Just Let Go This Summer at the TradeWinds Island Resorts

*Disclaimer: I received a reduced rate and gifts from TradeWinds Island Resorts for my honest review of our stay there at the TradeWinds Island Grand. The opinions shared are my own.*

For Mother’s Day, I longed to escape to the beach and just let go. The TradeWinds Island Grand Resort located on St. Pete Beach made that all possible.

Upon arriving on the TradeWinds Island Resorts property, we were showered with warm salutations at the guard station and the superb hospitality continued throughout our stay. The staff at the TradeWinds Island Resort would revival any Disney resort and our brief stay on the beach was as magical as any experience at the House of Mouse.

Once we entered our suite within the Island Grand, we blown away by the plush beach five-star accommodations. The gorgeous golden interior décor paired perfectly with Florida sunshine.

After exploring the suite, we noticed the abundance of gifts provided by TradeWinds, including snacks, wine, a beach bag and towel, two Beaker stuffed toys and TradeWinds Island Resorts amenity/activity bands. Since we packed light with few snacks, the hospitality gifts was greatly appreciated.

Our first evening at the Island Grand, we enjoyed exploring the resort and dinner at the Flying Bridge while watching sunset.

The next morning, Allana and I woke up early to explore the shore before the rest of the resort arrived on the beach. We searched for shells in the sunrise and embraced a gorgeous cool morning.

When the rest of the gang woke up, we headed to for a delicious buffet breakfast at Bermuda’s Steak and Seafood which offered so many wonderful items to choose from along the spread. I appreciated all the healthy options but I splurged with a chorizo cheese veggie omelet, potatoes and a side of fruit.

After breakfast, we took a cruise on a paddleboat. My kids loved the journey along the shallow swan creek. We spotted huge Koi and so many varieties of birds and flowers.

Following our paddleboat cruise, we ventured out to beach which falls directly behind the property and only a short walk. On the beach, I reserved a cabana, complimentary for all resort guests and a necessary beach item with my extremely fair-skinned family. With lots of sun block and our cabana we could spend hours in the sun.

Plus, we needed a safe place to lay our belongings while we experienced the High Tide Water Slide! This slippery speedy inflatable water slide raised the bar on all future beach trips. Nothing will compare to the TradeWinds Island Resorts beach experience!

Although tacky to some, the girls and I rinsed the beach off with a quick jump in the pool while my three year old napped upstairs with Daddy. With three pools to choose from, we chose the quieter family pool just behind our room.

The girls instantly made friends playing Marco Polo and a cannonball competition.

Later that evening, we ventured off-sight for dinner. Sadly, the kids were so exhausted from a fun-filled day, they fell asleep when we returned to the resort and we missed highlight of the evening, Captain Redbeard the Pirate.

On the morning of our departure, we played one last round of golf and played on the beach one last time.

Watching my children play in the sun and sand was a perfect way to spend my Mother’s Day weekend. All the other amenities (the High Tide Water Slide, miniature golf, paddleboats, etc.) made it even better. Thank you to the TradeWinds Island Resorts for providing the opportunity for my family and I to just let go.

There are so many wonderful resort activities to enjoy that are included with the TradeWinds Island Resorts fees, such as paddleboats, minature golf, KONK (Kids Only, No kidding Activity Center, the High Tide Water Slide and more. This summer, plan a weekend away or just let go for one day and experience the TradeWinds Splash Island in addition to all the other TradeWinds Island Resorts fun for as low as $16 (non-guests begin at $25).

Plus, the TradeWinds Island Resorts are offering Florida residents a high-flying special for spring and summer with rates as low as $127* per night, not including the nightly resort fee. The resort’s Florida Resident Special includes 15% off already discounted rates, a $100 JetLev jet pack credit and a Surf n’ Sun scratch-off card for one of several prizes that could include dinner for two, a beach bag and towel and more.

** Requires minimum two-night stay and must be booked Sunday through Thursday. Rates and dates are subject to change. Based on availability. Cannot be combined with any other promotion, offer, discount or group code. No refunds for early checkouts or unused portions of the package. A few blackout dates apply. Residents must show valid proof of residency upon check-in.**

Pinning and Planning – May 19

Recently I watched an informative video on YouTube about the importance of eating the right foods. The video, Slim is Simple, wasn’t trying to sell anything. It didn’t push a magical pill, meal replacement shake or weight loss plan. It didn’t push Paleo or any other diet plan. To paraphrase, Slim Is Simple simply states if you fill your body with the right foods, you will see a decrease it weight loss.

The video is a little long, but worth watching.

SlimIsSimple.org suggests staying away from starchy foods and cereals and eating more protein, fruits, vegetables and good fats. As Slim Is Simple also states, I am guilty of spending hours running and working out and yet, I am still struggling with the last bit of baby weight and belly fat around my middle. So, maybe I need to eat less starchy carbs?

Hello, my name is Denise and I am a carb addict.

Last week, I decided to give up my usual granola for breakfast and my other usual carbs for dinner (rice and pasta) to see if I noticed a difference. Within a few days, I felt lighter.

Since Hubby is struggling to lose weight, I decided to plan more low carb meals this week to see if he notices a difference too.

S – Butterflied Whole BBQ Chicken with Low Fat Classic Coleslaw

M – Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with Rustic Parsnip Crust

T – Cilantro Baked Tilapia with Mashed Cauliflower

W – Chicken and White Bean Stuffed Peppers

Th – Chicken Curry and Kachumber Salad

F – Pizza

What meals are you pinning and planning? What’s on your dinner menu this week? Do you tend to carb load or eat low carbs?

And while you’re pinning and planning, plan to join me at the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival next Saturday. If you’re local, enter to win tickets here.

Garden Minestrone

Photobucket Every May, right around Mother’s Day, I come down with the worst allergy related cold. My chest becomes tight. I can’t breathe and I spend my days hacking up a lung.

This May has been no exception. Since I spend my nights coughing, I’m not sleeping well. A lack of sleep means I’ve been too tired to run, but I can’t breathe anyway; therefore running has been replaced with resting. Plus all the coughing has caused me to lose my voice although I don’t think anyway in this house is too terribly upset that I can’t speak to them above a whisper.

Despite being under the weather, I still have an appetite, but all I want is soup. For me, soup is my favorite natural remedy and I crave it whenever I’m feeling poorly. Since I was too tired and not up for the soup kitchen challenge, I submitted an order to Iron Chef Allan for Garden Minestrone.

Chopped tomatoes and chicken stock is the liquid base for the soup, which is already a healthy start. Toss in some summer time veggies and it becomes healthy portion of green goodness with every spoonful.

Garden Minestrone

5.0 from 1 reviews

Cuisine: Soup, Vegetarian

Author: Run DMT

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 40 mins

Serves: 6-8

A garden flare to a favorite traditional Italian pasta bean soup.

Ingredients

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
2 large yellow squash, chopped
2 large zucchini, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 carton (26. 46 oz) Pomi chopped tomatoes
4 cups organic chicken or vegetable broth
½ cup uncooked ditalini pasta
1 (15.5 oz) can white beans, rinsed and drained
1 (6 oz) package fresh baby spinach
1 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp crush red pepper flakes
Grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese, (optional for topping)

Instructions

In a large stock pot, heat oil iover medium-high heat. Add onion to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until softened. Add oregano and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in squash, zucchini and carrot. Sauté five minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Stir in chopped tomatoes, broth and beans and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.
While soup simmers, prepare ditalini pasta as directed on package for al dente, only one minute less. Drain and add to soup. Stir until well incorporated. Remove from heat.
Stir in spinach; season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.
Ladle soup into individual bowls. Top with freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese.

Thanks for joining our weekly Friday Food Fight! Can’t wait to see what everyone is flinging this week!

*Also submitted at*

J&J For All You Love

*Disclaimer: I am participating in the J&J For All You Love campaign and have received compensation for sharing my heartfelt motherhood tribute for Mother’s Day and to promote JOHNSON’S® Baby CARES Care Cards, a digital e-card platform encouraging moms to share positive messages of encouragement with other moms across the country, while simultaneously supporting Save the Children®*

Twelve years ago, I stood in classroom filled with desks and children. I loved my job and my career choice. I loved seeing light bulbs shine above my students’ little heads once they finally processed a concept.

Though the paperwork, the parent conferences, the hours spent planning often overshadowed the bright faces that filled my classroom, I loved teaching and I did so for seven years.

Then, I became pregnant and when I heard my little one’s heartbeat in our very first sonogram, I knew my life and my career path would change forever. That day, I willingly made the choice to be a stay at home mom to raise the baby that grew inside me.

As my little one grew, I sang songs to my belly. I read stories to a baby that I hadn’t met yet to ensure my little one would know my voice. On the day she was born, the moment the nurses placed my newborn baby girl on my chest, I looked into her little swollen eyes and cried. Though we only just met, I fell in love with my baby girl.

Twelve years later that love has grown and multiplied as our family grew and multiplied with the birth of two more babies. Each time, I instantly fell in love with them all.

I am still at home, raising my children and I often miss my teaching days, but I don’t regret my choice. I don’t need to ask for a personal day or worry about substitute plans. Though most days balancing three kids can be tough, for the most part, we have fun.

The other day, my seven year old completed an “All About Me” poster. In the “What I want to be when I grow up” section, she wrote “I want to be a mommy.”

I asked, “Why do you want to be a mom when you grow up? Why not a teacher or a doctor?”

“Because moms have fun. Moms go on field trips and take their kids places and spend time with them and love their kids.”

Yes, we certainly do. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In celebration of Mother’s Day this year, JOHNSON’S® Baby has established JOHNSON’S® Baby CARES Care Cards, a digital e-card platform encouraging moms to share positive messages of encouragement with other moms across the country, while simultaneously supporting Save the Children®. You can help, too!

Simply pick and share a card filled with messages of reassurance for a Mom in your life on Facebook at http://www.johnsonsbabycares.com. For every card sent, shared or liked, JOHNSON’S® Baby will donate $1.00 to Save the Children® (up to $150,000) to benefit early childhood education programs that foster education and reassurance for new moms. These cards will not only spread encouragement to Moms throughout the country but will also provide Moms in need with the skills and knowledge to successfully support their child’s growth.

Roasted Veggies and Asiago Flatbread

Photobucket I have a new Friday night favorite other than our usual pizza. Iron Chef and I made this Roasted Veggie Flatbread as a team. I prepared the roasted garden vegetables of baby Portabella mushrooms, red onions, zucchini and yellow squash using my roasted veggie recipe while Allan made the dough using this New York style pizza crust recipe. The steps for flatbread are very similar to pizza but Allan has perfected his crust even more since I shared that recipe.

First, he flours the board with lots of flour. Then, using a rolling pin, he rolls out dough as thin as possible, about ¼- 1/8 of an inch and lets the dough sit for a minute or two. Then, he rolls it out and let again to 1/8 of inch. This process produces a thin, crispy gorgeous crust that’s perfect for the crispness for flatbread.

This week, we decided to serve Roasted Veggie and Asiago Flatbread for Meatless Monday. The combination of charred veggies and about 2 Tbsp of shaved Asiago cheese with the crispy flatbread was better than I had hoped. This may replace our regular red sauce Friday night pizza tradition.

Thanks for joining our weekly Friday Food Fight! Can’t wait to see what everyone is flinging this week!

*Also submitted at*

Soup du Jour Vlog Hop: My Mother’s Day Reflection

soupdujour_blogbutton

Earlier this week, the Today Show shared a piece by Today Moms on how parents of three children felt more stress than parents with fewer children or even more children. According to their survey, parents of three often feel outnumbered, whereas parents of four or more children tend to be more relaxed.

Being a mom of three, I definitely feel outnumbered, over-stressed and have resorted to self medicating with beer or wine. However, one too many glasses and I could hit the magic number of four children. Of course, I’ll be more relaxed and I’ll drink less due to something called the “Duggar Effect“. Sure. I’ll drink to that.

Happy Mother’s Day!

What are you reflecting on this Mother’s Day? Do you have one, two, three or more children? Do you feel stressed or does the idea of more children stress you out?

Thankful for the Kindness of Strangers

This past Sunday, my oldest daughter and I experienced stand up paddle boarding (SUP) together for the first time. We explored the brackish waters of Crystal River and searched for manatees with our friends. It was a wonderful day trip and one that deserves a full post review (to follow shortly), however, this post is dedicated to the kind people who helped Allana and me.

Once we reached the springs, Allana and I took the moment to take in gorgeous view and snack on the blueberry Larabars that that I packed which contained cashews. Unbeknownst to me, Allana is severely allergic to cashews and she immediately went into anaphylactic shock. Her throat itched; her breathing became labored. She began to swell and turn beet red with hives all over her body. After only ingesting one small bite, our fun adventure now turned into an emergency situation.

Due to my walnut allergy and my other daughter’s allergy to bee stings, I normally carry two EpiPens, but I left them back in the car along with allergy medication. I asked our guide if he had a first aid kit containing Benadryl or an EpiPen, but he did not. I quickly paddled over to a dive boat within sight and asked for first aid, but they did not have any medication on board either.

Then, I spotted a boat idling past and I flagged them down to ask for a ride back to the public park where we launched our paddle boards. With 14 mph winds, I knew I didn’t have the strength nor the time to spare. Thankfully, they graciously offered assistance.

I share this story hoping someone in the six degrees of separation in this big blogosphere may know Gary and Amy of Crystal River. (Other than they have two children a boy and girl ages 3 and 4, that’s the only information I have.) Please let them know Allana is safe and we are truly grateful for their kindness.

Random Thoughts about National Moms Nite Out, Boxing, a Boston Run, Stepping Up My Sprints and Track Tuesday

Weather wise, it has been a very strange spring weather. We’ve experienced the usual hot and humid Florida spring days, but over the past few days, the weather cooled down for some strange reason. We’ll back to our regular warm weather scheduled program soon enough.

Last week, the humidity was off the charts, which like I said, is to be expected this time of year, but I think what makes it worse is when there’s no heat with it. It throws me off. I expect heat with humidity. My body can’t acclimate to the ups and downs. Due to my asthma, I experienced labored breathing which made running very difficult given the himidtiy. I ran 4 miles but I couldn’t breathe so the run was pathetic.

4 miles
Time 44:32
Ave Pace 11:08
Max Pace 8:41

Wednesday evening, my friends and I tried a boxing class. It was real boxing with gloves, wraps, bags and all.

The instructor, Tony a Hall of Famer, was like a drill sergeant. In between hitting the bag, Tony made us do a gazillion squats and plank for what felt like hours. I loved boxing to his selection of old school music, but he was not impressed with my bouncing while bobbing and weaving. “That girl is poiiissson…*jab…jab*…. “Never trust a girl with a big butt and smile”…*undercut, jab, jab*… “Bel Biv DeVoe…”*jab, jab*… “Now you know.”

As I bobbed, boxed and bounced, Tony walked over to me with a scowl. “Did you just come from happy hour because you all over the place?”

“I’m always happy.”

At least, I was happy hitting until Tony told me to pivot my back foot, but that caused some serious pain in my feet. So, I pivoted when he was looking so he wouldn’t holler at me.

The boxing minus the pivoting was fun until he made us do floor work with a medicine ball. Ab work with a medicine really hurt my lower back and made me cry, which only caused Tony to holler at me more. “Suck it up, butter cup and sit up!”

“I can’t!”

“There ain’t no can’t in my class!”

“Well, now there is because this hurts and I ain’t doing it! I physically cannot do it!”

He’s right, though. There is no can’t in fitness. But there shouldn’t be crying either. Tony and I kissed and made up after the class.

The next day, I had planned to run 6 miles with some friends, but my feet were killing me. I could barely walk from all the pivoting. So I decided to go for a 10 mile bike ride with Jenny instead, because although I couldn’t walk, I could certainly pedal. Of course, as slow as I go, pedaling doesn’t seem like the right action verb to call how I ride a bike.

After finishing 15 miles prior, Jenny met me for an easy 10 miles on the trail, which wouldn’t be easy for me. She even rode “heavy” on the gears to slow down to my speed. Nice. I went so slow I practically rode backwards and I barely even burned any calories. I really need to work on my speed in the next few months leading up to Iron Girl.

10 miles
Time 50:03
Ave Speed 12.0
Max Speed 14.9

Speaking of Iron Girl, Jenny and calorie burn, Jenny is hosting an awesome Facebook fitness challenge called the 500 calorie {exercise} burn challenge. Basically, you have to exercise and burn 500 calories and share photos to prove it. Of course, I barely hit the mark with that biking adventure, but there’s always next time.

Friday, I chaperoned a field trip to Sweetfield’s Farm Sunflower Maze and attended my moms group pampering event later that afternoon. My aching feet craved a pedicure. There was always Saturday to strive for a 500 calorie {exercise} burn.

I ran again on Saturday and once again, the humidity choked me, but at least I burned some calroeis for Jenny.

6.2 miles
Time 1:04:33
Ave Pace 10:25
Max Pace 8:03
630 calories

Monday, I appeared on the Mom Squad on Channel 10 News. Between hubby’s traveling last month and sick kids, I had to cancel my appearances. Yesterday, we shared opinions on the appropriate age to leave a child home alone.

Speaking of moms, this Thursday, May 9 is National Moms Nite Out and the Tampa Bay Bloggers are hosting a local event at Prime Bar at the Shops at Wiregrass. All the moms that attend can expect lots of fun, food and prizes! I can’t wait! If you want to join us, RSVP via the Facebook event.

Tomorrow is Tampa Bay for Boston Run. It’s in the evening and it’s been a while since I ran in the evening without my children. Thank goodness it’s just a run and the last run along the St. Pete Pier before they tear it down. No matter how fast or slow I run, I will be Boston Strong and there to cheer my friend, Marcia. If you want to join me or run virtually with me, register here. At least $20 per athlete will be donated to One Fund Boston.

After tomorrow’s memorial run, I’ll add another 2.62 miles towards my Joggermom Marathon total, but I’ll have to figure out some way to add another 300 calories in for Jenny’s challenge. My friends, Heather and Jen, are running 5 miles in the early morning. Should I run with them or conserve energy?

Today, I met my friends, Heather and Larisa, for sprints. With Heather’s guidance and encouragement, I have stepped up my sprints to 4 x 800m with 0.25 resting/walking laps in between. Heather normally jogs those resting laps, but she went easy on Larisa and I today. The jump to half mile sprints was tough but I felt great. We celebrated with a mile lap victory lap for our cool down.

Total Distance 5.15 miles (with 0.25 walking breaks between each lap)

1.01 mile warm up, Time 10:19

Lap 1 – Ave Pace 7:59, Best Pace 5:48

Lap 2 – Ave Pace 8:04, Best Pace 5:28

Lap 3 – Ave Pace 8:28, Best Pace 6:49

Lap 4 – Ave Pace 8:11, Best Pace 6:34

Cool Down – 1.14 mile Ave Pace 10:13, Best Pace7:46

And even with stepping up my sprints, I still am 9 calories short for the 500 calories {exercise} burn challenge. Bleh. But at least I only 12 miles left to complete the Joggermom Marathon!

Can you hit 500 calories in a workout? Did you step up your speedwork this week?

*Also submitted at*

One Woman Army for Mother’s Day {Music Monday}

No musings for Music Monday. The lyrics for Kate Earl’s “One Woman Army” and one photo set the perfect mood for Mother’s Day. (Be sure to watch the entire video the end.)

Never knew what I was signing up for
Knew it was hard but not this hardcore
Never gonna stop, never gonna give up on you
No matter what I do

(Chorus)
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
I’d fight for you, I’ll die, I’ll be your protector
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
No matter what may come, I won’t surrender

Gonna give you everything I never had
Love you and teach you good from bad
Never gonna stop, never gonna give up on you
No matter what I do

What I do, I do for you the best I can
Build a life for you with my own two hands
Never gonna stop, never gonna give up on you, baby
No matter what I do

(Chorus) X3
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
I’d fight for you, I’ll die, I’ll be your protector
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
No matter what may come, I won’t surrender

Happy Mother’s Day from Run DMT, your one woman army.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Pinning and Planning – May 5

Early this morning, I will be paddle boarding along the Crystal River. My Cinco de Mayo fiesta will begin once I return home to the ice cold Margaritas waiting for me there.

Zim Zari (our favorite local Tex-Mex restaurant) typically offers kids eat free all day on Sunday, but for this Sunday’s Cinco de Mayo fiesta, kids eat free before 3:00 p.m. I considered going to Zim Zari for dinner but once I sat down to plan our dinner menu for the week, I realized we would be eating a few times this week. ¡Así, Zim Zari es no va! Though we may stay home for our Cinco de Mayo fiesta, I may Skinnytaste’s Mexican Unfried Ice Cream add tonight’s to the menu to sweeten the deal.

Friday, we leave for the TradeWinds on St. Pete Beach for Mother’s Day. I’ve never been there and I can’t wait to soak in some sun, absorb some Vitamin D for my mother’s Day gift and run along the beach. With all the eating out we’re doing this week, I’m going to definitely need to find time for fitness.

Speaking of finding time for fitness, don’t miss out on this awesome fitness giveaway happening here! Win it just in time for Mother’s Day and give the gift of fitness!

And now for our dinner menu for the week:

S – Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowls with Cilantro Rice

M – Roasted Veggies and Shaved Asiago on Flatbread

T – Roasted Mojo Chicken with Tomato Zucchini Orzo

W – Loaded Baked Potatoes (My family will eat this. I will be at the Boston Memorial Run.)

Th – School’s McDonald’s Night (I will be at National Moms Night Out.)

F – Picnic on the beach

What’s on your dinner menu this week? What are your Cinco de Mayo plans? What are your Mother’s Day plans?

Run DMT

I'm a mom on the run!

Category Archives: family life

Just Let Go This Summer at the TradeWinds Island Resorts

Pinning and Planning – May 19

Garden Minestrone

J&J For All You Love

Roasted Veggies and Asiago Flatbread

Soup du Jour Vlog Hop: My Mother’s Day Reflection

Thankful for the Kindness of Strangers

Random Thoughts about National Moms Nite Out, Boxing, a Boston Run, Stepping Up My Sprints and Track Tuesday

One Woman Army for Mother’s Day {Music Monday}

Pinning and Planning – May 5

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