Looking for a Last Minute Getaway this Weekend? Follow your Spirit of Wanderlust to this Quaint Mountain Town

It’s the beginning of June and summer is upon us—that means time to plan the last minute getaways! For those of you who may be local to the PA, MD, NY, NJ area, I will be sharing my experiences in a scenic little mountain town called Hawley, PA. Hawley is located in the Northern part of the Pocono Mountains and boasts stunning views, a refurbished Silk Mill (which is now home to a bevy of eclectic little shops) and charming places to stay.

If you are whisking your kids away on an impromptu family vacation, there is no better place to awaken your children’s excitement than Woodloch Resort. Woodloch is a sprawling, all-inclusive,

family-friendly resort that is so large it should have its’ own zip code. As you pass through the impressive tree-lined entrance, you will see a variety of lodging options, on-campus restaurants, snowtubing hills, lakes, archery stations, playgrounds, indoor fun-rooms and your favorite TV characters nonchalantly strolling along the wooded paths (Sponge Bob, Scooby Doo, Cookie Monster, Dora the Explorer, etc.). 

Upon check-in, the concierge gives you a colored rubber bracelet which will grant you access into any of their impressive facilities. You can choose from magic shows, indoor playgrounds, lakeside games, water parks, the list goes on and on. The bracelet will also make you an honored guest at one of their all-you-can-eat dinner services (they determine which dining hall you will attend based on the location of your lodging so that it doesn’t get too crowded). The dinners are themed so the characters will make a special appearance mid-way! Rylan’s favorite part of the dining experience was seeing “Bob Bob Pants” (Sponge Bob Square Pants) and eating 3 different kinds of dessert. If you partake in too many activities and would prefer to lounge in the comfort of your spacious guest room (many with lake-front balconies), Woodloch Resort has convenient store options that sell fresh cheese, upscale/healthy snacks, milk and other beverages and souvenirs. 

Every detail is covered at Woodloch and you won’t need to leave the campus for any reason. They even have convenient shuttles that come around every few minutes and take you to your desired location (trust me, the place is HUGE—there is no way it is entirely walkable). Not only do they have amazing amenities and cheerful concierge, but it is completely affordable! My mom, Rylan and I snagged a February special of a gorgeous guestroom for 2 nights, all-inclusive (dining as well) for around $160/night. This includes the kid-friendly activities! And for the exhausted adults who may need a minute to yourselves, Woodloch does offer a few nightlife options as well (though I’m sure you won’t get to see Sponge Bob). 

Hawley is not just a town with giddy children running amuck, though. Hawley is also home to the most charming, cozy Bed & Breakfast, the Settlers Inn. This little mountain inn is located on somewhat of a centralized, main road, but you still get the benefit of the breathtaking mountainous views, while having proximity to the Wine & Beverage store. In all honesty, with the Inn’s elegant and rustic breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, you may not need to venture out at all! 

Even the way the Settler’s Inn smells is beyond delightful. When you walk in the ornate front doors, you are greeted with the oaky musk of the grand fireplace and the sweet floral scent of the soaps in the gift shop (their heavenly hand soap smells like someone bottled clean mountain air and fresh flowers). On the left of you, their cozy Victorian dining room is bustling with relaxed guests and hospitable staff. Every table is full of house-made breads and butter florets, and decadently plated and inventive cuisine. My breakfast experience was pumpkin waffles with a blackberry reduction, topped with curried ricotta and candied nuts. It was a new level of ecstasy. My lunch rivaled my lavish breakfast with a simple shrimp flatbread topped with drizzled balsamic, heirloom tomatoes and artisan greens from their outdoor garden.

   The rooms embrace a vintage Arts & Crafts style décor and are adorned with luxurious sheets, fluffy down comforters and delicate artwork. The color schemes are tranquil and inviting, and the bathrooms are clean and airy with a lavish whirlpool tub, stand up shower and high-end soaps. Although the rooms sit atop the restaurant and main area downstairs, you can’t hear any of the background noise. 

Whether you are traveling with the whole family or looking for a romantic rendez-vous, Hawley has just the right amount of charm and clean mountain air to refresh your spirit. If you find yourself venturing up that way, feel free to contact me and I can give you some pointers on places to go for hikes, kayaking, dining, or shopping. Happy travels, friends!

Tired of the Living in a Fog? Reset Your Body and Mind with Whole30 Challenge

Take a minute to answer these simple questions:

Do you need to drink 3+ cups of coffee a day to stay alert?
Do you constantly fall victim to the after-lunch fog?
Do you feel sluggish or lack energy more often than you care to?
Do you suffer from digestive issues (heartburn, acid reflux, feeling hungry or full all the time)?
Do you have skin problems for no reason (acne, random rashes, hives, dry skin)?
Do you feel sugar or carb withdrawals?
Does your diet revolve around sugar, carbs and dairy?

Around the holidays, I was horrified to stumble upon pictures of myself at a company holiday party and couldn’t believe how round I had become in the year past. It was so discouraging to see that my overconsumption of Christmas cookies and seasonal beer had caused me to look like a lump of rising sourdough, expanding slowly day by day. I feverishly embarked on a carb-free diet which consisted of nutrient-lacking protein shakes and cheese. I was so deflated 2 months later to realize that those empty calories were not making the weight melt off.

In late April, I overheard a coworker talking about a month long challenge that she was mid-way through, called the Whole30. She described it as a body reset, eliminating grain, dairy and sugar and sticking to the basics of meat, fruits and most veggies. Her complexion was glowing and she seemed so alert, and she was only halfway through the challenge! I was immediately intrigued because I love a challenge and a month did not seem like an overwhelming amount of time to take a step in the right direction toward improving my health and wellness.

I fully recommend reading up on the Whole30 program before starting it, as there are a good amount of restrictions that you absolutely cannot get around. For me, I cut out all condiments but increased the seasonings and fresh herbs used. I use only coconut oil to cook with, and coconut and almond flour to coat meats only. I opt not to eat any nuts and limit sweet potato consumption (for those who have higher carbohydrate needs, sweet potatoes will be your best friend). I drink my coffee black with a splash of coconut milk but I do not use any sweetener of any kind. I have completely cut out snacking in between meals and put the most emphasis on a filling breakfast (usually 2 hardboiled eggs, a banana and black coffee). For the first 10 days, I did not get inventive with recipes because I wanted my body to FEEL the changes I was making, instead of replacing bad food with a healthier alternative. I wanted to rely on the primitive aspect of eating plain (mostly raw) vegetables, and taking whole pieces of fruit for a meal. On day 11, I started experimenting with different flavors, seasonings and preparation methods. Everything that was being churned out of my kitchen was zesty and vivid in color.

I started making video blogs (vlogs) to chronicle my experiences for friends who had a desire to try the challenge. I made one for Days 1-10 and Days 11-20 (I am currently on Day 23 and will record my final one on May 31). It was super encouraging to see the way my face had slimmed down from the first vlog to the second. I even had a dewier complexion and my eyes were brighter. I was initially going to wait until I was completely done with the challenge to publish a blog post about the Whole30, but I am being approached by many people about the challenge and I feel compelled to share my story to inspire those of you wishing to make a life change and feel phenomenal!

I recommend briefing yourself on how you will feel on a day-to-day basis on the Whole30. It really does help explain why some days will seem darker than others, and some days you will feel on top of the world. My best advice for starting—DO NOT treat yourself to a binge-day before starting. Anything you put in your body before the Whole30 WILL BE DETOXED out of you and it will make you feel like crap-ola. If you have a day of cramming donuts in your mouth while watching Netflix, you will have a sugar come-down for the first few days of the Whole30. A sugar come-down pretty much consists of migraines, tiredness, mood swings and intense cravings. JUST SAY NO. This isn’t a diet, it’s a change of life where you will now be aware what you are putting in your body and how it affects your entire system. Also, if on Day 14, you are having a hankering for that baby shower cake in the break room…know that it will completely throw you off track in the worst way…and they DO say you will have to start completely over from Day One. I have literally had a spoon of buttercream icing ripped out of my hand by a conscientious objector. On that note, TELL EVERYONE YOU SEE. You know how vegans tell everyone they’re practicing veganism? Probably because they need their friends to help them stick to their dietary change or they would lock themselves in the utility closet at work with a handful of Slim Jims and pork rinds in a moment of meat-induced weakness. So tell your biggest cheerleaders that you are embarking on this challenge and let them encourage you. The positive reinforcement is one of the best parts of the Whole30 because people will see your willpower and your dedication. It’s not easy. Certainly not for foodies like me—when I say icing was forcefully removed from my iron grip, that is no exaggeration. There will also be a point in time when you will dream about sugar-laden delectables. This is normal—this is your body mourning the loss of a certain way of life while your mind embraces the new routine. STAY ON TRACK!

If you need inspiration and encouragement, feel free to watch my vlogs whenever you need to! They cover how I felt day to day, how you will feel if you happen to get a cold during the challenge, and how reinforce how amazing you are for taking this day by day for yourself and your health!

I will also be periodically posting paleo and whole30 approved recipes to inspire you throughout your journey! 

Turmeric Rubbed Chicken with a Mango Avocado Salsa

Ingredients: For the Chicken
4 chicken breasts
2 tbs turmeric
1 tbs red pepper chili flakes
1/2 tsps red cayenne pepper
1 tbs chopped basil
1/2 tsps coarse salt
2 limes
1 clove minced garlic

Combine tumeric, chili flakes, cayenne and salt in a bowl and coat chicken evenly, rubbing in the spices. In a pan on medium heat, heat 1 tbs Sesame Oil (or coconut oil) and garlic. Sautee chicken evenly on both sides until golden brown, and baste with lime juice when they are done.

Ingredients for the Salsa:

2 ripe mangoes
2 ripe avocados
1 red onion
10 grape tomatoes (optional)
1 tbs chopped cilantro
1 clove minced garlic
Juice of 1 lime
Zest of 1 lime

Dice all ingredients and combine in bowl. Serve cold or warmed overtop chicken.

BUTT-KICKIN RESOURCES:

The WHOLE Whole30

What to Expect Day by Day

Recipes/Meal Plans

Business Insider Article about What the Whole30 is Like

My personal experience with the Whole30:

Days 1-10 Vlog

Days 11-20 Vlog

Bring the Childhood Magic Back into Weekend Mornings

My favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning is to wake up with the sunrise and take my toddler to the neighborhood diner in his pajamas. I live for the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting into the booths, and the way the intricately iced cakes rotate in the carousel as little ones crowd around it, noses pressed against the glass. As I sit cuddled up with my son next to me, I watch all the different stories unfold around me—young kids voraciously feasting before a big soccer game; loving grandparents treating their grandkids to a special meal; single parents who have their little ones for their custodial weekend; shy young couples on their first breakfast date together getting to know each other over French toast; college students sleepily refueling after an all-too-familiar all-nighter.

The best part about Saturday mornings at the diner is the squeal of excitement escaping my son when his Mickey Mouse pancake is put in front of him. Seeing the elation in his eyes sparked the idea that I could create that glimmer of magic in our own home every Saturday morning with breakfast food that depicted his favorite stories and characters. For the past couple of months, every weekend morning when my baby starts to stir, his sandy-colored hair disheveled from his adventures in dreamland, I ask him what he wants for breakfast. Without fail, he exclaims emphatically with his eyes still closed…”Pancakes!”

Thus my affinity for whimsical pancake art was born! I love using cuts of fresh, colorful fruit; multicolored chocolate chips; and a questionably steady hand while pouring the batter into funky shapes in the hot, buttered pan. The hard part is not dreaming up concepts, but keeping sticky little fingers from grabbing a strawberry nose in the process!

If you want a great way to bond with your kids, treat your significant other to a piece of culinary art, or just reliving your own favorite childhood wonders, see what you can come up with this Saturday morning.