Friday 5: Traveling Fit...5 Ways to Stay on Track

Hi everyone! I'm Kelly. I am one of the Massachusetts reps, and I write A Lovely Life, Indeed. 

Committing to a healthy lifestyle takes planning. You plan what you're going to eat, prep your meals and easy to grab snacks, and you try to arrange your schedule to include some sort of physical activity. 

Staying on plan when you travel can be more of a challenge. When schedules loosen and food options expand, staying on track takes more thought and initiative, but it can be done. 

Here are five ways to stay committed to your fitness goals, even when you're traveling. 

1. Plan. Putting water and your favorite go-to snacks in a cooler will give you the flexibility to make healthy choices. Pack a bag with other snacks and avoid the gas station wasteland. 

2. Pit stop stretch. Stop along the way and stretch. Energize your body and brain during these needed rest stops. Need a circuit? Try this one. 

3 When you arrive at your destination, think about a walking tour or a bike tour of the city. How about a photo stroll? Walk whenever possible and explore excursions that keep you active, at least part of the time. 

4. Shop and cook when you can. This is better for your wallet and your waistline. When you do go out, grilled protein and a veggie is a great choice. Order your salad dressing on the side and dip your fork before you take a bite, instead of pouring it all on top. You can decline the bread basket if you want, and if you're ordering dessert, one dessert split among many can give you the bite of sweet that you want without overdoing it.

5. Enjoy a treat now and then. Don't deprive yourself of your favorite things. Eat a cupcake, and then work off a cupcake. 

Travel and healthy living can go hand in hand. Plan and prep where you can and when you can't, use what you know to make good, healthy choices. And enjoy the treats. 

Happy travels!  

What is your best tip for staying on track with a healthy lifestyle when you're traveling? 

Thank you to Northeast Bloggers Network for letting me guest post. If you're looking for an upbeat blog about love, travel and the good life, visit me at A Lovely Life, Indeed. Have a great weekend!

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A Little "Rhody" Summer!

Summer is almost upon us! If you are like me, you are already planning your weekend getaways, road trips and/or a list of all the places to see & things to do! Should you find yourself heading up to “Little Rhody” (or even passing through it), there are so many fun & unique things to do here. Summer is the best time to visit Rhode Island; we aren’t labeled the Ocean State for just any old reason! Below are my Top 5 activities you should consider when visiting RI in the summer!

5. Roger Williams Park Zoo

This is a perfect cloudy day or late afternoon trip idea for the whole family. This zoo has more than just animals. Kids can cool off in the Drip Drop Water Garden, climb the treehouse where there are things to see & hear or build a creation at the Sticks & Stones Building Zone. There are even camel rides, giraffe feedings, rock climbing & a butterfly garden! At $14.95 for adults/$9.95 for children, it’s a great price for all it offers. Plus, you can bring in your own picnic lunch (some zoo’s do not allow outside food), which is amazing!

4. Rustic Drive-in Movie Theater

There is something to said about sitting under the stars on a cool, breezy summer night watching your favorite movies with a bunch of friends! It just screams SUMMER to me! This authentic 1950’s drive-in has 3 screens, with 2 shows playing on each screen. Outside food can be brought in (or purchased there) and it is only $27 per carload! With movie tickets at almost 12$ per ticket, per show- this is a great bargain! Kids & adults will love this place!

3. Newport, RI

Visiting Newport can be broken into many parts. 1. A visit to one of the 11 mansions, which were built during the Colonial era through the Gilded Age. 2. A visit to one of the popular beaches. 3. Shopping & dining along the harbor that boast spectacular views. You can visit Newport during the day and have a completely different experience at night. There is truly something for everyone. 

2. Waterfire

Waterfire is a non-profit arts organization whose goal is to bring to life the downtown urban area and revitalize it with art, music and more. Over 80 bonfires are set amongst the water at WaterPlace Park. Visitors walk along the banks enjoying local music, watch performances, grab local fare from food trucks as well as the sites & smells of the burning embers.  It’s always free admission and it really is a site to see. Check their schedule online for more info.

1. Galilee & Point Judith

This quaint fishing village is home to the largest fishing fleet in RI, as well as home to the Block Island Ferry. The beach is small yet gorgeous. A jetty formation lines the beach where onlookers wave to all the ferries that pass by. George’s of Galilee serves the best clamcakes & chowder and there are tons of places to buy fresh fish & lobster right from the boat.  Small shops, ice cream parlors & other eateries make this #1 on my list!

Thanks so much for sharing your top 5 places to visit in Rhode Island this summer JoyMarie! 

Have you been to any of these spots?  Which ones do you plan to check out this summer?

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5 Benefits of using Airbnb

Hi! Megan here from Soup of the Day Blog! I just got back from a long weekend trip to Florida and after three snowstorms in Baltimore this year, I was VERY ready for the warmth! When I started making plans for our Florida trip we checked out hotels and were blown away by the prices! We wanted to stay somewhere close to everything we would be doing and seeing, but we knew that we didn’t plan to spend much time in our room. We were going to be out and about and really just needed a place to sleep at night and $200 a night wasn't in our budget!

Steve, my boyfriend, liked the idea of Airbnb and wanted to check it out. After browsing the accommodations near Fort Lauderdale we settled on the most perfect little house. We had an entire home vs a single room, had a driveway to park our rental car, were within walking distance of restaurants and shops, and had a pool and hot tub to use. It wasn’t huge but had a kitchen, living room (with a murphy bed that pulled down), a bathroom and a laundry room to wash our wet towels and clothes. We were able to book 4 nights on Airbnb for less than HALF of what it would have cost to stay in a hotel in the same area.

Without a doubt we will be using AirBnB for our future trips and here are a few reasons why:

1. Price- The price is right, that’s for sure! Entire homes cost roughly the same as a single hotel room (price varies based on location). As I mentioned above, we were able to book a house for less than half of what we would have paid for a hotel room in Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
2. Customer Service- The person renting out their home wants you to have a good time. They don’t have the marketing or name recognition that most large hotel chains have. After staying in a rental you can write a review of the accommodations on AirBnB. Most places we considered staying in had high reviews from people just like us.
3. Local Recommendations- The owner of the home is also willing to recommend places to eat and things to see/do while you’re on vacation.
4. Flexibility- Most owners set a check-in time and a check-out time just like you would see at a hotel, however, they are more flexible. The owner was in contact with us regarding our flight in and out to make sure that the place was ready for us upon arrival.
5. Comfort- I don’t mind staying in hotels, but sometimes I want to be in a place that feels like a home not a hotel room. We had a kitchen and were able to make breakfast before heading out each day. We also brought back leftovers and were able to heat them up when we didn’t feel like going out.

I was skeptical at first that staying in someone's home would be better than a hotel room, but I can say with confidence that it was great! You should look into Airbnb for your next trip! 

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Cruise Planning Tips

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored in any way. 

This content was written based by my experience with planning previous and current cruises.

Hi there! I'm Amy, founder and author of Love & Hot Chocolate and Rhode Island State Rep for Northeast Bloggers. If you've visited my blog before, you know that I am completely head over heels for cruising. I've been on two and currently planning my third with my husband for March of next year. I'm here to share with you some valuable advice I've learned when it comes to planning a cruise.

One // Research, Research, Research!

Royal Caribbean | Carnival | Norwegian | Disney | Princess | Holland

*just listing a few popular cruise lines

While my heart is set on Royal Caribbean, there are other great cruise companies out there that offer so many different things. It's all about what you are looking for during your cruising experience. Be sure to check out cabin and dining options, beverage packages, entertainment and shore excursions before making final decisions. Cruise Critic even has some great information and reviews to help make your final decision.

Two // Book With a Travel Agent

While it might be easier booking a small vacation yourself, but when it comes to cruises, I highly recommend using a travel agent. With a travel agent, we have the ability to get the best price with the best room. If you need to change a date (which we did a few times) it's so simple with no hassle whatsoever. If you need to modify your dining, done. Setting up a payment plan to pay off your cruise? Done. You want to have the best cruising experience, so why not make the booking experience hassle-free too? 

Three // Splurge on the Balcony

If you can do it, definitely go for a balcony. When I went on my first cruise out of New Jersey, I had a balcony and it was absolutely amazing. During my second cruise, my husband and I opted for a promenade room and even though it was affordable, we traveled out of New Jersey in April and hit rough seas. It was awful when we couldn't have access to fresh air 24/7. 

Even though most people are right, you don't spend that much time in your room, it's nice to be able to get the fresh air when you need it or relax during activities. Even laying in bed at night with the door propped open listening to the ocean breeze is a nice way to utilize your balcony. 

Four // Create a Budget

Most, if not all cruise lines require you to obtain a sea pass during your vacation. It allows you on and off the ship, into your room, and links up to your credit card which allows you to pay for drinks, specialty dining and shopping. I highly suggest sitting down before your cruise and create a budget. It's so easy to lose track of what you've already spent and you don't want that surprise bill on the last day of your cruise. Even though you're on vacation, you do still have that rent/mortgage, monthly bills and other expenses. 

Five // Important Cruise Documentation 

This is SO important. I've heard so many stories about people not being able to go on their cruises because they don't have the correct documents they need to board. If you're unsure of what documentation you need, check the FAQ's, and if you're still unsure, call the company and speak with a representative. You will also need a passport. Please, please, please make sure your passport is up to date with correct name and information.

I am not a travel agent or mega experienced cruiser in any means, but I'd be happy to answer any questions and share more photos!

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Maine Dining Guide

Heading up to Maine this summer for a little vacation time?  Before you do, check out Isara's Maine Dining Guide for Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park!  She shares 4 awesome dining spots you should be sure to check out!  Here is just one of the great spots she recommends:

 Two Cats Inn & Cafe, 130 Cottage St. Bar Harbor, ME

 Summer Scramble: tomato, scallions, feta cheese; spicy home fries

This is my family’s all-time favorite breakfast spot from any of our vacations ever. The Two Cats Inn serves up organic omelets, irresistible pancakes and world-class (according to the people who eat here) homemade biscuits and strawberry butter. You can sit cozily inside where you feel like you’re breakfasting in your own home, or outside on the patio watching the happenings on the street. In either spot you feel the energy of fellow vacationers planning their adventures into nature for the day over eggs and coffee out of a bright yellow mug. During the busy season there’s usually a wait — from the end of June to end of August –but the line moves along quickly and this food is oh-so worth it.

Want to know more?  Check out the full post here on Alone with a Cupcake!

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Travel Tips: How to Eat Well in Coastal Maine

Don't forget!  Our Summer Twitter Party is tonight at 9pm!  Check out all the info here and RSVP to join the fun!

Today's guest post comes from Christy who writes the blog Sweet and Savoring.  Christy shares some great tips on where to eat when you visit Coastal Maine!

If you’re planning a trip to Maine, or if you’re already a fan of the Pine Tree State, or if you’re just a food lover, then this post is for you. We start off our How to Eat Well in Coastal Maine feature in Portland, then head north to Camden and Belfast, and finish up in the Boothbay region.

Portland, while not Maine’s capital, is the state’s largest and most populated metropolitan area. The city is known for its many restaurants and great chefs.

Stop for a mid-morning snack at The Holy Donut, which now has two Portland locations.

Next, you might wander around Portland’s historic waterfront district. Hopefully it’s not raining, although it certainly doesn’t detract from the area’s charm.

(Pro tip: if you need to use a restroom in the middle of your aimless ambling, pop into the ferry terminal building!)...

Want more donut pictures?  Need to find out where to eat lunch, dinner and the best Bloody Mary?  Click over to Sweet and Savoring to read the rest of her tips!

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