Monthly Archives: May 2022

Adventure

Adventure Travel – New Jersey

New Jersey is one of the most under rated adventure travel destinations. The area offers looks at delicate environments, historic sites, the sound of the surf and wildlife not to be missed.

Along the New Jersey Shore Cape May will take you back to victorian times with buildings from the 1600’s. If you hang out along main street it is a bit too touristy. So take a walk along the back roads to get a feel for the area to take you back to a simpler time.

The beach here is clean and a walk along the ocean or a day of playing in the surf can sooth your spirit. Travel inland just a short distance and visit the winery in the area and sample the grapes in the area.

The Maritime Forest once ran all along the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the last remaining stands of the forest can be found at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. This area is an important feeding site for migratory birds. You can hike a short trail not even a quarter of a mile and view the birds, box turtles and deer that inhabit the forest.

The New Jersey leg of the Appalachian Trail is one that can take you into the wilderness and through either rough or not so rough terrain. Picking rough terrain usually will get you away from most people and for the adventure traveler it can raise your adventure level.

Beaver Pond Trail is strewn with lava rocks from a volcano that has been dormant for many years. This is bear country and there are scars on the trees giving proof as you hike along. The hike will take you across High Point Mountain giving you views to the Atlantic Ocean. Traveling through wetlands and at the end of the trail you will find the beavers engineering masterpiece the pond.

High Point State Park Monument Trail offers a less taxing hike, for 3 miles you will travel through the forest, see lots of mushrooms, and enjoy the feeling of being in a magical place. Following the trail to the end you will get a view of the Delaware River flowing to the Atlantic Ocean.

Saw Mill Lake is a great place to set up your home base while staying close to the Jersey Shore. Waking everyday in the woods the lake is man made but looks like a natural lake surrounded by the woods.

Leave the city noise and enter New Jersey backwoods and let your adventure begin.

Trip

Vacation and Diets – Sticking to Your Diet During a Road Trip

If you’ve worked hard to lose weight, don’t let your next road trip get in the way. With some planning ahead and the right attitude, you can stave off the extra pounds and still enjoy your trip.

It all starts with having the right mindset. Many people think of vacations as their excuse to overeat and indulge in things they wouldn’t otherwise. This can add up to more than a few extra pounds at the end of your trip.

Cut yourself some slack, but don’t allow yourself to stray too far from your eating plan. Commit to eating right at least 80 percent of the time. That way, you can try new foods and let your hair down a little bit, without completely bankrupting your diet.

You can also overcome your desire to overeat by focusing on the experience and not the food. Indulge yourself in taking photographs, enjoying being with the people you are traveling with or just the experience of being out on the road.

Planning ahead can also help with staying on your diet. Never leave the house without snack foods and healthy alternatives! Taking food on vacation is not a sign of being controlling or not “living in the moment.” It’s a smart plan.

There are a lot of portable fruits and vegetables that you can eat in the car. You can also take along whole wheat crackers, pita chips or rice cakes. A small cooler can provide you with storage for low fat cheese, lean meats or hard boiled eggs.

Be sure to take along enough food in your car so you won’t be tempted to hit the drive through and eat unhealthy food. (This tip helps your pocketbook, too.) You’ll feel so much better when you arrive at your destination if you haven’t been noshing on fried chips and colas the whole way.

Don’t forget to take along bottles of water! It’s easy to get dehydrated, especially when you are on the road. You can often mistake thirst for hunger and eat more than you need to. Having a water bottle handy will remind you to drink lots of water and it can curb hunger before it starts.

When you stop to eat, try to find a sit-down restaurant. Order a salad or a grilled chicken entree for a combination of nutrition and low calories. Fill up on water or tea, and not high-calorie sodas. If you have to go to a drive through instead of a sit down restaurant, opt for a grilled chicken sandwich or a salad. Skip the fries and the other high fat side dishes.

Stop yourself from snacking too much in the car by wearing tight-fitting clothing. If you dress too comfortably, you won’t notice when you’ve eaten too much.

By wearing an outfit that shows off your shape, you will have a subtle reminder of why you’re trying so hard to stay on your diet. Little tricks like these will help you avoid gaining weight on your road trip.