The Beaches of Spain...Cathedrals Beach

Playa de Las Catedrales, the 'Beach of the Cathedrals' is located in Ribadeo, in Lugo, Galicia on the coast of the Cantabrian Sea. It is in the area of Galicia called the Rias Altas, and it has been declared a Natural Monument by the Galician Ministry for the Environment.

The Cathedrals are a spectacular sight, known for their arches and caves, seen only at low tide. You can even see percebes, a delicacy in Spain because of the dangerous way in which they must be harvested. The tide comes in quickly. If you go, check the tide schedule and plan accordingly. 

Un beso

Boston: The Day After

I am heartsick. As a Bostonian, an amateur runner and human being, my heart breaks for those affected by the attacks in our city. It is easy to surrender to the anger...to think of revenge and punishment to bring about some sense of justice. As for justice, I have to trust in the process...that those responsible will be found and that they will face the full extent of the law and consequences for their actions.

As for me, I won't give give in to the anger I feel. I will take that energy and find ways to make good.

If you want to help, but aren't sure how, here's a few suggestions:

1. Are you able to give blood? The Red Cross is always seeking donations. Give life through yours.

2. Think of an organization with whose mission you identify or support. Make a donation or call to volunteer your time. Make a difference in your community. A lot of people doing a little bit can accomplish big things.

3. If one thing is for certain, yesterday showed us that life can change on a dime. Don't wait. If you miss someone, call. If you're sorry, say it. If you want to do something, do it. Don't wait. Define your dreams and start today.

 

Life is so precious. And there is no way to make sense of what happened yesterday because it is senseless. I can't control what happened, but I can control my reaction. And I choose to make good.

Peace.

Un beso.

Date Weekend! 5 Tips for Planning Your Weekend Away

For those of us in Massachusetts, Monday is a holiday. Patriots Day commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord at the start of the American Revolution, and for running enthusiasts, it is also the day of the Boston Marathon.

Since my husband and I are both public employees, we are lucky to have this day off, making this weekend a long weekend. And what better way to celebrate than with an extended Date Night and making it a Date Weekend. We're playing tourist in a city we know fairly well...the Big Apple.

If you're looking to love up your own long weekend, here's five easy tips we use:

1. Check Priceline. The ability to bid on a hotel price may intimidate some, but you learn the game and come out a winner. $50 a night for a Marriott just outside the city is not a bad deal.  We've used this website many times and luckily, we have never been disappointed.

2. Check discount sites like groupon, living social, goldstar and whofish for things to do in town. Often, you can find deals for tours, restaurants, shows, and museum discounts that might be exactly what you're looking for.

3. Theme it up. We were engaged in Paris. As a result, it becomes fun to reminisce about our time there and sip coffee in Parisian-style bistros. Love Rome? Sip cappuccinos in a local coffee bar. Barcelona your thing? Find a tapas bar and bon provecho!

4. Culture Club. Find a local museum and see what's on exhibit. Attend the local philharmonic. See what's going on in town. New York has scores of options, and smaller cities have much to offer as well.

5. Second Honeymoon. Weekends away are a great time to break from the routine. Let romance rule the day and soak up the love. You'll have to go back to work soon enough. Enjoy the time together just being together.

Our tentative itinerary is set and we can't wait to get away. Spring has sprung and love is in the air (always). Enjoy the weekend and let everything you do come from a place of love and gratitude.

Un beso.

 

Tuesday's Thoughts: Pablo Neruda

For today's Tuesday's Thoughts, I wanted to share an excerpt from Sonnet 17 by Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, one that we chose to have read at our wedding. Incredibly tender and romantic, it is one we both treasure.

The full text of the poem can be found here. And if you can read and understand Spanish, all the better.


Un beso.

Friday 5: Food Movies to Challenge Your Thinking

These days, I'm very interested in food. As an American who has spent time as a resident in rural Europe, I am fascinated by the differences in food culture.

Here in the U.S. we spend a lot of time talking about food and watching cooking shows with celebrity chefs. We eat out a lot. We scour shelves for healthy ingredients that may be altered to enhance protein, lower fat, salt or sugar. Some of us garden, purchase shares in community supported agriculture, pledge to eat local and support our local farmers' markets. Some of us have transitioned to plant-based diets, tried Meatless Mondays and some of us eat organic. Some of us eat paleo, high-protein, low-fat or vegan. Yet, with all this interest in food, the United States is still alarmingly obese and riddled with food and lifestyle-related maladies.

From where I live part time in Europe, it's very different. People grow food, not lawns. They shop in the market for what they don't grow themselves. They know the local farmers and for the most part, they know exactly where their food comes from. They eat cheese and bread and sausages, but also kale and potatoes and figs. They love sardines and pastries and strong coffee. They use olive oil and salt. Primarily, they eat at home, reserving cafes and bars for a cup of coffee, a drink, a snack or dinner out for a special occasion. Food is important, but not over thought.

For now, I spend most of my year here in in the United States and it's important for me to make the best choices I can make about what I eat. I've watched a lot of documentaries about food lately, and here are five that challenged my thinking and the approach I take in choosing what I eat.

Forks Over Knives

Food Inc.

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead

Ingredients

Food Fight


Today, food is a political issue. The fight over food covers topics from poverty  to the disappearance of bees, from aspartame in milk to pink slime, from fair trade to sustainability, from allergies and food intolerance to calories in versus calories out. When did this happen? How did this happen? When did food become more than how we fuel our bodies?

Whether we buy into the politics of food culture is our own choice, but nevertheless, making informed choices is key for health and peace of mind.

I *Heart* Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's is one of those places where you can shop for only those specialty items that make you happy. Or, you can do all of your shopping here and it's still a win-win.

When I go, there are always go-to items that I never leave without. Here's my top ten Trader Joe's finds:

1. Goat Cheese Medallions

I buy two or three of these packages at a time. They are perfect in a salad or on crackers for an afternoon snack. With five grams of protein and only 80 calories, these creamy medallions offer nearly guilt-free indulgence. They also have mini-brie cheeses, if you prefer.


2. Baby Beets

Beets can be bothersome and messy to cook and peel, but TJ's does it for you. They are perfect on salad (with the goat cheese medallions) or heated for the dinner plate. And they're good for you too.


3. Pomegranate Seeds

Another cumbersome good-for-you item is the pomegranate. TJ's makes it effortless to add a bit of crunch to your yogurt, pancakes or salad with these pre-packaged pomegranate seeds.


4. Salad Dressing

This dressing is delicious and low fat. It is great as a dressing or as a marinade.


5. Persian Cucumbers

These tender cukes are perfect as rounds topped with goat cheese or in lieu of potato chips when you want something crunchy and salty.  6. Pumpkin Pancake Mix

 Nothing says New England fall like pumpkin. However, I love pumpkin all year round, so this mix is perfect for me for when I'm craving spicy pumpkin comfort.   7. Oatmeal 

This blended grain cereal (rye, barley, oats and wheat) is perfect for chilly mornings or for when you're craving warm, comfort food. It's also great mixed with egg whites for a protein packed pancake that you can top with berries, yogurt or syrup of your choice.

8. Pineapple Salsa

It's sweet and hot...perfect on salads or with nachos.


9. A great produce and prepared foods section for picnics on the go.



 

 

10. And of course, Two-Buck Chuck...

 

Given the price, you may expect to drink vinegar, but it's not bad. Really. It might be Three-Buck Chuck now, depending on your location, but nevertheless, it's a bargain.

 

Trader Joe's has so much more to offer. We don't do all of our shopping at there, and the closest one is more than a half hour away; but when we do, we get the items we love and always try one or two new ones as well. With good quality items and wide availability of specialty and gourmet items, Trader Joe's makes it a worthwhile trip.





It's a date! Spring Date Night ideas

Spring has sprung! The weather is getting nicer warmer here in the Northeast, beckoning the winter-weary to venture outside and welcome nature's rebirth.

Here are eight great date ideas for you and your love to ring in spring with a little romance and maybe try something new.

1. Plant some flowers together or plan for a garden. Spruce up your abode with a splash of color. No need for landscaping space...a whisky barrel on a porch, a colorful window box, or even a kitchen herb garden can do wonders. And besides, cleaning up after getting dirty in the yard can be a lot of fun.

2. Go for a walk. Daylight savings time provides a wonderful opportunity for a hand-in-hand after-dinner stroll.

3. Picnic...pick up a pizza or pack a couple of sandwiches. Head to a park or meet up after work and soak up the last rays of sun before settling in for the night.

4. Do I know you? Meet up for a drink after work and flirt with your love. Pretend you're meeting for the first time and capitalize on the passion.

5. Play tourist. Companies like Groupon and Living Social offer discounted trolley tours, museum passes and local experiences that allow you to play tourist in your own backyard.

6. Set a fitness goal and get physical. Train for a 5k or 10k. Go on a hike. Go bike riding. Train for a tri. Whatever you like to do, try it together and reap the health benefits along with the together time. It's a win-win.

7. Lighten up. Try an optimum nutrition night of your choosing. Want to try going Paleo? Meatless Monday? Clean eating? Choose and cook your menu together. If the weather allows, dine al fresco.

8. Do it bunny style. Take a cue from our Easter friends and get a little busier. Try something new. Increase the frequency. Mix it up a bit. Again, it's a win-win. 

Happy spring!

Game On!

In the midst of my own March Madness, I am using this spring to renew my commitment to myself. It starts today.

1. If it goes in my mouth, I will write it down and hold myself accountable.

2. At least 30 minutes of effective movement every day. No excuses.

3. At least 5 minutes of intentional deep breathing and meditation every day, in the morning and at night.

I'm ready.

Un beso

Hump Day Haiku

Buen dia!

I am doubly inspired today.

Two hump day haikus for your reading pleasure.

Let's Go!

The world is open.

Lands unexplored await us.

Pack the bags; we're off!

Peace

Wrapped up in your arms,

Solace from the angry day.

Two hearts beat in step.

Unleash your own poetic expression. Link me up so I can read yours as well.

Un beso

Hump Day Haiku

Wednesday can be a whatever kind of a day, a workout day, a what's for dinner kind of day, or a what's-on-my-mind kind of day.

How about something new?

After yesterday's post about Tuesday's Thoughts, I was thinking about launching another weekly post...Hump Day Haiku.

So, going back to middle school English, a haiku is an non-rhyming poem of three lines. Line one has five syllables, line two has seven and line three has five...
5-7-5.

Here's my first...

Risk

Trying something new

can be met with fear and doubt.

Do it anyway.

Your turn...link me up and let me read yours too.