I watch that Mike thinks aren't great at all, but it's all good. There are few he loves that I'm not that into. Biggest ones that stand out, He's not going to sit and watch Supernatural with me (though he's tried) or Hart of Dixie, but at the same time I'm not really going to sit and watch and entire episode of WWE RAW with him either. I used to, and I was a pretty big Wrestling fan in the late 90's early 2000's, but I'm just not as into it now. Most TV we agree on, often times there are ones we don't.

• Eat at Chain Restaurants / Fast Food.  I won't say we NEVER do this, there have been times it happens. Most recently, while Christmas shopping (not really recent) we ate at Chili's. Let's be honest, I like the Southwestern Eggrolls and while it's not awesome cuisine it's passable bar food. That being said we would MUCH rather support local eateries in our area. Downtown alone we have a great pizza joint, a great place to get a burger (best burger in town), a Thai and sushi place, one to get a good steak, one that's all italian food and awesome, and a new high end meat n' three type place as well. Add to that a small sandwich shop with speciality items, a Chicago style deli with subs and pizza that's open late after hours on Saturdays and a Tex-Mexican joint that is a local to AL chain and we've got EVERYTHING we could want. If none of that is exactly what we need we have quite a few authentic Mexican places sprinkled throughout town, and a few Japanese and Chinese places. I ask anyone, for the love of it all - if you had all of this LOCALLY sourced good food to eat why the hell would you to go Olive Garden? Or Outback? Or Applebees?  Why would you travel twice the distance to eat previously frozen food that the cooks microwave or reheat for you? Why on earth would you pay top dollar for that stuff? We also had a great seafood place that closed shortly after Olive Garden opened. To be fair, we always had a great experience there but others complained. We are still depressed it's closed. I haven't had a notable meal at a chain restaurant in years, so why subject myself to that again? That being said, I will be honest, I sort of miss the deep fried green beans from TGIFriday's. Not enough to go back... and every once in a while this girl craves Hooters. Yes, you got that right. As far as Fast Food goes, it's usually when we are short on time, or traveling that we decide to eat at any fast food place. It's another never say never but we try to avoid it at all costs if at all possible.

• He doesn't use Facebook.  I still have mine, however aside from a status update, or checking in on my best friends from back home and their kids I really don't use it. Mike has canceled his all together. He was over the political BS, and other BS posted by people. I can't say I don't feel the same way. I am literally sick of hearing about every bowel movement. I just can't seem to delete mine, yet.

So there you have it... a few things we do, and don't do on a regular basis. Is there anything you passionately DON'T participate in?

damn you candy...

Everyone says it's the holidays that kill you in a diet or getting fit routine. I beg to differ. It's Halloween, and all it's glorious candy that gets me. Every. Single. Year. I can't say no... sorry WON'T say no. Candy owns me.

Dean's candy binge • via tumblr

Does anyone else have this problem? Come Thanksgiving I'm fine. One meal, no problem. Christmas, sure I might over indulge in some cookies, but I'm telling you, this Halloween Snickers binge, is bad. And yes, before you suggest it, I know... Don't bring it into your home, well tough shit, I did and now I am probably about 3 full bags of demolished Snickers in this season. Thankfully my In-Laws came over Sunday and ate most of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups... Whew!

Let's Hit The Creek!

Summer has finally reared it's brutal head here in the South. I guess I shouldn't say finally, that makes it sound like I wanted it here. Those that know me well know I get really excited for warmer weather, in the past that meant beach trips, and being outdoors. Now that I'm living in North Alabama, summer weather means extremely hot temperatures, and lots of sweat. I'm all for a good sweat session when I workout, but when I'm dressed up, my make-up is fixed and it's 104+ degrees outside, I'm miserable. Give me a kayak, and a cold beverage and let me float, otherwise I will be a beeotch to deal with.

One of my favorite bloggers, Miss Erin over at Living in Yellow shared what she called "The Best and Worst Day of her Life" to me, it looked like an amazing weekend on the lake with 40 of her friends. They do an annual canoe run. They even made commemorative koozies. How cute is that? Her post made me think a lot about how many times I've been out on the creek in my canoe, or kayak with my husband and friends and how even when you're wanting to have a great time, you must always put safety first.

I thought I'd take a moment and feature some safety tips, and items that are must haves for a float down the river or creek. Be it for 2 hours or a full day. So here are my personal must haves for a fun creek run!

1 // SUNBLOCK
I can't stress this enough. If you burn easily, or are a bit like me (OCD about burning and causing damage to my skin for cancer and vanity reasons) you must bring sunblock. I usually put some lotion on 20 minutes before I head out the door. Asking Mike to get it all over my shoulders and back. I recently started bringing spray sunblock with me for re-application. Just because it says SPF 120+ doesn't mean you don't have to reapply. Say it with me people, REAPPLY. If you aren't a freak about SPF, then by all means bring your tanning oil, I like to smell you as you float down the creek and pretend I'm at the beach.

2 // HAT
This one isn't a NEED, but more of a suggestion. Again if you worry about your face burning, or the sun in your face, or just want to sport a fun accessory, the hat is the way to go. Be it a cowboy hat made of straw, a fun trucker cap, or just your favorite old ball cap. Rock it out. I'd suggest bringing one you aren't head over heels in love with. Better yet don't wear anything you couldn't bare to lose. Mike still has regrets of losing a Pearl Jam tour shirt he can't replace once while canoeing. Hats are very handy incase you encounter a storm as well. They make it easier to see through the rain. Trust me on this one.

3 // SUNGLASSES
Who doesn't want to keep the sun out of their eyes. Bonus, when you can't wear full make-up on the creek they hide your tired eyes. If you wear full make-up on the creek, I have to ask, what's wrong with you? Ain't no body got time for dat! [I usually put on some cover up for my dark circles and some mascara, otherwise, it's SPF and sweat baby!]

4 // CHAPSTICK WITH SPF
Are you sensing a trend? The sun is brutal people, and your lips are fragile. Pucker up those puppies and coat them with some protection. If you must wear lip gloss fine, but don't cry to me when your canoe tips and you lose your most favorite shade that cost you $7.00! Get some cheap lip shit, and if you lose it, no big - get some more at the gas station next time you get ice for your next trip down the creek.

5 // GOOD WATER SHOES
I can't stress this enough. If you are going on a big lake, or gentle waters while kayaking or canoeing then by all means sport some flip flops, or cure sandals that show off your pedicure. If you are however going on a creek that is often times rough, ever changing and there's a good chance you will either have to walk through the creek bed, pick yourself up after falling out of a canoe, or do some moving IN the water with rocks - get some good shoes with a closed toe, preferably with a reenforced toe. Keen's are great. The pair shown above are just like mine and I've had them for 3 years now. I literally only want new ones because mine have become so old, and dirty (love you creek water). You'll pay a lot up front but they will last. Other sandals will work, most will stay on your feet but some will slip, and it's hard to walk in the water when your feet are slipping. There is also the fear of stubbing your toe on rocks mid flip, no one wants that. Just a safety tip from me to you.

6 // BUG SPRAY
No one wants ticks, or bites from other random bugs while kayaking. So if you are one of those people that bugs seem to LOVE, get yourself some spray for the trip. Take it with you (put it in the dry storage bag - see below).

IMPORTANT ADDITION: LIFE JACKETS My husband, Mike added in the comments the importance of having a life preserver / vest in the canoe / kayak at all times. And he's SO right, and I'm sorry I forgot to mention that. You don't always have to wear it but most state laws will insist you have one in the boat. Better to be safe, than sorry OR finned for not having one. Mike and I usually strap our vests to the back of our kayaks (with the cords on the boat), when we canoed we would strap and clip the vests to our seats and have them within arms reach to show cops on the creek, or incase the water got too rough. Side note, ladies if you get a chance to lay back and relax in the canoe while your partner steers (or gents) the vest makes a really comfy butt cushion for the bottom of the boat.  Also, one more note - if you leave these in your car after a long trip on the creek your vehicle will smell to high heaven the next day. Always remove them, and let them air out!

You've got your cooler, and your hands full of all the crap you want to take with you. So let's load up the cooler with beer, food and ice. If you're kayaking it will be a small cooler, think lunch box or 6 pack size. If you're canoeing, you can bring a HUGE cooler and carry more stuff for yourself and your friends. Don't be rude, carry stuff for your friends, seriously. Besides they might even share some beer and snacks with you. You might also want to bring one of the canoe straps you used to tie your canoe to your vehicle. If you rented a canoe, maybe invest in a strap or two to bring with you. Belting the cooler to the canoe center seat will ensure you keep most of your drinks and snacks if you should flip. (You can strap the lid shut if you get close to rough water). No one wants to lose precious brews on the water.

7 // DRY STORAGE BAG
These are great and come in a ton of different sizes. There are some big enough for you to bring a dry tshirt, some towels etc. Usually we haven't had a need for that, but these bags will double as a great way to take along all the items listed above and keep them dry PLUS if you get smaller versions you can put your cell phone and wallet inside. I URGE you to invest in a hook that will attach your car keys to your belt loop, or your partners. That way that if you flip the canoe you don't lost your keys to the car you are supposed to be riding home in.  If you have a small cooler, feel free to put some snacks in the dry bag that don't need to be kept cold. This is also a great place to store your toilet paper. You never know when you're going to need to pee. (Or you could just hang your booty in the water, just saying.)

8 // WATER and or HYDRATION DRINKS
Depending on how long you are out on the water it's always a good idea to carry a few bottles of water or hydrating drinks. Beer is great but when it's very hot, and you're sweating a lot you're only making your situation worse by dehydrating yourself further with alcohol. It's great to party. I've been there - 3 beer bongs deep and countless numbers of vodka shots on the creek - no problem. Thankfully I always carried some water too, and had a husband to care for me. Come to think about it he was my boyfriend at the time and I'm really lucky to be married to him now.

9 // REFRESHMENT
To drink or not to drink on the creek, that is the question. The answer is only if you can hold your liquor and don't put others in danger. It's hard to make a canoe with one person, it can be done but it's sort of a dick move to leave one person piloting the boat while you sleep it off. Drink responsibly. My other suggestion is try to find drinks that come in cans vs. bottles. Bottles can shatter, and also take up a lot of space in a cooler, and in a bag when you are finished drinking them. Cans can be smooched, and won't break. Ladies, I have the best thing for you. Bonus points if you pick small brewery made Craft Beers.  If you love frozen drinks, go a head and get some of the pirate bay or whatever brand the make now (Mike's Hard Lemonade) frozen pouches. Put them in the cooler and get some LONG STRAWS. You can treat them as your adult Capri Sun's going down the creek. Cool and refreshing. Just make sure they don't melt too much.

ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WATER POLLUTION:
**** PLEASE PLAN TO BRING A TRASH BAG OR USE YOUR COOLER FOR EMPTIES. SO HELP ME IF YOU LITER WHILE CANOEING I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND BEAT YOU WITH YOUR OWN ARMS *****  You've been warned.

10 // SNACKS
For short trips, or folks that are always hungry (like me) bringing some snacks on the trip are a must. Try to pick snacks that don't need to be chilled, and that are sturdy. Think Pretzels vs. chips. Chips will get all broken if they get shoved in dry storage and bounced around. Granola bars or Clif Bars are great snacks to take. Both are dense, keep you full and are really, really good when they have the suns heat baking them, trust me, so good. You could also bring beef jerky or anything else your heart desires that won't perish outside of the cooler.

11 // MEALS
If you're going on a longer trip, think 3-4 or more hours, you may want to think of a meal. Your meal could be as simple as a sandwich with your pretzels or as extravagant as hamburgers. Yes, I said hamburgers. Let's start with the sandwiches. Pick a sturdy bread, you don't have to do this, plain old white bread / wheat bread is fine but keep in mind the longer it sits the longer your condiments are going to soak into the bread. Again be sure to keep your sandwiches cold, especially if you are using mayo. Nothing ruins a float more than a rancid sandwich except maybe a drunken boat buddy.

Now I say hamburgers because once Mike and I went canoeing for an entire day and he made a makeshift grill using the grate from our grill and some charcoal and branches. I pre made the patties with all the ingredients we needed and we kept it chilled in our cooler. They turned out amazing but it was one hell of a thing to do. Mike is a grill master. If you are a bit nervous brats and hot dogs work well too. Easy to tote a long and the hot dogs cook up in NO time. Just remember to keep your charcoal dry during the trip.

12 // KOOZIE
While this isn't a necessity, it makes for a fun addition to your snacks and refreshment. Mike figured out a way to use a kooz as a drink holder on our kayaks and I love it. Besides keeping your drink cold, it helps you to grip your drink if you have to set it between your legs while you paddle. Even better are the koozies that go around your neck, but I always feel silly wearing those. If you're a mixed drink kind of person a drink around the neck jug with a straw is perfect! Just try to remember to search for a plastic bottle for your booze and your mixers!

So you survived the creek/lake/river. Your muscles are screaming, you're head might be aching and for some reason eating 4 Clif Bars suddenly has you feeling a bit queasy. No worries, once you've loaded up your boats, tossed away your trash in the PROPER place you can climb into your vehicle and head home. Hopefully you'll remember when I say this, stash some towels in the pick-up car, or your car if you rented a boat. Your car seats will thank you. I always forget to bring them and I'm sure my leather seats hate me for it. Sometimes you get off the creek and you're burning up, other times you're freezing. Having a nice, car warmed towel after a long trip is heavenly. And they make your car smell fresh if they were just washed and dried.

So what to do now? You can go home and pass out (like a bitch), or you can invite your friends over for some grilled food and drinks. Usually this is exactly what Mike and I do. We are usually planning our dinner as we float down the creek. I don't know about most people but after a long day out in the sun, paddling left and right, I crave one thing - CARBS! Usually in the form of mac n' cheese or mashed potatoes.

13 // ALOE VERA

After you shower you'll realize how much sun your skin has taken on. For the reddest spots you might want to dab on some Aloe. It helps hydrate your parched skin and sometimes even helps from having too much peeling happen later down the line. I swear by this stuff.

14 // BBQ "AFTER FLOAT" ATTIRE

COMFORT IS KEY! You've been on the water all day, taking in the sun, the water and the elements. You've been suck in a swim suit that's been tied around your neck, or your manly jewels and you just want to feel relaxed. I always toss on my favorite comfortable pants, or shorts, a loose flowing tank-top or long sleeved t shirt (depending on how much sun I've had) and a pair of super easy flip flops. Doing your hair and make-up at this point is truly optional. I mean these people have seen you all day sweating and they still love you, forgetaboutit.

Now all you have left to do is bring a side dish to the hosts house, sit back relax, chat some more, laugh a lot, stuff your face with grilled goodness and give those muscles in your body a rest.

CAN'T FLOAT? NO ACCESS TO A KAYAK OR CANOE? NO WORRIES!
You can still enjoy the water, just swap the kayak/canoe for a beach chair. Gather your friends, their kids, your dogs and head to the nearest creek, or water way. Set up a day picnic and bring all the stuff I mentioned above. You don't have to float to enjoy the water, although some floats to put in the water, with cup holders would be excellent. Relax and enjoy the rays and your FREE Stay-cation afternoon.

BEWARE ON LAND OR WATER:
Be mindful of Snakes, Turtles, other wildlife - RESPECT NATURE!!!! They are everywhere. Study up on your poisonous varieties and also double check your knowledge on poisonous plants.

All in all, be safe, have fun and keep your skin protected! I hope this helps anyone wanting to try kayaking or canoeing. I think my next write up should be about camping, what do you think?