Sunday, January 29, 2012

Sunday Fun Day !

 



   I rode my bike with my husband. It was a beautiful day , however got pretty chilly as we approached sunset. We rode about 13 miles. 
                          It is nice to have an exercise partner to keep you motivated. 
                                                A few pics of our Sunday bike ride.

                                                        I started off with a flat tire.
                                                           Got Air and off we went.                                                                         

                                                      We rode on the Pinellas Trail.
                                   Up  hill onto the  Bridge -Great legs & glutes workout.
                                          Down the hill we go. Rick is already at the bottom.


                                                         Me trailing behind Rick                                                         

                                     Rode to Boca Ciega Millennium Park to watch Sunset

                                                             So pretty  & Calm

                                                               The ride back-Chilly !
                                             Riding into the wind -thats a workout !
                    Got some help with Rick pulling me by holding hands while we rode.
                                                                  (How Romantic! )
                                                      Cut through -Walsingham Park
                                           Rick, Trying to take our picture while were riding.
                               Hello Moon the end of our ride 6:45 and it is already dark.

                                                                  Good night Moon !
                                            I had a nice Bike ride with my husband !







Saturday, January 28, 2012

Spice up your life





The Spice of Life

http://www.sexyforever.com 

All those spices and herbs in your spice rack can do more than add a little extra kick to your meals — they can rev up your metabolism and improve your health at the same time. Many spices are considered superfoods because they are full of antioxidants! Consider adding two to three spices to all your meals to make them not only taste great, but also help detoxify your body at the same time. (Don’t you just love nature!?) Here’s a list of some of the herbs and spices that will give a healthy (and flavorful) boost to your foods. 




  • Basil is rich in antioxidants like vitamins A and C.
  • Black pepper increases the hydrochloric-acid production in your stomach, aiding digestion.
  • Cayenne pepper is a cardiovascular booster.
  • Crushed red-pepper flakes contain capsaicin, a potent anti-inflammatory.
  • Cumin primes the salivary glands and improves digestion.
  • Curry powder combines all the benefits of cumin and turmeric in one quick pinch.
  • Dill is a potent antioxidant and a good source of calcium.
  • Fennel boosts levels of vitamin C and contains anethole, a phytonutrient that can prevent cancer.
  • Garlic can help regulate the number of fat cells in your body and protect your cardiovascular system from disease.
  • Lemon and lime brighten up the flavor of plain water — and boost your intake of vitamin C.
  • Mint can help fight cancer.
  • Nutmeg can help you get sleepy at night.
  • Onion offers similar cardiovascular benefits as garlic.
  • Oregano is, pound for pound, one of the most antioxidant-rich foods around.
  • Paprika is an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
  • Rosemary may be a weapon in the fight against cancer by preventing carcinogens from binding to cells.
  • Sage contains the same cancer-fighting compounds as rosemary.
  • Tarragon can aid digestion and help improve heart health.
  • Thyme is a relative of mint and a potent antioxidant.
  • Turmeric has been shown in several studies to have anti-inflammatory properties — and could help protect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
  • Vanilla is not only a sweet flavoring but also a stellar antioxidant.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Hangover Cure-Exercise





I woke up not feeling as bad as I thought I would after consuming alot of alcohol last night from a Birthday party at the Hard Rock casino....

After I had my coffee I then put on my bike gear because I  knew if I rode my bike today then I could forgive myself for drinking all those calories last night !


                                                              I got to stay on track ! 


I love the outdoors wilderness & nature so I wanted to take the scenic route so  I rode my bike through 4 parks today in Pinellas County.
                                                    
                                                            Seminole City Park
                                                     Boca Ciega Millennium Park
                                                              Walsingham Park 
                                                                   Taylor Park

1st stop -Seminole City Park is located at 7464 Ridge Road, Seminole, FL 33772.
The Seminole City Park offers many activities for the family. This community park was renovated in 2001 and includes a three picnic shelters with charcoal grills, a beautiful “state of the art” band shell, three playground areas complete with play equipment for all ages, Mear Lake , access to the Pinellas Trail, and a trailside restroom facility.

 I stopped to meditate and drink my Coconut water as I ate my breakfast -1/2 protein bar while watching the birds and ducks hang out by the pond.

                                                          Great drink for Hangovers
                                                                         My Bike






                                                The male duck has the colored head 
                                      funny all the ducks were swimming in mating pairs

                                 In the lookout tree I spotted him You have to zoom in to see
2nd stop -Boca Ciega Millennium Park is located at 12410 74th Ave. N.
(Old Oakhurst Rd.)
Seminole, FL 33772

I spent majority of my time through this park today exploring ...

Boca Ciega Millennium Park was dedicated April 7, 2001. The park has been recognized by the Florida Native Plant Society for its use of natives in landscaping.
In this park, a 35-foot wooden observation tower offers a panoramic view of Boca Ciega Bay. The park is a stop on the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Great Florida Birding Trail". You can view shore birds, wading birds, birds of prey, upland birds & water fowl. Visitors launch a canoe or kayak, or enjoy a picnic under a shelter. The park also has a covered, barrier-free playground for kids and a dog park for both small and large dogs. The small dog park includes an obstacle course for training.

The park supports seven natural communities: pine flatwoods, coastal oak hammock, mangrove swamp, salt marsh, bay head and wetlands. Boca Ciega Millennium Park is recognized by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s “Great Florida Birding Trail” park visitors can enjoy searching for shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, birds of prey and a myriad of upland birds. Boca Ciega Millennium Park holds the distinction of the first Pinellas County Park to have opened using only native plants throughout the parks formal landscaping.

In 2007 a major discovery of Pleistocene age fossils offered a much older history of Boca Ciega Millennium Park. Fossil bones of Columbian Mammoth, Giant Sloth, Giant Armadillo, Saber Tooth Cat, Camel and many more amphibians, reptiles and fish are now at the Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. Thousands of fossils and fossil pieces are at the Museum for identification and storage, the final story of the parks history from 12,000 – 32,000 years ago is yet to be told.

In recognition as “The Millennium” park a Time Capsule with more than 100 items are secured near the entrance for future generations to discover.





































                            I had to get closer not sure what the heck is in the water? Turtle?



3rd  stop-  Walsingham Park is located at 12615 102nd Ave. N. Largo FL 33778
I ride  through this park all the time during the week so today I used this park as a cut through to get to the last park destination so I didn't stop to take photos I had to meet my husband at Taylor park. 

Walsingham Park is situated on 354 acres, divided by 100-acre Walsingham Lake, one-quarter mile west of the Pinellas Trail. There are two entrances, one on Walsingham Road and one on 102nd Avenue North.

The park provides pleasant, relaxing amenities for approximately 700,000 visitors to this park each year.
Visitors picnic and enjoy recreation such as hiking, jogging, cycling, a 6 mile trail, a 10-station fitness area, bird-watching, observing many plant species, fishing an/or boating. (Boating is restricted to rowing, sailing, or electric engines--combustion engines not permitted.) Wildlife includes: snakes, tortoises, turtles, hawks, mottled ducks, herons, wrens, thrashers, warblers; as well as butterflies comprised of swallowtails, sulphurs, gulf fritillary, Carolina satyr, white peacock.

Five habitat areas have been delineated within the boundaries of Walsingham Park: botanical gardens, pine flatwoods, oak scrub, Walsingham Reservoir with detention ponds, swales and wetlands; and cleared areas. 

3rd  stop-   Taylor Park is located at 1100 8th Ave. S.W. Largo, FL 33770

Beautiful Taylor Park consists of 156.5 acres, including a 53-acre freshwater lake.

Discover the sport of disc golf on a course set in the natural beauty of this park that also hosts a tree-lined 1.8-mile multi purpose shell trail and a small island that is accessible by a bridge and an open playing field.

Access to the nearby award winning Pinellas Trail was completed in the late 1990's.

                                              Stopped to sit by the water and bird watch 

                                                  Then back on the trail to head home




                                                         Had a nice bike ride today !