June Escape: San Antonio

Yet another adventure. I must say I'm enjoying life SO much these days. I have never been more relaxed, nor more healthy, and I am so thankful for all that I have going for me. (Side note: I was starting to be pessimistic about working ALL day on Father's Day, that's right 5:15am to 9:30pm after they extended my trip. But, I recovered quickly and told myself you know what be thankful you have a job, be happy you can do the job, and be glad I will be home with a roof over my head and a full fridge later tonight. And that I was able to see my papa on Father's day and give him his awesome cardinal feeder and seeds. And from then on, I've been more of a happy camper than ever.)

This brings me to my June Escape: San Antonio, specifically Sea World.

Now I hadn't even realized there was a Sea World in San Antonio until looking up the locations, and I do want to eventually explore the Orlando and San Diego locations, but for now, San Antonio was in the same time zone, relatively open flights, and just someplace different to go. Who says, "let's go to San Antonio!" I don't always want to go where everyone goes (and those flights tend to fill up anyway) so to go to Southern Texas the beginning of June might seem odd, but it was quite alright by me.

San Antonio



I have never rented a car before. After trying to figure out which company had the lowest young driver fee (25 is the lucky number for no fees - looking forward to that!), Advantage pulled through, only $15 added on! I was not even nervous to drive, maybe because we had this tiny little beast. A Nissan Versa, quite snazzy. And in powder blue, talk about class. The most anxiety I felt: booking this car and the hotel while waiting in the gate area on the plane after we got our seats.



This isn't the greatest picture, unfortunately my phone and nighttime don't get along. BUT the San Antonio River Walk is AH-MAZING. I felt as if it was a hidden place, because from the above streets on a Monday night there was no one around, abandoned buildings down the streets we walked, and relatively few people. Yet, walking down two sets of steps led to this secret, very thriving, full of life place. Next time (and there will be a next time) I plan on catching the boat tour that runs along this river and perusing the shops a bit more.

Our dinner spot! I wasn't that hungry but cheese dip and guacamole sounded yummy. This whopping portion was enough for way more than just me. Unfortunately, cheese dip didn't live up to Mariachi Loco's (I have high standards, peeps) BUT it was still yummy probably most credit given to the atmosphere. Next time, remind me to bring dresses, as the River Walk had a somewhat classy vibe and with 97 degree weather and humidity, jeans and a cardigan, so not coming with.

The Alamo! Sadly, neither me nor Jacqui (who I went with!) know anything about The Alamo. I would definitely want to take a tour of this next time. The only thing I can recall about The Alamo is from the Pee Wee Herman movie, that he thought his bicycle was in the basement of The Alamo. To which, I believe there isn't even a basement? Yep, no idea.

 Our San Antonio night life ended as we walked back to our Travel Lodge room. What appeared to look a lot nicer from the online pictures and not nasty motel-esque. Meh. Lesson learned. All we had to do was sleep there, and that's what we did. Sea World bright and early the next day, only about 15 minutes away!



Walking into Sea World feels much more like a theme park than my vision of a huge aquarium. Gone are most interactive tanks to view the giant mammals. Instead, the day was centered around the 'shows.' However, there are two stops to feed animals: the sea lions (or are they seals? shoot. can't recall) and the dolphins. I didn't feed these guys but this one was a BEAST. Clearly, he was eating all the fish people fed him. Just thinking about his massive size makes me laugh. Not as pretty scenic wise as say Seal Island at the Como Zoo (once again, I had very high expectations and standards for Sea World), but more interactive and memorable since you are able to feed them.



Show #1. What I thought was going to be a kiddie show, I was pleasantly surprised with the appeal to all ages and incorporation of seals, otters, and the walrus. According to the show, animals take around 3-5 years to train for this (if I remember correctly), but they did a darn good job. Despite sitting in the direct sun and sweating it out, the show was well worth it.  




Show #2: SHAMU. The greatest amount of anticipation for this show. Basically the crowds follow one another all day long, hopping from show to show, and it was somewhat of a rush to get over to this arena. The area is at least the size of Valley Fair if not double, a lot bigger than I ever though, complete with a man made lake in the center for their water ski shows. Back to Shamu - There are THREE of them. WHAT! I had NO idea there were three, I mean it makes sense, but in my mind I only thought there would be one getting all the attention. However, I would like to say Shamu was the largest one, as the other two were smaller, dorsal fins still strong and tall. I was very impressed with the orchestration of the show, music and lights, and the amount of time devoted to the orcas. Most shows I feel are dedicated to education rather than 'tricks' but the Shamu show was all about showing off the massive size of these whales. The trainers never got in the water with the whales, something maybe only reserved for the Orlando location, or perhaps not at all anymore after deadly encounters. But all in all, SO fun to watch. I had only wished I could have gotten closer. My biggest disappoint for the day was not being able to really SEE the animals besides in the show. They resorted back to their tanks behind the audience zones and we never saw them again. A huge difference from aquariums and the 'on display' factor versus entertainment perhaps. (Also, note the HUGE whale tale that is over the entrance to their tanks, gah, LOVE LOVE LOVE)

  

One of my favorite pictures from the entire day. The much anticipated picture that all try to capture. This is who I call Shamu. He's (or possibly she I really don't know) the largest of the three and the only one with his dorsal fin curved, which saddened my heart a bit to see, but there is no pain to my understanding to them, simply due to captivity. Orca whales are truly GIANTS. Now I would say gentle giants of the sea like all my other whale species, however, these guys are the killer whales, and eat much more than fish and krill, thus, although graceful, not exactly gentle in the oceans. What you don't see after this picture is how they slither back into the water, their entire body goes limp and at the moment they look like a huge amount of blubber slowly sinking into the water lifeless, not the prettiest image in  your mind, nor to see, but they've got to get back in the water somehow I guess. Nevertheless, the main attraction by far at Sea World and I was impressed. I do wish I could have gotten up to their tank and really take in their massive size and behaviors. But you are not able to get any closer than this, the image of Free Willy and the tapping of the glass, so not happening here.



Show #3. I love belugas. I could watch the behaviors of a swimming beluga literally all day if given the chance. However, this again is where Sea World differs from aquariums. This is as close as you get to the animals. Unless of course you may additional money for an 'encounter.' From what I could tell they only have the one beluga, which somewhat makes me sad, as these animals are always in pods in the wild, and although have human companions in captivity, at the end of the day, he is swimming by himself. Only making about three appearance throughout the entire show, this picture is where I truly got jealous. I would love to 'ride' these gentle giants. The trainer also got to 'ski' with the beluga by resting her foot on the beluga's melon (the alien looking head part). This show combined more synchronized swimming and acrobatics than the focus on the animals, but once again, entertainment factor and attention span seeking, meets the mark.

Dolphin encounter! This is the second animal you can feed: the bottlenose dolphins! You can buy fish and gently toss the fish into their mouths. Despite being above these creatures height wise, I was still a bit nervous as to how to interact with them, those teeth look intimidating. It was after my last fish that the helper said to us to touch the dolphin first on the nose then give it a fish as a reward. I didn't officially touch one but I did feed them. And with this being the closest you can come to any animal at Sea World, I may have enjoyed this exhibit and experience the most. The songs of the Beach Boys may have helped increase the atmosphere points as well.



At the entrance, yet the last picture of my trip! Since I haven't gone to a larger aquarium (my last one was Shedd back in December) or a theme park in a while, so this was great, despite my disappointments here and there. And do I dare say, I like some heat these days, however 97 degrees and humid may not be ideal. The change of pace for this trip, WAY worth it. Sea World San Diego and Orlando will be on my list.



01 02 18

Cocoa Greek Yogurt Dip

Problem: I was craving brownies after my not so satisfying lunch I made (plain quinoa is not for me) but the only dessert box in the pantry was a funfetti cake mix accompanied by no frosting. That's not appealing. So, I looked to pinterest for a quick recipe with ingredients I have.
Solution: Cocoa Greek Yogurt Dip (original recipe here)

Ingredients (serving size: one):

1/2 cup Greek Yogurt (I would use vanilla in the future)

1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

1/2 tsp Agave Nectar (you can also use honey)

1/8 tsp Vanilla Extract (not needed if using vanilla yogurt)

Additions:

Sprinkles (I added these after the picture was taken)

Mini dark chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

All in all, not bad, satisfied my craving for some chocolate flavor. Next time I will use vanilla yogurt as to not taste the bitterness of plain greek yogurt. A healthy treat that does feel guilt free. This 4 oz serving is packed with over 20 percent of your protein. Use vanilla wafers or graham crackers to dip if you don't happen to have animal cracker laying around.

ENJOY.

01 02 18

Lemon Corn Couscous Salad

As I listen to Dolly Parton in the kitchen, I can't help think how much I love cooking. And not just any cooking, but healthy dishes and using the freshest ingredients possible. Some days I think I was really meant to live the Southern Belle lifestyle. For now, I'll sip my ice tea, let my peaches ripen (future recipe coming!), and listen to Dolly while I blog. Enjoy the Couscous Salad!

So you should be prepared because this salad is DELICIOUS. I could eat the entire bowl, no joke. The outcome is so fresh, the perfect temperature, and the right amount of zesty lemon. Everything blends so well. I ate this salad all alone for dinner, but you could pair it with some type of leafy salad, or do I dare say, meat? Which ever you choose, this will take the stage, because it's so gosh darn yummy.

Found on pinterest, here's the recipe from the blog Just a Taste. Of course, I'll post below for ease of reading. The major change I made was instead of using quinoa, I used what we had here at home which created a fantastic substitution and one that I will always use: Trader Joe's Harvest Grains blend - a savory blend of Israeli Style Couscous, Orzo, Baby Garbanzo Beans, and Red Quinoa. Highly recommended!

Lemon Corn Couscous Salad:

4 ears corn, shucked 1 can of corn, no salt added (that's what we have in our pantry)1 Tablespoon grated fresh lemon zest
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ stick (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
(I used margarine, although if I had butter I would have used it)1 Tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups uncooked quinoa
(Substitute the Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend 1 3/4 cups = half a bag)4 scallions, chopped
(I used 5 green onions thinly chopped/sliced)

Directions:
1. Heat entire contents from can of corn in a small pot on stove top over medium heat (enough to heat all the way through).

2. Prepare the dressing by whisking together the lemon zest, lemon juice, melted butter, honey, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

3. Rinse the uncooked grains in a sieve under cold water until the water runs clear. (I read this as rinse after the grains were cooked, as long as it gets rinsed at some point, you're fine!)

4. Cook the grains according to package directions.

5. Add the grains, drained corn, and chopped scallions to the bowl with the dressing and toss until it's evenly coated.

6. You're going to love this salad as much as I do, the entire combination screams summertime! Enjoy!

01 02 18

Cocoa Banana Bread.

I'm back in the kitchen. I love the kitchen. Especially by myself, with music, and nothing but a counter full of ingredients.

I checked out two vegan cookbooks this week from the library. My curiosity led me to the cookbook aisle. I've always wondered how hard would it be to switch up my food choices even more from vegetarian, and I've never known what vegans do and do not eat. These two books answered my questions.

Today, I tried my first recipe. A little modification was done. I'm not becoming a vegan, but I am intrigued by a few recipes and ingredients that I want to try. Plus, I'm always looking for new recipes, whether it be to cook or bake.

From the book, Vegan Express, I started with the recipe Dense and Fruity Banana Bread on page 239. Mainly, because I knew we had a whole bunch of bananas in the fridge way past their prime. What become of this recipe is pure delicious-ness.

The original recipe:

Oil for the pan

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/3 natural granulated sugar

3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

pinch of ground nutmeg

2 medium very ripe bananas, well mashed

1/2 cup applesauce or apple butter

2 tbsp safflower oil

1/3 cup rice milk or soymilk

3/4 cup finely chopped dates or dried apricots

1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

My version:

1 cup whole wheat flour (we only had one cup of this flour left in the cupboard)

1 cup white flour

1/2 applesauce instead of apple butter

2 tbsp vegetable oil instead of safflower oil

1/3 soymilk (my mom only drinks this, so we always have soymilk on hand)

1/2 cup chocolate chips

No dates, fruit, or nuts

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan. I used vegetable spray and a glass loaf pan.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cocoa, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl and stir together. 3. Make a well in the center of flour mixture and add the bananas, applesauce, oil, and enough soymilk to make a smooth slightly stiff batter. Stir until thoroughly mixed, then stir in the chocolate chips (or fruit or nuts as you wish).
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is firm and a knife inserted into the center tests clean. When cool enough to handle, carefully remove the bread from the pan, place it on a rack or platter, and allow to cool until just warm before slicing. I baked my loaf for a total of 41 minutes. The loaf sat for about 2-3 minutes to cool in the pan, then I ran the knife along the edges of pan and flipped over the loaf and set onto a wire rack to cool. Slice with a serrated bread knife for clean slices.

This loaf can easily be made vegan by not putting in chocolate chips or using dairy free chips. I just can't resist chocolate chips in banana bread. Enjoy!

01 02 18

Car Troubles.

Don't let my Dodge see this post, else she may get a bit mad. Yep. I said that, I can't let her know she may someday be replaced. I am convinced she is a sister of Herbie. If she knows you dislike how she is behaving (okay, well driving or handling) then she will continue to get worse or cause little hiccups along the way.

Here's the truth: she is a bucket of rust underneath the outer body. Unfortunate, but true. She will be getting another spa day to hopefully help her get even more miles than the 150,000+ she's got going on. Later this week: new brakes, turned rotors, new radiator, and alternator. Uffda. I sure hope this helps the car last, because I am not in any situation to get a new car right now.

One) Because I love my little four door car that zips around town like no other and fits into basically any parking spot available.

Two) This has been my only car. I know how to take care of her. And yet, because she is a '97 if the body gets a scratch I don't mind. All in building the cars character. Like the scratch on the top of the trunk? Yep, from my college laundry basket that had a pebble stuck to the bottom and I pushed the basket across the trunk when moving all my stuff back home last year. But you see, these little things are what I love about my car.

Three) Decent fuel mileage. Alright, around town I have only been getting about 23 mpg, but when I was going from school to home and had highway miles logged, I would get about 27 mpg. I shouldn't complain either way.

Four) Most importantly, my comfort level. I've got my mirrors adjusted, my seat pulled forward, and I am in charge. Other cars I don't always have such a strong grip on. I know this comes with time, as I remember my first time reversing in the Dodge. I complained I couldn't see anything. And look how far I've come.

My Dodge, well, I'm not ready to let go quite yet.




01 02 18

These are a few of my favorite things.

Hello, May 2012:

1. Country Music.
2. Tips from passengers. This seriously can make my day, yes a whopping dollar most times.
3. French pedicures.
4. Dove dark chocolate with caramel.
5. Crystal Light drink mixes.
6. Homemade Nail Whitener:
    -1 tablespoon Hydrogen Peroxide
    -2.5 tablespoons Baking Soda
  Mix into a paste and use a q-tip to apply under and over nails. Let sit for 3 minutes and wash away!
7. Homemade Makeup Brush Cleanser:
    -1/2 warm water
    -1/4 white distilled vinegar
   Swish brush in solution, let dry on a paper towel overnight. AMAZING.
8. Watching my gladiolas grow!
9. Gardening.
10. Walks to the Mississippi River.
11. Watching my bird feeder. Yes, I do this on a daily basis when I'm home. This is my retirement plan. Amateur bird watcher.
12. Life cereal with almond milk.
13. Tuna wraps.
14. Zesty Italian dressing.
15. Keurig Cafe Mocha and Apple Cider.
16. Yoga.
17. Cleaning the kitchen and doing the dishes. Yes, cleaning.
18. Clipping coupons on Sunday.
19. Looking at the Rainbow ad for DOUBLE DAZE on Wednesdays. Yep. Not kidding here.
20. V-neck shirts with jeans.
21. Old Navy black flip flops.

Content. SO content with life right now.



01 02 18

Little things.

Today is May 1st. May day. I've always wondered what May Day really is, so today I googled it and found brief answers to my question. My interpretation: I will celebrate the beginning of Spring and have flowers planted, in vases, and everywhere possible. A new wreath on the front door (okay, when I have a front door to do so) and give away baskets or little terracotta pots of fresh flowers at work (okay, if my work isn't in a plane).

Last Friday was also Arbor Day. I also have never celebrated Arbor Day and don't know what it's all about it. So, yep, googled that one too. Basically, I am suppose to plant a tree. But my interpretation will be to plant in general and possible clean up things that weren't done on Earth Day (just the week prior, why do they make these holidays so close to one another?).

I love the outdoors. On Sunday I was able to walk by the Mississippi River near Hidden Falls, and it was SO nice. A little chilly, perfect cardigan weather, and plenty of puppies to watch splash around in the water and run around and tackle one another. The bottom of my shoes got sandy and I may have eaten a few grains of sand with my sandwich, but the time was so nice. Maybe spending the day with another person made a difference too, but regardless it was a great day. I love water. Never realized it so much as now, but I do. After visiting the beaches of Puerto Rico, listening to the waves at the edge of Scotland, and now taking in the murky water of the Mississippi, I don't mind what kind of water, just water. Noted.



01 02 18