Hey there blog buds!
So I’m starting to think I’m not cut out for RV life. :) I’m sure I thought that before, but I’d say that now it’s likely confirmed. It’s been 2 nights and I have 4 more nights to go. I miss SPACE: counter space, restroom space, PERSONAL space!
It is BRISK in the upper realms of Michigan already! 49 degrees in the very dry climate of Colorado feels much warmer than 49 degrees in the humidity here. Brrrr! When I packed my down-filled Nike running jacket, mittens and a scarf, a little part of me thought I was overdoing it. Now I am SO SO glad that I have them. I’ll call it: “refreshing”. I could see my breath this morning when I went out to do some strength training.
When I returned from my boardwalk run yesterday, I made my first “standard blender” green smoothie. I’m not sure ‘smoothie’ was the right word to describe it!
I think next time around I’ll need to blend it longer. It looked right, but it had that consistency that made me feel like I needed to chew a little bit rather than just drink it. This one had 8 oz water, spinach, 2 stalks of celery, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 cantaloupe, 1/2 pear and sprouts. I also had a few soaked almonds on the side as well.

For lunch I had an AB&A sandwich (almond butter and agave) on Ezekial toast, with a side of rice protein powder & almond milk. I just didn’t feel like spreading out all my veggie stuff for a monster salad so I took the lazy route.

We finally got on the road (after backtracking about 30 miles to try to retrieve a ’forgotten’ gas cap at the gas station, which wasn’t there, but that’s a whole other Oprah) . Midway to the next destination, my RV mates munched on pretzels while I munched on Mary’s Gone Crackers. My mom even tried a few (she’s not one to try new foods) and she said she “actually liked them”. She was surprised that something GOOD for her and not made with white flour could actually be yummy too.

We didn’t get as far as we’d hoped today, so when we finally did choose the next campground location it was time for dinner. They had spaghetti & meatballs with garlic toast. I had yellow squash ‘pasta’ ribbons (made with a potato peeler) and wilted spinach topped with a little bit of whole wheat spaghetti noodles (mom got whole wheat noodles, wahooo!!!), some tomato sauce, sundried tomatoes and nutritional yeast. As I was making the squash ribbons, my g-ma asks me if I’m going to put tomato sauce on that. I said “yep, plus spinach & sundried tomatoes”. The look on her face made me think she thought I was a little off my rocker. So I said “aren’t grandmas usually the ones telling their grandkids to eat their veggies instead of the other way around?”

After dinner my mom and I took a walk over to the beach before the sun went all the way down. Here’s your postcard of the day:

It’s true, I’m no beachguard
I am the one who really hoped I could use floaties on my arms in the triathlon.
Our next camping destination is in an area designated as “wilderness” and we are there for 2 nights. I could be without cell phone AND internet. (…gasp…) If so, I’ll sign on again the minute I have access. I’m thinking it’s a good thing I brought a bottle of wine – I may need it to get through the next few nights!
I hope that you are all having a fantastic weekend – please appreciate your counterspace today on my behalf!!
hahaha!
– Shari B. =)







#1 by Joan on September 23, 2009 - 6:37 pm
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purple smoothies look pretty, yes. Next day I tried adding some cukes, as I read you use some. Made my purple smoothie bitter. do you peel yours? I didn’t peel it. I think i’ll just keep them for salads.
#2 by Joan on September 22, 2009 - 4:54 pm
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A Bamix is a hand blender. I”ve had it for decades and it is super powerful. I think better than the Krups or Oster. google it and you’ll see it. It’s from Switzerland and I had it before you could find any of the other brands in the regular stores. It’s great for blending soups and making spaghetti sauce from scratch. Just put your garlic cloves, basil, organo, salt, pepper into your can of diced or whole tomatos and whirl away…voila the best ‘real’ pasta sauce…better than anything in a jar.
My green smoothie was purple because I don’t do spinach (love it but it’s not nice to thinning bones) so I did put some kale from the garden in and blueberries from our bushes, with orange and pear, and oat bran and flax seed and rice milk. yummy except for the lumps.
#3 by Susan on September 22, 2009 - 3:11 pm
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Hi Shari! YOU GO GIRL!! I’ve finally caught up with your trip. I’ve been thinking about you, especially after spending this past weekend with my 88 year old aunt in the mountains! Boy, do we have a lot to chat about on our next outing when you get back! I think both exercising and eating well are equally a HUGE challenge when on the road. Stay warm and take care. P.S. I tried the Ezekial bread and LOVE it, thanks for the tip.
#4 by Joan on September 21, 2009 - 8:35 pm
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I think the problem with RVing comes when there is more than 2 people. I don’t care if the RV is 10′ or 50′, any more than 2 is too many. With just 2 it’s not so bad, and this from a “I’m just not into camping” person. Just you and your MSP, dogs, a couple of kayaks, a bay and an evening fire….not too bad.
Made my first smoothie today. Tried a mini-food processor which left a few lumps. Then the Bamix…left a few more lumps. I think I’ll definately get a Magic Bullet (thanks Carrie). I think it’ll be nicer also when traveling or RVing to have the small size.
#5 by Cindy on September 21, 2009 - 9:45 am
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even though your limited with space… you are still doing a FAB job keeping the meals healthy!
nice job!
I love camping! I am so GREEN with envy !hahahhahaha
and I have made more “need to chew” smoothies than I would like to admit.
GAW!!!
#6 by Shari B. (FitFeat) on September 22, 2009 - 2:36 pm
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Joan, you are right on the money! If this was MSP and I along with the dogs, the tight space wouldn’t be a problem at all. Great point! And he’d LOVE all the great scenery and trails I’m getting to check out.
Oh, I’m so excited to hear about you trying a green smoothie! YAY! I’ve never heard of a Bamix… it sounds like something Emeril made!
#7 by Wendy Levang on September 20, 2009 - 5:45 pm
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Wow Shari I am impressed ! I’ve always known you were an inspiration but now it’s confirmed for others. Love what you’ve done! Keep up the good work and best of luck on the rode. ( It will be trying without space but so many joys along the way.) I think I best be gettin my behind in gear enough whinning! Speaking of wine?
Take care,
Wendy
#8 by Shari B. (FitFeat) on September 22, 2009 - 2:37 pm
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Cindy, your post totally made me smile! “Green” with envy! Haha!!
Love it!
#9 by Carrie on September 20, 2009 - 12:51 pm
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OH MY GOSH – I wanted to use water wings during my triathlon too! Ha! Swimming was by far the hardest leg of the tri for me. I think I’ll stick with running for now.
I’m drinking my second green smoothie right now:-) Oh, and I even think that my boyfriend will try one! He apparently joined a weight loss contest at work and so when I told him about some of things that I bought last Friday at the store and that I plan on eating healthier, he was very willing to try some of what I bought. I was surprised because he’s not a big veggie/fruit eater. He’s away this weekend on an MBA retreat-like thing, but when he returns next week, I plan on getting him on the healthy bandwagon also! I’ll let you know how that goes…
#10 by Shari B. (FitFeat) on September 22, 2009 - 2:38 pm
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Wendy, thank you so much for the kind comment!! That means a lot to me!
#11 by MSP Buddy on September 20, 2009 - 11:10 am
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Through all of this travel, just don’t forget the one main thing, enjoy the time you have with your mom and g’ma, soak it all in and experience as much as you can with them, the memories will be with you for a life time! Enjoy those colder nights, as I will only tell you of the nice weather we have back in Colorado, Fall is great in Colorado!
#12 by Alexandra on September 20, 2009 - 8:45 am
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Hello! Thanks for the great post cards!
I had to laugh at your comment about not being made out for RV life. I know for certain that I’m not either. Although it does have some appeal and sounds like it can be fun, I think 2 days would be enough for me – for the same reasons you mentioned – SPACE.
I say break out that bottle of wine when you arrive at the “wilderness” and have yourself a relaxing moment
Thanks for continuing to log while on the road! I’m sure I’m not the only one who is enjoying reading about your adventure.
#13 by Shari B. (FitFeat) on September 22, 2009 - 2:41 pm
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Hi MSP Buddy
I did hear that we’re seeing a little snow in Colorado, so I’ll definitely be thankful for the 50 degree mornings here! That’s better than snow anyday!
Thank you for the great comments on keeping the purpose of the trip in perspective.
Glad to see you’re checking out the blog!
#14 by Shari B. (FitFeat) on September 22, 2009 - 2:44 pm
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Hi Alexandra!
And we did break out the wine! Today when we hit civilization again, my g-ma asked me to pick out a Michigan wine since our other 2 bottles are gone — I selected a local Cherry Reisling (25% cherry wine, 75% reisling). I’ll say a toast in your honor tonight!
We really MUST be long-lost sisters!
Hope you are having a great day!
#15 by Shari B. (FitFeat) on September 23, 2009 - 10:22 am
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Mmmm, a purple smoothie looks pretty doesn’t it?
Wow that Bamix sounds a lot like the “Thunder Stick” I have, I’ll have to check it out!
#16 by Shari B. (FitFeat) on September 24, 2009 - 8:23 am
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Hi Susan! So glad you like the Ezekial bread! Yes, we’ll definitely have to exchange some stories when I get back – I bet our visits were similar with our older relatives
#17 by Shari B. (FitFeat) on September 24, 2009 - 8:25 am
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Hi Joan! I do peel my cucumbers. I know I’ve heard that a lot of nutrients are in the skin, but I don’t care for the texture of it, so I peel it off. Give them one more chance in your smoothie, minus the skin. I think they give a really mild flavor to mine.