If there’s one popular word for summer 2010, it’s “stay”cation.
The economy still sucks, but that doesn’t mean your summer has to follow suit.
For those who get bored sticking close to home, try something new and different. This is the perfect time to plan a getaway that incorporates fitness and fun.
My favorite “stay”cation go-to is hiking. It’s nice to take a short drive out of the city and trade the skycrapers for trees and fresh air. Bring the whole family along, pets and all. Be sure to look for your closest state park, most parks are easily available online offering details on hiking trails.
Another element of a day away from it all is to add a picnic. I’m not talking Cool Ranch Doritos and mayo-saturated sandwiches. Look online and try something new and different. If you are a dork like me you will have a picnic basket to boot, for those non-dorks any cooler will do (or even a reusable grocery bag).
Kindergarten Flashback: Oh the careless days of kindergarten, remember those days with this healthy picnic treat of celery slices filled with peanut butter. If you really want to go back, add some raisins for the full “ants on a log” effect.
Kick A@$ Kabobs:The variety of textures, colors, and flavors in this recipe (thanks to www.medicinenet.com) makes it the perfect addition to a picnic.
You’ll need:
1 1/2 to 2 cups assorted fresh vegetables (such as baby carrots, halved radishes, bell pepper squares, whole miniature bell peppers, or halved pattypan squash), 2 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, or smoked Gouda cheese, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, 2 ounces cooked smoked turkey sausage, cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices and quartered, 2 tablespoons refrigerated basil pesto, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 12 whole fresh basil leaves.
You’ll Do:Place vegetables, cheese, and sausage in a self-sealing plastic bag set in a deep bowl. For marinade, in a small bowl stir together pesto and vinegar; pour over vegetable mixture. Seal bag; turn to coat vegetable mixture. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 24 hours, turning bag occasionally. On 12 4-inch-long wooden skewers, alternately thread vegetables, cheese, sausage, and basil leaves.
Fruit-licious: Dip chunks and slices of fresh fruit in a sealable bowl of melted dark chocolate. Leave it in the fridge to set and keep it in your cool bag once you’re out to avoid it turning into a sticky mess. Dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate as it contains disease-fighting antioxidants. And because it’s richer, you need less of it to satisfy your chocolate craving. Try strawberries, raspberries, bananas, orange or mandarin segments, grapes or pineapple chunks.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
It just wouldn’t be a picnic without the ants. ~anonymous
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