11.29.2011

November Foodie Penpals

Where did November go?!  It seems like this month just flew by!  One bit of exciting news is that I got accepted into my grad school program!  I will be a (part-time) student starting in January - YIKES! 

So, I had so much fun last month that I decided to participate in the foodie penpals again!  (See below for more details.)  This month Sarah @ sarah learns sent me some delicious treats from Wisconsin!  I was so excited to try everything!  (Sorry that some of the items are open and partially eaten - I couldn't find my camera right away and couldn't resist sampling.)

My box contained:
Organic Tamari-roasted Almonds (aka: DELICIOUS!):  I had to hide these from my husband, and he is already asking if we can find these in Ohio! I have been eating a small handful of these to give me a boost before I work out.  (I work out at my office gym during my lunch hour and these help me survive until I have lunch afterwards.)
Sesame Bar with Date Syrup:  I have to admit that I was a little nervous about trying these as I did not know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised.  They were quite tasty.
Dagoba organic chocolate - Superfruit:  This is "rich dark chocolate, acai, currants, & goji berries" and it is tied for my favorite item in the box! :)  
Christine's Coffee Toffee:  This is what tied with the Dagoba bar.  It is a thin layer of toffee with small coffee bean pieces on one side and a thin layer of dark chocolate on the other.  Made with Wisconsin butter and coffee! (Got to love local!)
Semolina Pizza Crust Mix:  Haven't gotten to try this yet, but it claims you only need to add water - sounds easy enough.
Slack's Red Raspberry Jam:  I love raspberries (good guess Sarah!) and this jam is full of favor.  I ate it for breakfast on bagels this past week. 

Thanks again Sarah for all the delicious Wisconsin treats!  It is always fun to see local favorites from other places. :)



She even included this cute little pocket guide of local Southern Wisconsin restaurants that use local ingredients!  What a great idea. :)

If you are interested in joining the Foodie Penpals program, here are some details:
-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month. *US Residents only please at this time- hopefully we can expand soon!*

For more information on the foodie penpals, check out the details on The Lean Green Bean.
If you’re interested in participating in December's foodie penpals, please send Lindsay an email at theleangreenbean@gmail.com by December 4th and include the following information:
-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)

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UPDATE:  Since it is not letting me comment on my own post:

@ sarahlearns:  The chocolate was wonderful.  I finally ate the last bite today and am sad that it is gone!

@ Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean: The toffee was delicious!  Maybe you will get lucky and have Sarah as your penpal one month! :)

@ Sarah:  I would definitely recommend trying them if you like almonds - they are almost addicting!

@ Kimberly: AGREED!  :)

11.07.2011

Saving for Trips

Having money to travel is like saving for anything else - you need to do it on purpose.  Rarely is there just enough spare money in your bank account to take a trip.  I choose to save money every month because for me travel is a priority.  I even have a separate savings account that is labeled as our "Trip Fund".  I understand that not everyone is that dedicated to their vacations, but even being able to get away every once and a while is nice.
 
Fortunately, it doesn't take much money for it to add up though.  I think some people would be surprised at how little you would need to put away when you break it down per day or per week.  For the previous post (Challenge: Romantic Getaway) the budget was $1500 by late August.  At first that amount may seem daunting, but if you save just $5/day ($35/week) then by the end of August you would have the $1500 for the trip (or at least pretty darn close).

For a shorter trip like Option #3 to Niagara Falls (Challenge: Niagara Falls) you would need about $600.  To reach $650 by the trip on May 10th, you would only need to save about $25/week ($3.57/day) and this even gives you a little extra.  If you wanted to take that same trip in the fall (assuming same prices) you could put away only $2/day and still have $650 by the end of September!  These are some examples of items most of us usually wouldn't think twice about buying:
-Starbucks drink: usually around $4
-Chipotle: $6 without a drink or chips
-Hallmark card: $3-5
-2 for $20 Meals: ~$25 with tax+tip
-New Shirt: $15 for even an average shirt at Kohl's or Target
While it is unlikely that you will stop buying these things completely, it just gives an idea of areas you could find a few dollars to save a for a trip - even if you only pick one!  So now instead of spending that money, put it away in your trip fund.  If you get a few dollars for a birthday or holiday put that directly into the fund, too.  It can help you save up to your goal quicker or give yourself a few days off from saving.

Anyone else saving up for a special trip?  If so, where are you planning to visit?  
I always have a hard time deciding where to go next, but my husband and I are thinking maybe New York City or Boston.

11.01.2011

Challenge: Romantic Getaway

This is a request for a friend in D.C. Her and her husband are hoping to take a trip together during late Summer 2012. By waiting to travel until the end of summer, places are usually a little less crowded and most children have started back to school. While these trip are not overly romantic, they offer quiet time to enjoy the sun while relaxing together.

Criteria: Week-long romantic getaway
Needs/Wants: Sunshine - either a beach or cruise
Time Frame: Last-summer / early-autumn 2012
Budget: $1500 TL for two (Based on travel from Washington D.C.)

Option #1: Myrtle Beach, SC
(8/25/12-9/1/12)
Myrtle Beach Photos
This photo of Myrtle Beach is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Hotel: Dunes Village Resort - Oceanfront Deluxe 1K Studio @ "25+5 Online Early Booking Special"-rate; Kitchen; Spa; Golf; Indoor water park; TripAdvisor award $737.27TL
Option to add breakfast for $9pp/day
Car/Gas: 415 mile each way (~7.5hr); round trip 830 miles with 27mpg at $3.50/gal $107.59 TL
Parking: Optional Unlimited Valet $10/day $70+tip (Could not find details on other parking options)
Food: Breakfast: $5/day (7day = $35); Lunch: $15/day (8days = $120); Dinner: $40/day (7days = $280); Drinks: $10/day (6days = $60) ~$495TL = $90/day
To afford a nicer meal out, consider eating during lunch - same food for better prices. Then have dinner back at the hotel...you can eat while watching the sun set from your balcony.
See Challenge: National Parks for additional suggestions on food when you have a kitchen!
Activities: IMAX 3D $13pp (online prices); Tanger Outlet Mall; Myrtle Beach Visitors' Guide ~$26TL
Trip Total: $1435.86 TL

Option #2: Caribbean Cruise
(9/3/12-9/8/12)
Grand Turk Photos
This photo of Grand Turk is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Cruise: Carnival - 5 Day Eastern Caribbean from Miami, FL (9/3/12-9/8/12) - Interior Porthole Cabin @ Early Saver rate $945.14TL
Price includes round trip cruise transfers ($64) and gratuity ($115)
w/o transfers or gratuity =$766.14TL
Vacation Protection: $98TL (Optional)
Airfare: American Airlines - Washington DC (DCA) to Miami (MIA) Nonstop Flights $302.80TL
Food: Included with cruise $0pp
Beverages: Based on 2 drinks per person per day at $5/drink $100TL
Activities: Included with cruise $0pp
Passport: Passport Card (Valid for travel to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, or Bermuda by land or sea ONLY) $55p
Trip Total: $1445.94TL (including vacation protection but not passport costs)

10.30.2011

October Foodie Penpals

While I primarily write about travel, one of the joys of traveling for me is trying new food.  When I heard about Foodie Penpals, I thought it sounded like a fun way to try new foods from all over the United States.  October was my first month to participate and here is what I received:

My box was from Erin @ Creative Soul in Motion who lives in the Boston area.  She sent me a wonderful "I ♥ New England" themed package!

 
Item #1:  Maple Syrup - So far I have only used the syrup for Saturday morning pancakes, but I plan to use it for a few more recipes including a Maple-Simmered Chicken recipe from my Clean Eating magazine (Oct '11). It tastes much better than the artificially sweetened types.  

Item #2:  Apple Butter - This apple butter was delicious and perfect for fall!  I have been using it on my toast in the morning for breakfast.

Item #3: Apples - Fresh apples picked by Erin from Honey-Pot Hill Orchard...Yum!

Item #4: Homemade Muffins - I had these for breakfast.  My husband really liked these, too.  


Item #5: Honey - Sadly, the honey jar broke during shipping so I did not get to try it.  Since it smelled nice, I'm sure it would have tasted delicious... 



 Along with all my goodies, Erin included some information about her recommendations for restaurants and activities in Boston:

"...Start at the Flour Bakery in Fort Point for breakfast, meander over to the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum for the morning, stop by a farmers' market on the way to lunch at Cafe L'Aroma.  Then stroll through the gardens and explore Beacon Hill before going up to Cambridge for a fabulous dinner at Upstairs on the Square.  Then I would explore Harvard Square while the sun slowly sets."

This sounds like such a fun day in Boston!  She also included menus for:
-The Cottage  They have a delicious looking brunch menu - think Stuffed French Toast, Tuscan Omelette, and Maine Lobster BLT+A...yummy! (I love breakfast foods!)
-Cuchi Cuchi  A place meant to capture "old world beauty and early hollywood" which has international small pair&share dishes including mushroom risotto, thai mussels, and duck a l'orange crepes.  They even have vintage cocktails!  (Sounds like a fun place for a girls' evening out!)
- Dali  This restaurant and tapas bar is a sister restaurant of Cuchi Cuchi with many items to pick from including queso de cambra montañas (baked goat cheese w/ tomato & basil), gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), and conejo escabechado (braised rabbit w/ red wine, juniper, & garlic). 
 
For more information on the foodie penpals, check out the details on The Lean Green Bean.
If you’re interested in participating in November's foodie penpals, please send Lindsay an email at theleangreenbean@gmail.com by November 4th and include the following information:
-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)

10.14.2011

Challenge: Niagara Falls, ON

The Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada is a beautiful place. It was designated as a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice® 2011 Winner (Destination and Family Categories).  Since this is only a 6hr drive from Columbus, it makes an easy weekend trip.  There are many things to do in the area besides view the Falls.  Please remember that you now need a passport to travel to Canada.  (For questions about passports go to the US Dept of State's website.)   
While some items are priced in US Dollars (USD) and others are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) the exchange rate is currently very close to even, so I did not bother to adjust Canadian dollars into US dollars.  All prices are US dollars unless otherwise noted.

Niagara Falls Photos
This photo of Niagara Falls is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Criteria:  Close to the falls and other activities.
Needs/Wants: Variety of activities beside seeing the Niagara Falls.
Time Frame:  Long weekend - prices based on May 10-13 (3nights/4days)
Budget:  #1 $1500 / #2 $1000 / #3 $600 TL for 2 people


Option #1: Niagara Fall - Fallsview
Hotel: The Tower Hotel - Standard 1Q Fallsview @ 20% for 3nt-rate (no breakfast); mostly positive TripAdvisor reviews   $622.92 TL
Car/Gas: 352 miles each way (~6hr); round trip 704 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $112.00 TL
Parking:  Valet Parking $15/day  $45
Transportation: Walking distance  $0 TL
Food: Breakfast (B): $10/day ($30); Lunch (L): $35/day ($105); Dinner (D): $60/day ($180); Drinks (Dr): $20/day ($60)  ~$375TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)
Activities: Maid of the Mist Tour $16.50CADpp; Niagara Wine Trail $0 OR use the Vino Visa Passport $25pp (Worth the money if you plan to visit multiple wineries for free tastings); Fallsview Casino $0 (unless you gamble); Niagara Sky Wheel $8.99pp (with $1off coupon on website); Butterfly Conservatory $12.25pp; Botanical Gardens $0; Niagara Helicopter Rides $132pp; Crystal Beach $0  $390 TL 
Trip Total:  $1544.92 TL

Option #2: Niagara Falls - B&B
Hotel: Greystone Manor Bed and Breakfast - Topaz Guest Room 1Q @ TripAdvisor 15% off-rate (must pay in cash to received discount); private entrance; breakfast; mini-fridge and microwave; ranked as #1 B&B by the Niagara Falls on TripAdvisor  $300CAD + 13% tax = $339CAD TL
Car/Gas: 352 miles each way (~6hr); round trip 704 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $112.00 TL
Parking:  Complimentary Off Street Parking  $0
Transportation: Walking $0 OR PeopleMover Buses  $8.85pp/day  $84 TL
Food: Breakfast (included): $0/day (0); Lunch: $30/day ($90); Dinner: $50/day ($150); Drinks: $15/day ($45)  ~$285TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)
Activities: Maid of the Mist Tour $16.50CADpp; Niagara Wine Trail $0 OR use the Vino Visa Passport $25pp (Worth the money if you plan to visit multiple wineries for free tastings); Fallsview Casino $0; Niagara Sky Wheel $8.99pp (with $1off coupon on website); Butterfly Conservatory $12.25pp; Botanical Gardens $0; Crystal Beach $0  $125 TL
Trip Total:  $915 TL

Option #3: Niagara Falls - Near Falls 
(may include long walk or very short drive)
Hotel: The Rex Motel - 1Q @ regular-rate; breakfast; mini-fridge and microwave; good value based on TripAdvisor reviews   $215CAD + 13% tax = $242.95CAD TL
Car/Gas: 352 miles each way (~6hr); round trip 704 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $112.00 TL
Parking:  Complimentary Parking  $0
Transportation: For parking if you do not feel like walking  $25 TL
Food: Breakfast (B): $5/day ($15); Lunch (L): $20/day ($60); Dinner (D): $40/day ($120); Drinks (Dr): $0/day (0)  ~$205TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (D), Day 2 (B/L/D), Day 3 (B/L/D), Day 4 (B/L)
Activities: Maid of the Mist Tour $16.50CADpp; Niagara Wine Trail $0; Fallsview Casino $0; Niagara Sky Wheel $8.99pp (with $1off coupon on website); Botanical Gardens $0; Crystal Beach $0  $75 TL 
Trip Total:  $605.45 TL